Severe Bunions and Hammer Toes Questions

Foot care
1

Hi,

New to this, so I am 23 and as long as I can remember I had severe bunions and hammer toes which have caused me pain. My big toes on both feet are at an angle where they touch my third toe and the second toe (hammer) looks as if it is floating in air . When I was younger I was advised that I would need surgery over 10 years now and at that time it was suggested that as I was still growing the success of the surgery may be in doubt. So I had regular visits to get orthoics for many years.

So earlier this year went to the gp got referred to University College London hospital (UCLH). I got an appointment initial in April however they have decided to cancel that and give one in May now and even after I have phoned to express the need to be seen earlier due to the pain I am having day to day nothing can be done.

I wanted to ask if anyone had there treatment at UCLH and if it would be a good idea to have both feet done at once.

Also how long did the whole process take from the time of the first consultation to the procedure.

I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

2

I'm in Sussex and from first visiting my GP in early November it was about 5 weeks till I saw the Muscular Sheleto guy who assessed me as needing surgery. I did have an appointment for surgery for 19th Feb that was cancelled but rescheduled. I had surgery to both feet on 28th Feb.

For me it was a no brainer- if I'd had one foot done I would still have had pain in the other and still had difficulty walking. Also I can ill afford time off work so for me the incentives to get it all over with in one go were financial too. I would have been almost as incapacitated if I'd had just one foot operated on and for the same amount of time. I don't have any real support at home other than someone to stay for the first 3 days then friends dropping by but have managed just fine- I'm no hero nor superwoman I assure you. The only thing I have struggled with is finding enough willing volunteers to walk my 2 American Bull dogs lol. Everything else I have managed by myself.

3

K000, I'm in the US so I can't be much help regarding the hospital, but I had surgery on Feb 15 on both feet. I just couldn't face the long recovery twice! I'm so glad I had both of them done at the same time. I think it's been easier for me than for others since I'm retired and don't have a job to go to every day. Also, my husband is retired and was able to help me. I'm 7 weeks post op and am getting more mobile every day. I drove for the first time yesterday. My feet are still swollen and I can't get my regular shoes on. I've had to order a larger size because my feet won't bend much yet. I'm so glad I had the operation and I hope yours goes well. The most frustrating part is waiting for the surgery and then the long recuperation after you do!

4

I think the nhs says you have to be done within 18 weeks of 1st seeing the hospital but some have been even quicker. I was about 12 weeks. Only had 1 foot done 4 weeks ago and not very painful though perhaps not as serious as you. You do need someone around for the first 4-5 days and be very organised before hand. Bed by loo, chairs in between to hang on to, Drinks, books, food and laptop all laid out worked for me. Good luck

5

Hi I wil send you a link to my blog from my surgery last year. I had both feet/4 toes done at the same time. It's harder apparently but only one op, one anaesthetic and one recovery period off work.

You will certainly find my preparing for surgery / things I couldn't live without post handy!

I had 10 weeks off work. I could have gone back slightly sooner but I had plenty of sick leave so decided to really do it well and look after myself.

No casts, bandages and orthotic sandals.

Now - it's the best decision I ever made!

6

Hi

I'm surprised your appointment has been put back, but I guess it relates to your local health authority.

I had both feet done 20 days ago and you do need to be prepared and have help for at least the first 4 days as you learn to manage the pain / discomfort, learn to use crutches and mange the bathroom, getting washed and so on.

If you live alone you also have to think about what you'll be eating, microwave meals and so on.

I am now able to stand unaided and hobble although using a crutch is more secure.I am lucky as my husband has managed our home, walked the dog and cooked and whilst I can't travel into work I can work from home I would definitely recommend having both done at once and as beau diddly says it's just one general anaesthetic, one block of sick leave and one period of time of taking strong painkillers.

Good luck

S,

7

Hi I endorse all of the above. I had both feet done this is day 32. I can walk indoors without crutches but prefer them outside for safety. I wouldn't want to lose the time with two recoveries. Sounds like to have that much damage you may have hyper mobile feet? If so make sure you find out the likelihood of things recurring since your still young. I'm not London based and I know lists are long there. For me it took about three months from muscular skeletal triage to surgery. Find out about choose and book you may be able to elect to go elsewhere?

Good luck 👣👣

8

Hi K. Endorse all that everyone else has said. Only had one foot done, bunion, 2 hammer toes and neuroma. 7 weeks in today and don't regret it a bit. If I had to have both feet done I would opt for same time.

I'm in Derbyshire and waited 12 weeks but I had to cancel as my Dad died. They rescheduled for another 12 weeks and stuck to the date. Treatment here is pretty quick as we are quite rural. London would be very much busier especially at UCLH. Had mine done at a little Cottage Hospital with 1 operating theatre. Surgeon rang me for following day to see if I was OK. Can't get better than that!!

Lots of info on other forums too. Good luck.

