swelling after hammertoe surgery

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. to thank you for an EXCELLENT website. A surgical site creates a wound, so there is the small possibility of developing an infection afterward, according to Premier Podiatry. People should discuss the risks and benefits of each option. I live in Southern California so I can at least sit outside and don't have to deal with weather. The reduced space in the toe box causes your toes to bend to fit in the available space. Pain can be controlled through the use of pain medications dispensed by the surgeon. Take over-the-counter or prescription pain medication according to your doctor's instructions. The recovery time following hammer toe surgery can vary depending on the procedure performed. These exercises can also prevent hammer toe from coming back. It helps but not much. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. The boot is TOO hard and heavy for me to walk! I can't do any of that, and so now don't get that regular social exposure to my gym and dance friends. You are to . You can set up a home recovery area where you can rest comfortably, and dont forget to prepare those pillows that will help you elevate your leg. The surgery is performed to lessen pain and/or improve flexibility when the muscles in the toe can't stretch and straighten. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? welling stopped probably the end of August beginning of September my foot is completely normal. It's important that you approach the recovery phase with an upbeat attitude. An article revealing that older type 2 diabetics have a higher incidence of cancer then non-diabetics. Infection following hammer toe surgery can usually be handled with a short course of oral antibiotics. My doctor said no leather due to swelling. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? Toe-strengthening exercises, such as picking items up off the floor with the toes, may also help. 3 years ago, However, we must note that you shouldnt spend the entire recovery period off your feet. Kudos to you! If your foot takes a bit longer to heal, there might be some persistent mild swelling weeks after the surgery. After classifying your hammertoe as either flexible or fixed, . I really don't want to go through another surgery on this toe, I had a pin at the end of my toe for three weeks and had to stay off my foot for 3 weeks. Keep ice on your foot during your waking hours for the first few days after your surgery to control pain and reduce swelling. Hammer toe surgery can be highly effective in people for whom the primary or only issue is hammer toe. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'foot_pain_explained_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-foot_pain_explained_com-medrectangle-4-0');MedlinePlus, Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation. Also the skin on top of my foot and also sole, toes is very thick and hardened and now peels like crazy. Blood vessels in the area of the cut begin to form clots that keep you from losing too much blood. People with hammer toe may also develop corns or calluses at the top of the joint from the toe rubbing on poorly fitted shoes. ago, which ultimately proved to be an over correction. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Fortunately, advances in medical technology have led to aminimally invasive approach to hammertoe surgery. Once the anesthesia wears off, you'll feel pain and swelling, which can be regulated with painkillers and antibiotics. Ice placed just above the surgical site can help keep swelling to a minimum. Once the incisions heal and the swelling subsides, the patient can gradually apply weight and move. how ate you now? Getting patients into closed shoe gear as quickly as a week after surgery can also help minimize post-op swelling. A great review on the various causes of shin splints, along with treatment options. Walking is actually good for you after minimally invasive hammertoe surgery. My first 10 days after surgery I really didn't take painkillers, other than the paracetamol they gave me during my 2 days in hospital. Custom orthoticscan also help to support correct alignment in your foot. Its important to note that you should never put ice directly on your skin instead, place a thin cloth when applying ice packs. To help further, the foot needs to be kept elevated so that the swelling subsides. Every specialist will ensure you understand the risks and benefits of this procedure and that you have realistic expectations. Hi Simona, I feel your pain!!! Get plenty of rest and keep the foot elevated while sitting or lying down. Simona, I can so relate! Some swelling may remain at this point, but a year after your operation healing should be complete and any remaining swelling will have disappeared. And now, our virtually pain-free bunion removal procedure is available in Denver, Colorado. In most cases, you should expect recovery to last about six weeks - after this period, pain and swelling should be gone. Minimally invasive surgery improves patient outcomes by reducing the risk of infection