hammertoe surgery/ corn removal

Guest · Guest

I had no idea there were people out there like me with corns.

I too am thinking bout getting the surgery, i broke my ankle 5 years ago and nothing was worse than that so this surgery will be a breeze for me that it is, i hope.

i hate showing my feet in front of my beau of 5 years ya'll, he says he does not care but it's whatever

Guest · Guest

It's amazing the amount of people that have corn problems. I too, have had for a while. Does anyone know of any way to remove them without surgery. How did those of you who chose surgery come to that decision?

Guest · Guest

Hey Im schedule to have hammer toe surgery at the end of the month. And I am currently in school. Should I wait until after school is out to have this surgery? Also I was wondering how long does it take to heal, when does the pain go away, and as there any scarring? If there is any other advice you can give me I would greatly appreciate it.... Thanks Crying or Very sad

dawn26 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Hello all, I am 36, I had hammertoe and corn removal surgery on my 4th and 5th toes of both of my feet. The surgery was done just 3 weeks ago (June 22 - Day surgery). I was given anesthesia during the operation so I was asleep. When I came to, I was shivering, feeling so cold.

Few hours after the operation I felt nothing. It was wonderful. The next day there were some swelling and some pain but bearable pain. I must say that on the scale of 1-10, one being nothing and 10 being most painful, the scale was 3. The pain was really manageable throughout.

I was able to walk around in crutches after the first 48 hours. The ice bags the hospital gave helped a lot in alleviating the swelling and the pain. The pain killer that was prescribed to me (Vicodine) made me so dizzy it made me vomit often so I stopped taking pain meds and managed the pain. I continued taking all the anti-biotics until it was time to stop.

12 days after the surgery I had to travel for business, you see I travel a lot for my business and being out of commission for so long would put my business in jeopardy. So 12 days after the bid day I was flying on my way to Denver. I wore the post-surgical shoes, bandages, and walked with crutches throughout. The people at the airport were very polite and helpful, so were my clients in Denver.

This morning, 11th of July, 18 days after the surgery my doctor said my feet were healing phenomenally. But he was still unable to take the stitches off. He set my feet free of bandages though.

One thing about bandages, they can make your feet smell. Because you're not suppose to wet those feet while they are healing any perspiration you have stays in the feet. Also those surgical tapes the doctors use to put bandages in place they can get really itchy on the skin.

To relieve the skin of my feet from itching too much, I would clean my feet with warm soapy towel, and I washed the cloth bandages that were installed there by the doctor for external protection.

On Friday, 20th of July, I am scheduled to go back to my doctor to remove the stitches. I have to fly for business again on the 25th and I am hoping I'd be able to wear better open toes shoes by then.

I am sure how much longer should I wait before being able to wear normal shoes again.

Oh by the way... does anybody knows of a platform post-operative shoes? I mean, one that have just a little bit more of a heels? or something thicker like the ones worn by diabetic?

Phrogpheet · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I'm glad I found this forum, because I always thought I was alone with this problem. I perform with a soul band and a few weeks ago we did a gig on a beachfront. My band spontaneously decided, in keeping with the mood of the event, to play the entire gig barefoot. I was so embarassed because of my feet.

If anyone out there has had the corn surgery done and can give me some advice on what to expect costwise, how to find the right surgeon and healing process, and whether you believe it was worth it, I would be really very grateful.

sky01 · Newbie Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

I am so amazed at what I have read. I never knew that there were people out there like me. I have proplems with bunions and corns and I have NEVER been able to show my feet. My husband has NEVER seen my feet. He is understanding and says that it could not be that bad, but I have never been able to bring myself to show him. I have lived with this problem for as long as I can remember and have always hid my feet. It seems like everyone around me has normal feet, except me.

I would love to know the approx. expense for corn removal and how to get your doctor to consent to it. I have tried everything and nothing works. For me, I think that the surgery would be the best option. I am also considering a bunionectomy. Can someone share their experience with me?

cutie20 · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

how amazing ... i want to get the hammertoe surgery as well but does any one know how much it... im leaving to costarica in the summer and i want to wear nice open toe shoes..........can any one recommended me a doctor im from new york

