Hallux Valgus & Hammer Toe Surgery Gone Wrong

Thank you for your comments Jamie,

I have googled so much you wouldn't believe lol, I have too much time on my hands at the moment but what I have discovered is that any thing I have read similar to my condition is telling me (what I already know) that this is surgeon error. And you are absolutely right, his attitude and manner was that he is so superior to everyone and how dare I question his work! And tried to imply that I was neurotic and some kind of hypochondriac! Even asking me sarcastically "when did I get my medical degree"

As soon as he mentioned fusing the big toe I wasn't happy, and I asked about the other toes, (which are bent and overlapping again) he told me "these will naturally fall back into place" Im sorry medical degree or not I know this was never going to happen and the 2nd consultant confirmed this. So not only is he an arrogant, abnoxtious man he was quite happy to put me through another operation which would make no difference what-so-ever and leave me in more pain, more time off work and needing yet more surgery! Absolutely shocking.

I have my bone scan on Monday, and I have also made an appointment to talk with a lawyer.

Thanks again

Tracey

Just wanted to say - don't let anyone think you are neurotic about your health. It's your body after all and who knows it best than yourself..? It affects your life at the end of the day, so it is normal to be concerned. And even if you were being over sensitive about it, a surgeon should be able to address your concerns properly and professionally rather than fobbing you off and putting you down when you are in so much distress. That is just uncaring, if not negligence.

From my previous experiences with surgeons, the really superb ones (and I mean the most amazing ones) have explained everything I should know from the start without me having to ask. And they have then listened, taken in all the things I have said and asked (regardless of how ridiculous they may sound) and took their time to calmly explain to me in an articulate (not patronising or judging) and humble way to address my concerns to give me peace of mind at every stage of the journey. They are the ones who really know what they are talking about and are brilliant at their jobs.

To me, it sounds like your 1st surgeon is out of his depth and he knows it. It is very sad that his pride (or ignorance) got in the way of correcting his failure and has put himself before you who is in agony. An xray at 6 weeks seems to be normal for broken bones to check the progress of healing so for him to not even suggest it sounds like he could be inexperienced or just not with it.

There are risks with every surgery, even with orthopedic surgeons specialising in foot for foot fixes, so your 1st surgeon probably really shouldn't even have operated on you if foot is not one of his specialities and given that your case has not been so straightforward.

I sincerely hope and pray that everything works out well for you with the new surgeon and the lawyers.

Trust your intuition and stay strong.

Thinking of you...

Jamie

Thank you Jamie

I told him I am by no way imagining my pain or exagerating it, I have been treated for throat cancer and have had a course of radiotherapy, not to mention 16 operations in my throat/neck so I am well aware of how to deal with pain, and would say I have a high pain thresh hold. And with all the consultants and doctors who have treated me in Glasgow every single one of them were fantastic! The time and consideration they gave me was brilliant, and then to be spoken to the way he did was not acceptable and I told him that.

I can't believe that I was more worried and upset at the thought of having another operation on my foot than I ever was with the major surgeries I had previously and it was all down to him.

I even said to him, I realise things don't always go to plan and occasionally problems arise......this was me giving him the chance to say "yes something has gone wrong" but he didn't

Thanks again for your thoughts

Tracey

Hi Tracey.

I'm just coming up to my 6th week on the 28th Feb. I have an appointment on Thurs 27th... hopefully to see my surgeon this time, I've not seen him since the op, just nurses etc. I had to go back to Hosp 3 times because of excruciating pain. they found I was allergic to the elastoplast strapping! And it had caused an infection. I wasn't put in a plaster cast, which surprised me, as friends who have had it done were mostly in plaster. I had the bunion done and screwed, the second toe was a hammertoe so they have fused it and disconnected the tendon, and the fourth toe was fused. I have wires in the second and fourth, which I am hoping will be removed on the 27th. they are already loosening and turning on their own!

To me my big toe doesn't look as straight as it should. my second toe doesn't feel as if it is connected to my foot! I am having a lot of hot stabbing stinging pains in my toes which are stopping me sleeping.

You sound as if you are really having probs with yours! Definitely get another opinion, you NEED your feet. I hope everything goes OK at your next appointment.

