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. Rarely, the pain and swelling can become permanent. In rare cases, the infection can reach the bone, causing a serious infection called osteomyelitis. Avoid over-the-counter medicated corn-removal products, many of which contain acid that can cause severe skin irritation. Pain and swelling should slowly improve over the next 6 weeks. After your surgery, your foot may be red and swollen. You can set up a home recovery area where you can rest comfortably, and dont forget to prepare those pillows that will help you elevate your leg. A swollen or "sausage" toe is the most common complication following hammertoe surgery. By Marc Mitnick DPM 2006-2022, foot-pain-explained.com LLC, Researchers are suggesting that the effectiveness of Vitamin D in fighting and preventing disease is predicated on a persons body mass index (BMI). And it hurts, shooting pain that is amplified when I put that surgical sandal on to go to the bathroom. thank you for your words of encouragement. Not what you're looking for? I was told that it will get better and the swelling will go down within time. The surgeon stresses the importance of that. The deformity typically causes calluses or corns to develop on the toe. Ice placed just above the surgical site can help keep swelling to a minimum. I'm 64 and a very active cyclist and hiker so this is brutal. If you are planning on having hammertoe correction, your podiatrist will explain any risks or complications involved with the procedure. Seabrook, NH 03874 Day 11 my right foot started stinging, stabbing and feeling not right, but naturally I couldn't see anything because of the huge bandages. My husband and I have readjusted in every way possible! Bunionectomy After image taken six months post surgery. It is also possible for a corn to develop over the prominent joint. Dr. B. is online now Related Medical Questions the-good-doctor Often elevation will help. I am open to ANY and ALL suggestions that have proven helpful to keep the swelling down and END THE PAIN in my toes. Yes I had that done on my right foot in April 2016. Read our editorial policy. Hammer toe surgery can also be done under general anesthesia. In most cases, you should expect recovery to last about six weeks - after this period, pain and swelling should be gone. Ask an Expert Medical Questions I still have pain and swelling 7 weeks after hammertoe Dr. B., Doctor 7,827 Satisfied Customers Physician with 8 years of experience. You will be able to carry your weight the same day after the procedure, and its recommended that you walk a little bit each day. Today I had the idea of holding some frozen pea packets against the swelling. | 3 Types of Foot Strikes That May Cause You Foot Pain While Running . 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. Now, since that yanking episode, it hurts to even flex my foot minimally. This problem developed years ago and became a problem in the last two years. and rest with your foot propped up on a stack of pillows and apply ice for 10-15 minutes every 2-3 hours to relieve swelling. In most cases, patients will use NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). I had to laugh at your description of your husband ripping off the steri strips but ouch! Getting the proper nutrition will provide your body with the essentials it needs to promote healing. I still have the strips in the other places. In this case, the surgeon often uses joint resection or fusion techniques. 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. Be well! about laying down on sofa or bed with my feel elevated. I went out and purchase a pair of soft cloth shoe in a size bigger. I started wearing soft sneakers late in September and I am now able to wear flat boots (although I sized up for my boots and wear thick warm socks underneath cause my feet are always cold). A presentation of newer skin protection combinations in an effort to better protect the skin from the hazards of sun exposure. My foot feels better than it has in months. When you are showering or bathing, the foot has to be kept covered to keep the stitches dry. I've since seen a new doctor who has suggested some stretching but that hasn't seemed to help. Or should I check in with my dr. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. My doctor said no leather due to swelling. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? First, I'd like to thank you for all the information that you provide on your website and the opportunity to write to you. I thank you for putting together this incredible website. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Complications From Arthroscopic Knee Surgery, How to Increase Flexibility in My Big Toes, Complications of Spinal Fusion With Harrington Rods, FootDoc.ca: Complications of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Podiatry Today: "How To Address the Complications of Hammertoe Surgery" by Molly Judge, DPM. How can I minimize the swelling and pain in my toes 7weeks after surgery? You might also be advised to have physical therapy to correct the muscle imbalance in your foot. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. You may be a good candidate for bunionectomy, After surgery, most people can resume their activities in six to 12 weeks. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions before the procedure, so lets see how you can reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. Note that there is very minor bruising at this point and swelling is minimal. Hammer toes can become painful over time, as the joints lose flexibility. ive been so depressed , i just cant wait to be back to normal. What is your experience with walking around in the house just in socks or even bare feet? how are you now? Today I will take my first full shower, including my operated foot which hasn't seen water since October 31. Right now my foot doesn't fit into anything, except still the surgical shoe. A fusion procedure can reduce the severity of a fixed hammer toe. A good review of how blood sugars can become elevated and the harm that can do. Keloids are more likely to occur in African Americans. Constipation often happens after general anesthesia and surgery. I also interviewed a lot of doctors. 