hammertoe surgery - Foot Problems Message Board

purplebee99 · 06-28-2004, 12:51 PM

I've having hammertoe surgery done. Three on the right foot and two on the left. I was wondering if anyone else on this board had hammertoe surgery and what was the average time for recovery and how long it took the swelling to go down until i could wear my regular shoes again. The podiatrist said I have flexible hammertoes and I won't need pins and I'd only have to wear the sandals, so I wouldnt have to wear those big boots. Anyone with experience?

piggy22 · 06-29-2004, 07:01 AM

i had hammertoe surgery about 3 months ago on all eight little toes... i'm finally just starting to feel normal again (swelling down and somewhat pain-free)...it took a lot longer than i thought for recovery and i'm still not fully there yet. i can almost fit into my own sneakers again (still a bit tight) - i was wearing a size larger all this time...and i don't think i can fit into any non-sneaker shoes yet...i still have some trouble with a little bit of pain and mobility but i'm doing my PT exercises so it's getting better. hope that helps.

purplebee99 · 06-29-2004, 08:24 AM

was it just hammertoe surgery? or did you also have something else done? and was it flexible or rigid hammertoes? and did you need pins? sorry for all the questions.

piggy22 · 06-30-2004, 07:49 AM

i also had bunionectomies done on both feet...not sure if that affected it too much...the bunion site actually doesn't really bother me...it's the hammertoes that do....also i think mine were flexible hammertoes, no pins

phoenix461 · 07-01-2004, 07:51 AM

I had hammertoe surgery on the 3rd, 4th and 5th toes on my right foot on April 30. They were flexible hammertoes so luckily, I did not have pins in. I wore a surgical shoe for two weeks. I could not get the stiches wet for the first two weeks as you could get the incision infected. I went back to work on Tuesday, May 3 - luckily, I sit most of the day. I would however, by my own experience, recommend taking at least a week off, preferrably two - as you need to elevate your toes higher than the level of your hips to prevent unnecessary swelling. I never had to take any pain killers and am very pleased with the outcome of my surgery. It is now 8 1/2 weeks since the surgery and I still have my toes bandaged as the doctor just wants to ensure proper healing of the tendons. The toes are still slightly swollen and I have been able to wear my regular sneakers in the morning but I only do it for a short time. I have chosen to be quite cautious as I want my toes to heal properly. I am regaining some flexibility in the 3rd & 4th toes but the toes still seem just a bit sensitive. I am enjoying the fact that it is summer and I have time to wear open toed sandals for a little while to ensure proper healing. This is what my schedule looks like so far:

April 30 - surgery
May 5 - follow up appt / change bandages
May 12 - follow up appt / remove stiches & change bandages
May 19 - follow up appt
May 26 - follow up appt
June 9 - follow up appt
June 23 - follow up appt
July 14 - follow up appt scheduled

My doctor has been wonderful and certainly follows up. I thought I might need to do 2 toes on the left foot but, he says I only need to do the small toe.

I hope your surgery is successful.