I had surgery a week ago. I did both feet (because I'm a teacher and don't have much time to heal) I had bunions done on both, hammertoe on both (with pins) and I also had bone spurs on the top of both feet. I walked out of the surgery center-not very well but I walked. The second day was sheer torture. I didn't even want to get up to go to the bathroom. I had oxycodone for the pain (I used all 30 in 5 days) I was in bed most of 4 days-not because of pain but just couldn't move easily. I walked into the Dr.'s office yesterday and got the stitches and staples out. I get the pins out of my toes in 2 weeks. I think if I had done one foot at a time I probably would have chickened out on the second foot. I'm glad I did it this way because I'll be up and going in 5 weeks. Right now I'm only taking Aleve for pain every once in a while. Go for it, unless you're a really big baby it's not that bad after the second day.
I had hammer toe surgery (on my third and fourth toe) on both feet two weeks ago. I read various articles on the internet which scared me stiff - I was expecting a lot pf pain.
It turns out that the pain was not all that bad, the pain killers keep it under control. I needed crutches to walk out of the hospital and kept off my feet for a few days but afer that I was mobile around the flat. I was off the pain killers after day 3 frankly the pain killer made me feel rather sick (I was on morphine and tramadol).
I am getting my stiches removed tomorrow and will have the pins removed two weeks after that. I can wiggle all my toes and am able to move around without any pain at all.
You should take about a week off and be prepared to wear surgical shoes for about two weeks and have your feet wrapped up like a mummy !
I have a very low threshold and was fine !
I used to hate my toes.and they were painful..I'm really glad I had this done !
It turns out that the pain was not all that bad, the pain killers keep it under control. I needed crutches to walk out of the hospital and kept off my feet for a few days but afer that I was mobile around the flat. I was off the pain killers after day 3 frankly the pain killer made me feel rather sick (I was on morphine and tramadol).
I am getting my stiches removed tomorrow and will have the pins removed two weeks after that. I can wiggle all my toes and am able to move around without any pain at all.
You should take about a week off and be prepared to wear surgical shoes for about two weeks and have your feet wrapped up like a mummy !
I have a very low threshold and was fine !
I used to hate my toes.and they were painful..I'm really glad I had this done !
I had my surgery done in june had four pins put in screws and bar in big toe, and arch release-all at the same time. I had my pins taken out and it hurt like hell...seriously hurt like hell. It is now just about six months after my surgery and my foot hurts worse now then before so much more it feels like i am walking on the screws. There is absolutly no motion in the toes at all which I knew would happen but I did not expect the xtreme pain with walking my toes do not touch the floor at all the big toe is turning in ontop of the next toe and the little toe goes under the one next to it. I am in so much pain I don't know why I did this I had pain before but not to this extent at all. The scars left behind are hidious to look at so discolored and sore really feel I made a very poor discision in 1 having the surgery and the 2 the surgeon i had. I went for a second opinion this week I was told the screws are too long I am walking on them pushing them up through my foot (fun) looks like I am facing more surgery
Hello everyone i just had hammer toe surgery 4 weeks ago which I have been waiting for about 15 year to have,,, the surgery itself wasn't painful at all it was the swelling and pin removal that was a killer . i had both second toes done at the same time my left foor healed wonderful but it was the right foot that gave me more problems its because he had to cut 2 bones instead of one,,, but i would do it again if i had to
I had 2 toes fixed when I was 5 years old. I really don't remember it being that bad at all. I had a third done six years ago, but the doctor that did it didn't do it properly and it healed badly and developed a bone spur as a result. I just had it redone (with the pin) and my bunion a little over 2 weeks ago. So far not bad at all. I got the stitches out last week and I will go to get the pin out next week. For the bunion there is a screw that stays in.
I had bunions removed on both feet and 2nd and 3rd toe on both feet done at the same time. I know now why my surgeon encouraged me to do both, because if I had one done, I would never have had the other one done. This was the most painful experience I ever had. I am almost 3 months into it and I can't move the 2nd or 3rd toe on either foot. It makes it so difficult to walk, I have pain in my ankles and legs so I end up walking with a limp.
My toes are so stiff and I cannot get them to move at all, do they eventually become flexible. I wish I would have talked to someone before I did it. I would certainly like to reverse this procedure because I am in more pain now than I was before the surgery.
My toes are so stiff and I cannot get them to move at all, do they eventually become flexible. I wish I would have talked to someone before I did it. I would certainly like to reverse this procedure because I am in more pain now than I was before the surgery.
I had hammertoe surgery on all 8 of my little toes on 3/14. The first days were pretty bad, but elevating, ice, and pain killers made it bearable. The only complaint I have about this surgery (so far) is the extreme inconvenience - you really can't do anything for yourself for the first few days. I'm way nervous about the pin removal, but the doc said he would be willing to numb the toes so that there is no chance of feeling anything.
I had bunion surgery in 2003 & 2004 and the screws became a problem recently. If you are going to have that surgery be prepared for that possibility. That was very painful when the screws began backing their way out of my bone/skin.