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. However, you can often begin putting a little weight on the affected foot within 24 hours. While effective at relieving the hammertoe, these surgeries required a long recovery time and often resulted in a lifetime of swollen and stiff toes. I have an insert in the second toe. Obviously, I cannot do anything like that. I normally never wear trainers except for the gym; they have always made my feet feel claustrophobic , and they go with none of the sort of clothes I wear. The typical recovery duration after bunion surgery is 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on the amount of soft tissue and bone affected. 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. You will likely need to wear a special shoe or boot. Hammertoe surgery may be the best option for patients who are still in pain after trying non-invasive hammertoe treatments. I cannot walk down the stairs or up, without help. And to go out of the house, and into the car, I had to navigate a good number of stone steps, icy, and snowy, dragging myself on my butt since I wasn't allowed to bear any weight. Swelling after an extremity procedure is common. If youre living with the pain and mobility issues caused by ahammertoe, a minimally invasive surgery to correct your toe deformity may be the best treatment to resolve your symptoms. X-ray was done.The MD indicated that pins look intact and it was probably bruised. The next day it was a lot worse. He is a doctor, pediatrician and he thinks it is better for wounds to heal with nothing on. Stage 1: Swelling. You expressed it well - "I know there is light at the end of the tunnel but how long is this tunnel?". Can you do something to help yourself get through the recovery period as smoothly as possible? I feel SO much better after reading this..thank you. But you might have to try a few different shoes before you find the right ones. Join in and write your own page! At present I wouldn't be able to walk to the end of our street without having to hobble back like I'm 100 years old. 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. All that you need is a piece of tape. While these untoward results can occur, they are unlikely if both the surgeon and the . I was allowed back in normal shoes after 7 weeks but at first I could only wear sandals, then aqua shoes for quite a while. "The most common complaint is stiffness and swelling of the toe, which can last for a few months," says Dr. Botek. 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. Registered in England and Wales. So, I do minimal walking. Nevertheless, I was happy with the results. Maybe try wearing slides with socks on? 7 Works Way After having a hammer toe corrected through surgery, there is the chance that the deformity will return 1. 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. My doctors visit is in 3.5 weeks away and I need to end the pain and reduce swelling now. PT is recommended by my dr once I can walk but not before. Bunionectomy and Neuroma Removal After image taken 12 weeks post surgery. In general, it takes approximately 6 weeks to 3 months to fully recover from surgery. Osteomyelitis needs to be treated in the hospital with an extended course of intravenous antibiotics, followed by another course of oral antibiotics. Infection whenever there is an incision on your skin, an infection is a possibility. Thank you for that. Contact Us Keep in touch! Fortunately my husband is willing to cater to my constant grocery requests. Bunion Correction Surgery. 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. Swelling is a reaction of your tissue to that trauma, which means that having absolutely no swelling after a surgical procedure is not realistic. By the way, millions of websites could use yours as a guideline on how to organize information and make the site user-friendly. effective way to correct a hammer toe, however by fusing the toe we make the toe stiff at one of the joints. 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. Somersworth (603) 516-4411. Your doctor can prescribe you medication to manage the pain. 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. While a certain amount of pain, discomfort, and ankle and foot swelling after surgery are normal, typically, these side effects are short-lived. Last medically reviewed on October 1, 2017. Again, I want Can diet help improve depression symptoms? 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. Thank you Dr. Mitnick for your quick response and also for the explanation in the original post that the swelling in my toe could be caused by problems with the lymphatic system. Fortunately, advances in medical technology have led to aminimally invasive approach to hammertoe surgery. However, I think he ripped some crust that had formed over. What is the recovery time for hammer toe surgery? Recovery doesnt always need to be painful, so some patients dont need medication to deal with the pain. