Key takeaways
- At our London clinics, self-pay keyhole hammer toe surgery is £3,715. Your written quote confirms exactly what that covers for your toe.
- A written quote should list every cost and anything billed separately, whichever surgeon you choose.
- Most toes don’t need surgery straight away. Simpler treatment comes first while the toe is still flexible.
- Mr Malagelada is fee-assured with insurers, so get an authorisation number before your first appointment.
- About 8 in 10 people are better after surgery, and about 1 in 5 aren’t, so weigh the risks and the recovery as well as the cost.
Private hammer toe surgery in London usually costs several thousand pounds. The final figure depends on how many toes are treated, which operation your toe needs, the type of anaesthetic and where the surgery is done.
If you’re comparing two or three surgeons, a clear price is the first thing you need. This guide explains what the fee covers and how to compare quotes. A consultation costs £215 to £325, and we confirm everything in writing before you decide.
Most people don’t need surgery straight away. NHS Lothian says surgery is only required if pain is present and simpler measures haven’t controlled it. Our page on hammer toe and claw toe correction explains the stages. This guide is for you if your toe has become fixed and painful.
How much does hammer toe surgery cost in London?
Our self-pay price for keyhole hammer toe surgery is £3,715. Here’s what we charge at our London clinics:
- Hammer toe keyhole surgery, self-pay: £3,715
- Consultation: £215 to £325, including a clinical review, a review of your imaging and a personalised plan
A single flexible toe is the simplest case. Several fixed toes, or a toe with a bunion, need more theatre time and may change the quote. We’ll confirm your price in writing after your consultation.
What is included in the price?
A good quote will list every part of the bill. Some providers quote only the surgeon’s fee, while others offer a single package price. Ask which one you’re looking at. We take the same approach in our guide to bunion surgery costs in London. Check that the quote covers:
- the surgeon’s fee
- the anaesthetist’s fee
- the hospital or day-case unit, including theatre, nursing and any wire or implant
- X-rays, follow-up appointments, the protective shoe and dressings
Our written quote confirms what the £3,715 covers for your operation and also says what’s billed separately.
What changes the price?
The type and stage of the toe
A hammer toe bends at the middle joint, a mallet toe bends at the joint nearest the tip, and a claw toe is pulled back at the knuckle and curls at the other two joints. A flexible toe can still be straightened by hand. A fixed toe can’t be straightened by hand and usually needs a bigger operation. Mr Malagelada uses minimally invasive techniques when they’re suitable. Our guide to keyhole surgery and its benefits explains it in more detail.
The operation and the anaesthetic
NHS Golden Jubilee’s lesser toe leaflet lists tendon lengthening or re-routing, joint fusion and bone cuts (osteotomy) as the main operations. A temporary wire may be used to hold the toe straight while it heals. The anaesthetic can vary too. NHS Lothian says the operation is usually done under local anaesthetic, with general anaesthetic an occasional option. Other units use general or spinal anaesthetic. The type of operation and anaesthetic can both affect the price, so ask which your quote includes.
The hospital
Hospital fees vary, and a day-case unit often has a different cost from a full operating theatre. A lower price isn’t always a better deal, so check what each quote includes.
One toe or several?
Each extra toe that needs work adds surgeon and theatre time, so costs can rise. Ask whether the consultation, imaging, anaesthetic and hospital admission are only charged once or for each toe. Your written quote should show this.
If you also have a bunion, it can push the big toe against the second toe and make it bend. Mr Malagelada will often plan both in one operating session, which means one anaesthetic and one recovery. Read our guide to keyhole bunion surgery in London to learn more about the bunion operation.
Will private health insurance pay?
Often, yes, if the toe causes pain or makes walking and wearing footwear difficult. Most major UK insurers cover hammer toe and claw toe correction unless your policy excludes the condition. Cosmetic-only corrections aren’t usually covered. Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and Cigna recognise Mr Malagelada, and he’s fee-assured, meaning he doesn’t charge above the limits your insurer has agreed. Before you book, check:
- Your cover and your excess, which is the part of the bill you pay yourself.
