Last fall my wife had hammertoes so bad on both feet that there were bloody calluses on the tips of her 2nd through 4th toes on both feet. She had a very painful time walking and used a wheelchair in airports on our trip to Europe and could not walk far.
She has used a device under her toes that has been very helpful and now she walks without pain when using the device.
Here is the reference to the toe supports that have helped her so much. They come in a right and left version and I am embarrassed to admit that it took me several weeks to figure that out. The straight side goes against your foot and the curved side goes out under your toes. I donโt know if it will help you but they are cheap enough to try and see.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SX9T4QG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I am subscribing to this thread because she is considering surgery but is unsure if she needs it now as long as the device is working so well.
We understand that the recovery time is between several weeks to several months depending on the individual and the type of surgery.
2016 Ram 2500 4x4 Laramie
Arctic Fox 25Y