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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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  • steve_30812
    steve_30812 tracey2703

    Posted

    Tracey just cam across this story and feel very sorry for you. How are you doing now?

    I am in a similar position and had bilateral foot surgery and have failed to recover and have been off work 7 months and was told I would be off 6-8 weeks.

    Sounds like I have pretty similar symptoms swelling burning pains all over the foot.

    How are you doing on the legal front?

  • tracey2703
    tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi sorry for the lack of updates. I have decided to upload a couple of photos to let you see what I have been left after my terrible surgery frown

    The first one is the night before surgery, this was taken for my benefit so I could compare before and after.

    The 2nd photo was only 12 weeks later when I was told I was too impatient and recovery was 'as expected' Over the following weeks the deformities became worse 

  • susann1107
    susann1107 tracey2703

    Posted

    I would take it further, but not sure whether you stand a chance. But at least you tried and it gives you a peace of mind. Was this done on the NHS? If so write to the GMC and find out your chances. Poor treatment and after care non excisting.
  • joanne76164
    joanne76164 tracey2703

    Posted

    Tracey,

    I hope by the time I read this, you have found another doctor as the one you have seems to be someone that does not care about you. I got trapped by a seemingly caring dentist who told me to suck it up when my recovery was not in his timeline. I told everyone I could, posted my story on line in several blogs. Didn't help except to make me feel better. I maybe should have taken it further.

    Find a doctor who cares and tell everyone about the one who doesn't.

    Keep us posted

    Jo

  • susann1107
    susann1107 tracey2703

    Posted

    Dear Tracy, that is terrible!!! You should definitly take this further. Have you got any x-rays at all from before and after. I work for a foot specialist and if you have x-rays, I will let him have a look and get back to you. This is really terrible and I can not find words for this!!!! An operation gone wrong and should be put right without a question. So sorry for you
  • karen081751
    karen081751 tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi Tracey, I really related to what you're going through. A year ago this May I slipped & fell at my apartment complex & broke both fibula & tibia shin bone in my right leg. I was in a rehab facility for 3 weeks & then home still in a wheelchair, living on my couch with the microwave & small fridge & of course a toilet. I lived like this for 58 days. I couldn't even take a shower while like this. This lasted for almost 10 months. I have neuropathy, nerve damage due to the fall. FInally I was walking really good. Pain is always there but I was walking. Years ago I broke my ankle & I had a metal plate on one side & screws on the other. I started getting a hammertoe on my right leg, the broken one. I decided to get the hardware on my left ankle removed & fix the hammertoe on the right foot. Worst decision of my life. My hammertoe is still there only its making a right turn. The doc insisted that's the way it's supposed to look. The surgery stirred up all the nerve damage that pain meds don't even help. I have it in both feet & I felt for you when you spoke about staying in the bedroom. Yes, the pain is not only unbearable at times but it's chronic. Just thought I'd lend you my support. Doesn't this just suck!
  • toni80697
    toni80697 tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi I had a bunionectomy done on December 19th 2017. The doctor that did mine said that I was complaining so much that none of his other patients had much pain as I did. I was in three different cast and he took me out of my last cast on February 7th and put in a walking boot. I was in that walking boot until March 9th period he took me out of the walking boot and put me in my regular shoes. I will back to work on March 13th as you know in retail there is quite a bit of walking I am on my feet for seven and a half hours in my 9 hour work day. I complained of pain and barely being able to walk I asked him if I should go back into my boot he proceeded to tell me and my husband that would be going backwards to go back into my boot I then asked him about the surgical shoe he said if you think it would help yes come in and get one. I wear the surgical shoe Friday Saturday Sunday and Monday and it did not help. I emailed him and of course he was out of the office on vacation once again this is been like at least the fourth vacation since my surgery on December 19th. I think got a hold of one of his colleagues she told me I need to come in and see her that my joint was swollen and I may have an infection then it. I went in to see her and she proceeded to tell me that she didn't believe it was an infection but that yes I did need to be off my foot for a while so she took me off of work for the remainder of the week was just Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and Friday I was off Saturday and had to go back to work on Sunday. I was still not able to walk on my foot or stand for a long. Of time by Saturday night. So I called the advice nurse and ask them what to do they put in a phone call to the on-call podiatrist and he told me there was nothing he could do for me and that he could not give me any time off work. I then proceeded to call again and get another doctor's opinion so the doctor finally called me at about 9:30 that night mind you I had to be to work at 6:30 the next morning. That doctor told me to stay off of my foot call on Monday morning to get in to see the podiatrist. So I was able to finally get an appointment to go see the podiatrist again now after looking at my final x-rays on March 9th they the whole team of Podiatry and foot surgeons looked at my x-rays and came to the conclusion that where they had cut my bone it was not completely healed. I am now in a cast once again no weight bearing I have a port in the cast in order to use a bone stimulator to help heal the bone since I have been off work since December 19th and I went back to work on March 13th for a total of 9 days period And I am off work again for another three months now I have lost my position at work and I'm going to lose money in the end because of the Lost of positions. This is my story I live with constant pain every single day and wish I never had a bunionectomy done. I could care less about wearing high heeled shoes flip-flops anything I have an enormous car on my foot numbness in my big big and second toe it was not worth it at all!

