Hammertoe Surgery Recovery

Hammertoe is a type of a deformity of the feet. In case a person is suffering from this problem, the person's toe can be seen as bent downwards towards the end. The reason being that the toe has contracted at the joint in the middle. Hammertoe is sometimes also known as hammer toe, claw or mallet toe. The reason for it being called hammer toes is the fact that the toe which gets bent looks like the clawed part of a hammer. It mostly happens to the second third or fourth toe. Surgery is most often than not the last option for dealing with it. Sometimes home remedies or simple treatment methods do not work. In that case surgery is done.

Reasons for a Hammertoe Surgery

There are a number of reasons or rather causes as to why a person may need to go under the knife to correct the affected toe. A very prominent and common reason for this surgery is wearing ill fitting shoes and high heels. Some other reasons are pressure exerted on the account of a bunion, flat feet, injury and disease like arthritis and diabetes affecting feet and joints. If the treatment revolving around these problems prove to be futile, surgery has to be done by default.

How is It Done?

There are a number of ways in which this surgery is done. There is either a tendon transfer done, or there is digital arthroplasty or digital arthrodesis. The former involves working the tendon for correcting he bend and the latter involves removal of the bone from the joint for allowing for rectifying of the hammertoe. In very serious cases, the tendon on the top of the toe and the joint at the ball of the foot have to be released so that the toe can straighten up.

What about the Recovery Process?

Recovery involves a few stages. It starts from the moment a person gets out of the operation theater. There will be swelling and pain in the operated part. For proper healing, they might be needed to be bound together. The overall recovery time can be anywhere around a few months. The process is very similar to the process when a person gets operated for bunions.

Swelling and Pain
As mentioned earlier, post surgery recovery will involve bearing pain and swelling. To deal with the foot problem, it has to be kept elevated, so that the swelling goes down. But the swelling would not completely go down, but it will reduce as a result of elevation. In a bunion surgery too, you would need to do that.

Crutches and Bandages
Post a hammertoe or bunion surgery, there will be special dressings which will be needed by you to wear for almost a couple of moths during the recovery time.

Footwear
Previously there was a mention of wrong footwear being the cause of hammertoe. So it is important to wear the right kind of shoes. These have to be worn for a few months post surgery and they should be preferably soft soled and comfortable. The doctor may also tell the patient to avoid narrow and high-heeled shoes.

As the recovery progresses, the person would be able to bear more weight slowly. That will be as per the healing of the foot. Similarly a person can also drive within a few days after the surgery. The pain killers will be prescribed for dealing with the pain and the doctor may also prescribe some exercises as well for a faster recovery.

At the end of the day, avoid stressing your toes too much and most importantly, take care that you do not bump the concerned toe while going about your activities. Keep a close watch on any discomfort or unusual pain in case of any complications. Recovery will also depend on the age, sex and the overall health of that person. I sign off here! Take care!