I had hammertoe surgery on 4th toe 14 months ago and I still have swelling. Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe, in which one or both joints bend abnormally into a "C" shape 1. Recovery after hammertoe surgery will be different for every patient, length of time to full recovery will depend on following doctor's instructions. Seabrook, NH 03874 What are the Beginning Stages of an Ingrown Toenail? Hammertoe reoccurs in about 5 to 10% of people who have surgery. Its very frustrating to still be so swollen. Some medical teams have the option of offering, Having hallux rigidus, also known as a stiff big toe, can make standing or walking difficult because of the pain. 4-6 weeks: Any surgical pins that were used may be removed. I had hammertoe surgery just over 2. weeks ago. Today I will take my first full shower, including my operated foot which hasn't seen water since October 31. White blood cells in your . It's easy to do. As tlw described, I do the toe curling and also a stretching exercise with my 2 affected toes on my left foot - the doctor said twice a day - but the infection in my right foot has meant I couldn't exercise that toe; it's quite stiff by comparison. . I will never wear normal trainers again, I'll only buy wide ones. Most patients have some swelling after surgery, which may last for . Osteomyelitis needs to be treated in the hospital with an extended course of intravenous antibiotics, followed by another course of oral antibiotics. My pin was pulled out at 6 weeks minus one day, my foot was unwrapped and only some steri strips were left at the sites of incisions, that is a few such strips over the former bunion, a few strips at the base of the second toe (formerly hammer toe) and a vertical strip along this second toe. Of course, resting is an important part of your recovery its crucial after every surgery. Its actually the first pain I'm experiencing since the surgery. Get plenty of rest and keep the foot elevated while sitting or lying down. I'm 64 and a very active cyclist and hiker so this is brutal. Hi Rebecca. I will NEVER have this surgery in the other foot! Is this normal. The pins remain in place to allow the bones to grow together and are removed after the joint has fused. A person with a history of hammer toe is at risk of developing it again, even after surgery, so it is important to wear comfortable shoes that fit and to follow a doctors recommendations for protecting the joint. But I cannot wear even wide, soft sneakers. Yeesh..so much work to dress up lol. This means a person may go home the same day the surgery is performed. I go to the gym, dance zumba, do pilates (can stand on toes now and do lunges was too painful earlier). And to go out of the house, and into the car, I had to navigate a good number of stone steps, icy, and snowy, dragging myself on my butt since I wasn't allowed to bear any weight. im the same as you. I have a big problem with swelling and I dread trying to put on my soft trainers. . Hammertoe surgery is one of the most successful and gratifying procedures for surgeons and patients alike. I had bunion & second & third hammertoe,surgery aug 16th, pins were pulled Sept 27, 5 days ago, third toe, looks like it is curling down ward & is very swollen still, is it possible the bone fractured on removal of the pin, it didn't hurt too bad to have pins pulled, but the next 2 days after were bad, did a lot of icing & elevatingIt seems my ankle, calf & across top of foot is still swelling a lot when on it for more than an hour. Nevertheless, I was happy with the results. An orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist can help a person correct the problem before surgery becomes necessary, so anyone experiencing symptoms of hammer toe should speak to their doctor before allowing it to get worse. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Over 300,000 hammertoe surgeries are performed each year. In some cases, you may need to stay off of your feet for a few days. Be well! Those who choose general anesthesia may not be allowed to eat before surgery. I can't do any of that, and so now don't get that regular social exposure to my gym and dance friends. Pin came out 2 weeks ago and I can not feel this toe. Our board . Swelling could last up to a year, but the pain should subside fairly soon after the operation. I'm not sure if this is normal. If you have minimally invasive surgery to correct your hammertoe, the procedure is completed in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic. Kudos to you! My big toe doesn't move at all now, & the one next to it is starting to go under neath the big toe, & the next 2 toes are always sore & swollen. He didn't know why it might still be hurting. Following surgery, most people experience swelling, which can last up to a year. Patients should be able to return to their normal lifestyle. Surgery for Hammer Toe: What to Expect at Home - Alberta Hammertoe Surgery Recovery - Health Hearty If you have bunions that cause big toe pain, call your healthcare provider for treatment. Is this something good or does it do anything bad to the foot? Pain and swelling should slowly improve over the next 6 weeks. I'm constantly fighting to stay upbeat. Did you try bare feet or socks around the house? If that fails, surgery might be the only option. I asked for it since I read a lot about PT being very helpful. Once healing takes place, the pain should continue to decrease until it subsides. However, there are a couple of things to be wary of: i. I had surgery November 21st, bunions on both feet and hammertoe fusion on my second toe, left foot (which actually is more painful and weird feeling than the bunion toes). If your foot takes a bit longer to heal, there might be some persistent mild swelling weeks after the surgery. Swollen Toe After Hammertoe Surgery Here is a suggestio. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? Hammer toe is a condition where one of the toes becomes stiff and bent, in a position resembling the shape of a hammer. It also permanently changes the foots appearance and can be riskier and harder to recover from than some other surgeries. Take over-the-counter or prescription pain medication according to your doctor's instructions. Chronically swollen toes can also be the result of a symptomatic non-union at an attempted arthrodesis site. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in appropriate medical assistance immediately. Before having hammer toe surgery, the surgeon will test the circulation through blood tests and vascular studies, but delayed healing can still occur in some patients, according to FootDoc.ca 3. In most cases, you should expect recovery to last about six weeks - after this period, pain and swelling should be gone. These pins can be removed a few weeks after the surgery. Still, if there is too much swelling, that might slow down the recovery, which is why we take steps to reduce it sometimes. Usually, doctors start worrying if the swelling doesnt go down about a month after the procedure. You may not be able to put weight on the foot during those 6 weeks. I would like to know.When you have excessive swelling,why do your toes look shorter? Before having hammer toe surgery, the surgeon will test the circulation through blood tests and vascular studies, but delayed healing can still occur in some patients, according to FootDoc.ca 3. The hammertoe correction before and after hammer toe surgery is significant, but the healing process can be uncomfortable. For the correction of flexible hammertoes, soft tissue release is often used and this will maintain the structural stability of the toe. I was happy with the results, except for my second toe being the same length as my big toe. Bunion Correction Surgery. Thank you! It's easy to do. Somersworth (603) 516-4411. Your toe should be fused and the wound healed around four to six weeks after surgery. It helps but not much. Also, as the joints are left intact, your recovery time is much shorter. Hammertoes are common in women who wear high heels and children who wear shoes that are too small. by Sheri. I can't wear a shoe very long maybe up to two hours and then only tennis shoes. Move from the ankle, and you will exercise every muscle. site (top of google search) and actually find all the answers I needed Surgery was done to stop pain from fractured toe that was still painful after 2 years so I've had this pain for 3 years now. Simona, I can so relate! Usually, infections after hammertoe surgery arent complicated and can be fully treated with a course of oral antibiotics. However, you can often begin putting a little weight on the affected foot within 24 hours. I am limping along still in my neoprene surgical sandal. Is it because of the swelling? I live in Southern California so I can at least sit outside and don't have to deal with weather. And that open toe surgical sandal. My Dr told me i'd be able to drive and begin PT as soon as I can walk but I just hobble. I've been really isolated. Patients usually have few. I was prescribed antibiotics but 2 days later (a Sunday) I wasn't improving, the seeping and pain was getting worse, so I went to the Emergency dept. He rushes home at lunchtime to help me down to the kitchen/dining area and gives me some food. With minimally invasive procedures, the trauma to the tissue is significantly . Custom orthoticscan also help to support correct alignment in your foot. I had hammertoe surgery on both feet 6 weeks ago.On my left foot I had the 3 and 4th toe with k-wire.This is my 3rd surgery and the last one was done 2004. Yes I had that done on my right foot in April 2016. However, when these conservative treatments dont correct your hammertoe or if the deformity has become too severe, you may need surgery to correct your toe. Bunion and 6-week post-op. I had to laugh at your description of your husband ripping off the steri strips but ouch! Thank you. A good review of how blood sugars can become elevated and the harm that can do. Adverse events did not seem to be any better or wors. Some days the swelling is worst than others. All rights reserved. My Steri strips cam off at about 3 weeks (actually removed by dr. ) and he used Neosporin and gauze with ace bandage until 6 weeks when pin removed. I really don't want to go through another surgery on this toe, I had a pin at the end of my toe for three weeks and had to stay off my foot for 3 weeks. im so depressed , i need to hear there is a light at the end if the tunnel. To help further, the foot needs to be kept elevated so that the swelling subsides. Infection whenever there is an incision on your skin, an infection is a possibility. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. My question is about the boot the surgeon sent home with me to begin wearing - 25% weight increasing to 100% over next 2 weeks. I only wore sandals for 3 months after I was able to walk.. So, I am still elevating my foot a lot. