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Hammertoe Surgery - my experience and some helpful tips

Posted , 52 users are following.

marie19880
marie19880

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

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  • Digohey
    Digohey marie19880

    Posted

    I also had foot surgery last April pins in small toe and bone taken out small toe side .So painful when doctor took pin out I passed out .so I guess I was unlucky or you where lucky with no pain .Its now nearly end of February 10 months later so much pain in my foot some days can't even walk about. My foot is still a size bigger than other foot and can only wear sandles. Will I let them do other foot Only when Hell freezes over.

    • marie19880
      marie19880 Digohey

      Posted

      How awful for you.Have you returned to speak to speak to your consultant???

      I get the occasional twinge but nothing I would call paime so I think you should definitely get it checked.

    • Digohey
      Digohey marie19880

      Posted

      Yes went back 4 months after having foot done. Surgeons said oh I may have damaged nerves I will refer you to pain clinic. They will teach you how to deal with pain. Had screw put across foot I didn't know they had done that till nurse explained it. Pain clinics do not do anything been to them before on another botched surgery job. My toes are now all twisted and look revolting. Some days pain is unbelievable had to sell house and buy a bungalow as can't do stairs. Just unlucky I guess

    • lydia1996
      lydia1996 Digohey

      Posted

      Hi, after my first surgery they had damaged the nerves which left me in agony and unable to move my toes... now a year on they have operated again to fix said problem and touch wood everything is going well. Maybe you should talk to your surgeon on having an MRI and possibly more surgery to remove the joint of the toe to make it floppy but have no pain.
    • Digohey
      Digohey lydia1996

      Posted

      I now live in Fuerteventura as a resident. So would now properly have to pay there in uk. Not a option as we are both pensioners. Will write to surgeons and see what they say on this matter 
    • lydia1996
      lydia1996 Digohey

      Posted

      Hello, just checking to see if you've spoke to your surgeon? I know the pain is awful and would hate for it not to be solved.

  • hannah08476
    hannah08476 marie19880

    Posted

    Hello everyone I had 8 toes done last week i have an appointment for a few days time, but i just wondered did anyone take their dressings off before going back ? just to clean them ? thanks Hannah
    • lydia1996
      lydia1996 hannah08476

      Posted

      The hospital would of advised you not to touch the dressings until your next appointment to prevent infection . 😊

  • Digohey
    Digohey marie19880

    Posted

    I never took dressing off mine they kept falling loose so every 2 no day had to back to docs and get redressed by them .had dressing over toes for 8 weeks. 10 months later still swollen sore foot it is now a shoe size larger than opposite foot . I now suffer constant bad back since having it done . But every one is different . Take care 
  • Barb47
    Barb47 marie19880

    Posted

    Thank you for such a positive post. Tomorrow I'm having my right foot - four hammertoes and a bunion then left foot next.  Found this forum in Jnuary and it's helped me so much. I'm in USA in Pittsburgh, PA. Any extra advice from anyone I'd really appreciate  

    • sally78576
      sally78576 Barb47

      Posted

      Hi Barb, Good luck with your surgery. I'm going to hospital on Friday ( 10th March ) to have hammertoe surgery on both my second toes. I have taken heart from Marie's post - elevate and ice seems to be the key. Let me know how you get on. Love Sally x

       

    • Barb47
      Barb47 sally78576

      Posted

      Oh Sally good luck to you also - both feet? Won't that be difficult?  Are you in the UK as many folks here are. Good luck Friday

    • sally78576
      sally78576 Barb47

      Posted

      Hi Barb,

      Had my surgery today and so far so good! I am back home and currently pain free as the surgeon injected pain blocker around toes whilst I was out under general anaesthetic. I suspect tomorrow may be more painful! I have two lovely medical shoes and a pair of crutches and have managed to walk to the loo well with these - literally a relief. I hope your recovery continues to go well.

      Love

      Sally x

    • Barb47
      Barb47 sally78576

      Posted

      Same pain blockers here. Today they all started wearing off but fortunately have the Percocet. The pins sticking out of my toes freak me out though. Some which is to be expected. Good luck. Let me know how you do
    • sally78576
      sally78576 Barb47

      Posted

      Hi Barb,

      Hope things are continuing to go well for you. I am actually quite amazed at how well I feel which can't be bad! The pain blocker ran out yesterday afternoon, but I only took 1 co-codemol and that got me through the night. Have swapped pillows for a single duvet folded in four and a knee roll cylinder and was very comfy and able to sleep - another pleasant surprise. I look forward to your posts as you are a day ahead of me.

    • Barb47
      Barb47 sally78576

      Posted

      Hi Sally  things are progressing well here. Had follow up with dr Tuesday. He took off all the yucky bandages which revealed my total foot and toes. Not a pretty sight 😊  Rebandaged all and told me he'd cut 26 bones in toes/feet which really freaked me out. He said I'm doing great which I view as a matter of perspective. His vs mine!  Pins not due to be out till early April and some stitches out next Friday. Pain has decreased considerably and able to walk easily with just boot and no crutches. Found a great foam pillow on Amazon which keeps leg secure and elevated. Use all the time even at night. Mainly getting bored cause had a lot of snow so can't get out. Still not back to work which is okay cause work for hubby in his small law firm. Can't imagine having both feet done. Going to wait a bit fore I do left foot. Mainly cause both cataracts are now ready for removal so that's next priority. How are you doing. Hope pain is gone now. Take care. Love, Barb 

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