Hammertoe Surgery - my experience and some helpful tips
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
ss22049 marie19880
Posted
Hi everyone
I had my pins out a week ago, and my toes are still very painful.
Does anyone know if you are supposed to try and bend the toes, or keep them straight please?
How soon did everyone's pain go?
Thanks
Suzi ?
Barb47 ss22049
Posted
did they suggest any PT? I'm supposed to be given toe exercises when pins removed. Good luck. This is not an easy surgery is it!
ss22049
Posted
Hi barb
No they didn't say anything throughout my operation! The only info I've had is on here
It's been awful. I never thought it would be this hard!
I'm healing very nicely now though and over the worst
Can't wait to wear summer sandals and paint my nails (at least I have pretty toes now!)
Good luck with your recovery x
Barb47 ss22049
Posted
ss22049 Barb47
Posted
Just a small pink line now on one of my toes!
I can't believe it!
My pins out didn't hurt at all - I was amazed
I have been bathing my foot though after I had my stitches out (I don't think you are supposed to do this, but I think looking after it has helped me heal so well) I didn't get my pins wet though.
I soak my foot in magnesium salt and put clarins skin repair on the scar tissue. I swear by it.
I had to have my pins in for a week longer than I should have, but I think this helped. I didn't even bleed!
lydia1996 ss22049
Posted
Hello,
I'm like 3 and bit months post op! Had my pin removed early Feb... I still have good and bad days and today has been a real bad day! I work with children and in the garden they have bikes and it went straight over my bad foot!! Bloody painful 😖
I was encouraged to start moving my toes when the pin came out 7 weeks after surgery ... but I had the joint of the toe removed that's why I had the pin in to keep it held in place, so that toes doesn't move!
Main thing is to keep it elevated and move it start getting used to it. Hope this helps x
lydia1996 ss22049
Posted
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
Hi Lydia
Thank you for your reply
Ouch! Poor you. I stubbed my toe on Saturday (which hasn't helped) I cried for 2 hours! I hope I've not damaged it. I rang the hospital and she said as it was over 6 weeks, I should be ok.
I'm walking a bit easier now.
Good luck with your recovery!
I am now beginning to feel happy I've had it done
I'm doing gentle stretches with my toes now 😀
X
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
I can't believe how easily they slid out. It was actually quite funny, as I was nearly hysterical with fear 😂
Barb47 ss22049
Posted
lydia1996 ss22049
Posted
I know this is really weird ... but I got my mum to video mine! Haha I didn't want to look but I wanted to watch it after 😂 It was so quick and no where near what I expected 😃 I stubbed my toe whilst I had the pin in 😣 It hurt so bad.
ss22049 Barb47
Posted
It's been so helpful for me too!
I've never had an operation before. I was really scared of general anaesthetic, but I'm recovering so quickly now!
Love from England 😚
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
I put my favourite song on, and I didn't get to hear the first beat, it was over so quickly!
My boyfriend was surprised how long the pins were, but I wasn't. I had a constant dull ache in the back of my foot where they ended 😔
the hardest part has been not being able to drive. Can't wait to be out in my car again 😀
Barb47 ss22049
Posted
lydia1996 ss22049
Posted
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
Gosh 3 surgeries? Poor you 😣
I'm really recovering quickly now. Each day the pain is considerably less!
I think wiggling my toes has helped. But they were too stiff and painful until today
Really glad i had it done now. My hammertoe was so curled under, I used to tread on it
There relief on the toe next to it has been immense too 😁
Take care x
sally78576 Barb47
Posted
Not driving is tough, makes you feel a bit trapped! However, I keep reminding myself that it's not forever. I'm feeling better every day and managed a walk outside today in lovely sunshine - a real tonic. Can't believe it's only a week since my op. Good luck to everyone in their recovery. Love from England xx
Barb47 sally78576
Posted
Sally you give me such encouragement. Friday I made the mistake of sitting at table enjoying lunch a friend brought- we sat for three hours talking. Well I realized that evening that I still need to keep foot elevated. Lots of swelling and pain but okay now. Fortunately I work for hubby's small law firm and can work from home so that's good. Have second follow up drs appt Friday so hoping for good news. Although with surgery March 9 I doubt these pins are coming out before early April. Plus we've had a rather snowless winter till the past week so can't even get out. But everyone here is so encouraging that this is all worth it. Thank you friends ?
