Hammertoe Surgery

Dr. Vladimir Zeetser is a board certified podiatric physician and surgeon specializing in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.  He is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery both in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery.  His training includes advanced wound management and limb salvage and he has consistently achieved unparalleled results in healing problematic wounds.  As an innovator and trendsetter in his field, he has been progressive in expanding aesthetic foot surgery and associated procedures to improve his patients' self-image while achieving among the highest functional outcomes and levels of patient satisfaction.  Apparently unconventional in his practice approach, Dr. Zeetser believes that surgery should be minimally painful with a convenient and tolerable recovery, while producing the maximum results.  He believes that the aesthetic result of any procedure is not a secondary consideration, but is just as important as the primary condition being corrected.

Feel free to explore this internet destination to become acquainted with the information and services available. Dr. Zeetser treats all aspects of foot and ankle structural disorders, including lower extremity muscular, neurological, vascular and skin conditions. During your consultation, Dr. Zeetser always performs a thorough evaluation, explains his findings in detail and creates a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. With all of your options presented in an understandable manner, you participate equally in the decision making for the treatment of your complaint.

Advanced Modified Mini-TightRope Bunion Surgery

The treatment of hallux valgus deformity includes the assessment of the hallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal angle and the contribution of an interphalageus deformity. Additionally, there must be an assessment of the presence or absence of arthritic involvement of both the first metatarsocuneiform joint and the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Other considerations are the orientation of the distal metatarsal articular angle and the orientation and stability of the first metatarsocuneiform joint.

Various methods have been described to correct the intermetatarsal angle. Soft tissue correction can be achieved by suturing the lateral capsule of the first metatarsal to the medial capsule of the second metatarsal, incorporating the intervening, previously released adductor tendon. A loss of reduction can occur due to the forces that oppose the suture repair as well as the possibility that poor tissue quality can contribute to a loss of reduction.

In the presence of more rigid deformities the intermetatarsal angle is reduced by using a distal or proximal osteotomy of the first metatarsal. Such osteotomies can be tec hnically challenging. A rather daunting list of consequences and potential complications include delayed union, malunion, nonunion, excessive shortening of the first metatarsal, avascular necrosis, hardware failure and prolonged protected ambulation.

The Mini TightRope is useful as an alternative and adjunct method for reduction of the intermetatarsal angle. A FiberWire® and button construct is placed across (distally or proximally) the first and second metatarsals. As the FiberWire is tightened, the intermetatarsal angle is reduced to a normal angle (less than 9-11°) The suture tied over the lateral button maintains a secure reduction of the intermetatarsal angle. Used alone or in conjunction with the distal soft tissue intermetatarsal repair, this technique affords a greater degree of strength and security than can be achieved with the soft tissue repair alone. Additionally, the Mini TightRope System provides a more technically straightforward method of reducing and maintaining the intermetatarsal angle than with conventional osteotomies while avoiding the complications associated with osteotomies.

Aesthetic Hammertoe Correction

Hammertoes and their related deformities are unsightly contractures of the joints of the lesser toes, and occasionally the great toe as well. They typically occur from muscle and ligament imbalance and typically worsen from neglect. Besides being unpleasant to look at and causing difficulty with fitting into stylish shoes, these deformities tend to be progressive with time and lead to further disfigurement of the foot and suffering. Often times, they result in dislocation of the metatarsophalangeal joint (where the ball of foot meets the base of the toe) with crossover toe deformity. Furthermore, excessive hammertoe contractures cause excessive pressure on the plantar aspect of the ball of the foot, causing additional complications and pain. Besides the structural problems and inflammation that they can cause, hammertoes typically produce painful and unsightly bursal sacs, corns and calluses at the affected joints. Conservative treatment is an option, but usually minimally successful. Early correction can be as simple a soft tissue release, however more advanced deformities typically require more advanced procedures which will be discussed in detail during the surgical consultation. The key is to create a pain-free, functional and aesthetic result rather than a floppy, fat and stubby toe as is commonly the case. Dr. Zeetser has been one successfully correcting these unsightly deformities with implants that are hidden within the toe and do not require later removal, unlike the case with percutaenous wires or pins protruding from the tip of the toe. Infection risk is reduced and the result is instant stability of the toe. Incision scars can be minimal to none.

Don't continue to live with hammertoes. Comfortably fitting into your favorite shoes doesn't have to be a memory. Reclaim your life and have beautiful, functional toes again!

Because no two feet are alike, each patient deserves individualized attention and a procedure geared towards their specific situation and goals may be proposed.

Hammertoe

One of the most common conditions affecting the foot and usually stemming from muscle imbalance, in which the toe is bent into a contracted claw-like position. It occurs most frequently with the second toe, often when a bunion abuts and underlaps the toe, but any of the other three smaller toes can be affected. It can lead to painful corns, rubbing of the skin in shoes, wounds and general shoe fitting problems. Depending on the severity of the condition, conservative treatment is often ineffective and thus surgical correction is often necessary. This can include simply releasing a tendon in the toe, but often requires excising a small portion of bone.