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Hallux Valgus & Hammer Toe Surgery Gone Wrong

Posted , 36 users are following.

tracey2703
tracey2703

I may be in the minority as I have searched various sites and yet to find anyone with the problems I have neutral

On 28th August 2013 I had both feet operated on. The left foot bunion removed and big toe straightened (this foot wasn't causing problems but surgeon did it as a precaution)

Right foot bunion removed and big toe straightened. 2nd toe straightened with K wire. 3rd toe, bone (knuckle) removed and toe straightened with K wire.

Both feet were in casts for initial 2wks, I was told to put no weight on them and keep them elevated. I lived in my bedroom. Anytime I tried to stand (To go to toilet) the pain was so bad I felt every bone was breaking in my feet!

After 2wks, casts came off and stitches removed I was pleased with the look of my toes, everyone straight! New casts went on....for another 4wks.

When these were removed I was told I cld leave...no x-rays....no follow up appt?!

I questioned this and mentioned that my toes seemed to be drifting back. I was told I was being impatient and I was only half way through recovery! I went home confused and frustrated. I couldn't understand why after breaking 4 toes, removing bones and placing pins an x-ray would not be taken? And why no follow up after such a big op?

After 12 wks (so called recovery time)I called to make an appointment to see the surgeon as I was having alot of pain and struggling to walk. My toes were overlapping again and putting shoes on was difficult. 2nd toe lacked feeling and seemed to be floppy.

When he saw me his reaction was to sigh and imply I was some kind of hypochondriac evil again I was told I was impatient! and when I explained that my big toe won't go down and I can't move it he said I wasn't even trying! I was told I would be off work for 12wks, my job has me walking for 6.5hrs a day, I explained there is no way I cld go back to my work as I struggle to walk or even stand for any period of time, he said his 'normal' patients are bk to work by this time!

I told him his attitude towards me was not acceptable and I wanted a 2nd opinion. His tone then changed, I was sent for an x-ray and I am now awaiting an appointment.

My right foot is worse than before, My toes are badly overlapping and bent. I am still not able to work and feel really depressed. Worrying if I will need more surgery (which I think I will) and whether I am always going to have these problems, Seriously thinking of taking my complaint further sad

4 likes, 92 replies

92 Replies

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  • tracey2703
    tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi everyone

    Sorry I haven't been on here for quite a while, I have been so depressed at my situation and the more I wrote on here the worse I was feeling sad

    After my new consultant sent me to a vascular surgeon as he felt there was some nerve damage caused by the previous surgery which was making my toes discolour. He agreed there was some nerve damage but not bad enough that I would need any toes amputated (thank goodness)

    I had a second operation last week 17th July where I had a weil's osteotomy and osteotomy of mutiple metatarsals.......basically I had all my toes redone. broken, pinned, screwed! I now have 3 pins sticking out the ends of my toes and I am again in alot of pain.

    The surgeon seems happy with what he has done and says the circulation isn't a problem, he also said my tendons had been way too tight. I return in 2 weeks to have the pins removed and I am hoping the pain subsides soon.

    Tracey x

    • theresab08
      theresab08 tracey2703

      Posted

      Hi Tracey, So sorry to hear that you are still on the surgery/pain treadmill but keeping my fingers crossed that this is going to be successful and you'll soon be skipping around the park happily pushing your new grandchild in his buggy.  

      You've been through a lot both physically and mentally so do try to keep your chin up. We're all rooting for you.

      As for me, I have returned to work thank god.  I manage by gritting my teeth and elivating with ice when i get home.  Been told that the whole toe/joint area is now riddled with arthritis.  He said the bone wasn't good to start with maybe I should have been advised of this prior to the op? I certainly wouldnt have gone ahead with it.  

      Anyway I have been told this is as good as its going to get and the arthritis will only get worse.

      An operation was offered to remove the worse bones and to fuse the toe.  Well at present I can walk & do my job so dont want to risk another operation.  I have no trust whatsoever in any surgeon now.

      My quality of life was so much better before.

      I went to the hospital to get my pre-op X-Rays and guess what?  They have been removed from the system!?  

      I hope you are recovering well, please post to let us know how you are doing.

