Hammertoes and crossover toes are common in athletes and people with arthritis. The conditions both involve a tear in the plantar plate that forces the big toe towards the smaller toes and causes pain while walking. Minimizing blood loss, as with any surgery, is a primary goal when performing this procedure to help ease recovery post-operation. Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that a device commonly used in these procedures called the McGlamry Elevator blocks the main blood flow from the top of the foot to the lesser toes.
