Take Anti-Inflammatory Medication. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. on the sides of my feet. Pain and swelling are normal for about a week following surgery. Thank you! 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. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. How did it go? I guess patience is KEY! Hammer toe surgery can also be done under general anesthesia. After surgery, you may have a wire or pin holding your toe joint together. While these untoward results can occur, they are unlikely if both the surgeon and the . The shoe should remain on until seen in the office for your first post-op visit. really regreting this surgery now. You may not be able to put weight on the foot during those 6 weeks. It was a good thing I brought a sock at my visit. I was told that after 3 days I could take a normal shower and be able to soak my foot too. Any advice would be appreciated. Hammer toe repair - discharge. Copyright 2017-2023 Nagy Footcare. Simply click here to return to Ask the doctor. People with unusually long toe bones, a history of toe injuries, and rheumatoid arthritis are more at risk of developing hammer toe. Theresa, I had bunionectomy & hammertoe surgery on one foot. Our board . Read our editorial policy. This causes your toe to curve into the shape of a hammer or a claw. 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. im 5 weeks ans 1 day. A person will need to avoid putting weight on the foot for several weeks. What to Expect After the Procedure. Ice packs to reduce pain and swelling can help with pain and inflammation. i did 4 toes 2 on each foot. Fortunately my husband is willing to cater to my constant grocery requests. My first 10 days after surgery I really didn't take painkillers, other than the paracetamol they gave me during my 2 days in hospital. hammer toe; dislocations; broken bones & stress fractures; ganglion cysts; plantar fascitis; . (Regina, Sk, Canada) My daughter had surgery on her foot for turf toe (repair of plantars plate) and for a hammer toe. I try to do some flexing but then I get shooting pains at the bunion and hammertoe location. If you have pins or screws in your toe, they may be taken out a few weeks after the operation.. Once the anesthesia wears off, you'll feel pain and swelling, which can be regulated with painkillers and antibiotics. 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. Later that evening,I begin having excruciating pain,redness/warmth on toes/top of foot,and a lot of swelling. EASILY and QUICKLY! These traditional procedures require larger incisions which can lead to post-operative swelling and visible scarring. So, I do minimal walking. Should I try the colban wrap? Before surgery, a doctor will likely perform blood work and ask the person about their medical history. (1) Use those alphabet exercises. First, I want to let you know that you have the best web site I've found related to foot issues. What to Expect After Hammertoe Surgery? My doctors visit is in 3.5 weeks away and I need to end the pain and reduce swelling now. I went out and purchase a pair of soft cloth shoe in a size bigger. Usually, for Christmas I do a lot of special cooking. For this surgery, a doctor cuts ligaments and tendons to help straighten the toe and may also remove a portion of the bone. Still, if there is too much swelling, that might slow down the recovery, which is why we take steps to reduce it sometimes. Weve explained all the options in the text below. The type of hammer toe determines treatment options. 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. 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. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I can only wear flip flops right now, my 2 middle toes are sore & swollen & are constantly getting bumped or stubbed. I'm 64 and a very active cyclist and hiker so this is brutal. I live in Southern California so I can at least sit outside and don't have to deal with weather. They may also be unable to drive for several weeks. A good review of the causes of warts and protective measures you can take to prevent developing them. I do have a device to put on toe for swelling. I am in constant pain. While a certain amount of pain, discomfort, and ankle and foot swelling after surgery are normal, typically, these side effects are short-lived. This year it is not going to happen. If you have minimally invasive surgery to correct your hammertoe, the procedure is completed in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic. My husband came and without even asking me, quickly tore off the strips over the bunion incision. i have an infection in one of my toes. Seabrook, NH 03874 Your doctor will give you detailed instructions before the procedure, so lets see how you can reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. There have been cases in which 2 months after surgery, although the recommended treatment has reduced swelling a bit, the dense fibrous tissue has given a fusiform (tapered at both ends) appearance to the toes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'foot_pain_explained_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-foot_pain_explained_com-medrectangle-4-0');MedlinePlus, Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation. Hang in there, we will get there. Traditionally, hammertoe surgery involved incisions alongthe tops of your toes, which allowed your podiatric surgeon to release your affected toe joints and the tight tendons and muscles. I had hammertoe surgery on 4th toe 14 months ago and I still have swelling. The second toe on both feet is shorter than the first and third toes and crooked! Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek Again, I want All rights reserved. by Sheri. I still can't drive as my right foot is my braking foot and still too sore. Yes I had that done on my right foot in April 2016. Luckily, these scars are small and often fade over time. It was very painful but after awhile it went away. Home Locations Before, I had the bulky aircast boot for the first 2 weeks. My big toe and its neighbor are super stiff. 