Toe Shortening and Toe Narrowing Surgery

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Some people are reluctant to display their feet or to wear sandals because they have excessively long toes or wide toes.  This is often due to genetics, but can be corrected with a simple in-office procedure and minimal down time.

Long toes can be surgically shortened. Depending on the severity and length of the toe, there are several methods to surgically correct shorten a toe. In general, the surgery involves removing a portion of the bone at the contracted joint, to realign the toe. Even a few millimeters of shortening can make a significant visual difference. Depending upon the amount of bone shortening, a portion of the skin then needs to be remodeled or removed. After the internal shortening has been completed, a plastic sutured skin closure is performed. The new toe length and alignment is immediately evaluated. 

We can also help you with toe narrowing if the toe is too wide. 

When walking and applying pressure on the toes, particularly the great toe, there is commonly an increased width of skin and fatty tissue near the bottom of the toe. In some cases, this extra portion of skin can uncomfortably rub against the adjacent toe. The cosmetic surgical procedure can eliminate the portion of skin and underlying fatty tissue and make the toe have a more natural appearance.  

These procedures can be done in the office under local anesthesia or can be done in an outpatient surgical setting (hospital or surgical facility.) After the surgery the patient is able to walk with full weight- bearing on both feet, without assistance. A special surgical shoe is provided. 

Approximately three days after the surgery, the patient is seen in the office for a dressing change. At two weeks after surgery, the patient is seen to remove the sutures. Suture removal is minimally uncomfortable. 

During the first two weeks, in order to minimize swelling, decrease recovery time and produce the best results, ice packs should be applied and the feet should be elevated as much as possible. The results are usually permanent, functional and cosmetically very pleasing.

A moderate and gradually increasing amount of walking is allowing during the first two weeks after surgery. In many cases, it is possible to drive home after the surgery. Minimal pain medication is usually required. Tennis shoes can be worn two weeks after the surgery.