Hammer toe is a condition that affects one of the four lesser toes, causing said toe(s) to bend upward at its middle joint. Some patients may be able to manage the symptoms from this condition with lifestyle changes and OTC medications. However, if conservative treatments do not reduce pain, surgery is a solution for this ailment. Depending on a patient’s case and level of deformity, a surgeon may choose one or more surgical techniques to fix said ailment. Surgery techniques include fusion, tendon transfer, and joint resection. Each of the previous techniques have the same goal of straightening the toe back to its original position. The use of pins, rods, and screws is likely to occur during surgery. Patients that experience poor circulation in the feet, active infection, and other pre-existing conditions may be recommended to not receive this surgery. Speak with your podiatrist to discuss all aspects of this surgery and determine whether it is the correct next step for you.