Hammertoe Surgery - my experience and some helpful tips

Hi Meg

My feet were dressed until the pins came out so they didn't get wet and then I think I had to wait a little while before submersing them in water 24 hours comes to mind but not 100%.

With regards to walking so long as you had your protective shoe and elevated as much as you could you should be fine.

I went back to work the day after my op.... but I work from home

Try not to worry too much about the pins it really was a relief for me.

Top tip.... take your pain meds 30 mins before your pin removal appointment :-)

Good Luck Meg :-) let us know how you get on.

I am truly shocked how many people have seen this thread and I'm so pleased I shared my little story.

2 years on and my feet are brilliant. I was in pain with every step beforey Op now I am pain free x

As a regular walker/ swimmer / cyclist I'm frustrated at not being able to get any exercise for weeks... coupled with how needy you become on partner and friends to help out, which as an independent person isn't easy, but will certainly be far more sympathetic when out and about to anyone wearing this damn big shoe!!

Started own discussion... more exciting details there!!! 😀

Hi Meg, I felt the same as you. I've got through - so far by telling myself that , hopefully I'm  out of action for a relatively short proportion of the rest of my life. I am recently retired and love walking. Once my toes are 'fixed' and I can wear my walking boots in comfort my aim is to walk as many of the UK's long distance paths as I can. Am spending my enforced rest researching the walks. Keep smiling. Love Sally

Hi Marie

I don't know whether you'll pick this message up as the thread is quite old now. I'm due to have my 4th and 5th toe straightened on the right foot (will have to have it on the left too) and I was wondering about heels.

Bit of a odd question but I've read quite a few threads about people never being able to wear heels again (anything over 1 inch!).

How have you found footwear 2 years after the op? What sort of shoes can you wear?

Thanks so much in advance if you reply. 

Kate 

Hi kate

I had my surgery in january this year (4th and 5th toes of left foot)

I too was very worried i would not be able to wear my high heels again. I have a lot of very beautiful shoes!

I am now able to wear a high wedge (about 3.5 inches) for a short while - about half an hour)

The scar tissue is still quite painful against the shoe. I was advised by a physio to stand on my tiptoes to strengthen my foot if i wanted to wear my shoes again.

Im slowly getting there! Swelling has finally started to go down after 9 months

Hope this helps

Suzi x

Hi Suzi

Thanks so much for your reply, I really appreciate it.

This is something for me to consider - I'm really worried.

Also what about exercise? How long has it taken to get back to your normal routine? 

I was thinking maybe I could swim once I'm healed if I cannot revert back to my normal activities. My consultant has been pretty poor at explaining things. 

Also how do your toes look now they are straightened?

Thanks so much in advance. 

Kate x

Hi kate

I am really pleased i had them done now, but it's been a very long process. If I'm honest, ive only just started to get back to normal

I went to doctors with pain a couple of months ago, and got referred for physio. The physio said to do as much exercise as possible. I wish i knew this a bit sooner after my operation. But i don't think the pain woukd have allowed me to do much more. So about 9 months if im honest!! 😔

I have found a magnesium salt bath invaluable for pain and swelling

I can send before and after pics if you like? X

Hi I had my 4th & 5th toes broke and straightened on both feet in March. I honestly wish I never had them done. They didn't inform me that they were going to fuse the bones together so I'd never be able to bend, wiggle or stand on my tip toes again. It wasn't until I had the pins removed and asked how long it would be before I could do the above things that they informed me of this. If they would of informed me of this before my operation then I would of not had the operation done. I'm in more pain now than what I was before having the surgery. I still find certain shoes like my boots still rub the top of my toes but I think that's because the 4th toe on my left foot hasn't straightened probably, also within a couple of days of having my pins removed my 5th toe on the left foot has started to bend back under like it was before the surgery, I think this might of been down to how the nurse removed the pin on that toe, she held every toe in position to remove the pins except that one which she was pulling and ragging about, I was in agony and the pin would not come out until she held the toe still. 7 months on and my toes still look swollen, I still have pain constantly in them and they always feel bruised even though you can't see any bruising. The fact that I can't bend, wiggle or stand on my tip toes again doesnt help the pain ether. I also suffer with hip and knee pain which since having the operation has but more strain on these joints. I can no longer sit on the floor as I can't get back up without the help of atleast 2 people as I can't push down on my toes like I could do before.

