You may even experience tingling or burning as your foot heals. Get Plenty of Rest To Promote Healing After Foot or Ankle Surgery. Her toe became extremely infected 3 weeks after the pin . The surgeon did not instruct me to do any taping or PT or anything, he said I could resume normal activity. She earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from William Paterson University. If that fails, surgery might be the only option. I had to laugh at your description of your husband ripping off the steri strips but ouch! My feet are not sore to walk at all! Some swelling may remain at this point, but a year after your operation healing should be complete and any remaining swelling will have disappeared. Ugg boots are tolerable . Complications of Hammertoe Surgery | Dental & Podiatry Malpractice Lawyers Your toe and foot will have some redness, swelling, and pain after surgery. After your surgery, your toe may be stiff, red, and swollen. Its very frustrating to still be so swollen. By the way, millions of websites could use yours as a guideline on how to organize information and make the site user-friendly. 325-1 Lafayette Road My doctor said no leather due to swelling. Toe-strengthening exercises, such as picking items up off the floor with the toes, may also help. A rigid hammer toe means the joint is no longer movable. Before surgery, a doctor will likely perform blood work and ask the person about their medical history. Lapiplasty is minimally invasive, meaning it requires smaller incisions and less trauma to the foot area. My doctor, voted best in my state, did not put any permanent hardware in my foot and he also does not believe in physical therapy. Home X-ray was done.The MD indicated that pins look intact and it was probably bruised. The next day it was a lot worse. The level of pain after hammertoe and bunion surgery varies, depending on the procedures performed and your pain threshold 5. Big toe joint fusion surgery - treatment, recovery & long-term impact This comment is to let one know what to expect with hammertoe surgery. Stitches are eliminated after 7 to 21 days. Before having hammer toe surgery, the surgeon will test the circulation through blood tests and vascular studies, but delayed healing can still occur in some patients, according to FootDoc.ca 3. I cannot walk down the stairs or up, without help. I'm 64 and a very active cyclist and hiker so this is brutal. What are the Beginning Stages of an Ingrown Toenail? im hobbling. Swelling and pain are common after hammertoe surgery, up to a point, so if your pain is beyond the expected normal, your surgeon should be made aware of it. as being in breach of those terms. My toes were extremely swollen, but I was told this is normal and would decrease gradually. Most patients are back on their feet and participating in normal activities within three weeks of minimally invasive hammertoe surgery. Before having hammer toe surgery, the surgeon will test the circulation through blood tests and vascular studies, but delayed healing can still occur in some patients, according to FootDoc.ca 3. I think your website is the most informative site I have found when researching foot pain. It may be necessary to wear a special shoe or a shoe insert to support the toe following the procedure. However, this is only possible in milder cases where the affected toe is still flexible. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel but how long is this tunnel? Ice placed just above the surgical site can help keep swelling to a minimum. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? The fixation device loosens or becomes painful in about 1 to 3% of people. just started antibiotics today, but im super worried and just want ti be back to normal. Is Hammer Toe Surgery Painful? - MedicineNet First, I want to let you know that you have the best web site I've found related to foot issues. In fact, research shows that post-surgery foot and ankle pain and swelling are typically well managed with over-the-counter pain relievers/anti-inflammatory medication and the RICE method (rest, ice . She had a pin put in her toe for her hammer toe at the same time. Pain killers will be prescribed for the same. After your surgery, your foot may be red and swollen. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. How are you now? I've been really isolated. Sometimes it feels good to just have my foot exposed to air around the house. Hammertoe surgery may be the best option for patients who are still in pain after trying non-invasive hammertoe treatments. You might also be advised to have physical therapy to correct the muscle imbalance in your foot. Initially, you should change your shoes, switching to shoes with a wide toe box. Those who choose general anesthesia may not be allowed to eat before surgery. Thank you. how are you now? welling stopped probably the end of August beginning of September my foot is completely normal. Later that evening,I begin having excruciating pain,redness/warmth on toes/top of foot,and a lot of swelling. My question is about the boot the surgeon sent home with me to begin wearing - 25% weight increasing to 100% over next 2 weeks. Exercises to improve strength in the toe and foot muscles may help the toe heal. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? Your podiatric surgeon inserts specially designed surgical tools through the incision to release the tight tendons and muscles. I was told that after 3 days I could take a normal shower and be able to soak my foot too. I'm 4 weeks post op bunion and hammer toe surgery. . What did you do? my toes (the 2 in the middle) got twisted going down a step & now it's worse! Before we get into the details of what to expect during and after hammertoe surgery, lets take a step back and review the basics about hammertoes. Wishing you speedy healing. Pain and swelling are normal for about a week following surgery. Or should I check in with my dr. PDF FAQ Hammer Toes Surgery - Hospital For Special Surgery Please give me some idea if this is normal!!!! They may also be unable to drive for several weeks. Getting the proper nutrition will provide your body with the essentials it needs to promote healing. Immediately after your surgery, the operated toe will be red, a bit swollen, and maybe even stiff for a while - even though the deformity was corrected successfully. I only realised that about a month ago but they've probably been good like that for 2 or 3 months. I started doing floor yoga stretching and some dumbbell weights at home. Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. Note: The recovery for hammer toe surgeries depends on each visit and may vary. Walking is actually good for you after minimally invasive hammertoe surgery. If you have bunions that cause big toe pain, call your healthcare provider for treatment. My doctor said and I have read it also swelling would can't for up to a year. Join in and write your own page! My pin was pulled out at 6 weeks minus one day, my foot was unwrapped and only some steri strips were left at the sites of incisions, that is a few such strips over the former bunion, a few strips at the base of the second toe (formerly hammer toe) and a vertical strip along this second toe. Bunion removed 12 yrs. My feet peeled like crazy too. Bunion Surgery: Bunion Removal, Treatment & Recovery - Cleveland Clinic Surgery was done to stop pain from fractured toe that was still painful after 2 years so I've had this pain for 3 years now. The hammertoe correction before and after hammer toe surgery is significant, but the healing process can be uncomfortable. You may not be able to put weight on the foot during those 6 weeks. The recovery time following hammer toe surgery can vary depending on the procedure performed. at our local hospital. 4 Causes of Chronic Post-Surgical Pain After Foot Surgery | Alliance At my drs request I stretch my toe up and down daily and curl my toes to start stretching the ligaments. I am 65 and I do dancing for pleasure and exercise. This is called amputation. However, you can often begin putting a little weight on the affected foot within 24 hours. Thanks for a most interesting website, which has helped a lot. "The most common complaint is stiffness and swelling of the toe, which can last for a few months," says Dr. Botek. Nevertheless, I was happy with the results. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15913517, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00160, http://www.apma.org/Learn/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=1863, http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Hammertoe-Surgery.aspx, http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders/foot-problems/hammer-toe. Pin Removal After Hammertoe Surgery Luxe Foot Surgery My husband is a pediatrician who works very long hours. Yay.. 1st shower( without pin and plastic cover) at 6 weeks too. The problem usually begins with a muscle imbalance. Foot and Ankle Surgery Recovery | EmergeOrthoTriangle Region Swelling is a part of a natural healing process. Thank you, Hello it's been 3 months since I had bunion surgery I know I have screws and plates and the side of my foot but they had to fix my hammertoe my second toe the one next to my big toe it was bent up before my surgery after they did the surgery my foot and the doctor says it is still swollen is it normal to have but second toe sticking up higher than the rest of them cuz they had to straighten that out cuz it was Hammer Toe well that toe eventually go back down he said he's straighten them out on my toes to where they should be I'm just worried I hope it doesn't stay like that. Pain and Swelling Hammer toe surgery requires the cutting of skin, nerves, tendon and bone, and as such, pain and swelling are not unexpected following the surgery, according to Premier Podiatry. After surgery, you may need to wear a special type of shoe or boot for 3 to 6 . Everything look good,until the day I hit my toes.My surgeon told it's all the swelling and that's why they look short. It's easy to do. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. However, you can repeat the cold therapy every hour if youd like. I developed bone growth on these two toes and a lump on side of my 4th toe. Some people will receive intravenous (IV) medication before or during surgery. Still swollen and painful. Somersworth (603) 516-4411. Is this normal. Its actually the first pain I'm experiencing since the surgery. Hammer toe repair - discharge. You will likely need to wear a special shoe or boot. During a tendon transfer, the surgeon pulls a tendon near the hammer toe across the top of the joint. I had surgery November 21st, bunions on both feet and hammertoe fusion on my second toe, left foot (which actually is more painful and weird feeling than the bunion toes). It's 5 weeks today since my surgery. This means a person may go home the same day the surgery is performed. It is possible to treat flexible hammer toe without surgery, often by simply switching to better shoes. Contact Us A few weeks after surgery, the doctor will remove any stitches or pins. It's not always in the same joint or even the same toe. Dactylitis or "Sausage Finger/Toe" | Causes and Treatments An orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist can help a person correct the problem before surgery becomes necessary, so anyone experiencing symptoms of hammer toe should speak