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use Big toe joint fusion surgery - treatment, recovery & long-term impact 7 Works Way It's a journey and you need to be patient but it's worth it! I've found when I've tried bare feet, maybe when I've sat down with my feet elevated and then realised I forgot to get something, that it hurts and I tend to automatically keep my toes up and walk(?) The boot is TOO hard and heavy for me to walk! This straightens the toe and can help reduce pain. Your podiatric surgeon inserts specially designed surgical tools through the incision to release the tight tendons and muscles. My doctor said that I could drive when I can wear normal shoes. This article, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Join in and write your own page! Locations Hammer toe can develop in any of the lesser toes, but most often affects the second toe, according to the Merck Manuals 1. Or should I check in with my dr. You will be able to walk immediately after your surgery but should take it easy and keep your foot elevated for three or four days. Problems After Hammertoe Surgery Keep in touch! How? The level of pain after hammertoe and bunion surgery varies, depending on the procedures performed and your pain threshold 5. I know it will all be worth it and I have no sign of bunions now at all, which is wonderful! I appreciate you having this website. Utilizing some type of compressive taping or strapping method postoperatively can reduce swelling. And yes my foot was swellon for 4months I could get into a Reebok cloth tennis shoe it will take time i hope all goes well for you. This is not wise. When I take it off it feels better. I am thinking of doing swimming exercise 2x a wk. It's 5 weeks today since my surgery. Six months after surgery patients are usually able to return to their normal activity levels, including participating in high impact sports. After surgery, it is important to avoid wearing high heels and to get well-fitting shoes that give the toes plenty of room, to lessen the chance for recurrence. I developed bone growth on these two toes and a lump on side of my 4th toe. Your toe and foot will have some redness, swelling, and pain after surgery. I guess I keep doing so. My toes were extremely swollen, but I was told this is normal and would decrease gradually. Learn more about some specific conditions that require medical attention, including surgery. How are you now? Keeping the affected leg and foot elevated can reduce swelling. I'm 4 weeks post op bunion and hammer toe surgery. Bunion removed 12 yrs. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Hammer toe can be unsightly and painful, but it does not always require surgery. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'foot_pain_explained_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-foot_pain_explained_com-medrectangle-4-0');MedlinePlus, Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation. Also the skin on top of my foot and also sole, toes is very thick and hardened and now peels like crazy. Ugg boots are tolerable . 5. Hammer toe surgery: Types, what to expect, and recovery Make sure there's a half-inch (1.27 centimeters) of space between your longest toe and the inside tip of your shoe. The type of hammer toe determines treatment options. It may not be advisable, I fear.So now, I feel worse than I felt before my husband got it into his head that it would be better for me without those tiny strips. Taping the affected toe is also a common treatment method for hammertoe. Initially it's not too bad, but my feet soon swell and I absolutely hate being trapped in those shoes. However, you can repeat the cold therapy every hour if youd like. My first 10 days after surgery I really didn't take painkillers, other than the paracetamol they gave me during my 2 days in hospital. Under local anesthetic, a person will not be able to feel the procedure itself, but they may feel pressure or pulling. Focus on the benefits of your surgery rather than the frustrations that normally encompass a surgical procedure. What to Expect After Bunion and Hammertoe Surgery An ingrown toenail can usually be treated at home. About Us My doctor said that I could walk in soft wide tennis shoes. Hammertoe Surgery: Types, What to Expect, and Recovery - Katy Foot Care Certain food groups have a tendency to raise your blood sugars and should be avoided. In rare cases, the infection can reach the bone, causing a serious infection called osteomyelitis. Removal of the second toe for severe hammertoe deformity in elderly patients [Abstract]. You can contact us to book your consultation by filling out an online form or calling our office we are here for you. Hi Simona, I feel your pain!!! Ask an Expert Medical Questions I still have pain and swelling 7 weeks after hammertoe Dr. B., Doctor 7,827 Satisfied Customers Physician with 8 years of experience. A few weeks after surgery, the doctor will remove any stitches or pins. Toe fusion surgery - treatment, recovery & long-term impact One of the most effective ways to reduce swelling is to ensure you get enough rest. I'm finding that for me this procedure has been an emotional journey as well as a physical one. Some swelling may remain at this point, but a year after your operation healing should be complete and any remaining swelling will have disappeared.