  • laura52531
    laura52531 tracey2703

    Posted

    Ive had hammer toe surgery on may 4 2017 I was in a boot walking on a knee scooter then crutches a month ago after pins came out my toes are bending up bad and pinky toe is bending down it hurts to walk ankle is swollen bad to I see the foot doctor next week not sure if I should call sooner it hurts bad not getting better my surgery I had screw in big toe pins in all the little toes it didn't work at all I'm scared that I won't be able to walk again if it doesn't take after surgery again

  • de07814
    de07814 tracey2703

    Posted

    Tracey, I'm curious as to who you had insurance with. I'm facing bunionectomy and 2nd hammertoe fixed with a cadaver bone. Also have a neuroma ball pf foot. Really nervous.

  • pam804
    pam804 tracey2703

    Posted

    Did you follow through with a law suit? Just wondering because I'm in the same situation

    • tracey2703
      tracey2703 pam804

      Posted

      Hi Pam

      I am sorry i haven't replied sooner, I just got to the point of feeling so down about it all and the more I wrote about it the worse i was feeling.

      I did indeed continue with legal action which is still ongoing. I knew it could be lengthy but I don't care, I have nothing to lose and these surgeons shouldn't be allowed to ruin peoples lives and not be held accountable for it. My surgery was in August 2013 and I contacted a lawyer the following year, although it has dragged on I feel as though we are nearing the end. I would definitely advise you to look into it if you haven't already

  • beatle01
    beatle01 tracey2703

    Posted

    What area are you in and can you name this surgeon please?

    • tracey2703
      tracey2703 beatle01

      Posted

      I am in Central Scotland area and I can't name surgeon (although I would like to) as legal case is still ongoing

  • tracey2703
    tracey2703

    Posted

    Hi everyone, I am sorry I have been awol for a long time. I just got to the stage that I felt I was repeating myself as things weren't improving, and didn't want to bore you with the same posts.

    To answer some of the questions I received, I live in Central Scotland, my original operation took place at Forth Valley Hospital, Larbert

    I did proceed with a lawyer, unfortunately the case is still ongoing, but I have a strong case. I have seen numerous independent experts for examinations, some taking 4hrs. These experts each have to submit a report on their findings after seeing me.

    Consultants & Professors in:-

    Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Management, Neuropsychiatry & Psychological Medicine, Psychiatry & Mental Health

    All of the reports lodged stated I was genuine, and all experts wrote excellent reports in my favour. The legal process for such a complicated case can take years (I am in my 6th year) there are so many levels, not just negligence which I am finding out. But as I said from the start I will take it all the way, I have nothing to lose......because I've already lost my quality of life. I have gone from having a full, busy life, (never enough hrs in the day) 2 jobs, my horses, and my charity work, organising music events, and nights with my circle of friends to being a virtual recluse, i lost my jobs, lost my horses because I couldn't afford them, my social life is non existant as i am too scared to go to crowded places incase someone steps on my foot, I can't stand for long periods and I am embarrassed. I am registered disabled now.

    I don't recognise myself as the same person, and I am really sad about that because I know it won't improve.

    The statement from the original surgeon is just pure fantasy. It makes me really angry reading it, but i'm pretty sure my legal team will be able to prove that his version of events simply didn't happen.

    I will hopefully fill in some more gaps tomorrow

    Regards

    Tracey

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