This is really great to hear after reading so many bad stories. Im 28 and will be having hammertoe surgery done on my 2nd toe with no pins inserted. The doctor said it wasn't major and I should be back in a shoe in no time. Im praying he is right. I think those that have pins placed tend to have longer recovery than those that are just getting cut and stitched up.
I had surgery in January 2015. I still cant bear my full weight on it or wear my shoe, just the surgical boot and it is now April. How long did it take for you?
Me to Erin. Debilitating. Had surgery in January. It is now April and I still can wear a shoe on the foot. The swelling is horrible. I am very discouraged and disappointed with the healing process. On top of it, I almost died because blood clots developed in my leg and traveled to my lungs.
I had bunion hammertoe surgery Feb.5, now in new balance sneaker which my Ortho. Surgeon said I can wear. Now extreme knee pain and ball of foot. Please advise!
When did you develope boot clots.
I'm in the same situation as a lot of others here. I had hammertoe sugery on the 4th toe of each foot about 4 weeks ago. The doctor says it is healing beautifully, the stiches are out, I'm not in pain unless I try to wear my regular shoes. My toes are swollen, red, wide at the base & still somewhat bent. Are there exercises or anything I can do to get my toes back to their normal shape?
Hello,
I had surgery 4 weeks ago and just had my pins removed on Tuesday. The only shoes that I fit into are my crocs and slippers. I am able to walk, but it was so difficult. The first time attempting to walk without my surgical shoes I felt like I was walking on pins. Walking heal to toe is not comfortable, and balance is a problem because of the toe swelling and stiffness.
I'm at 5-1/2 weeks now. I didn't get pins put in, didn't even know there was that option until I read about it in this column. I assume it's up to the surgeon whether he puts them in or not. In any event, I had very little pain walking (with or without) the post -operative shoes but my toes are still swollen and red. I can wear flip-flops or go barefoot but I still don't fit comfortably into any of my regular shoes or sandals. If the shoe even touches the toes that were operated on, it's irritating. I've started doing the exercises I read about it this column, e.g. picking up clothes off the floor with my toes. It's a lot harder than I imagined. Prior to the surgery I did that all the time and was very good at it. Now it's like I have to learn how to do it all over again. I'm hoping the exercises will help with the stiffness and swelling. I go back to the surgeon in 9 more days. I notice my balance is a little off also and the heal to toe walking isn't comfortable for me either. I also bought Salonpas, pain relieving patches. I cut them down to wrap around my toes at the base. They work well to relieve the pain but they don't fit when I try to wear shoes. Good luck to you. Thanks for writing.
Hi...... I had all five hammer toes on my left foot operated on on 3rd February. I go to physio three times a week and will do until the end of May. It's still sore, red and swollen but then my right foot was operated on in July last year and is often stiff and sore. Do your exercises religiously and make sure you walk through you foot even if it hurts like hell. The correct gait is vital or your knees and hips will hurt. Di
Hi .. Shame that's awful. Were you not told to wear those ghastly stockings to prevent clots? My surgeon absolutely insisted on it. Do your exercises religiously including the hot and cold foot baths. When your foot swells get it up at 45 degrees and put a ice pack on it. A really good Physio is most important - I had an absolutely brilliant Physio after my right foot was operated on last year and now, sadly, someone who has never worked with hammer toes before on my left foot. An experienced Physio is vital! Walk through the pain and make sure your gait is right. Di
Hello,
I am having the exact same surgery tomorrow (only 5th toes, both feet at the same time.) How long was it before you were able to be fully active again? My doctor keeps telling me within 8 weeks I'll be back to running/hiking, but from everything I've read online that doesn't seem to be the case. It seems like it will take much longer. Now, years later, do you regret the surgery, or are you happy you did it?
Thank you in advance.
I'm 6 wks. out from the surgery. You are wise to be suspicious of the length of the recovery time. Since the day after the surgery I have not had any pain but I haven't been comfortable wearing any of my shoes either. I had 1 toe done on each foot also. My toes are still swollen and so I can't wear my shoes. I'm a little disappointed. I really didn't think about the fact that there would be swelling & how long it would take for the swelling to go down. At this point I couldn't say whether I'm satisfied with the outcome of the surgery or not. Now my surgeon is saying I should be fine in 12 wks.
I'm at 6wks. since the surgery now. I just saw my doctor 3 days ago. My surgeon said I should be great in 12 weeks. He also said that the recovery time varies. I am starting to be able to wear a couple pairs of shoes, but even the ones I can wear aren't 100% comfortable yet. I agree that the people who have pins put in seem to have a more difficult recovery. I'm still optimistic that having the surgery is going to be better than not having had it but you should ask your surgeon, what does he mean by, "in no time"? I think if one knows what they are in for they can deal with it better. One thing the surgeon told me since I've had the surgery, that he did not tell me before, is that for some people the bone that was shaved down regenerates itself. Then I assume you'd have to have a redo or you'd be back in the same boat.
Thank you for responding so quickly. I have a pre-op appointment this afternoon and I plan to address all my concerns with the doctor at that time. It is disappointing to hear you still cannot wear your normal shoes even after 6 weeks. I had a feeling I would not be hiking again in 8 weeks. Are you still wearing the post operation boot? Can you wear a flip-flop at least?
I stopped wearing the post op shoes because they were starting to be a nuisance with all the strapping & unstrapping and actually they were getting sort of worn out. The bottoms picked up a lot of dirt too, which I tracked into the house. I'm comfortable in flip flops but the weather is too cold here to wear flip-flops outside. I've got 1 pair of old stained UGG- type boots that are fairly comfortable but I can't wear those all the time. Then I've got a pair of beat up old earth shoes that have a very wide toe box, I can wear those to work but they rub when I walk, so they're not really all that comfortable. I tried some of my other shoes but some shoes I've just been afraid to try. One pair made my toes go into spasms. I think the exercises and wearing the Salon Pas patch and continuing to ice them has helped a little but the surgeon cautioned me not to overdo the exercise.