and scarring. My Steri strips cam off at about 3 weeks (actually removed by dr. ) and he used Neosporin and gauze with ace bandage until 6 weeks when pin removed. He didn't know why it might still be hurting. The foot may need to be kept elevated for a few weeks after the surgery. Make sure there's a half-inch (1.27 centimeters) of space between your longest toe and the inside tip of your shoe. You may need to wear splints on your treated toes for up to six weeks and you may benefit from physical therapy to improve flexibility in your foot and to keep the muscles strong and supple while you heal. A fusion procedure can reduce the severity of a fixed hammer toe. The second, third, fourth or fifth toes are affected most often and the deformity usually develops over time as a result of chronic inflammation arthritis, ligament injury or wearing poorly-fitted shoes. Of course, resting is an important part of your recovery its crucial after every surgery. Traditionally, hammertoe surgery involved incisions alongthe tops of your toes, which allowed your podiatric surgeon to release your affected toe joints and the tight tendons and muscles. Don't be discouraged and wish you'd never done the op as truly, it's so good to see neat feet and not to have bunion pain. As the toe heals, walking can be difficult and painful, so a person may need a cane or crutches for a few weeks. Some possible complications are: Pain or swelling Stiffness Nerve damage Infection Weakness in toe or toes Bones may not heal properly Blood clot Hammertoe reoccurrence Recovering From Hammertoe Correction What is the recovery time for hammer toe surgery? It's 5 weeks today since my surgery. In some cases, a wound dehiscence may occur. A rigid hammer toe means the joint is no longer movable. I have a return visit with the doctor which is 6 weeks after the removal of two pens in two of the three toes operated on. I started doing floor yoga stretching and some dumbbell weights at home. To keep the toe in place, the surgeon may insert temporary pins. In rare cases, the infection can reach the bone, causing a serious infection called osteomyelitis. Bunionectomy and Plantar Plate Repair After image taken six weeks post surgery. Swelling after an extremity procedure is common. (The only thing I had difficulty finding was the "ask a question" page.). Two to three months after your operation, you should be able to return to all of your usual activities and sports, although some mild swelling may remain for up to twelve months. effective way to correct a hammer toe, however by fusing the toe we make the toe stiff at one of the joints. My question is about the boot the surgeon sent home with me to begin wearing - 25% weight increasing to 100% over next 2 weeks. Foot Surgery I received the orthotics Monday afternoon and began wearing them Tuesday. By the way, millions of websites could use yours as a guideline on how to organize information and make the site user-friendly. Last wk. I can't even stand to have a blanket on my foot yet. Are there lighter weight boots for small frame, small boned woman? How did it go? Specially designed footwear will also have to be worn after bunion surgery, just like after correcting hammertoes. Rarely can they overgrow and turn into a keloid scar (red and inflamed tissue overgrowth). Reading the responses really hasn't given given me much relief as it sounds like 8-12 weeks is the next date to look forward to. One of the most effective ways to reduce swelling is to ensure you get enough rest. While a certain amount of pain, discomfort, and ankle and foot swelling after surgery are normal, typically, these side effects are short-lived. 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. We then remove the pin in the office once the toe is fully healed. I appreciate you having this website. Locations Types of Hammertoe Surgery. I'm heading to my weights to do some seated dumbbells and floor yoga but I know it'll be hard and exhausting. She earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from William Paterson University. I can only wear flip flops right now, my 2 middle toes are sore & swollen & are constantly getting bumped or stubbed. You can have sedation, but its not necessary. 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. It is possible to treat flexible hammer toe without surgery, often by simply switching to better shoes. I greatly admire someone like you who would donate and dedicate so much time and effort to helping strangers with no compensation. Surgery is one of the most effective ways to treat a hammer toe. Still swollen and painful. Everything look good,until the day I hit my toes.My surgeon told it's all the swelling and that's why they look short. I'm 64 and a very active cyclist and hiker so this is brutal. There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend bunion surgery. Bunionectomy and Neuroma Removal After image taken 12 weeks post surgery. Any advice would be appreciated. Those first two weeks I was diligent (most of the time!) It's Summer here, the trainers and socks make my feet hot and look ridiculous with little summer dresses.