to their doctor before allowing it to get worse. I was happy with the results, except for my second toe being the same length as my big toe. So now the other foot was done on the 19th of November although it was the same surgery completely different experience I was up and around after five days although my foot was sore it was mostly in the night it would wake me up the swelling is minimal I have to be honest its the 14th of December 2019 and I have my sneakers on although when I do walk I have to walk quite slowly but sometimes I dont sometimes it slightly swollen sometimes its not so I think really and truly how are you can recover has a lot to do with your body and how it works what I would suggest is taking vitamin di vitamin see and high-strength visuals that is the difference this time to the last time I started taking these six weeks prior to having my surgery I really do believe they made a difference but remember youve just had a massive Surgery and trauma to your foot so just try to keep it elevated as much as possible doing lots of fluid and take supplements that are naturally sourced to help with your recovery you will not regret it in the end you will have a lovely feet I am so happy. I still have pain and swelling 7 weeks after hammertoe surgery. Below are the best ways to slow or stop swelling for patients who've recently undergone surgery to their feet or ankles. While effective at relieving the hammertoe, these surgeries required a long recovery time and often resulted in a lifetime of swollen and stiff toes. They rarely persist after the first six months post-surgery. The patient should understand that mild-to-moderate swelling persists for many months after surgery and limits footwear options until it has resolved. Your doctor may suggest that you elevate for about 30 minutes every two hours or on an as-needed basis if you notice a high amount of swelling or pain after the initial . What is your experience with walking around in the house just in socks or even bare feet? After about 2-3 weeks, your doctor will remove the stitches. Thank you. This causes your toe to curve into the shape of a hammer or a claw. Custom orthoticscan also help to support correct alignment in your foot. Cal. Bandages and stitches removed on day 15 (Dec. 6th) and there was an infection beside my right big toe. He was ambulatory right after surgery and back in a shoe at 6 weeks. on the sides of my feet. Hammer toe can develop in any of the lesser toes, but most often affects the second toe, according to the Merck Manuals 1. It also permanently changes the foots appearance and can be riskier and harder to recover from than some other surgeries. After hammer toe surgery heals, it leaves a small scar that becomes less noticeable over time. After having a hammer toe corrected through surgery, there is the chance that the deformity will return 1. Bunionectomy and Neuroma Removal After image taken 12 weeks post surgery. After picture taken immediately after surgery. Utilizing some type of compressive taping or strapping method postoperatively can reduce swelling. . Pain can be controlled through the use of pain medications dispensed by the surgeon. Andrew had an osteotomy bunionectomy and a hammertoe correction with a plantar plate repair. Weve explained all the options in the text below. Now, since that yanking episode, it hurts to even flex my foot minimally. It felt good. Avoid over-the-counter medicated corn-removal products, many of which contain acid that can cause severe skin irritation. Could be normal : Because the foot is the lowest part of your body, swelling may persist for weeks after surgery. Pain can be controlled through the use of pain medications dispensed by the surgeon. Ice packs to reduce pain and swelling can help with pain and inflammation. Get plenty of rest and keep the foot elevated while sitting or lying down. im 5 weeks ans 1 day. To help further, the foot needs to be kept elevated so that the swelling subsides. FAILURE TO KEEP THE FOOT ELEVATED DURING THE FIRST WEEK CAN RESULT IN SWELLING, PAIN, HEMATOMA, AND INFECTION AND NOT ONLY SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE RECOVERY BUT ALSO PLACE THE FOOT AT RISK. If your foot takes a bit longer to heal, there might be some persistent mild swelling weeks after the surgery. People with unusually long toe bones, a history of toe injuries, and rheumatoid arthritis are more at risk of developing hammer toe. You should elevate your leg above the level of your heart if youre lying down, put the leg against the wall or on the pillow. Day 11 my right foot started stinging, stabbing and feeling not right, but naturally I couldn't see anything because of the huge bandages. Your surgeon may use an X-ray machine or a thin surgical tool with a camera mounted on the tip to create images of your toes to guide the surgical procedure. Your foot will be bandaged, and the doctor will remove it on their own or instruct you how to do it at home. It depends on the type of surgery. Locations Certain food groups have a tendency to raise your blood sugars and should be avoided. Did you try bare feet or socks around the house? The problem is that my foot is too swollen and too frozen in place to be able to fit into even a wide, larger soft shoe. Recovery Time The amount of time it will take you to recover from hammertoe surgery will vary depending on the type of surgery performed, but generally, you can expect the following: Bunion Surgery: So, I am still elevating my foot a lot. Theresa, I had bunionectomy & hammertoe surgery on one foot. I was told that it will get better and the swelling will go down within time. My doctor said that I could drive when I can wear normal shoes. You may be a good candidate for bunionectomy, After surgery, most people can resume their activities in six to 12 weeks. A compressive dressing is used until the sutures are removed 10-14 days after surgery. Damage to the lymphatic and/or venous circulation can account for this postoperative edema. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Toe-strengthening exercises, such as picking items up off the floor with the toes, may also help. I am in constant pain. The progression is predictable-from five days with absolutely no pressure on the foot, to the resumption of modified activities in six to eight weeks. Complications After Hammer Toe Surgery | Healthfully Notes on 6 weeks after bunion/hammertoe surgery - foot quite swollen, https://patient.info/forums/discuss/6-weeks-after-bunion-hammertoe-surgery-foot-quite-swollen-722059. Services Swelling after surgery, how long does it last? - Patient Depending on the type of surgery you had, your recovery time can vary if youve undergone a minimally invasive procedure, it will be about 4-6 weeks. You may need to wear splints on your treated toes for up to six weeks and you may benefit from physical therapy to improve flexibility in your foot and to keep the muscles strong and supple while you heal. At some point, they will have to fit. It helps but not much. How is this expected to continue? The surgery is performed to lessen pain and/or improve flexibility when the muscles in the toe can't stretch and straighten. I have a big problem with swelling and I dread trying to put on my soft trainers. I try but it simply doesn't work. Andrew worked the entire time after surgery and had absolutely no pain or need for pain medication. Doctor's PA offered no solution. The next day I ended up going to UC. (The only thing I had difficulty finding was the "ask a question" page.). Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe, in which one or both joints bend abnormally into a "C" shape 1. How to Recover from Hammertoe and Bunion Surgery | Healthfully It is also possible for a corn to develop over the prominent joint. Usually the patient feels very good and wants to start doing things. These traditional procedures require larger incisions which can lead to post-operative swelling and visible scarring. Dehiscence means that the wound has healed poorly or breaks open after healing. Once healing takes place, the pain should continue to decrease until it subsides. I use co-flex tape per my Drs recommendation and an ace bandage and sometimes wear the black shoe with open toe around the house. site (top of google search) and actually find all the answers I needed In fact we go no where. Gallentine, J. W., & DeOrio, J. K. (2005, May). Hammer toe surgery recovery Though most people can bear weight on their foot immediately after hammer toe surgery, total recovery takes between 4 and 6 weeks. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek About Us Hammer toes can become painful over time, as the joints lose flexibility. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. The pin remains in the toe for 4-6 weeks. This problem developed years ago and became a problem in the last two years. In some cases, the return of the deformity can be a consequence of a technical mistake during surgery. You may have some minor pain and swelling that lasts as long as 6 months to a year. After a hammertoe surgery, a mild swelling is normal. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); .errFld{padding:3px}.errFldOn{padding:0;border:3px solid red}.errMsg{font-weight:700;color:red;visibility:hidden}.errMsgOn{visibility:visible}#edit textarea{border:1px solid #000}.editTitle{font-size:22px;font-weight:700;text-align:center}#preview .editTitle{margin-top:0}.editName,.editCountry{text-align:center}.editName,.editCountry,.editBody{}.editBody{text-align:left}#preview{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.GadSense{float:left;vertical-align:top;padding:0 8px 8px 0;margin:0 8px 0 0}.gLinkUnitTop{width:466px;margin:12px auto}.gLinkUnitBot{width:120px;float:right;margin:4px 0 24px 36px}, My second toe on my right foot is still swollen after my hammertoe surgery 6 months ago. I wonder when I'll be able to go for a walk and not end up limping and hobbling because my feet have swollen. 3 years ago, I feel like I'm on house arrest and I mostly stay home, since I can't drive until at least 8 weeks. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified I really don't want to go through another surgery on this toe, I had a pin at the end of my toe for three weeks and had to stay off my foot for 3 weeks. Once the anesthesia wears off, you'll feel pain and swelling, which can be regulated with painkillers and antibiotics. A hammer toe causes the toe to bend at the first joint, which is called the proximal interphalangeal joint. I take 800mg ibuprofen (prescribed) too keep the swelling down and also take my percs for pain. And that open toe surgical sandal. I had hammertoe surgery on 4th toe 14 months ago and I still have swelling. Hammertoes develop when a muscle imbalance develops and from wearing shoes that cramp your toes, like high heels or shoes with pointed, narrow toe boxes. Your doctor will inform you about all the possible risks before you schedule the procedure, but here are a few of the most common surgery-related complications that can happen: Before you book a hammertoe surgery, you will have to come in for a consultation with a podiatrist. I had two surgeries because the first failed (first one was February 28th and second surgery was April 9th) and was able to walk in June. So I'm not attempting it any more till I'm further healed. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use