NO!!! WAIT! There is no such thing as "Minor" surgery. My "claw toes'' or hammer toes, didn't fully develop until I was in my forties, like the majority of the writers here. Are you still able to bend your pinky toes, even if you have to do it manually (by hand) If there is ANY bend at all, you have other routes to pursue first! Physical Therapy, exercising, orthopedics. I know you're thinking orthopedics are ugly and clumsy. They've made great strides!
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If you're doctor is a Podiatrist, also make an appointment to see an Orthopedic Surgeon. They have more schooling and aren't just limited to "FEET". Podiatrist's also tend to do all their surgeries using a local anesthesia, right in their office. This is an EXTREMELY painful surgery, requiring cutting the toe open from top to bottom, bone removal, tendon cutting, placement of a long metal pin and stitches. You couldn't pay me to be do it awake. I've worked for a Podiatrist and assisted in many "Hammertoe" corrective surgeries The doctor I worked for, prescribed his patients Vicodin 45 minutes prior, then starts the local anesthetic that burns like crazy and takes many pokes until everything is numb! Most patients say the shots hurt more than anything.
I had to quit my job as a surgical assistant because I couldn't be on my feet for more than two hours, even with the best shoes! I FINALLY found a doctor who agreed to do the surgery. I had been to many Podiatrist's, none of whom could diagnose me because I didn't fit into the criteria of "Hammertoes", which are always seen in both feet.
A year to the day I had my surgery to correct the first three digits. My surgery was done under general anesthesia and I didn't feel anything ...until the local and pain meds wore off! Yet, I was still very pleased with the outcome. I could actually see my toenails! After surgery I was monitored over night for pain control. Whoever tells you that ANY TYPE of injury to the foot will heal in no time and shouldn't hurt, is obviously uneducated. The feet have comparatively the most nerve endings in the entire body. Not to mention, they bear all your body weight, which makes the healing process longer. It's been a year and 3 weeks to the day since my surgery and my toes are still sore, swollen, and now, very misshapen. I am able to wear boots in the winter with about a 2-1/2" heel. Dressy shoes, result in unbearable pain after about two hours, before I have to change into my comfy's. Note: platform heels work the best! The higher in the front, the better! I'm so glad I was able to have it done.
Foot Facts:......
26 bones with 33 joints (making up one-quarter of the body's bones)
Over 100 muscles, tendons, & ligaments (site of the strongest tendon in the body)
Over 200,000 nerve endings (densest concentration in entire body)
Over 250,000 sweat glands (expel 1 pint of sweat per day)
A network of blood vessels
Hi :) I had surgery on my hammerhead toes and actually paid a podiatrist instead of being put under locally.
He froze my foot and toes in the office and I DIDN'T FEEL ANY PAIN! I didn't have to take any Tylenol or pain killers at all
and I healed within 4 weeks. He cut the bones out of 2 toes and put small splints on them and changed the dressingonce a week. Trust me...DO NOT GO INTO THE HOSPITAL and have someone butcher your toes! Paying that extra moneyto a specialist who knows what he is doing is worth it! I know so many friends who had their toes straightened throughhospital specialists...DO NOT GO THAT ROUTE!!! Save your money and have a PODIATRIST do it in his office.
I have never ever felt better in my life. If you are in Toronto, please contact me at my email address and I will give youthe doctor's name. He is the BEST!!!!!
I am going to have hammer toe surgery on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th toe of my left foot. And have plantar plate surgery underneath my big toe. Has anyone had Plantar Plate surgery. They will be putting pins in the 2,3 & 4 toe.
I had hammertoe & bunion surgery together so they put me out, however, I did not know that the hammer toe surgery would stop that toe from ever bending at the joint and the toe still leans to the left, which is affecting the other 3 toes. My toes don't look like they belong to me! I am thinking I will need another surgery to correct what that doctor did.