help, i dont know what to do. 7 weeks ago i had surgery for a dislocated 2nd toe. i was in surgical shoes for 5 weeks so there was no weight bearing on my toes. i then went into gym shoes. the pain in this toe is unbearable at times. i went to see my dr twice. i had 2 xrays and he said everything was fine. his answer was it takes time for pain to go away. when i saw him last, he told me i can exercise as long as it didnt hurt. he also told me i can wear low heels by the 1st of may. thats next week! i know in my gut something is wrong. could he be missing something in the xray? my next appt. with him is may 20. he doesnt like to take phone calls and i honestly feel he thinks i am some kind of lunatic. i dont want to see him again because i think i need an ultrasound or cat scan first. this is my 1st surgery on this foot and i had 5 others on my other foot. i am not a stranger to pain, but this just doesnt seem right. i dont know what to do except cry. i did pt for this toe and nothing has helped. i wish somebody would know what to do. please help. i thought i would be done by now.

I really don't know what the "norm" is for a dislocated toe.. but if you don't trust this guy---go immediately for a second opinion.. it is worth your peace of mind. Maybe it does take a long time. I know my bunion surg recovery is taking slower than my doc thought intitially but he is saying I can be playing tennis in a month which I know will not be the case based upon how I am feeling now -- but I think it will ease your mind one way or the other to just go and have someone else look at it in case he missed something or did something wrong and does not want to admit it.. let us know what happens.

7 weeks ago i had surgery for a dislocated 2nd toe. i was in surgical shoes for 5 weeks so there was no weight bearing on my toes.

Debbie-

Did you have your toe pinned or in a splint or anything?
As part of my bunion surgery I had two dislocated toes replaced but they were held in place with pins for 7 weeks. I didn't have any pain in them after the initial surgery but then I also didn't put any weight on them for those full 7 weeks. It hurt some after that, but that was due to getting ROM back. I even now will get a stab of pain in the region, but it is just a quick flash like a nerve firing.
I also think you should get a second opinion....

I don't know if this is any help, but I was heel walking for 6 weeks, so I didn't put any weight on any of my toes, and I had bunion surgery. When it came to walking, my toes hurt so bad, it was difficult to walk, even though I had no surgery. I was actually limping, and had to take Neurofen. The reason being, was that they weren't used for a long period of time. It took two weeks for the pain to finally go. This may be the same for you. The best way I can edscribe the pain is like when you sit on your hand and the writst is bent at an angle and you go to move it, it hurts.

I hope this is the case with you, because it will sort itself out. I am so sad that the pain seems never ending for you. I was told to exercises the toes, moving them backwards and forwards.

I would go for a second opinion if you don't feel comfortable with the doctor you have now. I was teetering on that decision myself. I thought I would give mine another month before I sought a second opinion.

Hi Debbie - I agree with everyone else about getting another opinion, even just with your G.P. You need some peace of mind after all that you've been through with your feet and no doubt by now you know what's normal and what's not. I think it is wise to listen to your instincts. I wish I had listened to mine sooner. After I received some other opinions, it became clear to me that my dr. had missed things on my x-rays. Whether on purpose or not, I'll never know. Take it easy and I hope you get some relief/answers soon.

thank you everyone. i called my dr yesterday afternoon and left a message. i still have not heard from him. i will now make an appointment with another ortho surgeon. maybe i should have been in a cast, but the surgical shoe was heel walking. i am truely frightened this time becausei cannot picture the pain going away. my life is on hold due to this pain. my life has been on hold for 3 and a half years. sometimes i really do wish i could end it all. be thankful if you have seen improvement with your surgeries. i dont know what to tell myself or others anymore. even my own husband will not support me anymore. i really thank all of you again because i have no one else to talk to. this is not a good day.

ah I understand .. it is a guy thing that they can be supportive for only so long and then.. I am sorry you are struggling so much.. Sounds like you have had a lot of surgeries and recovery each time is so long so 3 1/2 years worth must be torture.. but each time you did it.. did it eventually get better? DId you finally walk with out pain at least on the surgery toe? If so then try to hang on to that as it will keep it in perspective and give you some hope. Your feet have been through a lot so maybe this one is just being stubborn.. Glad you are going for that second opinion --its important to be doing something-- you will feel better at least about that. As for support well you have us here on the boards who understand the frustration with feet that hurt and won't heal and so on. Hang in there and let us know what happens.

i basically have not walked without pain for all that time. this was my good foot and now i cant walk without pain. my left foot which had great toe fusion is actually healed! today is saturday and my dr still hasnt called me back. i dont know what kind of dr i should go to next.

I think it so depends on the doc.. some Foot and Ankle surgeons are the best because feet are their specialty but then there are great orthos out there as well so it is difficult. Have you tried a google search for docs -- sometimes it helps to read up on different docs and their credentials. They say that your surgeon should be Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery Some PODs are not.- but do surgery anyway. I researched my doc and although I still won't know my outcome for awhile.. as I am only 5 weeks post op he has been great so far. It is reallly tough to figure out who to trust but the more you know about a docs credentials the better.

Have you heard back from your doc yet? You have been hurting way too long. I agree with the others that researching other doc's is a great idea. I personally check out each specialist online and if I can't find them there I call there office and ask tons of questions. You can also call the hopsital that they associated with and question them about his practice good or bad. Hope today your pain is less.

i am going to do reseach right now. i know 1 dr and it takes weeks to get an appointment. the other problem is i live in the northern suburbs of chicago and EVERY way to get downtown is under major construction. since this is my 2nd dr and he is a well known foot specialist, i dont understand why this is happening. i know my toe is getting worse. can i be doing something at home to make it reverse?