🦶 foot

[Deejojo]

Hi peeps just wondering if any of u lovely 😊 people have had foot surgery and toe shortening I’m going in for surgery next Thursday and I’m a bag of nerves already 😳😢I should be used to it by now…… but this scares me soooo much I’m actually thinking 🤔 about cancelling the op I think I’m worried about how I will mange also will I have pins in my toes what. Dressings u have on etc etc I know it sounds pathetic but if anybody has any pics are could put my mind at rest 🤷‍♀️

[Helen-NRAS Moderator]

Good morning. If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every weekday from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Or have a look at our website nras.org.uk. Kind regards.

[LesBev]

Hi hun. I don’t know anything about this but if the surgeon thinks it’s for your health and mobility then all we can do is trust them. Try and stay strong, you’ve been through so much already you can do it! Lx

[medway-lady]

I think you might have posted before about this if not my apologies but please don't worry and I never photographed mine as they were covered up by a cast. Then it was removed again was really just a lot black and blue from bruising with lots of scabs, And a fair amount of dried blood as you'd expect. But it wasn't that bad and the scabs soon healed with the application of the recommended bio oil and all is left is a series of tiny dots and 3 narrow scars between my toes and a larger one on the inside of my foot. After the surgery it never hurt and doesn't now, so was worth doing and I walk normally, wear normal shoes and in sandals the scar are not really visible. Just trust a good surgeon and look forward to it as very soon after you'll be dancing again or at least walking about with no pain.

[Deejojo in reply to medway-lady]

Thank u hun 😊

[bpeal1]

I haven’t had that procedure and didn’t have pins so can’t comment on that but I have had other foot surgery and currently waiting for a date for the other foot. If you are to be non-weight bearing for any length of time I would look into buying or hiring a knee scooter. They make life so much easier! I certainly wouldn’t have coped without mine.

[Hollyhock123 in reply to bpeal1]

Same here for me. I would also add that although recovery was long, my operated foot is so much better now. Definitely worth the inconvenience. Deejojo hopefully the op will improve things for you

[bpeal1 in reply to Hollyhock123]

Mine too! I had a calcaneal oesteotomy, and the first three tarsometatarsal joints fused. I was in plaster for 9 weeks and a boot for 5 weeks. I was told recovery would be at least 12 months but it was closer to 18 months (although some of that was probably the lack of physio during the start of the pandemic - it turned out having orthopaedic surgery in December 2019 wasn’t great timing as I came out of the boot at the end of March 2020!). I’m now waiting for a date (hopefully any day now!) to get the other foot done, and although I know it’s going to be a long slog I can’t wait as my left foot is so much better now!

[Fruitbat100]

Hi Deejojo,

Although I didn’t strictly have toe shortening, I had a claw toe correction on the lesser toes of my left foot a few weeks ago, which includes fusing the bones and therefore shortening the toes.

This is after I had the right foot done before Covid and have had to wait until now to get the left done.

I have to say it has made the world of difference to me and while it means a few weeks of putting your feet up and having pins in for 6 weeks, it is well worth it.

Depending on where you get it done and who your surgeon is - the scars can vary. Mine like to do across the toe at the knuckle, however some prefer to do a downwards cut which is obviously larger.

I have attached a photo as requested.

Anyway I hope this helps.

Foot following claw toe surgery at 2 week follow up.

[Deejojo in reply to Fruitbat100]

Can’t see photo hun 🤔

[sylvi in reply to Fruitbat100]

That looks like my toes when i had my straightened. xxxx

[Susiebee31]

Hi, I’ve had both my feet done at the same time but I think my surgery my have been a bit more aggressive than you describe. I had both my big toes shortened and fused. All my metatarsal heads were removed and all my tendons cut and not reattached . Apparently my feet had been left to long before I’d seen the foot surgeon and they couldn’t do anything else for me. (My rheumatologist consultant at the time didn’t believe how much pain etc I had with my feet as I was working! ) They tried to rotate my second toe right foot but it’s gone it’s own merry way yet again. I had no visible pins, the only pins I had were internal and in my big toes. I didn’t have plasters but lots of bandages and was totally none weight bearing for at least six weeks and full weight bearing at 12 weeks. Life was very difficult especially getting up and down stairs, baths etc made more difficult because I also have fused wrists. My feet were considerably shortened and shoes were very difficult, I lived in crocs and also used them for work. I live in sketchers now at least I’m in fashion along with fit flops in the summer. My biggest problem is having no control over my toes when putting on wellies or shoes without laces. I didn’t find the surgery ‘painful’ after the pain I’d suffered for years with the RA it was a bit of a doddle. Do I have any regrets having it done absolutely not. I worked as a midwife and I needed to be able to work and keep a roof over my head and my two children. I had got to the point that I couldn’t walk and the pain was surreal. I am so pleased that I took the chance because I was able to carry on working, pay my mortgage off and still walk although not as far as I’d like but it’s better than being permanently in a wheelchair which was on the cards. Life was better for having it done some + some - but overall positive for me.

[sylvi]

I had my toes broken to straighten them and i was bandaged up and put in a boot. If you need the op take it. xxxx

[Edina123]

12 years ago I had MTP joint fusion and stainsby procedure done on both feet at the same time My feet were very problematic before that with infections And rheumatologist said I would lose big toe without the operation It was like walking on glass before operation Afterwards it was such a relief to have pain-free feet I haven't regretted it for a second The worst part is the build up to the operation but you will be fine Best of luck xx