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
EmmaT7 marie19880
Posted
Quick question for everyone when you all had your stitches removes did they re-bandage it straight after the removal of the stitches as I'm worried my foot is going to hurt when walking with the special shoes on without any padding underneath my foot by my toes. Because I've been used to walking with the bandage/padding. I have an appointment on the 19th April which on my discharge letter from the hospital that they gave me when I left after my operation it says removal of stitches 2 out of 52 weeks which means 2 weeks after operation and then it says 6 out of 52 weeks for removal of pins. And the nurse who gave me the discharge letter said they should change your bandages. So just wanted to see what happened to you all. Xx
lydia1996 EmmaT7
Posted
Hi emma, when I had my stitches removed they didn't put anymore dressings on it was just the a plaster and then the foot ... best thing to do is put a fluffy sock on it! It's just the same as the padding just a little less. It felt difficult to work at first but soon get used to it xx
meg44612 lydia1996
Posted
I'll confirm that. No dressing just a bare foot. I hadn't been warned so didn't take a sock or a shoe! but I noticed other patients waiting to be seen wore a low level padded shoe with Velcro so asked if I could have that and they gave me one. Definitely helped and I wore it off and on for a few days
Barb47 EmmaT7
Posted
Two weeks after surgery half stitches out. He took off all the yucky bandages and washed my foot a bit then wrapped with an ace bandage. They also use a very thin lightweight stockinette thing open over my toe and foot. The "boot" I have is completely open to sit my foot my foot in with Velcro straps to hold it in. I've worn the boot 24/7 which is why can't wait to get pins out and have a restful night sleep. Four weeks post op it's difficult to pull straps tight enough now. Foot must've really been swollen.
Had no pain with stitch removal. Just a pinch.
Enjoy this day. ?
EmmaT7 lydia1996
Posted
EmmaT7 meg44612
Posted
I have 2 support shoes that are low level with velcro on already it has the tiniest bit of padding but not much it's the shoes that they gave me before I was discharged from the hospital. I think I will just have to put a sock underneath incase it hurts which I got a feeling it's going to hurt to walk on without all that padding that's already there. Xx
EmmaT7 Barb47
Posted
My shoes are a nightmare I have to proper push my foot to the back on the shoe and pull the velcro tight but can't pull it too tight as it pushes on my little toes which both have pins in. I'm sure they should of gave me a large shoe instead of a medium as their isn't much room at the front of the shoe when my foot is pushed as far back as I can get it. And that's good about the stitches atleast it doesn't hurt lol. Xx
Barb47 EmmaT7
Posted
I have to do the same now that the swelling is gone they're way too big so I pull it too tight as you do. Plus for the past 10 days my gait has been so lopsided that my back hurts so much. I've been pretty much in the house and don't wear shoes in the house. Won't we all be glad when this ends. Course I then have to have left one done and he's told me it's worse 😊
lydia1996 EmmaT7
Posted
When all the padding is removed yes it's weird but and a little painful at first. But it is honestly nothing to worry about because your foot will get used to it. I had my surgery in December so it was very cold, that's why I had a fluffy sock on but loose at the toes.
EmmaT7 Barb47
Posted
Hi Barb,
Oh no you have got to go through it all again poor you. I'm so glad I had both mine done at the same time as don't think I would of wanted to go back for the other foot to be done lol. It's just a pain now lol. My stitches are itching like mad which I suppose it's a good thing as it's a sign of healing but my god I just want to rip my toes off as I can't scratch the stitches lol. When are you booked in for your next surgery? Xx
EmmaT7 lydia1996
Posted
Hi Lydia,
Thanks for letting me know how it feels. I will just take 2 socks with me one for each foot incase it does start hurting when I'm walking and then I can pop them underneath for support. I'll let you know how I get on with the removal of the stitches. Xx
Barb47 EmmaT7
Posted
Love waking up early here in Pennsylvania and being able to connect with incredible group. Too excited to sleep since pins out today. Didn't do both feet as pins in all toes which he thought would've been a lot to handle. Plus had right kneecap removed in 1971 due to bad auto accident. It's okay but gets weak at times and throws out which could've been bad. Won't schedule other foot till the fall. Mainly cause cataracts decided to ripen this year 😊 I'm turning 70 in October and laugh that I'm falling apart. Good thing bout this surgery was they did a ton of pre-surgery tests and I got a clean bill of health.
Have a blessed day my friends. Will check in when it's over today ?
Velda EmmaT7
Posted
Hi Emma
Had my pip fusion two weeks ago and the stitches removed yesterday, The nurse just put a skimpy plaster over my toe.
For the first time, I'm finding my toe is really bothering me. Unsure whether this is due to the stitches being removed or the lack of padding around my toes and foot.
I couldn't sleep with it last night so got up at 2.30am to raid our first aid kit and bandaged it up myself. It still feels very uncomfortable. Wish it was bandaged up the same as it was after the op.
EmmaT7 Velda
Posted
Hey Velda,
I had my stitches removed last Wednesday and they just put a white plaster over my stitches on both feet and put some thin bandage sock over my feet so the pins weren't sticking out so much. I found it so weird to walk and my feet and toes were so cold because of them being used to having all that thick bandage on. I've cut the toes out some old socks and put them on over the sock bandage they gave me as that kept falling down. The sock bandage can be twisted at the end and folded over to go over your pins. I'm just waiting for my letter to come through to have the pins removed. I agree that it does bother you now there's no bandage you can feel your toes touching together. My pins also touch as I knocked the one so it bent the circle part of the pin. Hope you're finding it ok now. Xx
Velda EmmaT7
Posted
Thanks Emma.
My toe feels better today plus I cleaned it up a bit this morning with some cotton wool and water which I had earlier boiled.
It definately looks and feels better now.
My pin will be removed on 22nd Nov. Can't wait!
Cheers
Velda Rhodes
Lancashire. UK
EmmaT7 Velda
Posted
Hi Velda,
I can't wait to be able to soak my feet. They feel so rough lol. 22nd Nov that's a long time to have pins in. Xx
Velda EmmaT7
Posted
Lol - Don't know where the November came from!
My toe was bad but not THAT bad!
Obviously 22nd May!
Barb47 Velda
Posted
Whew. May 22 is way better. Good luck these next few weeks. My new Clarks Velcro close sandals arrived today and my foot feels wonderful in them. Really comfortable walking and secure. Birkenstock were good but no heel coverage had me kinda shuffling at times. May venture to the park this afternoon 😊