Post hammertoe surgery recovery

I understand your concern and anxiety before you have your surgery.  I had the same anxiety.  Try not to read all the scary stories because you may be prone to put off a surgery that could help you in the long run.  I went to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the foot/ankle.  Make sure that the doctor you see is one who has satisfied patients.  Also, it's okay to "shop around" for a doctor who will listen to you. Once you find that doctor, follow his instructions. 

I had my surgery on May 15th 2012 on my right foot - my doctor would not allow me to have both feet done at the same time.  Believe me, it was challenging enough to get around with just one foot done. 

I had general anesthesia and was only in surgery for a total of about 1 1/2 hours - that's from the time they put you to sleep til the time they wheel you back into recovery.  I understand the procedure isn't very bloody - meaning that you shouldn't have significant blood loss.  They told me is shouldn't be any more that 2-3 cc of blood.  They use a tourniquet on your leg to prevent bleeding during surgery.

Since I have Morton's toe (not Morton's neuroma) my doctor had to shorten my second metatarsal by 3 cm. and also straighten 2 hammertoes.  On one of the hammertoes (the 2nd toe) he could use the "smart toe" to implant but on the other (3rd toe) he said my bones were too tiny to use it so he used the traditional pin (the kind with the ball on the end of it).  After surgery, I took the lowest dose of percoset (1 every 6 hours) for pain for about 3 days.  I can't say that the pain was ever very bad but I've heard that you want to stay ahead of the pain by not waiting for it to come back.  I had a follow up appointment with him 2 days later (Thursday) where they removed my bandages and did an x-ray to see how things looked.  On May 31st (2 weeks later) I was back in to have the stitches removed.  Last Thursday, June 21st, the doctor removed the pin with the ball on the end of it.  It really didn't hurt.  I have been careful not to walk without my boot so the pin didn't bend.

If your doctor tells you to wear a boot - then wear a boot!  If he tells you to use crutches - then use the crutches.  Since my doctor does surgeries on Tuesdays and Fridays, I purposely planned for Tuesday in case I needed to see the doctor the next day then I wouldn't have to wait all weekend to be looked at.  That being said, if you have any problems at all you should call the doctor or his staff right away.  I am so delighted with my foot that I'm planning to have the left foot done as soon as the right foot is completely healed.  By the way, my skin where the stitches were looks great.  There is a bit of a scar but I know it will fade as the skin heals after all, it's only been six weeks.  I progressed to my athletic shoe with an over-the-counter orthotic just this week.  Don't rush things before the doctor wants you to.  He knows how bones heal.  -Sue

P.S.  I hope you can find a doctor who has an awesome reputation.