After the bunion surgery, my back and hips (which I had a lot of problems with before) felt great. I would definitely recommend the bunion surgery & I hope to be able to say the same about the hammer toe surgery asap!
I had bunion surgery in 2003 & 2004 and the screws became a problem recently. If you are going to have that surgery be prepared for that possibility. That was very painful when the screws began backing their way out of my bone/skin.
After the bunion surgery, my back and hips (which I had a lot of problems with before) felt great. I would definitely recommend the bunion surgery & I hope to be able to say the same about the hammer toe surgery asap!
I had a bunion and hammer toe done on R foot 3/19. I had an easy time of it until about week 5. The pin in my hammer toe was bent and caused severe pain so they took the pin out. Today, I only have about a 75% correction. On 10/1, I had a bunion and hammer toe on my L foot. At my first week visit, my hammer toe pin was bent. At my second week visit, they did not take out my stitches dut to inflammation. At my third week visit I had an xray which showed that my pin had broken. The piece that is in my bone will have to stay in and he claims it will not hurt me, he is keeping in the other part to keep the toe straight until week 6 and says I'll have about a 75-85% correction. Today, 10/27, I am going back to the doctor. I have had excruciating pain and am back on pain medicine besides Ibupropen. I believe most of the pain is because of the broken pin but I feel a lot of it behind the bunion. This time, my experience has not been good and I hope I can soon walk and exercise again. I can say that I would probably do it again because both of them were pretty bad before surgery. I think they need to perfect the pin they are using as there are many complaints about bent or broken pins prior to 6 weeks.
I had bunions on both feet and all 8 hammer toes two weeks ago. I elevated my feet, iced with minimal walking. My pins and stitches are due to come out in two weeks. The only set back I had was the infection. For ice, use reusable gel begs and apply it on your ankles, because putting regular ice in the zip lock can lick onto your bandage and cause the infection. Infection causes swelling, blueish-redish skin tone and painful, burning sensation which continued for a week. So my doc gave me Cephalexin 500 mg twice a day for 10 days ( I got four more days – finish the course even if it clears infection early). Keep your bandages dry at all times! Pain was manageable the first night and ice and elevation helped a lot! I only needed pain medicine for a few days.
The most important thing is the surgeon you choose. I live in Chicago, but I travelled to New York for this surgery. My feet had a complete makeover. I had ugly corns on all toes, wide feet due to tailors bunions, with long second and third toes gave me shoe size 11 W, I have had enough of physical pain, not being able to enjoy the beach, wear normal open toe shoes, always having to hide my feet in public, at home, from my husband. I never showed my feet to anyone, I was embarrassed. My husband of seven years never saw my feet. I have two kids I hope they didn’t inherit this from me.
Before going with New York option, I interviewed six different, very experienced surgeons in Chicago area, and met no one who knew how (or would agree) to make incisions on the side of the toe. Those with 27 years of experience only knew how they did it back then and they make incisions on top of your foot and toes making ugly permanent scars.. Dr Zong was the only one I could find who did such a beautiful job with side incisions. Big toes and tailor bunions and all four toes were cut on the side. My foot is 30% narrower now. It is amazing. I keep opening my bandages just to look at my new feet every day. I am so excited and pleased with my toes.
All the scars are hidden on the side of my toes and feet. My doc said, the extra skin will naturally pill off along with the corns over the course of six months, so there is no need to cut the corns out scaring your toes.. I cannot believe my feet look so good just two weeks post surgery. I walk with slight discomfort due to the pins and virtually no pain. It takes a little adjustment with first two steps and walking is getting more comfortable every day. My bunions have internal, self-dissolving stitches on a side of my foot. All of my toes have normal parabolic descent as all those beautiful, normal feet out there, (all of my toes were shortened straightened to accomplish that). I cannot bend my toes because I have pins in all 8, but I can feel them all and move them all at once up and down along with my big toes. All of my toes are stitched to the back of my foot to prevent them from lifting up during the healing. So when I walk, one discomfort is the stitched pulling in those areas on the back of the toes. My tendons were released as well with dot-like incisions to keep my toes in laying straight down position.
I have read so many bad stories and most of them gone wrong due to the surgeon’s negligence. I can highly recommend my doc Oliver Zong in New York foot care. His office is on 80 maiden lane. Google him and see his website. He will do the surgery and Dr Dina (his right hand) will be like your mother, always there to answer all of your questions. He and his staff were amazing. My insurance covered everything, I only had to pay $250 out of pocket + travel and hotel (which I have also submitted to insurance). He did my right foot first on Friday and three days later, on Monday was my second foot, and three days later on Friday same week I flew back to Chicago. My husband traveled with me. United airlines has a free wheelchair service from the cab to the plane and back to the cab - take advantage of it! Even though I could have walked on my crouches - I loved the priority boarding, and skipping the long check-in lines at both LGA and ORD airports. Everyone was extremely accommodating and understanding.
For those who have any doubts about the surgery – I can assure you – no matter the state of your foot – it can be made over – the key is your surgeon. Everything else is time & healing. I was able to walk one week later. With so much work being done on my both feet- I could not believe the recovery time as so short. I am still in state of shock that after 30 years of suffering and pain, personally, emotionally and physically – my feet could look and feet like this.
