I had a bunionectomy (big toe and little toe bunionette) and straightening of my 2nd, 3rd and 4th claw toes one week ago. I have been following the doctor's instructions re: rest, elevation, ice, etc. Now that the initial post-op pain has subsided, I am feeling discomfort, which I think is due to the pins keeping my former claw toes straight and/or the screw in my big toe. I can definitely feel the pins (freaky!), even when my foot is relaxed, and have an almost constant painful tingly sensation along with occassional stabbing/shooting pain. My foot is most uncomfortable at night, when I can not find a good sleeping position for it! I've read lots of posts about pain during pin removal - has anyone experienced pain/discomfort while the pins are IN the foot? How much pain is "normal"?
Sometimes I worry that a pin may have moved or broken - I haven't been putting weight on my foot, but I *did* bump it two or three times...
Has anyone had an infection due to a pin? What are the symptoms?

Thank you. (as you can tell, I'm very paranoid about this!)

Are your pins external or internal? I just had surgery (shortening of 2nd metatarsal and hammertoe repair) two weeks ago and have a pin in there holding in all together. The pin sticks out about 1/2 inch from the toe and I was told stays in for 4-6 weeks. It's definitely uncomfortable, especially at night, when it feels (and looks) like my whole foot swells up...and hard to sleep comfortably for sure. I have found that elevating it and icing it before bedtime seems to help somewhat.

I also have had a slew of weird sensations (shooting pains, tingling, etc) at various times, which my doctor tells me is all a normal part of the healing process and I've heard other people talk about having. I've also bumped it accidentally a few times (ouch!), but my doc says that as long as it looks straight on the outside, it's probably okay on the inside. Your next xray will tell for sure.

I totally understand about feeling paranoid, but know that the signs of infection usually are redness, discharge, extreme swelling (more than the usual post-surgery swelling) and/or heat from the incision site, as well as a fever. But definitely call your doc if you have any doubts.

Good luck!
Debra

Hi all, I'm 41 yr old male that just went thru straightning of my second toe on both feet. My surgery was on the 18th of sept., basically what they did was cut a wedge shape piece of bone out so that the top bone would move into a more natural position above the middle bone in the toe. Then they inserted a pin thru the middle of my toe that is probly a good inch long inside and sticks out the end of my toe about a quarter inch. I had some discomfort the first week- just felt like I had something sticking out hte end of my toe ( more of a nuscence pain) but wasnt that bad, Now after the second week I dont even now the pins are there except for an occasional shooting pain or tinggling sensations that doesnt last for very long- I never take any pain medication for it except for the first day after the surgery but dont need any since then. The pins will probly remain for about another 3 week maybe 4 at most.
Some other things I do to help is I wear the special shoes they gave me almost all the time- even when I sleep. And I also prop my feet up on some pillows at night also just to keep me from pushing or hitting the pins on anything.
Things they told me to watch for as far as infection are-fever,chill,temp above 101 degrees, red or purple marks on top of my foot or lower leg area, swelling or pain in calf excesive drainage from insions or pin area.
Hope this helps, good luck with everyones recovery:wave:

The 3 pins were sticking out of my toes and were only temporary. I got them removed two days ago. Reading the posts on this forum about pin removal experiences gave me good feelings going into my docor's office.... boy, was I NOT prepared for the ensuing pain (eventhough I took 2 percocet beforehand)!!! One was removed without a problem, but the other 2 didn't want to come out! The pins were all straight, though, so I didn't bend any of them - all that worrying for nothing!

Thank you for your replies! :)

Was it painful having the pins removed or after the removal? I'm wondering if I should take something before I have my 4 pins removed.

Hey Grace,

My pins hurt coming out because 2 of them "stuck." It seems like most of the people on this forum who had pins taken out didn't experience much pain, though. I would take something before your appointment, just in case..... hopefully you have a better experience! :)

I just had my pins removed on 11-17-06. Had one pin going right thru the tip of my second toe on both feet witch were probably 1 1/2 inches long. They came out pretty much pain free, just a little pinch right at the end but that was it. NOw I'm on the last stage of my recovery:)

Horsies, You seem to be a few weeks ahead of me. My surgery was 10/12, only a week ago. I had 4 hammertoes done and my big toe straightened. Not really as much pain as I thought it would be but this big foot is getting old. Time is going slow! I have stitches out on 10/24 and then the Dr. said "we'll see about the pins". Boy, I'd love to wear a pair of sneakers. Keep me posted on how you're doing. It keeps me optimistic that his will end!

Hi all: I had 3 pins inserted for breaks in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals that were not healing. I also get the tingling sensation. What is that? I have a 2 inch incision on the top of my foot that still kinda hurts. I am a little worried about the pin removal. I just can't wait to walk again. I broke my foot 4 days before my 50th birthday so I look forward to walk since turning 50. Do any of you get depressed? I can't stand this anymore. My lower back hurts all the time - more than my foot. I needed to vent a little. Hope you guys don't mind. Should I keep a couple of pain pills for the pin removal? Thanks for any replies. :) Beebs

Hi, Beebs. I don't have pins, I have two screws. Yes, it can get discouraging. I want to do this, this and this and I can't.

This week I worked half days and to get anything done having to rely on crutches is so ackward and time consuming. Simple things now take thought and planning. (i.e. okay, I need to photocopy these documents, what else can I take over to that area that needs to go that direction? Hmm, I wonder if I can manage to open the door while holding onto my papers plus using the crutches?)

Have you tried getting a back massage? I got a massage for my back, arms, shoulders and neck. It really helped. I tend to hunch up my shoulders when I use the crutches.

Also, I feel guilty because I have a lot to do at work and I have mixed feelings about leaving work.

