Once healing takes place, the pain should continue to decrease until it subsides. thank you for your words of encouragement. Minimally invasive surgeries have improved patient outcomes, reducing many of the risks of traditional surgery. These traditional procedures require larger incisions which can lead to post-operative swelling and visible scarring. The hammertoe correction before and after hammer toe surgery is significant, but the healing process can be uncomfortable. It depends on the type of surgery. Toe-strengthening exercises, such as picking items up off the floor with the toes, may also help. This causes problems with balance and weight-bearing. Thank you, Hello it's been 3 months since I had bunion surgery I know I have screws and plates and the side of my foot but they had to fix my hammertoe my second toe the one next to my big toe it was bent up before my surgery after they did the surgery my foot and the doctor says it is still swollen is it normal to have but second toe sticking up higher than the rest of them cuz they had to straighten that out cuz it was Hammer Toe well that toe eventually go back down he said he's straighten them out on my toes to where they should be I'm just worried I hope it doesn't stay like that. It has totally bruised my shin, and in attempt to sit with boot on I can not elevate foot at all because of the weight. You also may have swelling in your foot. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? She had a pin put in her toe for her hammer toe at the same time. Swelling after an extremity procedure is common. Infection following hammer toe surgery can usually be handled with a short course of oral antibiotics. 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. You are lucky to live in So. I will NEVER have this surgery in the other foot! Surgery is one of the most effective ways to treat a hammer toe. I'm so paranoid and just want a 2nd opinion. Her toe became extremely infected 3 weeks after the pin . 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. Once the incisions heal and the swelling subsides, the patient can gradually apply weight and move. Is swelling this high up away from the surgery normal. I cannot walk down the stairs or up, without help. First, I want to let you know that you have the best web site I've found related to foot issues. my toes (the 2 in the middle) got twisted going down a step & now it's worse! The most common cause of a wound dehiscence is infection. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? It's 5 weeks today since my surgery. I feel like I'm on house arrest and I mostly stay home, since I can't drive until at least 8 weeks. A tendon transfer pulls the toe into the correct position and often works well for a flexible hammer toe. Kudos to you! 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. Many patients can walk immediately following surgery in a stiff-soled, surgical shoe or boot. 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. Did you try bare feet or socks around the house? It takes a long time to get back to normal. Starting soon after surgery, taking an over the counter medicine such as Pericolace can help. Food choices that raise your risk of type 2 diabetes. Your foot will be bandaged, and the doctor will remove it on their own or instruct you how to do it at home. Pain can be controlled through the use of pain medications dispensed by the surgeon. I had hammertoe surgery on 4th toe 14 months ago and I still have swelling. Dont push yourself too hard take it easy and slowly increase the distance you walk day after day. Please give me some idea if this is normal!!!! But I am worried that I cannot wear even wide soft athletic shoes. Certain food groups have a tendency to raise your blood sugars and should be avoided. Stitches (25) removed at week 2. Initially, you should change your shoes, switching to shoes with a wide toe box. What are the Beginning Stages of an Ingrown Toenail? White blood cells in your . However, if your toe is swollen and it hurts, your doctor will prescribe some over-the-counter pain medications that will help with both swelling and pain. I knew this sedentary lifestyle would be brutal. (Regina, Sk, Canada) My daughter had surgery on her foot for turf toe (repair of plantars plate) and for a hammer toe. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Dactylitis is a symptom that is most often seen in patients who have inflammatory Psoriatic or Rheumatoid arthritis, which are auto-immune diseases. on the sides of my feet. at our local hospital. People with a history of bad reactions to general anesthesia or who want the shortest possible recovery time might prefer a local anesthetic. Learn more about some specific conditions that require medical attention, including surgery. My doctor said that I could drive when I can wear normal shoes. Swelling accompanied by pain isnt the only thing that can occur after hammertoe surgery. A good review of the causes of warts and protective measures you can take to prevent developing them. Toe-strengthening exercises, such as picking items up off the floor with the toes, may also help. A good review of the possible benefits to taking glucosamine, chondroitin or MSM for arthritis. You may even experience tingling or burning as your foot heals. We avoid using tertiary references. Thank you. Below are the best ways to slow or stop swelling for patients who've recently undergone surgery to their feet or ankles. So, what can you do in case you have a swollen toe after hammertoe surgery? 