- Whether your insurer wants a GP referral. Many do.
- That you have an authorisation number before your first appointment, naming the operation and the hospital.
Paying yourself, or using the NHS
If you’re paying yourself, you can refer yourself, and you’ll get a written quote. Monthly finance is available for eligible patients, and you can see the terms on our payments information page.
In some cases, the NHS can fund hammer toe surgery, usually when the toe is painful or makes walking or wearing shoes difficult. Simpler treatments will usually need to have been tried first. Integrated care boards (ICBs) set the rules locally. For example, one ICB in the south west of England normally expects your symptoms to continue after about 12 months of non-surgical care, and says the surgery must not be cosmetic. Ask your GP what applies where you live.
Choosing your surgeon, and what about surgery abroad?
Consultant orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons and consultant podiatric surgeons both operate on hammer toes. They sit on different registers: the GMC specialist register for doctors and the HCPC register for podiatric surgeons. Ask every surgeon what the price includes, which operation they recommend and why, and what follow-up is included.
Prices abroad can look lower, but flights, time away, and follow-up can add to the bill. Ask who will check your wound, remove a wire, or treat a complication when you’re home.
Is hammer toe surgery worth it?
It depends on how much the toe is affecting your life. Does it hurt to wear shoes? Do corns or sore patches keep coming back? Do you choose soft shoes, or skip things you used to enjoy because of it? If you answer yes to some of these, it might be worth booking a consultation. If your toe is still flexible and not interfering with your life much, simpler treatment is usually the place to start. Doing nothing can also be an option.
NHS Lothian’s patient information says about 8 out of 10 people improve afterwards, and about 1 out of 5 are no better or even worse off. Risks include a stiff joint, the toe bending again, and numbness that usually recovers slowly but can be permanent. Pain and swelling can take a long time to improve, and infection is also possible. Smoking, diabetes, and steroid medication can raise the risks, so tell your surgeon about them.
Recovery: what to plan for
At our clinic, most people are walking in a protective shoe within a day or two and return to normal footwear after 4 to 8 weeks. NHS leaflets for operations that use a wire describe a longer recovery. They advise a protective shoe for about 6 weeks, keeping the foot raised for about 2 weeks, no driving for at least 6 weeks, and 8 to 10 weeks off a desk job. Swelling can take 12 weeks or longer to settle. These timings depend on which operation you have, so discuss them with your surgeon before you book.
Get an expert opinion on your foot injury
Mr Francesc Malagelada is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and a senior trauma consultant at the Royal London Hospital, where he treats ankle fractures of all severities. You don’t need a GP referral to book a specialist assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does hammer toe surgery cost in the UK?
Private hammer toe surgery in the UK usually costs several thousand pounds. The final figure depends on the number of toes, the operation, the anaesthetic and the hospital. At our London clinics, self-pay keyhole hammer toe surgery is £3,715 and a consultation costs £215 to £325. Your written quote confirms exactly what’s covered.
Does private health insurance cover hammer toe surgery?
Most major UK insurers cover it when the toe causes pain or makes it difficult to wear regular shoes. Check that your policy doesn’t exclude the condition. Cosmetic-only corrections aren’t usually covered. Mr Malagelada is fee-assured, so he won’t charge above your insurer’s limits. Get an authorisation number from your insurer before your first appointment.
Can I have hammer toe surgery on the NHS?
Sometimes. The NHS may fund surgery if the toe is painful or affects walking and wearing shoes, and simpler treatment hasn’t helped. Rules are set locally, so ask your GP what applies where you live.
Do I need a GP referral to see a surgeon about my toes?
Not if you’re paying yourself. Many insurers ask for a GP referral before they approve a specialist consultation, so check with yours first.