K wire removal following surgery for fractured toe. Toe is now swollen and painful. Is this normal?

hi. you need to call the hospital for advise asap as it could be infection.

hi Patricia...I am rather familiar with wires in my toes...this is my third surgery with them, in fact. i have three as I type. while uncomfortable and tender at times, especially when my body is naturally forcing them out a little and theyve needed to be trimmed, I have never experienced swelling in the area prior to removal. If anything....relief after the process. i would definitely tell you to see your doctor. my sister also just had wires removed and she wasnt to get her foot wet (no swimming!) for some time. when in doubt, check it out. 😉

Sorry to hear that...I also was the same...no pain when removing the pains...but made up for it later... I had used my pain meds for 1.5 days only.. after surgery...but was back on them for a day, every 2 hrs as recommended , after pin removal due to swelling & throbbing.........was back to icing every 2 hours & elevating all day. Was much better in a couple of days....hang in there ....take care

Hi patricia. I had same exact surgery just 3 pins and involved the joint. Im curious as to how your recovery is going. Thanks.

I hate to keep bugging you, but did your fracture involve the joint ? mine did and im curious as to whether someone has gone on to live a pain free life after such an injury. Thanks in advance . Have a good day 😃

Not sure if this is at all helpful information but I had a IP fusion in my big toe. It started out with a tendon rupture and clawtoe deformity that lead to the fusion. First fusion I had a 3.5mm screw placed in my big toe and left there. The bone started to heal and fusion together, reducing the pain and swelling. After getting out of the walking cam boot at 7 weeks, I did okay for a few months until the pain and swelling returned. I ended up with a revision surgery (10 months after the prior surgery) due to a non-union of the joint not fusing.

Second fusion I had to fix the non-union, they placed a larger screw (4mm) and a staple and did a bone graft in hopes of "jump-starting" the process of making new bone to fuse that joint. Again, I did pretty good, got my boot off at 7 weeks and then by about 12 weeks, I couldn't handle the constant pain and swelling. X-ray showed another loose screw ie...non-union. So I am back in the boot and have a eight thousand dollar bone simulator to use daily in hopes of preventing a 4th surgery. It doesn't look good though. I think he is just giving me this time to try and protect it in hopes of more healing even though he is pretty sure we need surgery again. After reading a lot, I believe my surgeon needs to be more aggressive with protection of the toe/foot post-op. I should probably be completely non-weight bearing for a long while before being allowed to put any pressure on that foot. Also guessing I need much longer than seven weeks in the boot. Your feet take a lot of bumps and pressure and I don't think I am allowing enough healing time. I was allowed to bear weight with the boot on right after surgery. I don't think that is the common way. I would suggest getting an appointment just to check on things and hopefully just resting, ice, elevation and possibly some padding but in a stiff sole shoe would help. My best to you!

hi everyone sorry to jump in , i have toe pins in for the last five weeks and relatively pain free but tbis week pain seems bad i am due to have them out next week is it a relief and can you walk normally after as im really struggling to walk at the moment