Thinking of you.

Hi you sound as though you are having a bad time also Did your surgeon give you an explanation why you were not in a cast? I find that strange considering you had 3 toes operated on.

From day one I said my 2nd toe didn't feel 'attached' and felt wobbly. All the toes that were operated on have all ended up worse, they are bent, overlapping and swollen. I am also, like you having stabbing, burning pains.

The 2nd surgeon I saw is very concerned with them and said it looks like nerve damage (they also have a bluish/purple tinge) which can be caused by lack of blood supply!

I have an appointment for a bone scan tomorrow which should show if I do have nerve damage, I am so angry with what has happened. My pain is constant and any time I have to go out (which I try not to) the pain is worse because I have to wear shoes.

I hope you get some answers at your appointment. Out of curiosity, where did you have your operation?

Tracey

Hi Tracey.

I had my op in the Torbay area.

I am in bed wondering if I will be able to sleep tonight, because my second toe which was the worst hammer toe is burning like mad! I am thinking of ringing the Hosp tomorrow to ask advice. My appointment is on Thursday this week, but if this pain continues then I will have to make the 32 mile round trip to see them earlier than planned. I have been looking it up on other forums etc, and. some say the pain is OK and its the nerves re growing... but some say that it isn't right... so i think I WILL ring Hosp tomorrow and speak to someone about it. My husband doesn't think I should be in so much pain after 5 weeks.

I have a very high pain threshold and can usually cope with most pain, but this is sometimes excruciating. It feels as if my toe and top of foot at base of toes has be scolded.

Thanks for replying. Keep in touch.

Hello, I have been reading this forum as well as others and posting on Bunion December.

From what I read and what I have been told by medics/surgeons, it seems that much of the pain patients report is because they have been doing too much too soon and not elevating the foot enough. If somone has been resting most of the time and still has pain then it definitely needs investigating because of the risk of fracture or infection.

Ann, from what I can see in your photo, your foot is looking good, not too much redness and swelling even though your op was much more complicated than mine. Also to use plaster cast , air boot or heel-walking shoes seems to vary around the country - certainly many of us have done well with soft dressing only and some without crutches.

Tracy, do please let us know how you get on today, your story so far is horrific and I'm not surprised you are contacting a lawyer. You should at least make a formal written complaint to the hospital but perhaps only after you find out more from your new surgeon. Good luck.

Hi Tracey,

I've read your posts and was wondering how you were getting on now? I also had surgery in Central Scotland. On my final appointment with the surgeon I didn't get an x-ray either. In fact, I only had one x-ray, which was on my first visit to see the extent of the problem, so it's not standard to be given a number of x-rays throughout your recovery. After 6 months, I had to go back for more surgery which has hopefully fixed the problem.

Polly, I have been reading different forums aswell as looking on internet for anybody having the problems I have been having and to try and find out if I am likey to be able to have it repaired or whether I am stuck with a deformed foot and constant pain

I haven't found anything relating to an error like mine or how it can be rectified

All I can find relating to the discolouring and burning/stabbing feeling in the toes is if a patient notices this, to contact hospital straight away.......but doesn't elaborate on why? or what could happen! I know it can be related to diabetes (N/A to me) but doesn't mention if a surgeon damages nerves during surgery. If anyone can find a link I'd appreciate it.

I had both my feet raised and 'lived' in my bedroom for 2wks, then had my stitches out and new casts put on, I was happy with the initial look, toes were straight, I again had my feet raised as I found it very painful to put any weight on my feet, I soon started noticing that my 2nd toe was drifting back, 4wks later these cast came off and I was so disappointed as the reality hit me that the toes were bending back to how they were and the 2nd toe which I said from day 1 was floppy, didn't feel 'attatched' and felt strange, yet the surgeon told me I was impatient and he was happy!! no follow up appointment, basically 'right you're fine, now get on with it'

I did everything I was supposed to do. I just find it strange Elaine that after the amount of work I had done and then with the obvious drifting and me voicing my concerns that an x-ray wasn't taken

When I asked for a 2nd opinion after 16wks and produced the photos I had been taking, he took an x-ray and admitted "there seems to be a problem with your big toe!" Excuse me! there is a problem with ALL my toes.

