What complications can there be?

Every surgical procedure is associated with risks and complications. A surgical intervention should always be planned only after a thorough consideration of other therapy options. In toe surgery, the risk of complications also depends on the experience of the surgeon.

A typical risk of surgery is infection in the surgical field, in a joint of the foot or at the point where the wire exits the toe. Accidental injuries to bones, nerves, tendons, muscles and other tissues in the operating area are also always possible during surgery. After the operation, problems such as thrombosis can be expected due to the prolonged immobilization.

It can also happen that the operation does not achieve the desired effect and that the toe suffers from secondary symptoms. The anesthesia can also cause unpleasant symptoms such as allergic reactions or intolerance of the anesthetics. A freedom from symptoms can never be guaranteed by the operation. For this reason, the surgical risks must never be disregarded and conservative treatments must be given priority.

Can this be done on an outpatient basis?

The hammer toe surgery is a relatively small operation. Outpatient treatment is also possible. Before the operation, an appointment must be made for a preliminary examination, discussion of the procedure and information about the anesthesia.

Afterwards, the previously discussed precautions and fasting times must be observed for the day of the operation. The outpatient surgery will usually be performed in the morning or in the morning. The duration of the operation is about one hour.

The patient must nevertheless remain in the clinic until the anesthesia or narcosis has completely worn off and the patient feels comfortable. This can take different lengths of time depending on the type of anesthesia chosen. Possible appointments for aftercare and for pulling the wires may follow.

The type of anaesthesia is chosen jointly by the anaesthetist and patient. For hammer toes surgery there are generally two types of anesthesia available. In many cases general anesthesia is used, which among other things provides sedation and pain relief.

Alternatively, a so-called “spinal anesthesia” can be used. In this procedure, the spinal cord is anaesthetized with a syringe in the back. In this variant, the patient is awake and responsive, but can only not feel the legs.

The choice of anesthesia must be made according to the concomitant diseases and the age of the patient, but above all according to personal wishes. The duration of the operation can vary greatly and depends largely on the required measures and surgical techniques. A simple redirection of the extensor tendon can sometimes take less than 30 minutes. Hohmann’s operation requires additional bone cuts and often also the insertion of a wire, which can take a long time. During surgery, individual anatomy or unforeseen circumstances can always cause delays, which can prolong the operation.