Any other suggestions would be appreciated. The boot is TOO hard and heavy for me to walk! All rights reserved. And long walks. Traditional procedures can take a few months, but minimally invasive ones will take only about 4-6 weeks. Take over-the-counter or prescription pain medication according to your doctor's instructions. The surgery should not hurt. 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. Swelling is a reaction of your tissue to that trauma, which means that having absolutely no swelling after a surgical procedure is not realistic. Removal of the second toe for severe hammertoe deformity in elderly patients [Abstract]. 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. Bunionectomy After image taken six months post surgery. If you don't elevate, fluid may collect in the foot and cause additional pain. Delayed healing or dehiscence wounds that wont heal are common in smokers and patients with metabolic diseases. Traditional vs Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery. Stage 1: Swelling. Take your antibiotics religiously and expect swelling for a long time, so put your feet up often. She had her surgery on June 9th, 2011. The surgery is performed to lessen pain and/or improve flexibility when the muscles in the toe can't stretch and straighten. My toes were extremely swollen, but I was told this is normal and would decrease gradually. 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. Home People should discuss the risks and benefits of each option. If you have bunions that cause big toe pain, call your healthcare provider for treatment. Today I will take my first full shower, including my operated foot which hasn't seen water since October 31. (603) 964-6555 Strangely feels good to have someone to snivel with. Usually, infections after hammertoe surgery arent complicated and can be fully treated with a course of oral antibiotics. Please give me some idea if this is normal!!!! And my toes, the big one and the next are not flexible in the least. Since reading several patient accounts I now realize the recovery is likely 3-5 months. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. First, I'd like to thank you for all the information that you provide on your website and the opportunity to write to you. A swollen or "sausage" toe is the most common complication following hammertoe surgery. My husband and I have readjusted in every way possible! You may not be able to put weight on the foot during those 6 weeks. In some cases, a keloid scar can form. I can't wear a shoe very long maybe up to two hours and then only tennis shoes. Keeping the affected leg and foot elevated can reduce swelling. The surgeon stresses the importance of that. It may not be advisable, I fear.So now, I feel worse than I felt before my husband got it into his head that it would be better for me without those tiny strips. I still have the strips in the other places. They may also be unable to drive for several weeks. Dr. Faramarz Hidaji answered. So, what can you do in case you have a swollen toe after hammertoe surgery? The fixation device loosens or becomes painful in about 1 to 3% of people. im so depressed , i need to hear there is a light at the end if the tunnel. I feel SO much better after reading this..thank you. Holiday shopping on Amazon. Services A tendon transfer pulls the toe into the correct position and often works well for a flexible hammer toe. Hammer toes can become painful over time, as the joints lose flexibility. Andrew had an osteotomy bunionectomy and a hammertoe correction with a plantar plate repair. There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend bunion surgery. Nearly five months postsurgery, I've learned that "healing the bone" is only one part of the full recovery. My doctor did not recommend this, just said to walk, which I cannot do very well. You may even experience tingling or burning as your foot heals. A few weeks after surgery, the doctor will remove any stitches or pins. what is your take on this & can you recommend some other therapies for me to try I would ask my surgeon myself, but I am vacationing 2,200 mi. The foot may need to be kept elevated for a few weeks after the surgery. Pins are usually removed from the toe between four and six weeks post-surgery. Patient Info Simply click here to return to. about laying down on sofa or bed with my feel elevated. Dr. B. is online now Related Medical Questions the-good-doctor After a hammertoe surgery, a mild swelling is normal. The second toe on both feet is shorter than the first and third toes and crooked! I lived in Orange County between 1983 and 1990. But I cannot wear even wide, soft sneakers. I asked for it since I read a lot about PT being very helpful. I think your website is the most informative site I have found when researching foot pain. Many patients can walk immediately following surgery in a stiff-soled, surgical shoe or boot. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek Thank you! I am limping along still in my neoprene surgical sandal. Have you experienced this? I don't know about you but I was hoping to be back on my bike at 12 weeks and now at 6 weeks I cannot imagine putting on a cycling shoe. If you are planning on having hammertoe correction, your podiatrist will explain any risks or complications involved with the procedure. Stitches are eliminated after 7 to 21 days. I don't think that would be helpful for healing, since we've had major work done on our bones and I don't want to ruin that. Privacy Policy, SEABROOK Allowing adequate space for your toes will help relieve pressure and pain. My foot feels better than it has in months. After surgery, it is important to avoid wearing high heels and to get well-fitting shoes that give the toes plenty of room, to lessen the chance for recurrence. Surgery may also be needed when chronic big toe inflammation and swelling isn't relieved with rest or medicines. It may be necessary to wear a special shoe or a shoe insert to support the toe following the procedure. I was prescribed antibiotics but 2 days later (a Sunday) I wasn't improving, the seeping and pain was getting worse, so I went to the Emergency dept. Lapiplasty is minimally invasive, meaning it requires smaller incisions and less trauma to the foot area. I know it will all be worth it and I have no sign of bunions now at all, which is wonderful! If you have minimally invasive surgery to correct your hammertoe, the procedure is completed in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic. Our board . i have an infection in one of my toes. Its actually the first pain I'm experiencing since the surgery. Now, since that yanking episode, it hurts to even flex my foot minimally. Maybe try wearing slides with socks on? Hang in there, we will get there. I take 800mg ibuprofen (prescribed) too keep the swelling down and also take my percs for pain. What are the Beginning Stages of an Ingrown Toenail? 