Guest · Guest

I can't believe there are so many people out there like me. After hiding my toes for over 20 years I decided I had enough. 5 of the 20 years I consulted with different podiatrist to confirm my options. I opted to have the surgery. I heard procedure like this are best during fall and winter months. I had it done 11/16/07. 7 toes. I had anthesia so I didn't feel a thing. I was out of work for 3 wks. I was off my feet (literally) 3 days. My doctor provided crutches and shoes. I got around just fine, but I also didn't over do it. You will feel it if you do. I walked on my heels. I stayed ahead of the pain by taking prescribed meds whenever I felt the slightest discomfort. There was lots of swelling. My stitches were removed the 2nd week. It felt great to soak them. When I saw my toes the first time post surgery, I almost cried. They were black and blue and HUGE. My doctor kept me encourage. It's all normal. He taped each toe to keep straight and I had this done for 2 additional weeks. Every week I saw progress. I started physical therapy on 12/11/07 (3 times a week). PT was very uncomfortable at first. It got easier. I started wearing tennis shoes around this time. I did outpatient PT for 1 month (however, I still do home exercises ). By late December I started wearing round toe shoes/boots. For the most part, I got all my motorskills back. I'm running and exercising again . As for scars, I can barely tell on 2 of the 7 toes. They are nice and straight. No bumps. Remaining 5 still have incision marks and discoloration, but even with this, they still look better than my toes did before surgery. I apply Vitamin E directly to incision mark. It's working. Everyone heals differently. I wasn't perfect over night, but I see the light. For me, I see it this way...i hid my feet for 20 years, what's 3-6 more months. I have a vacation coming up soon. I look forward to getting my FIRST PEDICURE, wearing open toe sandals and walking along the beach with feet out with confidence!

MizzJ · Newbie Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 1

I always said that my feet were my biggest insecurity. Always was made fun of by family members and trying to find ways to disguise my feet during the summer. My left foot wasn't that bad looking but my right foot was horrible. For some reason my right foot looked like a dinosaur's foot while my left looked semi-normal.
After speaking to my bff about my feet she finally drilled into me that my problem is not that bad, visiting a doctor would be the best solution.

On Feb. 27 I had my left foot done. Had bunion removal, second toe shortening (hammertoe) and my 4th toe straighten. I made the mistake of going back to work 4 days after surgery (definitely take at least 1 1/2 week off). Because of the amount of walking that I did I got a really bad blister on the top of my foot from the rubbing of the bandages. The blister hurt me a whole lot more then the surgery did. I do have some scars but they aren't that bad. I constantly put cocoa butter and vitamin E which is helping a lot, but everyone heals differently. Unfortunately, I got laid off from work due to the recession but I was able to recover properly.

On April 15 I had my right foot done. Since my right foot had a lot more deformities then my left the doctor had to do a lot more. Besides the bunion, fourth toe straightening and second toe hammertoe, I also have a corn on my big toe and second toe. This surgery has definitely been a lot more painful then the first but it’s because the amount of surgical procedures done to it. I got my big toe straighten also which removed the corn on it but I still have the corn on my second toe. I have a follow up appointment with my doctor in a couple of days where I will ask him about the removal of that corn. Generally you will wear a surgical shoe for 3 weeks then change into sneakers but I had to wear my surgical shoe for my right foot for 4 weeks due to the amount of swelling and pain.

It’s been approximately 2 ½ months since my first surgery. I am able to fit my foot into some of my stiletto shoes but not all. I do still feel some pain but it is usually when it is cold and raining out. I am happy that I did the surgery because now I feel a lot more confident and have already started purchasing open toe shoes.

For cutie20, I also live in New York. I love my doctor he’s been so helpful. He is one of the best podiatrists in the country, has many awards to prove it. His name is Dr. Harvey Katz and he is located on William Street by the seaport. As for cost, I was fortunate enough that my health insurance covered this whole procedure. From the statements that my insurance company has sent me, this whole procedure ranges from $8,000 to $20,000, that is including the surgical shoes, canes, crutches, etc given to you.

Hope I was helpful. I will log back in to check in to see if there are any other questions.

Guest · Guest

MizzJ, I've been a patient of Dr. Katz for over a year, and I LOVE him!! He did my right bunion in December, and it's healed beautifully. Another doctor had done my left one in 2006, and just mangled my foot. Dr. Katz corrected it last Monday. I'm in a boot and using a cane, which is always annoying, but I got to see my foot at my follow-up visit last night and it looks great!! I've sent probably a dozen people to Dr. Katz already, and they all say the same thing about him. He (and Christina, his office assistant) are just a pleasure to work with.

hammertoe surgery/ corn removal

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