Browse
Health Pages
Categories

I had bunion and hammer toe surgery early October 2013, 7 weeks into the surgery I was told the bone moved for 7 weeks In a cast for nothing, 1st surgery 2 screws to hold bone. 2nd surgery 5 screws a metal plate and a pin down the center of hammer toe. It has been one month since 2nd surgery still in cast, my toe looks worse then before surgery, sticking up and looks like a sausage and I have no feeling and it likes to turn that lovely purple color down for more then 3 hours. I go again to see my doctor this week. I am very depressed and cry all the time I realize there are worse problems but I went from working 60 hours a week to nothing and like everyone in life I am busy and having 3 boys to boot does not help. I am truly blessed for what I do have, I just want to know it gets easier any advice welcome THank you Happy new year to all
Reply

I have had the same exact problem with my hammertoe surgery. Thursday I am going to a foot and ankle reconstruction doctor to try to fix them. It has been horrible.......I also had cortizone shots they only worked for a short while.
Reply

Dwillard3--don't want to depress you further but for me at least, the only thing that got better was that I got older. What I mean is, this happened when I was not yet 30 and it was totally devestating to go from being a serious athlete to having a handicap for no reason. I'm now in late 40's and it is very depressing if I think about it at all, but because I am older and busy with my kids and see others my age having other orthopedic issues (even though those are natural ones, not the frustrating physician-induced kind), you just get to a point where life is flying by and people are getting older and you realize you better make the best of all the time you have left. I'm always tempted to find a doc who can undo this, but have not tried again in 10 years because back then no one could. I do not know why there aren't laws against this procedure, or against podiatric surgery by anyone without at MD.

Reply

@singlngknowles, pls if you find someone who can fix it let us know! I tried 12 docs, literally 12, and no one could. good luck!
Reply

  Three years ago,Ii went to two podiatrists to treat a hammer toe. Both did a very cursory exam without x-rays and told meon the spot that amputation was the only remedy.

  Before the amputation I was able to walk. I had cut the top out of my work shoe over the affected toe and was still working productively every day as a carpenter. After the amputation I have not had one day without severe pain caused by the callous that never got any better only worse. I use a power sander every other day and some days every day to reduce the callous that is like walking on a nail the way that it places pressure on the nerves under that toe's position.

  I can no longer work at my trade.

Reply

I had surgery for two hammer toes on right foot in Nov 2013, Still had pain and limped badly 6 months later. Went to another surgeon and he redid the operation in July 2014. I can now walk about a mile before I start favoring the foot. I was told by my last surgeon, that the bruising will be permanent. Most of my swelling has gone down. You might consider getting a second opinion. I was very apprehensive about having the operation again, but it was a breeze versus the first one. I just got a pair of Hoka One One running shoes, you might try a pair on at a running store, they are like walking on marshmallows.
Reply
Almost 2 years ago I had surgery for 2 hammertoes. The swelling is still significant, my toes are crooked and I still can't get into any of my shoes pre-surgery. I have numbness in my toes and am beside myself. I feel my dr. botched the surgery. Did anyone have a dr. from Foot and Ankle in Radnor, PA. operate on them?
Reply

What??! You REALLY should be scared on what he said! Did you ever talk to another orthopedic doctor? It would be best if you will seek for second opinion. 

 

***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Reply
I totally agree with you. I live in NYC and there are tons of podiatrists with few years or no experience performing hammer, and bunion surgeries indiscriminetly just to practice and make money. Unfortunately, a podiatrist operated all my hammer toes, bunions, and"bunionettes" next to little toe that I did not know I had (both feet) Since then I am in pain, no orthopedic doctor can help me, and I developed chronic complex pain syndrome because the podiatrist did not had a clue about my pain and did not treat me right away; in fact, the podiatrist disappeared while saying everything is fine. Podiatrist don't care, they don't have anything to loose and money to make. Surgery should be done in very very special circumstances, and by an orthopedic surgeon (ankle and foot specialist) don't let a podiatrist to fool you. Now, I am depress. I am trying to sue the podiatrist but it is very very hard to do so because the chances of the surgery to be a failure are very high. In fact, it is kind of my "fault" to let the podiatrist to cut my toes in the eyes of the law.
Reply

I had mine just a bone removed and now after 10 years is flipping and loose not strong like other once.

Reply
The only pain I had before surgery on my hammertoe was where it rubbed against the top of my shoe and caused a raw spot. Easily fixed using a toe cap or bandaid. But I thought it was unsightly, so I went to podiatrist asking about surgery. He said it was no big deal, he could fix it right up and I'd be off my feet only a few days. WRONG! I was unable to walk for about two weeks, in a boot limping badly for another six weeks. Graduated then to "soft" shoes for another four weeks. And in terrible pain the whole time, like someone was hitting my toe with a hammer. It is now four months later, the toe is still swollen, walking is painful, and the toe is STILL is popped up rubbing on the top of my shoes. I can no longer walk long distances, do yoga, dance. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH THE COST AND PAIN AND CURTAILMENT OF ACTIVITIES! If I had it to do over, I wouldn't!
Reply
Hi. I understand your pain and suffering. My surgery was a disaster as well because the podiatrist I went was very eager about the surgery $$$. Like you I can't excercise or walk long distances. Forget about nice shoes
Reply
I too had bunion surgery on my left toe & hammer toe surgery. Over 1 yr has passed my ankle swells. My pin broke so 1/2 is still embedded. When I walk the 2 nd toe still hurts. Dr said we leave hardware in all the time it will be okay. The stitching was awful Dr said he not a cosmetic surgeon and because I have darker pigment that accounts for thr dark scarring. Being diabetic I do not want to have amputation.. I thank my highrt power I can still walk!!
Reply
I'm sorry for your pain (because my story is so very similar), but your wording of your story has me in stitches... oh my gosh, you are so funny...
Reply
Tiany, where did you have your surgery done if you don't mind?
Reply