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K wire for middle toe straightening.

Posted , 5 users are following.

barbara00055
barbara00055

I have had scarf akin bunion op, also with a lesser toe straightened.  I have a K wire that stays on for weeks.  Has anyone recovered from this?  Where is the K wire secured, I know it protrudes from my toe but does it also rest under or in top of my foot?  I am having discomfort from these areas.  Also how long did you have the K wire fitted, I thought it was coming off in three weeks but today I read it can take four to six weeks!  Please write back if you have had this op, thanks.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • barbara00055
    barbara00055

    Posted

    I now know what and where this K wire is!  Looked on Internet, it looks painful to remove.
    • sukibear
      sukibear barbara00055

      Posted

      I had mine removed at 3.5 weeks and never felt a thing. I looked away and the nurse had removed it! I'm now 11 weeks post op & it's still a bit chubby looking but feels fine.
  • christine83627
    christine83627 barbara00055

    Posted

    Hi,

    I had a simiar operation almost nine weeks ago. I had wires in two of my toes as I had a hammer toe and another toe which was very crooked.

    I had the wires in for five weeks and then they were taken out. I think they go through the bone in the toe but not sure how far they go into the toe.

    I had a little discomfort but I had a huge dressing covering my foot and sometimes that seemed to put pressure on the wires so I asked for the dressing to be loosened.

    All is well now. Sometimes I have a some discomfort in the hammer toe but I am hoping that this is temporary. This toe was fixed so it is quite rigid. Cosmetrically, it looks fantastic compared to how it did look. The other toe which was straightened is absolutely fine and overall I am pleased with the operation.

    Still have quite a lot of swelling so I have had to buy very roomy trainer type shoes. Not sure when I will get back into my normal shoes if ever !

  • barbara00055
    barbara00055

    Posted

    Where did you go to have your dressings changed?  The clinic for follow up won't see me, they're too busy.  Was it A&E or maybe doctors?
  • christine83627
    christine83627 barbara00055

    Posted

    Hi,

    I was given appointments by my consultant to go back and have the dressing changed 9 days after the operation at the hospital and then had to go back again probably about 2 weeks later to have stitches taken out so I had another dressing change. He always came and looked at my foot on each occasion and answered any questions that I had.

    Then returned to hospital about 5 weeks after operation to have the wires taken out.

    I then had a much smaller dressing on for about two/ three days and was told that I could take that off myself and I was then allowed to have a shower.

    Did you have a similar experience?

    • barbara00055
      barbara00055 christine83627

      Posted

      I am now 10 days, with no appointment for another 12 days!  That's three weeks after op.  Are you NHS there are no appointments available for me before this.  Thanks for letting me know about the timescale, I don't have one from my hospital.
  • christine83627
    christine83627 barbara00055

    Posted

    Hi Barbara,

     I had my operation done privately. It took me 7 years to summon up the courage to go through with this operation but it was difficult whilst I was working full time andI had a couple of other health issues to deal with in 2008 and 2013. I saw 4 surgeons and questioned everyone I met, who had this operation before I made my choice.

    Could you see your GP if you are worried or request an earlier appointment with your surgeon if you have concerns. I know the NHS are struggling to cope. I hope that you are able to speak to someone about your worries.I know that it is a very difficult time and I can remember wondering if I had done the right thing when I was probably at the stage that you are at. There is light at the end of the tunnel though and I am sure that things will be fine.

    My surgeon said the the wires should be removed between 4 and 6 weeks but I suppose surgeons have different views.

    • barbara00055
      barbara00055 christine83627

      Posted

      I too took four years to pluck up courage to have this op. But decided to go to an orthopaedic surgeon rather than podiatrist, who suggested it all those years ago.  I tried to sort my bunion with supports but it didn't work. At that time we had retired and wanted to travel so I didn't have time either.  

      I know the difference between private and NHS, last February  I paid for private cataract removal, feel more cared for! That was expensive so didn't check the cost of private for this bunion op.

      thanks for your encouragement.

  • cixi
    cixi barbara00055

    Posted

    Hi Barbara00055. I am six weeks post op after bilateral akin bunion surgery and all lesser toes pip joint fusion with k wires. My k wires went from the end of the toe right up to the metatarsal joint and I was fortunate to have little pain whilst the pins were in. The nurse pulled the pins out at four weeks with most being removed very easily, just a slight tugging sensation and not too bad at all. Two toes hurt when the pins came out and these are the toes that still hurt and are swollen two weeks on. Hopefully they just need to settle down a bit. I am now wearing my son's trainers that are two sizes bigger to cope with swelling. I hope all goes well for you, good luck with your recovery 😊
    • barbara00055
      barbara00055 cixi

      Posted

      Thank you CixI.  It's been quite a shock to me these past few days; I didn't do my homework and so had no idea what the K wire meant when I agreed to this part of op.  I am getting a sharp and burning sensation in the area where the pin ends.  Not sure whether to go to A&E.  It's mainly when I lower my foot.   Roll on the time it comes out.

      By the way, I have just finished reading the book about Empress Cixi by Yung Chang.  Fascinating story and magnificent woman.  Noticed your nickname Cixi wink

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