9

Hello K000. I won't write all my details here, but I've been contributing to this discussion site for a long time - I guess since around mid january2014. If you want to scroll back through my contributions you may find it useful/helpful. I live in West Yorkshire and had my surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary on the NHS. I cannot fault anything from my initial consultation with my surgeon in September 2013 right through to the surgery, aftercare/outpatient appointments and my final visit to see the consultant on 31 March. We are all different but one thing we are all entitled to is thorough care and compassion. I feel I've been very lucky as so many people have horrifying tales to tell. If you're finding UCHL are not being very helpful I suggest you tell your GP and also make it in your way to write to the hospital trust and jolly well present your case and views to them. Or, choose another hospital.

It's exactly 18 weeks to the day since my bunion and hammertoe surgery and I feel so pleased with how everything's gone and healed. Don't get despondent.

Keep me posted.

G

10

Gillian

As you are now 18 weeks post op can you tell me now much movement you have and when you started to feel normal. That is presuming you are not still suffering.

When does the swelling and stiffness disappear?

Jan

11

.Good morning Jan. Right! I have pretty much all of the use back in my foot. I have had for several days some quite strong discomfort in the sole in the area directly beneath the ball of the bunion toe. But today 3rd April it is practically gone. I saw my consultant on 31 March and he informed me that he thought my recovery was better than average. I mentioned the discomfort under the toe and he explained that it was probably the 2 Sesamoid bones which when the bunion develops get misplaced from the bones making the bunion. During surgery the bunion toe is realigned which can mean interference with the Sesamoid bones. They should lay in harmony but sometimes this fails to happen. He told me if the pain/discomfort persists it's an option to remove one or both Sesamoid bones.I can, hand on heart, today tell you that this discomfort is vastly improved. Maybe it was something the consultant said!! My bunion toe is still a bit stiff but yesterday morning I ran up the stairs and it wasn't until I was almost at the top step that I realised that this was something I hadn't been able to do since before my surgery. Some days all my toes feel a bit stiff ( and the hammertoe will always now be stiff due to the bone fusion of the surgery) but I'm pretty much back to normal. I try to focus my walking on getting the bend properly rather than how fast I can walk and this seems to be a useful tip. I'm very conscious not to over use the foot and still elevate when I sit down for lunch or in the evening. I needn't do this but I just want to help things as best I can. My consultant told me that in his opinion my recovery was better than average and even expressed surprise that the shoes I was wearing were some I'd owned for a number of years and not a new pair. You will appreciate that I feel very pleased, and whilst I've written on this discussion in depth about how I've nursed my foot and done all the things I was advised to do, I think I've probably been very wise. I think the stiffness will continue for a while yet but it's not something that I am now constantly aware of compared to this time a week ago. Like anything else, the trauma of this type of operation and the exertion of the foot tends to be overlooked when we haven't had the surgery and it will take time for total healing to be reached.

I hope I've helped you. Please don't hesitate to ask further questions and I'll help if I am able.

P.S. And I am definitely not suffering!

12

Hi Gillian

Thanks for that. I am feeling reassured. I must remember that i am only 7 weeks post op, so I have another 11 to go to catch up with you.

I am positive that I will be at the same stage you are by then.

Like you say, it will probably be a natural occurrence and I won't notice I've done something spectacular with my foot until afterwards!!!! Here hoping. 😆

13

Hi,

I'm facing bunion and hammer toe surgery going to see the consultant next Friday, ideally if he will do it I would like both feet done together?

I know I'll be totally incapacitate but would rather do that than face a second operation later this year or early next.

What advice can you offer regarding this? I understand I'll have a K Wire so stupid questions like what can you wear following the op can you get pyjamas on or later trousers?

I'm lucky I have a friend in Chelmsford where I'm going to have my surgery and she's going to look after me until I get my stitches out. Dreading it but I need it done desperately .

Wendy

14

Hello Wendy. I had my bunion and hammertoe surgery 27 November 2013. Dressings changed, wounds/ scars checked/x-rays/K-wire removed at appointments on12 December, 9 January and final consultant appointment 31 March2014. Now 18+ weeks post-op and doing really well. Just about 5% off my pre-surgery walking movement so am delighted. Apart from occasional stiffness and only slight discomfort now and then.

I need my other foot doing and have already discussed this with my surgeon/consultant who is happy to do it and I'm due to see him at some point in July with a view to having the surgery mid/late September. Not sure whether I've got a hammertoe on this foot so can't comment on whether it'll be just bunion surgery or combined with hammertoe. I don't think I've got a hammertoe on this foot. However, having already been down the surgery route with one foot and experienced the whole process I do not think I would have liked to have had both feet done together. We're all different, I know. I fully appreciate that to have both feet done does get it all over with in one go. But, knowing what I do and having been there with one foot I've been able to watch and assess how everything has gone with the surgery and recovery period. I've been lucky and have had no problems and feel very happy and confident about going ahead with my other foot. But, to have both done together for me is not something I would want. You are incapacitated and need to get used to your new limits and so I would proceed with caution in your decision. I realise that I will be starting all over again but I am prepared to do this. I know that this time next year I will have two (hopefully) lovely, straight and well matched feet.

