hammertoes! Please Help - Foot Problems Message Board

cclegs06 · 07-10-2005, 11:10 AM

Hammertoes! Please Help I have hammertoes. I recent just discovered what they were. I thought that they were corns because i never heard of hammertoes until i was on the internet doing some research. I want to have surgery done. All my friends has nice looking feet except me. I wont let anyone not even my mom see my feet. I would never dare to think of putting on thong sandals. Have anyone had surgery done for hammertoes. Could anyone give me any advice. PLEASE HELP! ANYONE

ugatah · 07-11-2005, 06:13 AM

I had surgery on my little toes for hammertoes, and now the next little toes are curling under, and they are painful. I would be very cautious having surgery for anything now. Do lots of research, and ask lots of questions. This board is a good place to start.

phoenix461 · 07-11-2005, 12:20 PM

cclegs06,

Here is my posting from July 1, 2004:

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.

As of today, July 11, 2005, I am very happy with the outcome of my surgery on the right foot. You cannot see any marks from the incision on the toes and everyone cannot believe that I had the surgery done. My doctor is fantastic and is certainy not pushing surgery on the left foot unless I want it.

I hope your surgery is successful and I hope this answers some of your questions.

cclegs06 · 07-17-2005, 04:06 PM

so how much did your surgery cost if you don't mind me asking phoenix461

phoenix461 · 07-28-2005, 10:31 AM

CClegs06 - my apologies for not having responded (was away) but I really don't know what my surgery cost as my insurance covered everything. It might help if you get references for doctors in your area and check with them and explain if you have insurance, etc. and get a cost estimate that way.

Everyone looks at my foot and cannot believe that I had surgery. My toes are fine.

Good luck and keep us posted!