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? There are two distinct types: In the early stages, the joint is still movable. Hammertoe surgery is considered quite a simple procedure, but even the simplest surgeries can have some complications. And I cannot stand up and cook either. In this procedure, the surgeon removes portions of the joint to allow bones to grow together. To keep the toe in place, the surgeon may insert temporary pins. Exercises to improve strength in the toe and foot muscles may help the toe heal. To realize just how lucky you are just living in a warmer climate, think that we had snow over here, and obviously it was quite chilly. Now there is a big gaping hole there, horrifying, oozing. It is suggested that cancer may surpass CVD as the number one cause of death in older diabetics. A Hammertoe, also known as a claw toe, is a deformity that gradually causes your toe to bend downward. Finally, I settled on the one whom Boston Magazine found to be the best foot and ankle doctor in the state and I also found him on a list of 10 best foot and ankle doctors in the country. But when an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis causes a hammer toe, doctors may recommend treating that condition first. Before, I had the bulky aircast boot for the first 2 weeks. I use the heavy black Frankenstein boot if go out. I'm so paranoid and just want a 2nd opinion. It seems that you do go out, have some social life. It's very painful. Hi Simona, I feel your pain!!! Its actually the first pain I'm experiencing since the surgery. I'm heading to my weights to do some seated dumbbells and floor yoga but I know it'll be hard and exhausting. Learn more here. My doctor said my x-ray looked perfect but if it still was swollen in another 3 months to come back for an MRI. According to Podiatry Today, this complication is usually due to the surgeon failing to isolate the exact underlying bio-mechanical cause of the deformity and correct it. 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. Walking is actually good for you after minimally invasive hammertoe surgery. I interviewed 7 surgeons before settling on my surgeon but it was hard to find references from former bunion patients so I'm just praying everything will work out! Osteomyelitis needs to be treated in the hospital with an extended course of intravenous antibiotics, followed by another course of oral antibiotics. Taping the affected toe is also a common treatment method for hammertoe. Thanks for a most interesting website, which has helped a lot. 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. I knew this sedentary lifestyle would be brutal. Allowing adequate space for your toes will help relieve pressure and pain. A flail toe sticks up in the air a bit and can be either stiff or floppy. Getting patients into closed shoe gear as quickly as a week after surgery can also help minimize post-op swelling. We are committed to providing educational information because, at Nagy Footcare, our best day is the day you wake up with no foot pain. If you have minimally invasive surgery to correct your hammertoe, the procedure is completed in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic. I do not have any pain in my toes; however they still look swollen and do bend like the other toes. I am practically under house arrest. You also may have swelling in your foot. I still can't drive as my right foot is my braking foot and still too sore. For this surgery, a doctor cuts ligaments and tendons to help straighten the toe and may also remove a portion of the bone. When hammertoes are diagnosed and treated early, you can usually avoid surgery. However, cutting an already ingrown nail at home can make it worse. What is the long-term impact of toe fusion surgery? It helps but not much. Its actually the first pain I'm experiencing since the surgery. Bunionectomy and Plantar Plate Repair After image taken six weeks post surgery. Use comfortable pillows to make sure your foot is securely elevated. This can shorten recovery time and avoid the rare complications that sometimes accompany general anesthesia. I am limping along still in my neoprene surgical sandal. It's Summer here, the trainers and socks make my feet hot and look ridiculous with little summer dresses. One of the most effective ways to reduce swelling is to ensure you get enough rest. In fact we go no where. If you have a hammertoe or are concerned that a hammertoe is developing,contact us at Nagy Footcarefor effective diagnosis and treatment. The surgery is performed to lessen pain and/or improve flexibility when the muscles in the toe can't stretch and straighten. The reduced space in the toe box causes your toes to bend to fit in the available space. Why is my toe still swollen after hammertoe surgery? This is not wise. Kathryn Meininger began writing and publishing poetry in 1967. I feel really cut off not even being able to duck out to the shop for, say, a bottle of milk. Specially designed footwear will also have to be worn after bunion surgery, just like after correcting hammertoes. Resources Of course, it's reasonable to expect some pain and swelling after the surgery - the procedure requires cutting of your skin, soft tissue, and even bones, so it makes sense that there will be some pain at the surgical site until that heals. You may not be able to put weight on the foot during those 6 weeks. The isolation, frustrating swelling, lack of activity, plays havoc with my emotions. All my toes are now straight and I was getting used to the new wider, chubby looking toes until I had the right foot done a week ago. A great review on the various causes of shin splints, along with treatment options. at our local hospital. Well, I tried with wide, large sneakers and then wide Lem shoes and my foot does not fit into anything. 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. Types of Hammertoe Surgery. My husband came and without even asking me, quickly tore off the strips over the bunion incision. My doctor did not recommend this, just said to walk, which I cannot do very well. I will never wear normal trainers again, I'll only buy wide ones. 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. Also, as the joints are left intact, your recovery time is much shorter. A host of potential complications may result from hammertoe surgery and the most common list includes but is not limited to: infection, neuritis, painful or unsightly scarring, chronic swelling, malunion or nonunion of bone, and recurrence of deformity. It is recommended to walk every day for at least a little bit during your recovery period. 23 users are following. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media.