Procedure
Lesser Toe Correction Surgery
For Lesser Toe Deformities
What It Involves
Correcting a lesser toe deformity is not a single fixed operation — it is a tailored process. Because each toe has its own combination of joint stiffness, tendon tightness, and bone position, Dr Hogan uses a toolkit of smaller procedures to address whichever elements are contributing to the problem — releasing or lengthening tight tendons, removing a small amount of bone from a stiff joint, straightening the bones, or stabilising the toe temporarily with a fine wire while it heals. Two or three of these steps are often combined in the one operation to give the toe the best chance of sitting flat and straight.
The position achieved on the operating table — even when perfect — can in some cases differ slightly from the final position of the toe once healing is complete, as small shifts in soft tissue tension can occur over time in a part of the body under repetitive daily load. Most changes are subtle and well tolerated, but it's important to have realistic expectations from the outset — this surgery is performed to correct mechanical problems (pain, rubbing, difficulty with footwear), not to achieve a specific cosmetic appearance.
Recovery Timeline
Everyone heals at a different rate — this timeline is a guide.
Weeks 1–2
Full weight-bearing in a surgical sandal, with the foot elevated as much as possible. The wound is checked and sutures removed at 2 weeks, and the wire (if present) is checked at this visit.
Weeks 2–4
Continuing in the surgical sandal as swelling gradually settles.
Weeks 4–6
The wire (if applicable) is removed in clinic — quick, and generally less uncomfortable than expected — and you'll begin transitioning into wide, comfortable shoes. Jobs requiring prolonged standing or walking may need 6 weeks off.
3 months
Most daily activities and sport are resumable, with a final review and discharge at this stage. It's common to correct two or three toes in a single operation.