Today I had a bone scan which my new consultant requested as these will show up if there is nerve damage and a problem with blood flow to my toes. This took a total of 4hrs. I should get the results in 2wks.

I also had a reply from the Benefits Agency. Since my SSP will be stopping this week and I am unable to return to work I have to claim Employment Support Allowance.

I will receive the grand total of £32 per week!! how the hell can I live on that? Obviously because I am used to working for a living and I don't know how to 'work the system' this is all I will receive at least untill I look into it further.

Tracy, I am so sorry to hear of your continuing difficulties. I had assumed you would get your results on the day and not have to wait two weeks more.

Your case is indeed exceptional, I have not seen a similar description elsewhere. My comments re pain were just general and not directed at you, and anyway the distortion and discolouration are a real concern.

Re. the ESA, I looked that up last night and it seems extremely complicated. The amount you mention seems very low compared to what is listed on government site but I have no idea how it is calculated and obviously I don't know your circumstances. Perhaps the Citizens Advice Bureau would be able to help, they have lots of info & links on their website but I have to say I could not understand most of it.

Hope you get some help soon.

About x-rays. Central Scotland does seem to be out of step with almost everywhere else. Nearly everyone on the forums has had at least one x-ray at some point after the op. I am in Glasgow and I had photos taken and the usual x-ray before to assess the problem then x-ray at 6wks and am expecting another (final) x-ray plus more photos at the follow-up at 12wks.

Polly you are spot on about the ESA being complicated.....the whole benefits system seems to be on a need to know basis, At the moment I am still in receipt of Working Tax Credits, but this stops on the 13th March, I will then have to re-apply and go through the whole process again.

I know the comments were not directed at me don't worry The x-ray issue seems to be niggling me , I may be wrong, but I feel if an xray was done at 6wks or even 12wks when I mentioned my worries then maybe I wouldn't be in the state I am in I think the next 2wk are going to drag, till I get results and find out what the next option will be x

Tracy, Beth, Rita, just wondering how you are getting on? My toe isn't as straight as I had hoped but the scars are healing and I am getting on well with reduced swelling, pain etc and back to driving and sometimes forgetting about my foot. Hope you all have some good news soon.

Hi Polly (& Tracey and Rita)

Wish I could be writing all is well and I've fully recovered but in reality, I'm no further forward. I'm still getting a lot of nerve pain, mainly when relaxing. I just want to wake up in the morning and the first thing to hit me not to be painful feet. Or watch TV in the evening not feeling my feet are on fire. It's now over 13 months since my op and I'm still wearning open toe sandals and only go out when I need to. I've lost all trust in health specialists - no-one wants to know. I've been passed from GPs (3), podiatrists(3), physios (2), orthopedic surgeons(4) and pain specialists (1) over the last 13 months. My original surgeon isn't interested and has never shown any concern that this has lasted so long. Everytime I see someone hobbling around I think 'has he operated on them' :-) How does the medical profession rate surgeon success if they don't even follow up on patients to check they recover?

Does anyone know how you check the experience and competency of surgeons before getting an op? For all I know my surgeon could be saying my op was a success - how do patients know. I'd hate for anyone to go through what I've gone through.

Hi Ladies

I have my appointment tomorrow for the results of my bone scan, so should have some news then. Time has definately dragged as the constant pain reminds me that there is a problem.

I also have an appointment on Wednesday with a lawyer I thought I should make an appt for after I have my results. I have been writing out a detailed diary of events since my surgery and also my photos that I can hand over to him.

Beth I sympathise totally with you, I agree that there should be some register that patients can look up surgeons. I have been looking for any information on what can cause nerve damage i.e. 'Is it surgeon error' what causes the toes to bend and not straighten after surgery i.e 'is it surgeon error' why are my toes blue/black? 'is it surgeon error' I can't find anything which talks about mistakes, and it is so frustrating because they should be accountable. If a patient comes out of surgery in a worse condition than they went in with then it must be down to the surgeon surely?

Beth I think you should take legal advice It's just not right that no-one is taking your problem seriously, the first consultation is free, and they will advise you on whether you can take any action.

I will update you all tomorrow after my results x