Second toe lifting away after surgery
Posted , 5 users are following.
hi all, another question from me. i had minimally invasive surgery for bunion two and a half weeks ago and dressings off three days ago. .Since then whenever i put my foot down the second toe lifts right off the floor and away from the big toe like it has a mind of it's own. Even if i make a conscious effort to put it down it wont stay there. Has something gone wrong with my surgery and some damage been done to this toe? Thanks for any advice.
0 likes, 13 replies
Darna alison75140
Posted
I had the same thing with my big toe (mine stayed up all the time but worse when put down). The doctor was certain he didn't cut a tendon or muscle). I couldn't flex or extend my toe either so what he did was force my toe down by taping it and leaving it taped down for a week. It was awful but did do the trick. I ended up taking the tape off after 6 days because it hurt so bad and my foot was purple. I attached a photo of it to show how it was taped and how my toes are purple. Took this to show the doctor why iI removed the tape.
Darna alison75140
Posted
Picture of how it looked as compared to other foot.
alison75140 Darna
Posted
my foot is that colour, glad its not just me!!
alison75140 Darna
Posted
i do wonder if its a reflex action by the toe to stay away from pain! My toes are very mobile. i dint like the tightness between the toes though , I hope it settles.
simona2019 alison75140
Posted
The mysteries of foot surgery. I had bunion surgery plus hammertoe on the next toe. Now the third toe is staying up. I am taping it down too. But only occasionally. Good luck!
alison75140 simona2019
Posted
hi Simona. Thanks for your reply and photos. i did wonder if its some kind of reflex action by the toe as you go to step down, like the toe is arching away in case of any pain. This may be why yours was held down. I also have a tight feeling between the toes, like I am wearing a flip flop or something that goes between the toes. may be nerve damage that may settle down (I hope!!!) I have luckily got an appointment to go back and see my consultant next week so can let him have a look at it and see if he thinks its ok.
alison75140
Posted
sorry Darna. Thanks for your photos. I'll let you know how i get on. Its so worrying .
patsy71834 alison75140
Posted
I can't answer your question, but thought I would chime in to say that I had bunion surgery and hammertoe surgery on my second toe, the toe next to my big toe. My third toe now does what you are describing, and I am having so much pain between both my big toe and second toe and my second toe and third toe. The incision to repair the hammer toe goes a ways into my foot and toward the third toe. I am eight weeks post-op and thought I would be having less and less pain, but I think I have as much as I have ever had. The incision areas are much less sensitive, but otherwise the pain is still miserable.
Anyone out there with any encouraging insights?
alison75140 patsy71834
Posted
hi Patsy, thanks for your reply. i am due to see the consultant tomorrow so hopefully can find out some more but the second toe of mine just seems to have a life of its own and I'm so worried its nerve damage. Last night the tight band feeling was irritating me so much. I had minimally invasive surgery and hoped for a swift recovery with not too much pain but i fear that's not going to happen! i would be interested to know if anyone has this lifting toe that has resolved in the end. ?
pamela152 alison75140
Posted
Hi Alison, I had my bunion removed 8 weeks ago and it has healed up nicely with no problems walking. But I was given some exercises for my big toe and it could be what you need to do with your second toe. I was told to hold my toe up for a count of twenty then hold it down for a count of twenty. Repeat about four times several times a day. The nurse told me it was to prevent my big toe from "flapping." It might be worth a try. Good luck.
patsy71834 alison75140
Posted
Please post after you see your consultant. Your information may help some of the rest of us figure out our own situations.
alison75140 patsy71834
Posted
yes will do Patsy.
alison75140
Posted
hi Patsy. just to let you know i had an appointment with my consultant today. He was not concerned about the second toe as he said this is the toe that has been pushed across by the big toe and that all the nerves will settle down but the best thing is just to exercise the toe and hopefully it will move into place in time. he said yes he could do a procedure to straighten it but then i would not be able to move it and i have very flexible toes so i don't fancy that. i really think the less you mess with feet and surgery the better. I also have a fallen arch on my other foot which has been very painful and there is no way I'd have surgery on that unless i actually couldn't walk !! i hope to continue to improve if i exercise the foot enough.