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. Hi Simona, I feel your pain!!! Take your antibiotics religiously and expect swelling for a long time, so put your feet up often. Simona I'm at the exact same place in my recovery, 6 weeks from bunion, hammertoe and tailors bunion surgery Oct 30, 2019. When you continue to wear shoes that cramp your toes, your toes rub against the inside of your shoes, creating calluses and corns, which can exacerbate your hammertoe. With minimally invasive procedures, the trauma to the tissue is significantly . It's not always in the same joint or even the same toe. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. But when an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis causes a hammer toe, doctors may recommend treating that condition first. Today I had the idea of holding some frozen pea packets against the swelling. Or should I check in with my dr. It is possible to treat flexible hammer toe without surgery, often by simply switching to better shoes. Hammer toe surgery can be highly effective in people for whom the primary or only issue is hammer toe. Thank you for that. Before surgery, a doctor will likely perform blood work and ask the person about their medical history. Allowing adequate space for your toes will help relieve pressure and pain. Osteomyelitis needs to be treated in the hospital with an extended course of intravenous antibiotics, followed by another course of oral antibiotics. This article, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. After classifying your hammertoe as either flexible or fixed, . The foot doctor said to massage it everyday, but after all this time it is still swollen and has a slight hump even though I did all that was said to do after he surgery. It's a journey and you need to be patient but it's worth it! Swelling is a part of a natural healing process. So, I do minimal walking. Now, since that yanking episode, it hurts to even flex my foot minimally. 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. What is the recovery time for hammer toe surgery? After picture taken immediately after surgery. Yeesh..so much work to dress up lol. A person will need to avoid putting weight on the foot for several weeks. // 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. Always beware of the possible side effects of over the counter supplements. 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. Thank you ladies! Are there lighter weight boots for small frame, small boned woman? This can eventually cause the joint to become deformed. thank you for your response. To understand this, its crucial to know that every surgery presents a certain level of trauma to the tissue even quick, outpatient procedures like minimally invasive hammertoe surgery. This comment is to let one know what to expect with hammertoe surgery. You have an unusually clear, informative and well-written website for laypersons. Pain and Swelling. Seabrook, NH 03874 I feel SO much better after reading this..thank you. Home treatment, including changing shoes and toe exercises, often work. Hammertoe surgery may be the best option for patients who are still in pain after trying non-invasive hammertoe treatments. Your doctor may suggest that you elevate for about 30 minutes every two hours or on an as-needed basis if you notice a high amount of swelling or pain after the initial . I know there is light at the end of the tunnel but how long is this tunnel? You can see my right foot is fatter and swollen in comparison to my left. Hammer toe can develop in any of the lesser toes, but most often affects the second toe, according to the Merck Manuals 1. For this surgery, a doctor cuts ligaments and tendons to help straighten the toe and may also remove a portion of the bone. When a hammer toe causes pain, and other treatments fail, surgery may be the only option for correcting the joint. I take 800mg ibuprofen (prescribed) too keep the swelling down and also take my percs for pain. He rushes home at lunchtime to help me down to the kitchen/dining area and gives me some food. Minimally invasive surgery improves patient outcomes by reducing the risk of infection and scarring. He was ambulatory right after surgery and back in a shoe at 6 weeks. Your doctor will inform you about all the possible risks before you schedule the procedure, but here are a few of the most common surgery-related complications that can happen: Before you book a hammertoe surgery, you will have to come in for a consultation with a podiatrist. I go to the gym, dance zumba, do pilates (can stand on toes now and do lunges was too painful earlier). 325-1 Lafayette Road Pain and swelling are normal for about a week following surgery. Hammertoe surgery is considered quite a simple procedure, but even the simplest surgeries can have some complications. I have an insert in the second toe. And it hurts, shooting pain that is amplified when I put that surgical sandal on to go to the bathroom. Recovery doesnt always need to be painful, so some patients dont need medication to deal with the pain. First, I'd like to thank you for all the information that you provide on your website and the opportunity to write to you. Your surgeon may use an X-ray machine or a thin surgical tool with a camera mounted on the tip to create images of your toes to guide the surgical procedure. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15913517, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00160, http://www.apma.org/Learn/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=1863, http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Hammertoe-Surgery.aspx, http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders/foot-problems/hammer-toe. The swelling has really gone down more - my foot looks normal from the top (well few scars and a funny colour and some bruising still) but it's still swollen when you look at it from the side, so I couldn't yet put my foot into most of my shoes (even if I was allowed). It is also possible for a corn to develop over the prominent joint. really regreting this surgery now. My toes were extremely swollen, but I was told this is normal and would decrease gradually. ago, which ultimately proved to be an over correction. Yay.. 1st shower( without pin and plastic cover) at 6 weeks too. Does glucosamine or MSM reduce arthritis pain? This can shorten recovery time and avoid the rare complications that sometimes accompany general anesthesia. A 2005 study of 12 older adults who had toes amputated found that the procedure could alleviate pain, and people were typically very satisfied with surgical outcomes. I was looking forward to my hammertoe pin removal and clearance to begin weight bearing but its just such a battle of swelling and pain. The progression is predictable-from five days with absolutely no pressure on the foot, to the resumption of modified activities in six to eight weeks. Do chronic wounds need to be dressed daily? Hammertoe surgery is one of the most successful and gratifying procedures for surgeons and patients alike. However, when these conservative treatments dont correct your hammertoe or if the deformity has become too severe, you may need surgery to correct your toe. Before having hammer toe surgery, the surgeon will test the circulation through blood tests and vascular studies, but delayed healing can still occur in some patients, according to FootDoc.ca 3. Taping the affected toe is also a common treatment method for hammertoe. I'm disappointed in the look of my toes. There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend bunion surgery. hammer toe; dislocations; broken bones & stress fractures; ganglion cysts; plantar fascitis; . My husband is a pediatrician who works very long hours. Kathryn Meininger began writing and publishing poetry in 1967. Should I try the colban wrap? I am now 6 weeks post hallux varus - big toe fusion with 4 pins (2 in each) in 2nd and 3rd Hammer toes. You are to . And your site is so intelligently arranged. I feel really cut off not even being able to duck out to the shop for, say, a bottle of milk. Surgery might be your only solution for severe pain and discomfort caused by hallux rigidus, but there are some expenses to take into account if, If you suffer from arthritis, stem cell injections can be used as a form of treatment in addition to the common orthopedic care. If you have bunions that cause big toe pain, call your healthcare provider for treatment. 7 Works Way While a certain amount of pain, discomfort, and ankle and foot swelling after surgery are normal, typically, these side effects are short-lived. 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. I started doing floor yoga stretching and some dumbbell weights at home. My doctors visit is in 3.5 weeks away and I need to end the pain and reduce swelling now. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. 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. It was a good thing I brought a sock at my visit. An ingrown toenail can usually be treated at home. im hobbling. After a hammertoe surgery, a mild swelling is normal. I am limping worse than before and I feel quite discouraged. I teach tennis so am supposed to wear while teaching. Initially it's not too bad, but my feet soon swell and I absolutely hate being trapped in those shoes. For many people, the continued use of conventional footwear (i.e., shoes that possess heel elevation, toe spring, toe taper, and rigid, inflexible soles) after surgery encourages a recurrence of the original problem, be it a neuroma, a hammertoe, or a bunion. Some people will receive intravenous (IV) medication before or during 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! 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. 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. Obviously, I cannot do anything like that. After your surgery, your foot may be red and swollen. Last wk. I am practically under house arrest. FAX: (603) 964-6515. X-ray was done.The MD indicated that pins look intact and it was probably bruised. The next day it was a lot worse. The most common surgical techniques employed to address the rigid or so-called fixed hammertoe deformities are PIPJ resection arthroplasty or PIPJ arthrodesis. Hammertoes develop when a muscle imbalance develops and from wearing shoes that cramp your toes, like high heels or shoes with pointed, narrow toe boxes. You will likely need to wear a special shoe or boot. 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. The second toe on both feet is shorter than the first and third toes and crooked! I'm 69 yet fit and (usually) active and fast moving. At my drs request I stretch my toe up and down daily and curl my toes to start stretching the ligaments. Depending on the success of the surgery and recovery rate of an individual, this condition of swelling could remain for one month to one year. Simply click here to return to. Before we get into the details of what to expect during and after hammertoe surgery, lets take a step back and review the basics about hammertoes. Right now my foot doesn't fit into anything, except still the surgical shoe. When a muscle gets too weak, it can put pressure on the tendons of the toe. However, I think he ripped some crust that had formed over. 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. respect of any healthcare matters. To help further, the foot needs to be kept elevated so that the swelling subsides. Removal of the second toe for severe hammertoe deformity in elderly patients [Abstract]. Take Anti-Inflammatory Medication.