I'm not trying to put anyone off having the surgery as I read this post before I had mine and it gave me alot of confidence to have it done. But I was just informed by my surgeon that they would break and straighten them and leave the pins in for 6 weeks then remove them. Xx

Oh dear emma

How awful for you

I think i have been lucky with my surgery. It does make you wonder if it's worth it

I didn't have any advice from my surgeon so it's hard to know how to look after it xx

Hi Kate,

I was back in all heels (3-4 inches) after about 3 months. It certainly feels like you might never get back in at the one month mark-- but you will!! 

Hi Suzi

Yes it would be greatly appreciated if you could send me some before and after pictures. 

I'm really struggling to decide if I should go ahead with the op. 

Thanks so much in advance! 

Kate xxx

Thanks for replying Paige - did you have both feet done at once. 

Do your toes looks 'better' than before the op? 

Blimey! That sounds like an awful ordeal. 

Hope your recovery gets better for you. 

Thank you for your honest opinion. 

Kate X

Hi kate

I can't find how to send pics on here . Shall i give you my email? Can't find how to send a private message either! X

It's been horrible. I think they should atleast explain exactly what they're going to do and not just surprise you after it's been done.

Yes i agree!

It's major surgery with a very long recovery. I think people think "it's only a couple of toes - no big deal" (including me before i had it done)

I wish i had been told more x

No worries Kate, I don't want to put you off having it done. I think it's wise to ask them what they will do like all the details. I don't think it's very fair what they did to me without explaining what they was exactly going to do. It's a big decision especially when it's going to effect your life. Good luck to you. I hope everything goes well. Xx

I had the second toe of my left foot done in mid June. Just that toe. It is looking amazing -- its flat for the first time ever -- and it is functioning like a true toe versus just kind of hanging there bent barely touching the ground when I walked. It is still slightly swollen, and probably will be for up to a year, but as I said, I was able to get back into heels at about 3 months and it feels very normal...I was also able to get back to moderate exercise (walking) about 4 days after I had the pin out (2 weeks and 5 days after surgery)...back on my stationary bike after 3 weeks. Gingerly, at first, but by 6 weeks I was going full tilt in many exercises. Longest recovery is in being able to bend the toes and stand on tip toe, so doing things like push ups, lunges, etc, is difficult for a while, but this got markedly better for me at about the 3 month mark. I'm at 4 months now. 

I'm having the second toe done on the right foot in early December with no hesitation...

If you see my earlier post on this thread, I really think the key to my fast recovery was keeping elevated and iced the first 2 weeks...I literally kept it elevated for 20 hours a day at least the first 2 weeks, and was very diligent about icing. My pin came out at exactly 2 weeks post surgery, when I thought it would be more like 4...

 

Yes I completely agree. My consultant has been very vague and I feel I can't make an informed decision on the information he has given me. 

I'm 24 and have just started post graduate study as well as working full time so I'm worried about the logistics of having this operation in the event my recovery doesn't go to plan. 

I really thought it was a 'it's only two toes' job and I'd be back to normal at 3 months. Xx

Hi Paige 

Thank you for your words of encouragement and tips on recovery. It seems your surgery has been a huge success! 

Kate xx

Hi Kate and everyone. Good morning from USA. Found this post in January and it was my lifesaver as I went through the surgery. Had all toes on right foot done March 9th. In the boot with all pins exposed sticking out for six weeks. Covered only by thin cloth. Kept leg/foot elevated pretty much 24/7 cept when walked around house. Iced frequently. Obviously couldn't drive and limited going out only to places where I figured no one would bump into me. Lived in my Birkenstock and other sandals with Velcro closings as foot so swollen. 

However by end of August I walked all over Amsterdam for a week vacation. Early August wore my regular 2" heels to a wedding and even danced. Yesterday pair of Clarks regular tassel loafers arrived in mail and wore them all day. Toes are flat and don't really bend but can walk on tiptoes. This is amazing to me especially since still have to have left foot done next January. 

I think the key is elevate and ice. I'm lucky as I work for hubby and could do a lot front home. 