325-1 Lafayette Road Kudos to you! These exercises can also prevent hammer toe from coming back. Keep ice on your foot during your waking hours for the first few days after your surgery to control pain and reduce swelling. Get plenty of rest and keep the foot elevated while sitting or lying down. Privacy Policy, SEABROOK Always beware of the possible side effects of over the counter supplements. I only realised that about a month ago but they've probably been good like that for 2 or 3 months. A rigid hammer toe means the joint is no longer movable. You are to . Under local anesthetic, a person will not be able to feel the procedure itself, but they may feel pressure or pulling. The patient should understand that mild-to-moderate swelling persists for many months after surgery and limits footwear options until it has resolved. Chronically swollen toes can also be the result of a symptomatic non-union at an attempted arthrodesis site. Nearly five months postsurgery, I've learned that "healing the bone" is only one part of the full recovery. Minimally invasive bunion surgery recovery. After traditional foot surgery, you can expect to leave the clinic with a surgical boot, crutches, or even a knee scooter. Traditional vs Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery. Have you experienced this? A surgeon will cut tendons and ligaments, as well as the ends of the bones. This is why I had to have another surgery.I injured my 3rd&4th toe in the shower while shaving my legs. This happened 2/4/2017. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I want myself back! I planned my surgery and attempted to plan my sedentary time to do my end of year Continuing Education (retired accountant) and I'm taking a very intensive online class, which I'd never commit to if I were mobile. Is swelling something that you should worry about after surgery? This straightens the toe and can help reduce pain. My feet are not sore to walk at all! Andrew had an osteotomy bunionectomy and a hammertoe correction with a plantar plate repair. In this procedure, the surgeon removes portions of the joint to allow bones to grow together. I was looking forward to my hammertoe pin removal and clearance to begin weight bearing but its just such a battle of swelling and pain. Cosmetic Surgery 30 years experience. I was told that it will get better and the swelling will go down within time. Now, since that yanking episode, it hurts to even flex my foot minimally. This article, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. In rare cases where a person experiences severe pain from a hammer toe and no other treatment works, a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon might recommend removing the toe. I also interviewed a lot of doctors. Please help! After hammer toe surgery: 2-3 weeks: Stitches may be removed. Then we lived in CT for three years in CT and since 1993 we are in SE Massachusetts. While effective at relieving the hammertoe, these surgeries required a long recovery time and often resulted in a lifetime of swollen and stiff toes. Dr. Faramarz Hidaji answered. My doctor said no leather due to swelling. Taping the affected toe is also a common treatment method for hammertoe. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified Patients with hammertoes often have other toe problems, such as bunions or corns. Swelling is a reaction of your tissue to that trauma, which means that having absolutely no swelling after a surgical procedure is not realistic. You will be able to walk immediately after your surgery but should take it easy and keep your foot elevated for three or four days. Ice packs to reduce pain and swelling can help with pain and inflammation. It depends on the type of surgery. THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL AND VERY HELPFUL SITE! So we had surgery just one day apart and we are also a year apart. Infection following hammer toe surgery can usually be handled with a short course of oral antibiotics. To keep the toe in place, the surgeon may insert temporary pins. After classifying your hammertoe as either flexible or fixed, . Dehiscence means that the wound has healed poorly or breaks open after healing. 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. If you are planning on having hammertoe correction, your podiatrist will explain any risks or complications involved with the procedure. I do not have any pain in my toes; however they still look swollen and do bend like the other toes. Swelling and Pain As mentioned earlier, post surgery recovery will involve varying degrees of pain and swelling. from him right now and I won't be back to the area until around Xmas. so I have had both feet done now the first one I had done last year September 2019 my foot was swollen quite big I would say for around four months and then after that the more I walked on it the more it was swollen this was on and off through the whole of the summer we are now in December 2019 I would say the Welling stopped probably the end of August beginning of September my foot is completely normal. The thinner the person the greater the positive impa, One of the best ways to help yourself heal faster after surgery is to eat well. My doctor said and I have read it also swelling would can't for up to a year. We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are I started doing floor yoga stretching and some dumbbell weights at home. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? The initial post-operative periodusually between 24 and 36 hours after surgerymay require constant or prolonged elevation to help wounds heal and bleeding subside. Its done, Platelets and stem cells work in unison together, they heal diseases and injuries in our bodies.