Good luck to all of you. I share your anxiety. My best advice is - do your homework on the surgeon! Its 99% of your success.
The most important thing is the surgeon you choose. I live in Chicago, but I travelled to New York for this surgery. My feet had a complete makeover. I had ugly corns on all toes, wide feet due to tailors bunions, with long second and third toes gave me shoe size 11 W, I have had enough of physical pain, not being able to enjoy the beach, wear normal open toe shoes, always having to hide my feet in public, at home, from my husband. I never showed my feet to anyone, I was embarrassed. My husband of seven years never saw my feet. I have two kids I hope they didn’t inherit this from me.
Before going with New York option, I interviewed six different, very experienced surgeons in Chicago area, and met no one who knew how (or would agree) to make incisions on the side of the toe. Those with 27 years of experience only knew how they did it back then and they make incisions on top of your foot and toes making ugly permanent scars.. Dr Zong was the only one I could find who did such a beautiful job with side incisions. Big toes and tailor bunions and all four toes were cut on the side. My foot is 30% narrower now. It is amazing. I keep opening my bandages just to look at my new feet every day. I am so excited and pleased with my toes.
All the scars are hidden on the side of my toes and feet. My doc said, the extra skin will naturally pill off along with the corns over the course of six months, so there is no need to cut the corns out scaring your toes.. I cannot believe my feet look so good just two weeks post surgery. I walk with slight discomfort due to the pins and virtually no pain. It takes a little adjustment with first two steps and walking is getting more comfortable every day. My bunions have internal, self-dissolving stitches on a side of my foot. All of my toes have normal parabolic descent as all those beautiful, normal feet out there, (all of my toes were shortened straightened to accomplish that). I cannot bend my toes because I have pins in all 8, but I can feel them all and move them all at once up and down along with my big toes. All of my toes are stitched to the back of my foot to prevent them from lifting up during the healing. So when I walk, one discomfort is the stitched pulling in those areas on the back of the toes. My tendons were released as well with dot-like incisions to keep my toes in laying straight down position.
I have read so many bad stories and most of them gone wrong due to the surgeon’s negligence. I can highly recommend my doc Oliver Zong in New York foot care. His office is on 80 maiden lane. Google him and see his website. He will do the surgery and Dr Dina (his right hand) will be like your mother, always there to answer all of your questions. He and his staff were amazing. My insurance covered everything, I only had to pay $250 out of pocket + travel and hotel (which I have also submitted to insurance). He did my right foot first on Friday and three days later, on Monday was my second foot, and three days later on Friday same week I flew back to Chicago. My husband traveled with me. United airlines has a free wheelchair service from the cab to the plane and back to the cab - take advantage of it! Even though I could have walked on my crouches - I loved the priority boarding, and skipping the long check-in lines at both LGA and ORD airports. Everyone was extremely accommodating and understanding.
For those who have any doubts about the surgery – I can assure you – no matter the state of your foot – it can be made over – the key is your surgeon. Everything else is time & healing. I was able to walk one week later. With so much work being done on my both feet- I could not believe the recovery time as so short. I am still in state of shock that after 30 years of suffering and pain, personally, emotionally and physically – my feet could look and feet like this.
Good luck to all of you. I share your anxiety. My best advice is - do your homework on the surgeon! Its 99% of your success.
hi had two of my toes done . had my pins in for six weeks just had them taken out it dosent hurt just a slight pulling feeling nothing like chlidbirth XD mine r still a bit swollen but only had pins out 3 days . well worth it toes loverly and straight now. nothing to worry about at all . jayne x :-)
Not sure if anyone knows but I still have one pin in the big toe. I had the others removed after six weeks and this one wasnt ready to come out so i forgot about it. Now its poking a little bit outward. Like its trying to come out. Is this safe? I know probably call the Dr. IM just a wimp and was hoping I would never have to make that trip again. Its still in the skin but poking out a little bit. Also curious you say you have pain do you have arthritis? I have no pain in the two toes that were fused but still have pain due to arthritis. Oh wait a BIG WRENCH-I didnt have that LOL Ok thanks Jen
i had hammertoe surgery yesterday, on my two second toes on both feet, didnt hurt yesterday, but hurts today
supposed to get my ppins out in 2-4 weeks, does the pin removal hurt??
supposed to get my ppins out in 2-4 weeks, does the pin removal hurt??
A doctor sawed my toe in two pieces twenty years ago and on Monday I will have the pin removed that has been in the 2nd toe of my left foot all that time. I am not looking forward to it. It is keeping me awake nights. Has anyone had anything like this?
I had hammertoe surgery 21 days ago. The doctor but a screw in not a pin. the screw is inside the foot no part of it sticks out . Everything I have read on this site talks about pulling the pins out later. Has anyone had screws and if so did they leave them in?
Had the sames toes done. First pin didn't hurt. Second pin hurt badly. Come to find out that the end of the pin was bent and when he twisted it to loosen it, the pain began. Not sure if they shoot the pins in or what. The side to side travel was 1/4 inch. Also had big toe fused. Pins are about 4-5 inches long.