      Terri xxx

       

  • beth54321
    beth54321 tracey2703

    Posted

    Good to hear from you again Tracey. I did think about you a lot and glad to hear things are looking up again. I hope your pain is subsiding. Unfortunately I'm still being passed from pillar to post. I've seen another consultant who has suggested no further surgery should be contemplated because of the risk of CRPS so sent me to the podiatrist who says surgery is required but not the surgery suggested by the consultant back in January ( lifting metatarsal heads). He reckons 3 rd toe needs some bone cut away and 4 the toe needs pinned in 2 places. I can't believe I'm 18 months post surgery, in pain and still have bent toes. My 4 the toe is a proper hammer toe now but previously it was  just curled. I'd be keen to know who did your second surgery and what diagnostic tests you had that confirmed some nerve damage. I've asked the hospital for a proper diagnosis using tests rather than guessing but nothing has been suggested. 
  • tracey2703
    tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi

    My second surgeon is Mr Denolf and when he first saw me he could tell straight away there were obvious problems and said he would not do surgery until I had been seen by a Vascular Surgeon to find out the extent of the nerve damage/circulation damage as 2 of my toes were blueish/black at times.

    I saw this surgeon who did various scans on my legs, ankles, arms and took different readings. He could tell me there and then that yes there was some nerve damage to the toes but he 'didn't think' I would lose these toes! But further surgery may fix this or could make it worse, but they wouldn't be able to tell until they were 'in there'. I had to decide to go ahead or not. but it was a risk I had to take as my situation was unbearable.

    My big toe had the tendon loosened, straightened and screws inserted.

    3rd, 4th & 5th toes all had metatarsal osteotomy & Weil osteotomy with pins

    I think the 2nd toe is a lost cause, its not had feeling since original surgery and is what they call a flail toe sad

    Stitches have been removed, foot is still quite swollen and the pins will be removed on the 20th.

    I had my first proper bath last night, which was scary, but lovely. Obviously needed help, but its amazing how you can adapt various things to help yourself.

    I updated my lawyer on the latest surgery so he is going to request a copy of my notes and hopefully get the ball rolling.............

  • lora88054
    lora88054 tracey2703

    Posted

    I've had a similar experience.Bunion,hammer toe and neuromas.My foot has constant pain.Its caused me to carry my weight on the balls of my feet instead of more under the big toe.Been to many doctors who don't seem to understand the pain I'm in. I work on my feet 8 hours a day. Had this surgery in 08 worst decision I ever made.
    • de07814
      de07814 lora88054

      Posted

      Did you ever get any relief from the pain and did this surgery not fix the problem?
  • Hilly123
    Hilly123 tracey2703

    Posted

    I had to comment on this forum as I am worried that any considering bunion and /or hammer toes corrective surgry will be put off. I had both bunions corrected last year in a small NHS hospital in Tiverton via the Queen Elizabeth Hosp in Exeter. I had a general anaesthetic and was kept in over night. the care was 1st class. I then spent 2 weeks at home resting on my bed with my feet elevated. No problems and very happy with result. I have just had 2 hammer toes corrected and 2 bunionettes removed at the same hospital. No pins, just taping. I am not in any pain and can hobble around on my 'special' shoes. The stitches (21 in total) were removed last week. All is looking good. I guess that it is just the luck of the draw and I won top prize everytime.
    • tracey2703
      tracey2703 Hilly123

      Posted

      Hi

      I am pleased that your surgery was a success and that you haven't had any problems, however this is not always the case as unfortunately I have found out neutral

      Before I had my 1st surgery I did some research as I wanted to get as much information as possible, then after my operation I again looked online.

      I came accross numerous success stories which is great but the only reference to surgeries going wrong were in the 'possible complications' sections and there were only a couple of lines if you were lucky.

      My post was never meant to put anyone off having this surgery but to let people know that things can go wrong but maybe are not publicised as much. 

  • tracey2703
    tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi everyone

    It is now 8wks since my 2nd surgery. I am still unable to wear a shoe due to swelling, If I am upright for any length of time my foot swells, feels hot and turns red. My little toe and the one beside it (4th) are very painful and swollen and because of the swelling I have an infection of which I have been given antibiotics.