31st Oct 2018. Surgery might be your only solution for severe pain and discomfort caused by hallux rigidus, but there are some expenses to take into account if, If you suffer from arthritis, stem cell injections can be used as a form of treatment in addition to the common orthopedic care. He is a doctor, pediatrician and he thinks it is better for wounds to heal with nothing on. Gallentine, J. W., & DeOrio, J. K. (2005, May). Bunionectomy and Neuroma Removal After image taken 12 weeks post surgery. My doctor said my x-ray looked perfect but if it still was swollen in another 3 months to come back for an MRI. X-ray was done.The MD indicated that pins look intact and it was probably bruised. The next day it was a lot worse. 5. After your procedure is complete, your trusted podiatrist closes the incisions with a stitch and applies compression dressing. When a muscle gets too weak, it can put pressure on the tendons of the toe. It is also possible for a corn to develop over the prominent joint. Before, I had the bulky aircast boot for the first 2 weeks. Bunion and 6-week post-op. This year it is not going to happen. However, if your toe is swollen and it hurts, your doctor will prescribe some over-the-counter pain medications that will help with both swelling and pain. One of the most effective ways to reduce swelling is to ensure you get enough rest. Over 300,000 hammertoe surgeries are performed each year. Toe-strengthening exercises, such as picking items up off the floor with the toes, may also help. all hammertoe , no bunion. If your feet are still swollen please don't force them in shoes. For many people, the continued use of conventional footwear (i.e., shoes that possess heel elevation, toe spring, toe taper, and rigid, inflexible soles) after surgery encourages a recurrence of the original problem, be it a neuroma, a hammertoe, or a bunion. Nevertheless, I was happy with the results. It's easy to do. I greatly admire someone like you who would donate and dedicate so much time and effort to helping strangers with no compensation. In some cases, a wound dehiscence may occur. | 3 Types of Foot Strikes That May Cause You Foot Pain While Running . Some possible complications are: Pain or swelling Stiffness Nerve damage Infection Weakness in toe or toes Bones may not heal properly Blood clot Hammertoe reoccurrence Recovering From Hammertoe Correction I had hammertoe surgery on 4th toe 14 months ago and I still have swelling. The isolation, frustrating swelling, lack of activity, plays havoc with my emotions. I HAD hammertoe surgery with a pin 9 weeks ago. Be well! Every doctor will tell you to elevate your leg after hammertoe surgery, and the reason for that is simple elevation will help with the lymphatic drainage and ensure the swelling goes down quicker. at our local hospital. This is not wise. Read our editorial policy. 3 Types of Foot Strikes That May Cause You Foot Pain While Running, The Quickest Way to Recover From Foot Surgery, New Office Location, Same Great Foot Care: Serving Seabrook and Somersworth, Dr. Nagy Receives Atlas-FAI Certification for Foot Alignment Treatment, Things to Consider About Where You Have Foot Surgery, Why You Wont Need Crutches After Foot Surgery. Removing the forces that caused these problems in the first place (e.g., pinching . This straightens the toe and can help reduce pain. I have a return visit with the doctor which is 6 weeks after the removal of two pens in two of the three toes operated on. I can wear heels, though with COVID we rarely go out so I don't get to wear them. Elevating the foot can speed up healing and reduce pain. Two months ago, I had hammertoe surgery on all my toes, except the big toe. Ice packs to reduce pain and swelling can help with pain and inflammation. A compressive dressing is used until the sutures are removed 10-14 days after surgery. After your surgery, your toe may be stiff, red, and swollen. Make sure there's a half-inch (1.27 centimeters) of space between your longest toe and the inside tip of your shoe. Hammer toe is a condition where one of the toes becomes stiff and bent, in a position resembling the shape of a hammer. I'm heading to my weights to do some seated dumbbells and floor yoga but I know it'll be hard and exhausting. I'm 64 and a very active cyclist and hiker so this is brutal. I want to wear something on my feet that doesn't hurt and that makes me feel normal. Tendons attach muscle to bone. Recovery after hammertoe surgery will be different for every patient, length of time to full recovery will depend on following doctor's instructions. I have an insert in the second toe. Infection following hammer toe surgery can usually be handled with a short course of oral antibiotics. Some medical teams have the option of offering, Having hallux rigidus, also known as a stiff big toe, can make standing or walking difficult because of the pain. This means a person may go home the same day the surgery is performed. Once the incisions heal and the swelling subsides, the patient can gradually apply weight and move. You have an unusually clear, informative and well-written website for laypersons. My big toe and its neighbor are super stiff. I feel like I'm on house arrest and I mostly stay home, since I can't drive until at least 8 weeks. A rigid hammer toe means the joint is no longer movable. Please help, I am not sure what to do now! MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Also, yesterday, when I had my shower, the steri strips did not fall off. It makes it feel so much better all day but I found if I leave it on when I go to bed, the toe aches and I have to take it off. As tlw described, I do the toe curling and also a stretching exercise with my 2 affected toes on my left foot - the doctor said twice a day - but the infection in my right foot has meant I couldn't exercise that toe; it's quite stiff by comparison. We then remove the pin in the office once the toe is fully healed. 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. Simona, I can so relate! Today I had the idea of holding some frozen pea packets against the swelling. It was a good thing I brought a sock at my visit. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Yeesh..so much work to dress up lol. Some swelling may remain at this point, but a year after your operation healing should be complete and any remaining swelling will have disappeared. In this case, the surgeon often uses joint resection or fusion techniques. After hammer toe surgery: 2-3 weeks: Stitches may be removed. The hammertoe correction before and after hammer toe surgery is significant, but the healing process can be uncomfortable. I am thinking of doing swimming exercise 2x a wk. After your procedure is complete, your trusted podiatrist closes the incisions with a stitch and applies compression dressing. 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. 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.
swelling after hammertoe surgery