Posted , 52 users are following.
Hello
I had Hammertoe surgery 4 weeks ago on both feet, 6 toes in total and I thought I would share my experience as I had so many questions and needed more information and "googled" obsessively to find out more - so here is my experience.
Surgery Day
I arrived at the hospital and was quickly shown to my bed then found out to my complete surprise that the operation was to be undertaken using an Epidural - I had been under the impression it would general anesthetic but no....
So the Epidural was uncomfortable but not painful and I was given something which completely chilled me out - I mean in a big way!
I had the surgery was awake the whole time, could hear what was going on but I was that relaxed it didn't matter.
Once the hospital were happy I had normal feeling they said I could go home - another suprise given I had been under the impression that I would be in over night....... it took about 8 hours for the feeling to return.
Now the walking on the feet hurt, seriously not good but the physio was sure that I wouldn't need any walking aids - however I would strongly suggest you get a walking stick or better still crutches for use when you get home.
Days 2-5 - I literally lied in bed all the time only moved to go to the toilet and never came downstairs.
Day 6 - I felt comfortable enough to spend some time in the lounge with the family
Day 7 Onwards - I was pottering around however please be mindful that if you over do it your feet will hurt and elevation is the only cure along with a few paracetmols and Ibruprofen.
Then I improved - we loaned a wheelchair from British Red Cross for a small donation (I gave them £20 for the month)..... I could at least go for a spin around the estate and managed to go out to the pub for lunch occasionally.
I have a seat in my shower so that I can independantly take a shower - I just cover my feet in carrier bags and make sure they are sticking out away from the water.
Cover up your toes if it is winter - something like the ends from a pair of welly socks keeps them warm and also stops people looking at your pins :-) My friend made me some little toe hats which look like babies hats for the ends of my feet and my velcro shoes held them in place.
Week 2 - stiches removed, now this did not hurt but for two days following my toes were sore.... extra laying down required.
After 3 weeks - with the aid of my crutches I managed to take my little girl to school.
Week 4 - Pins removal..... Absolutely does not hurt - it is a wierd kinda sliding feeling all in all less than 10 minutes to undress my feet then remove the pins and clean my toes.... I was nervous but it was really a doddle.... Today is the day after the pins came out and I am a little tender and my feet are freezing so they are now wrapped in some big fluffy socks.
Epsom Salts ordered ready for Thursday so I can have a long soak in the bath (48 hours post pin removal)
Friday I aim to try driving shoes permitting and also going for a little swim!
My feet are too swolen for normal shoes at the moment so I have tried walking bare foot and I can although it feels odd after walking on my heels for 4 weeks.
I have invested in a pair of new balance trainers which are half a size too big ready for some serious walking.
Top tips;
Manage your pain - don't let it get on top of you in the early days
Cover your toes with little "hats" they will get cold if the weather is cold
Have some walking aids at home - they will help in the early days
Consider hiring a wheelchair if you want to go out - 4 weeks in the house is a long time.......
Wear the shoes the hospital gives you - they will aid recovery and ensure you don't damage any healing...
Prepare for a long drawn out wait..... consider working from home if you can (I had one day off for this entire process)
Feet up as much as you can
Comfy clothing is a must!
In conclusion - it was sooooo worth it my feet look fabulous albiet swollen at the moment and I am looking forward to walking in shoes pain free! :-)
5 likes, 295 replies
maggie66897 marie19880
Posted
I had my stitches out last Thursday, was fine until the woman in the next cubicle, fainted, then had a fit..just a curtain between us..but I got through it..I'm so dreading having the pin out..have stubbed it a few times and the pain has been really bad..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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I am too dreading having the pin out!!! So nervous my pin gets removed in just under 2 weeks 😬 It has been in for 6 weeks now
maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi Lydia, my pin will be removed in 3 weeks, I have to say I'm getting fed up now, just want to get back to normal..when my right foot heals, I have to go through it all over again, as I'm having the same surgery on my left foot, I now wish I had both feet operated on at the same time..let me know how you get on , with your pin removal, kind regards Maggie..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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Good luck! Wow straight after recovering from your right foot?