Plus, no one likes to use precious vacation time like this.
I'd much rather be on the beach!! :)

I had all these plans of I was going to organize such and such and read this and all manner of projects I was going to work on while I was recovering. Uh-huh. Right.

I go to see the doctor tomorrow and I will get to see my foot when they remove the soft cast. I'm not sure if they will re-cast my foot or not.

The most helpful thing for me is to think that "this too will pass."

Good luck, Beebs! Get that massage! :)

I've not had alot of pain but today my foot feels different. The big toe is feeling swollen or throbbing. Is this part of the healing process? I'm not on any pain meds now. Just Advil Gelcaps and my surgery was a week ago.
5 pins and 30 stitches. Anyone go up and down with the pain?

Hi Busygirl:
Thanks for the reply. A massage sounds wonderful. I actually don't think it's my back that's hurting - I think it's my hips. I'm sure it has something to do with the way I'm moving around on my office chair. I'm using it to scoot around the house. I'm definitely thinking about getting that massage. A friend of mine just brought over some info and a tape on Oxycise. It's exercise done through breathing. She thinks it will help me tremendously. She's doing it and it has helped her lose inches around her waist. I think it will help so I'm giving it a shot. Thanks for the encouragement. I know that this will pass - I just want it to pass quickly. Thanks. Good luck at the docs tomorrow. I get my stitches out tomorrow. Yeahhhh!!! Beebs:wave:

Gracie, my surgery was on 10/4/06. The pin in my big toe is sticking out and driving me nuts. I'm getting the pin removed on Friday. I'm so nervous I can't sleep unless I take a Xanax. My instep is burning. What's that about? I wil probably die with the bunion on my left foot. I can't take this surgery. I want to drive my car. I hate feeling helpless.:confused:

Let me know how it goes. I had my left foot done first - it was the most painful , so I can drive and everything. I am bothered by putting Baggies over my foot to shower. I'd like to wear something else besides slacks and my surgical shoe. Just found out that my pins can come out next Tuesday 11/7. My pain has not been really horrible. About 5 days after my foot surgery, I got a really bad cold and took Nyquil at night for 10 days, so no problems sleeping. Please let me know how you do Friday.

Hi I had a double bunionectomy and toe fusion on 10/5/06, I had a pin sticking out the end of my fused toe for 6weeks which came out with little pain and I have internal pins holding all the bunion work together.
I have been having really bad pain from the pins inside for the last few months and today I saw my specialist who said I now need more surgery on both feet to remove the pins as they are starting to protrude from my feet.
Has this happened to anyone else? the thought of more surgery before christmas is daunting when I have suffered with my feet for so long already! How long will I be likely to be off work again??
Deb xx:wave:

Today is Thursday. Anxiety level high. Please pray that I won't have much pain when the Dr. takes out my pin. Today I drove my car. I can put weight on my foot. I slip my husband's slippers on and drove my car. I got tired of asking and waiting for people to take wherever I needed to go.

my Dr. promises that pin removal won't hurt. He has not been wrong to this point. I actually took the bandage off a little and looked at them last night. They're very thin. He tells me that shots to numb the foot hurt more than taking pins out. If he's wrong, I won't do the other foot! He knows that and has no reason to lie to me. I'm scheduled Tuesday a.m. for pin removal. I've decided to just take an Advil Gelcap or 2. That's it , for aches after pin removal.

Had my pins out this morning after 10/12 hammertoe surgery. I was so nervous , I felt faint and nauseous. Honest to god, it didn't hurt! He wiggled them out! It was over in 3 minutes! Whew! I was able to get into a pair of clogs (wide). I'm so excited, I'm buying lunch here today!

Hi all, I'm 41 yr old male that just went thru straightning of my second toe on both feet. My surgery was on the 18th of sept., basically what they did was cut a wedge shape piece of bone out so that the top bone would move into a more natural position above the middle bone in the toe. Then they inserted a pin thru the middle of my toe that is probly a good inch long inside and sticks out the end of my toe about a quarter inch. I had some discomfort the first week- just felt like I had something sticking out hte end of my toe ( more of a nuscence pain) but wasnt that bad, Now after the second week I dont even now the pins are there except for an occasional shooting pain or tinggling sensations that doesnt last for very long- I never take any pain medication for it except for the first day after the surgery but dont need any since then. The pins will probly remain for about another 3 week maybe 4 at most.
Some other things I do to help is I wear the special shoes they gave me almost all the time- even when I sleep. And I also prop my feet up on some pillows at night also just to keep me from pushing or hitting the pins on anything.
Things they told me to watch for as far as infection are-fever,chill,temp above 101 degrees, red or purple marks on top of my foot or lower leg area, swelling or pain in calf excesive drainage from insions or pin area.
Hope this helps, good luck with everyones recovery:wave:
Horsies, I have the same crooked second toes that you just had fixed! I am doing researching on the procedure to see if it's worth it... was just quoted $4,000 for both here in MA. They said I'd need a fusion with temp pin, and called this malformed toe a type of "mallet toe".... I'd love to hear about your experience, costs, recovery?!

Hi thewomper. I had 4 toes fused recently (I still have my pins in for another month). I had 2 malletted toes and two hammer toes. To be honest, this surgery (done under local) has been much more straightforward than I dared hope. Little pain too. The best thing is my toes look great. Lovely and straight - I can see my toe nails for the first time in my life! The worst thing has been the boredom of not being able to be out and about or doing much for a few weeks. I am struggling with that a bit today - esp when the family is off doing their own things. I have to appreciate that this is a temporary situation for long term benefit.
However, I will have my other foot done in 3 months time and not worry about it at all. It will be done under local with the same doctor etc. I hope this helps you as I was seriously worried about undertaking surgery. I had a tendon transfer done 30 years ago which was much worse, much more painful than this. Good luck!