Post hammertoe surgery recovery

I wholeheartedly agree. I had the surgery in June of 2013 and I'm now in my 5th week of healing and it's been quite painful. I had 4 hammertoes on my left foot done and an ingrown toenail on the big toe removed (painful ingrown toenail for years). The right foot had two small toes fixed. I describe my toes as foreign swollen stiff objects connected to my feet. I'm only able to move the toes that were not operated on. After the 3rd week, I used a foot bath massage I have at home and put in tea tree oil which helps a lot with the healing process and makes me feel as if they are my own toes again - but alas, it's only temporary. I can only wear the special boots/shoes they gave me after surgery and don't see me putting on shoes for some time to come. Luckily it's summer and warm outside. I also heard 6 months to a year for full recovery. I'm a 59 year old woman with managed gout. I just want it over. I cannot shop or go anywhere without a scooter.

Hi,

I am 10 days postop now.  I had discomfort for the first couple of days and minimal to none ever since.  However, I stay off my foot, elevate, ice, and rest.  I have done some standing for short periods but kept my weight on my opposite leg and/or rested my foot on the seat of the scooter I use (also use crutches).  I have two toes with pins from the outside ends of my toes to the middle of my foot.  I have had a couple accidental falls but x-rays showed everything intact (the fall was user error trying to adjust the handlebars on the scooter and flipped myself knocking my foot but protective shoe did its job well.  Nothing was knocked out of place and didn't hurt too much. 

I plan on wearing Keens for a long time after recovery.  I WOULD ABSOLUTELY not chance the continued healing process (for up to a year) on putting my foot in heels.  Your foot needs to heal for a long time from such a major ordeal, and it has to last you for the rest of your life.  Be smart and really baby that foot along for a significant length of time.

After a few weeks, I will post an update.  I am fortunate that I have had very minimal discomfort with this (and they removed bone from both toes).  I expected it to be much worse.  The sitting and elevating and staying off of it is difficult to deal with.

 

I'm on MONTH 5...still a lot of swelling & pain :(  not sure if it was worth it or not :(  I'm going to the doctor today.

Has anyone had the tendons of their toes sniped? My doctor told me that is what he would do with my hammertoes. From reading all your posts, it sounds as if the post op recovery is very difficult and unpleasant. Do any of you regret having the procedure done? Thank you, in advance.

I had surgery on my left foot on Tuesday, August 20th to remove a bunion and correct two hammertoes. Everything went smoothly during the surgery and upon release from the hospital. I was given crutches to avoid putting weight on foot. I was given a prescription for hydrocodone for pain, an antibiotic, and anti-nausea medicine that was taken with painkiller. There was very little pain on the first day, probably due to the medicine that was given to me via IV during surgery. Second day was also tolerable. I can say any discomfort felt was due to the swelling which is normal after this kind of surgery. Friday, August 23rd was my post-operative visit to my doctor. Dressing was changed. My doctor said my foot status was where it should be 3 days after surgery. He said he wanted me to start putting some pressure on foot while wearing the surgical shoe. He said by my next visit (2 weeks) that I should've ditched the crutches. After the fourth day I was taking Tylenols as needed and the remainder of my antibiotic to prevent infection. No more painkillers. That weekend, crutches were used 10% of the time and by the next week I was applying more pressure to foot. Walking was fine but standing in place for longer than a minute caused pressure and some discomfort but not too bad. Pressure while standing was gradually reduced each day. During my next visit on September 6th (with no crutches) stitches and bandages were removed and I was told that I must continue to wear the surgical shoe for the next three weeks. I am able to wet my foot in the shower now, although I waited 2 days until the scabs from suture removal healed because I did not want to feel the sting from the soap, so when bathing I continued to wrap my foot with a plastic bag and tape. Today was my first shower without a plastic bag. I was told not to scrub, just let the water and soap fall on the foot. He said the dry skin and dark color will eventually dissipate after multiple showers. He advised using moisturizer on the foot and applying neosporin to wound after bathing. I feel 90% better. I can stand with no more discomfort but I still have some swelling. I suggest that you order a Darco Med/surgical shoe from Healthyfeetstore.com. My hospital provided the dated surgical shoe and in my opinion they do not offer much support, especially after bandages are removed and swelling decreases. One shoe is only 13.97. Upload Retailmenot to receive 10% off. I pray my swelling subsides or substantially decrease by my next visit. I wish for you a speedy recovery. Stay optimistic and positive and get plenty of rest to expedite healing and recovery time. Please keep me posted on your surgery and recovery.

I have heard proteolytic enzymes are helpful in getting rid of scar tissue, so plan to try that if I need to.

Hello, I just had hammer toe surgery on Friday 25 October..Ive been icing and elevating my feet.  I get around on crutches.  So far the pain is bearable and I have not taken any pain medication that the doctor prescribed.  I will be returning to see the doctor on the 31 to possible take the bandage and the stitches out.  I love my high heels, but confort is far better, So I may be having a wicked yard sale on shoes.

I just did my hammertoe surgery on 4 toes on my left foot.... It's a very annoying process especially if you're used to heels. I'm in my third week just took out my stitches . My toes are very tender n can't bend much . The dr says I may be able to take my boot off and wear flat shoes by next week. But I don't really feel safe doing so. My advice is don't take this surgery lightly , my dr even told me not to underestimate it it is surgery n they will b breaking your bones . Allow proper Healing time

I am on MONTH 8 & feeling sooo much better. I can do pretty much everything I did before with much less pain & very little swelling. I am looking forward to snowboarding which use to cause a lot of pain. I wear Dansko shoes, and it's seems I can stand and walk longer in them. Still can't bend my toes much, but I was told it would take up to a year.

I had my hammer toe surgery a week a half ago,I have had not pain at all ,today I had the stitches out and in four weeks I have the pin out...... All good.... Am going to have the other toe on the othe foot done in the new year... Go for it!!

Are you saying that they operated on both feet at the same time. I would love to have that done to cut down on recovery time.

I was a 4" heel girl. 5 weeks ago had bilateral 1st and 5th arthroplasty done for MTP plus 5th hammertoes. Just started walking this week (Danskos are my new shoes-hate to say it, but my others are packed for at least 6 months) I actually thought the 5th toes were much harder than the 1st toes-but I have a three inch wire in both of the 5th toes.

Thanks for the advice about the surgical shoe. I had a bunion repair and second toe hammer toe repair 3 1/2 weeks ago. I had it done at the VA and their smallest post surgical shoe is too big now that most of the bandaging is gone. Just to let others know, I had very little pain from the surgery. I had a tendon release of the big toe a few days ago and that hurt more than anything. It has helped a lot that I have been keeping the foot elevated most of the time. I don't regret having it done...so far. :)

I had the Keller-Williams procedure done on my buion and first toe a 18 months ago.  Now the first toe is behaving like a hammertoe, lifting up as the big toe moves underneath it causing me problems in wearing shoe.  How can I hold down the first toe and straighten my big toe without repeated surgery.   Thanks.

I had pins in toes on both feet. I dreaded having them removed...but it was nothing at all.