How long does hammer toe surgery recovery take?

Recovery from hammer toe surgery typically takes 4-6 weeks for initial healing and 3-4 months for full recovery. If a pin was used, it's usually removed after 3-4 weeks. Swelling can persist for several months. Many patients have hammer toe surgery combined with bunion surgery, which extends the overall recovery.

Is hammer toe surgery painful?

Most patients report moderate pain for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery, managed with prescribed pain medication. Many patients say the post-surgical discomfort is manageable but that the toe stiffness during recovery is more bothersome than the pain itself.

Can hammer toes come back after surgery?

Hammer toes can recur after surgery, particularly if the underlying cause (such as muscle imbalance or footwear habits) isn't addressed. Arthrodesis (fusion) has a lower recurrence rate than arthroplasty. Wearing proper footwear and doing toe exercises can help prevent recurrence.

What shoes should I wear after hammer toe surgery?

Post-surgery footwear progression typically goes: surgical shoe for 2-4 weeks, then a wide athletic shoe with a roomy toe box. Brands frequently recommended by patients include Hoka, New Balance (wide), and Skechers with extra-wide options. Avoid narrow or pointed shoes.

I need to get something off my chest. Here's my feet. I don'

From Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

I need to get something off my chest. Here's my feet. I don't necessarily have wide feet, but I have very flat feet. Due to the wrong footwear as a child (too small or too wide, long story short), they started to grow in a fan shape. The photo with the burned feet was taken when I was 17. I neglected my feet...especially in my twenties. By putting my feet in unsuitable shoes, I developed bunions. I'm trying to accept them, but I find it very difficult. I have insoles from the orthopedist, those blue ones, and they're absolutely useless...they don't work. At the specialty store that also fits insoles, they said I need a completely different kind of insole, much deeper and thicker at the forefoot. Now there's almost no insole there...very unusual. I'm fed up with it. To be completely honest, the doctor already told me I'm not suitable for insoles and that I just need surgery...I'd prefer surgery right away for my flat feet. Does anyone have experience with this? Possibly one of these things: I have really difficult feet, and I hardly notice I'm wearing shoes anymore. I'm really scared of the surgery, to be honest, and I'm trying to accept it at the moment, but finding shoes, etc., is just really difficult. I actually have a pretty slim heel. Sorry for the long story, I hope someone hears me. I'm in pain 24/7 Because of these complaints, I also often have back and knee pain, which makes proper movement like running impossible. Thank you for reading All reactions:

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View more answers Kelly Bertrand-Chick I've had foot surgery twice and deeply regret having the first one. I had a Weil Osteotomy for a plantar plate tear and a bunionectomy that was undercorrected. I went to a surgeon that was overly confident. I had the second surgery to remove scar tissue and screws removed. My foot still hurts. You may feel worse after surgery. I read too many positive reviews and wish I would have done more research. I wish I would have gone to an orthopedic surgeon vs a podiatrist from the start. Get another opinion. Try other inserts. I'll send some links to inserts I like. I've had a hip replaced at 41 and shoulder surgery. Foot surgery has been the hardest! I didn't have passion in my bunions, but did the bunion because my big toe was pushing my second toe to the right. My surgeon said it was causing strain on my second toe. Post surgery care was crap and my foot was weak, thus causing more issues.

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Kelly Bertrand-Chick replied Brenda Patton Your bunions don't look bad enough for surgery, in my opinion. I've had bunion surgery on both feet aroundc11 or 12 years ago. I'm also flat footed and have hammer toes. The surgery made my feet look better but my left foot still had a small bunion. Now, my left foot, especially hurts after only walking short distances. I plan to have surgery again in November to correct the bunion and hammer toes. From what my surgeon says, there is a new procedure that's less invasive. It's called Prostep bunion surgery

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Answer as Justin

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