    My pins were removed 3wks ago and there was concern regarding the 4th toe as this was turning down and was swollen, I was advised to try and walk on this as much as possible in the house to see if it would flatten. I have been doing this and what I find is that I step on this toe before any other and on a few occasions I have actually tripped on a rug/carpet because of this and end up in extreme pain cry

    I have an appointment tomorrow with my consultant and I do not hold out any hope of good news as I can see myself that there is no improvement.

    I do not have any ill feeling towards Mr Denolf as he was doing his best to fix someone elses mistake, but just don't know what happens next

     

    • Hilly123
      Hilly123 tracey2703

      Posted

      Hi Tracey, How did your appointment go with your consultant? I have been thinking about you and hope you had positive news.
    • tracey2703
      tracey2703 Hilly123

      Posted

      Hi

      My appointment did not go well unfortunately. My consultant was 'very dissappointed' with how my toes were looking, he had hoped for a better result sad There is still alot of swelling which he says will be causing pain but this will eventually go. My toe beside my little toe is the one causing the most concern as this is curled down which I find I trip over. I step on this first which sends me into severe pain. It is very swollen and red.

      I did say to him that "Ithink we both know that this is as best its going to get" to which he said he was dissapointed and that more surgery may be needed on this toe! sad

      He had a difficult job to begin with as he was trying to fix someone elses mistake, but I just feel so tired of it all as my quality of life has totally changed x

  • beth54321
    beth54321 tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi Tracey and others

    Unfortunately it does seem to be down to luck of the draw with surgeons. I had the lead consultant at a private hospital who did minimal work ( soft tissue work only) on 3 toes in total and have been in pain for 21 months now, unable to wear closed toe shoes, walk any reasonable distance, no more gym and had to give up the hill walking. My toes are as curled as they started ( well maybe a little straighter but definitely not straight) but I had no pain before the surgery. The most frustrating thing for me is the lack of acknowledgement from the hospital or consultant that anything has gone wrong. I wrote a complaint in May after which they sent me to see another consultant who said ' no more surgery - go see our podiatrist for a conventional solution' - saw podiatrist and he suggests more surgery!!! Then heard nothing. Wrote again a month ago and still no response. Meanwhile I must look a right donkey in my socks and sandals at work! I have noticed changes in the pain over the 21 months and still hope there's a chance it will go in time. I may be kidding myself but the hope keeps me going. Things can go wrong and anyone who isn't in pain I strongly recommend don't have foot surgery. 

  • TommyTTG
    TommyTTG tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi Tracey , I am now 16 weeks post surgery on 3 toes , I was off all meds after 2 weeks and pins out after 4 , it has been a great experience for me , I am walking great , no pain and can wear all my shoes and trainers , my strength at the gym is better than ever , I was training 6 weeks after surgery .  I was super strict  whilst my pins were in and the following weeks after removal , I have always led a very active healthy lifestyle and diet , the nurse told me this has been key in my recovery .
  • beth54321
    beth54321 tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi Tracey. I hope things are improving a bit for you. I know you've suggested I seek legal advice before and I've held off in the hope the hospital would support me in my recovery. However I'm not looking at this as an option. My surgeon has lied about covering risks pre surgery with me and this has really got my back up. Did you go to a specialist solicitor.
    • tracey2703
      tracey2703 beth54321

      Posted

      Hi Beth

      The lawyer I have is from company in Edinburgh who specialise in medical negligence cases, it is a large company and they each have expertise in different areas which is helpful. He e-mailed me a couple of days ago to tell me that he is now in receipt of my medical notes from my GP. I have no idea where we go from here but I do know it can take a long time, but I don't care, why should these surgeons get away with ruining peoples lives. I wasn't told of risks either, I was told it was a straightforward proceedure that is done all the time, I wasn't worried at all because he made it sound as though it was no big deal. 

      Well it is a huge deal to me, my quality of life now is zero to what it was. I still can't put a shoe on my right foot, still wearing a hospital shoe. In the house I walk in bare feet yet I can feel myself walking differently to compensate the right foot which is causing pain in my lower back and hip. I avoid going anywhere as I am embarrassed and I can't walk any distance, my foot swells and the pain is too much.

      So again I stress to you to see a lawyer, otherwise they will continue to treat patients like this. I feel that people are put off as they are told like I was that "oh you're wasting your time, you'll never win against the Health Board" or "This could take years, it's difficult to prove" but I WILL take it all the way, I have absolutely nothing to lose sad

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