Hammertoe Surgery Day 6

Today I went to my first doctor visit since my surgery. Xrays were taken and since everything looked good, the doctor said he could leave my bandages alone. Since I was very nervous about seeing them, I decided to leave them alone and he just changed my ace bandages. I go back in one week to have my stitches removed. I asked him if my pins will be removed at 4 weeks or 6 and he said he couldn't say for sure, but he would know at 4 weeks.


Today I ordered a scar gel called New Gel Plus, to use on the scars on my feet. I used it for another surgery I had and it worked unbelievably well; there is no sign of a scar ever being there. It's a little pricey, but well worth the money spent. I even used it on a couple old scars and it flattened them.


I have to be honest, I was a little bummed when I left my appointment today because I asked my doctor if he had removed the corns that had formed on the top of my toes and from his explanation, I don't think that he did. I didn't want to get even more upset, so I decided that I would wait the bandages come off to just see what was done. He told me before that they would go away once the hammertoes were fixed, but I just wanted them removed to be sure.



Besides all that, everything is going good. I have only taken pain pills once today and that was around 5. I can feel a little soreness, but nothing major and not enough to make me take more pain meds. My doctor said he could see a little swelling near my ankles, but I hadn't noticed.


Have a good night!

Hammertoe surgery Day 5

Good morning. Today is Day 5 since my surgery and I would say that everything is going really well. I no longer have to take my pain meds every 4-6 hours for pain. I actually noticed this yesterday (day 4). I took pains meds around 9a.m yesterday and then again around 5:00 p.m. I haven't taken any since then. I feel a little soreness now, feel a little numb, but that's it. No pain!


Oh, yes! I decided to post a picture of the stool I am using to get around the house, instead of using the crutches. I love it! I am using me heels and hands to pull/ push off of things. Everyone gets a kick out of it too. Walking on the crutches can be painful, but using the stool is not painful at all. I haven't left the house yet, but when I do I will be using crutches of course. I was able to make cup cakes with my grandkids last night and it allowed me to be mobile around the kitchen and keep my hands free.


Tomorrow I see my doctor. I could have waited until two weeks post op, but he wanted to see me sooner since I was having so much pain the night of the surgery. Again, if the pain meds had of worked, I am sure everything would have been ok the first night. I'm grateful he cares enough to want to see me to make sure everything is ok. So, I'm not complaining and besides I really would like fresh bandages. Have a good day!

Hammer toe surgery Day 2...

So...it's been 2 days since my surgery and everything is going great. I am actually getting around very well with the crutches (bearing weight on my heels). I can actually even walk on my heels without the crutches, but I think I am getting too comfortable doing this; so, starting tomorrow I made a promise to myself to not move around unless I was using the stool or the crutches.

Oh yea! Did I mention that I am able to take a bath? Yes! Yes! Yes! I ease myself down in the tub and I leave my feet hanging off the side. I use a cup to wash/rinse my hair. When its tme to get out I pull myself up. Its not hard at all. Its wonderful! The bottom half of my feet are exposed so I wash those too.


I keep my feet elevated no matter where I am in the house and I ice my ankles throughout the day. I take pain meds every 5-6 hours as needed. Before I was taking it like clock work because I was afraid of the pain, but now I wait until I have minimum to moderate discomfort and then I take the meds.


I am feeling good about things so far. I have not had any swelling at all and so far I have not had any issues with the pins. Although they are covered by the ace bandages, I am very, very careful not to accidentally rub up against anything. I have watched youtube videos and read things about removing broken pins or bent pins. Bent pins really make it tough and painful when pulling the pin out. I do not want to add any unnecessary pain when taking the pins out because of my carelessness. So, I am trying to be very careful.


Well that's all for today.  Goodnight.

Hammertoe surgery Day 1

Hello everyone! I had my Surgery April 22nd, but I was in too much pain to talk about it!!! Surgery lasted about 3 hours because I actually had more than just Hammertoes fixed. Let me share...Keep in mind I had both feet done at the same time....I know, call me crazy, but I did this when I had my bunions removed and it was THE BEST decision I made because I got it over and done with at one time. And honestly I think if I had, had one foot done (and after the experience with the pain and such), it would have taken me longer to go back and get the second one done. So, if you have help for the first few days at least and you can take the time of off work, get them both done at the same time! It will seem touch at first, but you can do it!

Anyway, I had a procedure called Flexor Tenotomy done on toes 2,3 & 4 and Arthoplasty done on my pinky toes. I had corns removed off of the hammertoes and I had the Tailors Bunion re-done on my right foot because some of the bone grew back and formed a little knot and it was causing me discomfort in some shoes.

Now, for those that may not know, a Flexor Tenotomy is a procedure where they go in and release the tendon in the toe by snipping/cutting it to straighten the toe. My incision is was made on the back of my toe at the bottom.  Arthoplasty is when they cut a very small piece of bone in the toe, to straighten the toe and you have a pin/K wire inserted in your toe while the bone heals. As a result your toe will be a little shorter obviously, but you may not even notice (talk to your doctor so you know what to expect) I had to have this done on my pinky toes because they had become rigid and not flexible anymore. I believe I had this done on my 4th toes also, but I am not sure yet because I haven't taken the bandages off; but my doctor said if once he cut the tendon in my 4th toes and it did not allow my toes to straighten, he would then perform the Arthoplasty on the 4th toes as well. I also had my second toes straightened out because as you can see from my photos, they were leaning to the right; they also have pins in them as a result of having a small piece of bone removed where it was crooked.