Ive had 2 surgeries previous to this surgery but this is the first one that I've had to have a pin in! Ahh it's scary haha
maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi Lydia, have you bathed where you stitches are, without getting your pin wet?..I did today and took plaster off,as my toe seemed moist, I'm frightened of getting an infection, I'm just letting the air get to my toe, but think I will put plaster on when I go to bed..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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Hello no I haven't I have one of those shower bags for my foot so I have just been cleaning it with baby wipes I know it's disgusting but I got told not to wet my foot 😫
maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi Lydia I'm from the uk, where are you?..it's not discusting my foot stinks. .lol..I used cooled boiled water to clean my foot, but didn't go near my pin..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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I am also from the UK. I can honestly say that I'm really worried about the pin being removed but at the same time I can't wait to shower my foot it's been just over six weeks now 🙁
maggie66897 lydia1996
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I can't wait to have a long soak in a bath..also am dreading the pin removal..but as the days go by, have noticed no pain now..I'm hoping the pin removal will be like having a plaster quickly removed..im due to have it done around the 16th feb, have you had a date for removal yet?
lydia1996 maggie66897
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I am totally different I am still noticing a lot of pain and wow not long now then and I have my pin removed a week today! So 2nd Feb I'll give you a heads up on how mine goes haha
maggie66897 lydia1996
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lydia1996 maggie66897
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maggie66897 lydia1996
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maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi, Lydia. Good luck for tomorrow, I'm sure you will be fine..kind regards maggie.
lydia1996 maggie66897
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Hi Maggie hope your well, I had
A k wire removed today and all I can say is don't look at the X-ray first! The nurse practitioner who removed my pin said that she would show the X-rays after and i asked if it would hurt she said you will feel a little pull. It felt very strange and hurt a little and it over and done with in a matter of seconds, very quick!
I even recorded it because I'm sad like that 😂
Good luck with your k-wire remove it really isn't as bad as it looks/ sounds.
maggie66897 lydia1996
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Well done you!! I'm so pleased it all went well, its the fear of the unknown I think..Are you still wearing your boot after having the pin removed?
lydia1996 maggie66897
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Actually proud that I did it! Haha
Yes I'm still wearing my boot but that is because I haven't been working whilst my K-wire has been in so I have to slowly start wearing my normal shoes she said give it another week or two. I think if you feel comfortable with putting your own shoes on straight away then you will be aloud, I'm still struggling to walk a little but I guess that is because I'm too scared to put all my weight onto it again. I go back to work on Monday and I'm on my feet all day.
The main thing is I have finally been discharged from hospital don't have to go back ever again! Haha
maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi Lydia, I hope your first day back to work goes well..is your toe still swollen? As my toe seems to be very swollen still..can't wait to get back into normal shoes..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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Thank you and yes it's still very swollen
maggie66897 lydia1996
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lydia1996 maggie66897
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Thank you Maggie, let me know how your pin removal goes! Good luck 🙂
maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi Lydia, I hope all is well with you, i bet you running some marathons now..lol.
I still have not received my appointment for my wire to be removed, but got up this morning, and my wire decided to come out on its own..I have to say my toe feels a bit more painful now.I'm going to ring the hospital at 9.00am for advice, but hopefully everything should be fine..kind regards Maggie..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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The pin came out on in its own?!?!
How big was it? Mine was massive haha.
Let me know what the hospital said but surely it should be ok as it's been in there quite a few weeks.
Not quite the running marathons just yet 😂😫 still wearing my healing shoe whilst at work and then weaning myself into my normal shoes outside of work and at the weekends it's a little painful but something to get used to and the swelling is going down really nicely won't be long now.
maggie66897 lydia1996
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lydia1996 maggie66897
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maggie66897 lydia1996
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lydia1996 maggie66897
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That's good!
Do you still have to wear the healing shoe?
maggie66897 lydia1996
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maggie66897 lydia1996
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Hi Lydia, hope you are doing well?.I was also out at the weekend, wearing my healing shoe.also took one of my crutches with me, as I'm so scared of someone treading on my toe..I'm at the hospital later today to see my consultant.. kind regards Maggie..
lydia1996 maggie66897
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Hi Maggie, how did everything go with the hospital today?
I'm doing good still wearing the healing shoe for work but apart from that I'm in my trainers and walking round the house in my fluffy socks as I can't find my slippers anywhere haha! Roll on payday so I can buy some 😂
maggie66897 lydia1996
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rose67074 lydia1996
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Hi there Lydia I'm in the UK I have hammered toes and waiting to see a specialist in think I need 3 or 4 toes on each foot how long are you in hospital for after surgery
lydia1996 rose67074
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Hi Rose,
I was scheduled for an over night stay and was the last to have surgery on the day so didn't go to threatre until half 3. They have to keep you for 3 hours after surgery because of the anaesthetic so I was able to go home at about 9pm that night 😊 It all depends if you have had physio and they have taught you how to walk... they did this before my surgery it was very strange.
I didn't have hammertoe surgery but I had reconstruction on my toe and they needed the k-wire pin to hold it in place, that's why I'm on this group because the recovery is very much the same ... sorry for babaling you only asked a simple question and look at me going on.