Also just turned 70 so healing probably took me longer. Also just had second cataract surgery yesterday. Guess replacing parts 😊

Good luck. It's worth it. Two weeks ago celebrated birthday walking all around NYC after three years of not being able to do so 

Blessings 

Barb 

Hi,

its a little over 8 weeks,USA here also.  My pain just eased up, still a little swollen.  Miss my visit to the big apple, due to surgery.  I just went to Doctor and was told I can wear shoes, cloth because of the swelling. No leather because they do not give.  Trying it out.  Will be going to PT , because of stiff big toe.  Has anyone try PT, did it work?  

I wanted to say my Doctor only recommends 2 inch heels.  I do not plan on getting other foot done, in my 60s, think it's very painful. 

Good luck to all,written Dec. 2017.

Hi Carol, I just had hammertoe surgery 3 weeks ago on my right foot, on my 3 middle toes, with a pin in one.  When I went in for my follow up to get  the stiches out, I was wearing tennis shoe on my left foot. The doc told me to just bring in the other tennis shoe for my right foot   in when I get the pin out.  Well like a dummy, my left foot was the worse of the two, and should of had it done first.  My problem is, that the only reason I was wearing the tennis shoe, was because it was about the same height as the boot, but it really hurts to wear the tennis shoes.  I ordered a pair of sandals with open toes, and Velcro straps, with room for my toes.  Now when I take my right tennis shoe in, and he tries to put it on, I will still be in pain on my left foot. I am going to ask him how soon, I can get the other one done. I lived in flip flops for years, but now I had stiches between my toes, so flip flops are out.  What kind of shoes are you wearing?  And I did have a lot of pain, did not sleep for a week, even with pain meds, but the   nurse, did tell me to ice behind my knee, and the top of my foot, and that really helped.  Anyone, that says this doesn't hurt is crazy, even the doc said it is one of the most painful surgeries.  Sorry for rambling, just trying to find out what kind of shoes, everyone is wearing.  Any help with shoes, would really be appreciated.

 

HiCindy ,

iam wearing a slip on cloth shoe.  My first day in them, hurts a little, but easy on easy off.  My nicki sneakers, lace up are soft cloth also, but I find tie up harder to deal with right now.  

I hope that helps you.  I have to say ice and elevating is great for the foot.

 

Hi Carol,

i am 66 and have had Rheumatoid arthritis since my 30's.  I have three middle toes that are fixed hammer toes and the second toe has a callus from wearing shoes.  Now one toe is crossing over to the third toe!  I'm supposed to see an orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery, how bad were your toes? Did the second joints stick up?  

Ugh I love pretty sandals and am too embarrassed now to wear them.  However that is not my reason for having the surgery.  I take Enbrel for my arthritis and it compromises my immune system. Having a joint sticking up and rubbing inside the shoe has caused blisters, bleeding and a callous. 

So I'll have all three done at the same time.  Here's a few questions as I'm pretty scared. Will I be in a cast?  How long?  Lots of pain?

are your bones healing well?  Has the pain lessened in severity?  

When do you think you'll be walking and dancing again pain free ??

Thank you 😊 

Linda

wow!!! You are an inspiration!! 

Thank you for your post.  Im 66 and feeling very uncertain and scared about the possibility of surgery. 

I love to dance, wear cute sandals... I want to greet the golden years with flare!! 😃

Are you in NY? I am.  We live upstate.  I would so love to speak with you on the phone.  Would that be possible? 

Whether we speak with each other or not, you have brightened my life with your encouraging post. 

I guess by now you've had the second foot done?  How are you doing? 

My work email is ( I'm a grief therapist) 

thanks again, Linda 

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Hi Paige

Well done on your recovery, i have had my pin out 7days ago and whilst it didnt hurt having it removed, i cant remember if they told me to keep the dressing over the hole left from the pin and when i could soak my feet in water or have a bath, ive tried ringing and asking advice but they said i will have to wait for my next appointment to speak to someone, but that isnt till 3 wks away and i need to give my feet a good soak and get rid of all the hard skin and cut my nails, is it best to keep the hole covered or open to heal any advice would be greatly recieved

Thanks

Hi -- great news that you got your pin out. I think that is the worst part and once its out, it gets alot easier very quicily. My doctor told me I could take the dressing off that day, and that I could get it wet, but not to soak it for one week. The hole needs a bit of time to close up. So, you can shower, and uncover it, but not soak it quite yet!! Good luck!!