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
Hi Lydia
I've had my pins out a week and a half now. I tried to get a normal shoe on (including gladiator sandals, but I can't get anything on my foot. It's too painful. The thought of getting my foot into a trainer makes me feel faint!! Even if it is a half size too big
Do you have any advice please? How soon were you able to drive?
Thanks
Suzi x
lydia1996 ss22049
Posted
Hi suzi,
I wore my healing shoe for about 3 weeks after having my pin out because it's was so painful and swollen.
Slowly start easing yourself of the special shoe into a wide fitted trainers that's what I did.
I don't drive so i wouldn't know how long xx
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
Thank you so much
That's really helped
I'm a bit down today. Just want to get back to normal 😣
Xx
lydia1996 ss22049
Posted
Snap literally haven't stopped crying all day I'm fed up xx
ss22049 lydia1996
Posted
Oh bless you
Me too! I've burst into tears about every 5 seconds!! 😢
Xx
sally78576 Barb47
Posted
Hi Barb - hope you are keeping your feet up! I have been very blessed, hardly any swelling, but then I only had one toe 'done' on each foot. I'm off to my GP's surgery on Thursday so that the nurse there can redress my foot ( I don't envy her as I was told not to get my feet wet, so probably rather smelly by now!). I had thought my pins would have to stay in for 6 - 8 weeks from what I'd read on here but I have an appointment for the 5th April to have them removed - 31 days after my op. I am walking around on my medical shoes without the crutches in my house with no problems. Getting a bit stir crazy now but know from Marie's comments that it will be worth it in the end. Let me know how you get on on Friday and we can compare our experiences! Meanwhile take care and keep smiling 😀
Barb47 sally78576
Posted
Hi Sally
Keeping foot up definitely now. So excited cause my brother is taking me out to lunch today. Woo hoo get to be a normal person for an hour or two. Only good thing bout this enforced in the house is that a year ago I began to research my family on Ancestry which is very time consuming but fun. I've been able to do a lot on it which is good. So anxious to see dr Friday and have bandage off to be cleaned. Though I can't even look at the pins. Make hubby do that😊 Good luck Thursday. Love from the chilly States.
sally78576 Barb47
Posted
Hi Barb, hope you had a lovely lunch out with your brother. I went to see the nurse yesterday. She removed the dressings and said toes were healing well. She did not redress the feet. As I'm finding they feel sore without padding behind them I have put crepe bandages around them during the day, but 'release' them at bedtime and am rubbing Vaseline intensive care cream into skin, keeping clear of incision sites. Toes are quite bruised. Let me know how you got on at your appointment. Have a good weekend 😊
Barb47 sally78576
Posted
Hi Sally
Had a great follow up with dr. Took half the stitches out with rest next week and pins out April 7!!! X-rayed foot and when he put up pic said "I told you that you had a lot of work done ". Hubby and I sat there in amazement. But all healing well and we even went out for an early dinner which was a thrill for me. He also doesn't want me back to work yet although he knows I work for hubby so can work from home. So all in all pretty happy today. Plus it was 72 here today with sunshine
Love
Barb
maggie66897 lydia1996
Posted
Hi Lydia, hope you are keeping well, how is the swelling on your toe doing? Mine seems to be taking forever to go down, or maybe I'm just to impatient.
lydia1996 maggie66897
Posted
HI Maggie I'm doing ok still having my good and bad days. My toe is still pretty swollen so nope not impatient haha sorry for the late reply I have checked my emails.