My feet were still numb when I left the hospital, but I could feel the numbness wearing off on one of my toes; so, I sent my daughter to get my pain meds and I took one right away when I received them. My mom and dad took me straight home and I wasted no time getting into bed, elevating my feet and putting bags of frozen vegetables on my ankles (to help with any possible swelling). Now, I  knew that I would have pain. I just knew it, but I also knew I would have pain meds. So, I wasn't concerned honestly. My issue...they were not strong enough!

When I had the bunions removed, I was prescribed Vicodin and it worked like a charm. I was prescribed Vicodin with Acetaminophen (for inflammation) this time and it did not work at all! OMG! I was in so much pain that I cried, prayed and rocked all night long! I kept thinking I needed to give it time to work, but after the 4th pill, I knew I needed something stronger. The pain was awful you guys. Just awful. I'm not trying to scare you. I just want to prepare you.

I am now taking Oxycodone w/Acetaminophen; and feeling so satisfied! I'm not in pain, but at times I feel a little discomfort, but that's normal and it isn't distracting. I am using crutches and walking on my heels, but it's hard because it is not comfortable. Walking on my heels makes my pinkie toe feel like it's spreading and I don't like the feeling. So, I have a stool that has wheels and I am rolling around the house on that and let me tell you, it's so much better than the crutches; and besides it keeps weight off of my feet. I did this when I had the bunions removed ( I used my desk chair) and I remember my doctor being impressed with how good and fast I was recovering. I think rolling around on the chair at home, instead of using crutches helped my recovery because I was staying off of my feet and I always had them elevated.

For the most part, I am in bed all day with my feet elevated and ice on my ankles. I know and have learned this is very important and also helps in recovery and prevents swelling which can lead to more problems I hear. I can't get my feet wet of course, but I was able to take a bath! I sat in the tub with my feet hanging over and I had no problems getting myself out when I was done.  Aaah fresh!

I will be going in to see my doctor on Monday. He said he wants to see me Monday instead of  waiting 2 weeks because I'm in so much pain and he just wants to make sure everything is ok. In my opinion, I think the pain I'm experiencing is normal; my meds just weren't strong enough. I don't mind going in though anyway because my doctor is AWESOME and it also means I'll get fresh bandages; and I am kind of, KIND OF anxious to see exactly what he has done and to take pictures for you guys.

Initially, my doctor told me that 2 weeks from my surgery day I would get the stitches out and in 4 weeks the pins come out; and yes! I am wearing those ugly black surgical shoes!

Please make sure you have someone to stay the night with you at least the first 1-2 days/nights because it is going to be hard getting around and you really need to stay off of your feet as much as possible. And to be honest you may not even be able to tolerate walking on your heels once the numbing has worn off. I am staying with my parents until the pins come out. My dad has been waiting on me hand and foot. My mom helps here and there when I need her. My daughter has been a big help as well. I am so grateful for all of them. I am still feeling good about my decision to have  both feet done at once!

Here's my story...

Hello everyone and thank you for reading my blog! First let me say that it is so not easy posting the pictures of my feet! It is definitely a nail biting thing for me because I hate it when people look at my feet! But I definitely wanted to make sure to provide anything I could that may help someone on the same journey. Before and after photos were something I spent a lot of time looking for; and now I am sharing mine. I think it's so important to post before and after pictures so that one can see the difference. I decided to share my experience after reading other stories of the same. I hope that by sharing my experience I will share something that is insightful, helpful and maybe even encouraging. I hope you enjoy!

Needless to say, I have very ugly feet and I have had them since I can remember. The first step I ever made towards doing something about it was in 2002.  I had Bunions removed from both feet (at the same time), along with Tailors Bunions removed from both feet. I also had corns removed from both pinky toes. The Tailors Bunions were not painful, but the bunions and corns were. I was lucky enough to have a surgeon who used a more cosmetic approach and put the incisions on the sides of my feet, instead of on top.

About 4 or 5 years ago, I realized my smaller toes had a curl to them. My right was more prominent than the left, but all 4 small toes on both feet were curled. When standing they are straight. I actually think they were curled when I had my bunions removed, but I don't think I noticed it then because they weren't curled so much. If they were, I wish I had of noticed because I would have had the surgery back then.

Being the Google self diagnosis expert that I am, I found out I had a condition called Hammertoes. I learned about the causes and all of the surgical and non-surgical methods used to fix hammertoes. I was dead set on the surgical method because I knew at some point my condition could and probably would get worse. Not to mention I am tired of looking at and hiding my feet!

Sooooo...I set up a consult for April 4, 2014 and on April 22, 2014, I had my surgery!

When I am standing the hammertoes straighten/lay flat