15

Hi Wendy - I had bunion, hammertoe fused, 3rd hammertoe done and neuroma all on my little foot. After the op because the wire stayed in for 6 weeks, I was not allowed to shower or bathe until wire was out. Others on this forum have used a Limbo, you can get from Amazon. Have everything to hand by your bed.

My surgeon does not do both feet at once, but a friend of mine had both done (Hertfordshire) and he was really pleased he did. Also depends on how much time if you work you can have off. Although I only had one done, if I needed both done I would do at the same time. Others on these forums have done, have a read.

You live in the neck of the woods I used to. I lived near Sawbridgeworth, now in Derbyshire.

Be aware it does take a long time to recover. I am 7 weeks post op. Went to work ( own a cafe) and my foot is so swollen, icing it now. Need lots of patience.

Good luck with your decision.

16

Wendy- I had both feet done at the same time. Bunions on both and hammer toe and soft tissue correction on the left foot. I would say go for both at once- if you're going to be sitting still for one you're probably as well doing it for both! I have been lucky in that my recovery has been good( I'm at 5 weeks post op) and have had little discomfort. I think the worst bit is the sitting with feet up all the time and then- the bit still to come- working back to normal activity! Good luck and be guided by your consultant- he will know what is doable. smile

17

Oh man, what a hard question to answer. So much depends on so many different factors: your age, your work, your home life situation, your patience, your personality etc. I never considered doing both at once because:

1. I live alone now and wanted to get through this as independently as possible. I assumed with a knee walker and one good foot I would be able to do this and now on day 11 post-op I can say that this thankfully turned out to be the case. The knee walker in the house was indispensable in making everything so much more doable.

2. I generally am on the go alot so not being housebound was also important. I seriously feared getting depressed. I can drive because its my left foot that was done so with the knee walker have been able to go out each day on short errands or to socialize where I can keep my foot up since day 7.

3. I am newly retired so don't need to consder time off work.

4. At 70 yrs old I prefer to heal from one surgery at a time.

5. I wanted to be able to be as physically active as possible during recovery.

Good luck with your decision. In the end whatever you decide will be best for you WILL be best!

18

Thanks for the replies it's my first time on a forum....

My problem is I've left it too long before making the decision both feet are bad right foot marginally worse than the left but it's a close call and it's affecting my mobility now....My thoughts are if I've got to go through all that for one foot I might as well do it for two and have done with it..

I actually live in Lincolnshire so the surgeon (and my friend are a bit of a trek but my GP couldn't recommend anyone local so I've had to do my own research). I notice no one on here mentions surgeons is there a reason for that?

Pleased to read your replies especially Eileen's, as to my age I'm 59 and reasonably fit apart from a spine proThanks for the replies it's my first time on a forum....

My problem is I've left it too long before making the decision both feet are bad right foot marginally worse than the left but it's a close call and it's affecting my mobility now....My thoughts are if I've got to go through all that for one foot I might as well do it for two and have done with it..

I actually live in Lincolnshire so the surgeon (and my friend are a bit of a trek but my GP couldn't recommend anyone local so I've had to do my own research). I notice no one on here mentions surgeons is there a reason for that?

Pleased to read your replies especially Eileen's, as to my age I'm 59 and reasonably fit apart from a spine problem which of course my feet exacerbate because of my gait...I walk miles but it is becoming incredibly painful and the strapping routine and padding which goes before is amazing...

I don't live alone and my husband is an excellent cook but we have five dogs so it's all going to be very hard work for him. As until the wires are out I'm going to be largely housebound...He agrees with me though rather go through all that once rather than twice..I have an office job and am anticipating going back with the assistance of a mobility scooter and working half days slowly building up to full time again...

I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the surgeon suggests I'll ask if he thinks it will be detrimental to the healing process and if he says not and is prepared to do it then I think I'll bite the bullet and call in some favours from friends...

All advice great fully received and as I said thanks for taking the time to reply...

Wendyblem which of course my feet exacerbate because of my gait...I walk miles but it is becoming incredibly painful and the strapping routine and padding which goes before is amazing...

I don't live alone and my husband is an excellent cook but we have five dogs so it's all going to be very hard work for him. As until the wires are out I'm going to be largely housebound...He agrees with me though rather go through all that once rather than twice..I have an office job and am anticipating going back with the assistance of a mobility scooter and working half days slowly building up to full time again...

I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the surgeon suggests I'll ask if he thinks it will be detrimental to the healing process and if he says not and is prepared to do it then I think I'll bite the bullet and call in some favours from friends...

All advice great fully received and as I said thanks for taking the time to reply...

Wendy

19

Hi Wendy

I was operated on in my local hospital by a surgeon ( I live down in Gosport) , had both feet done 3 weeks ago as I only wanted one period of time out from work and I too am in my late 50's but fairly fit and work full time.

If you go for both feet and have good help at home I'd say do it but ensure someone is there to help you to the bathroom for the first 3 days as you'll have to learn to balance on your heels with 2 crutches , 3 weeks down the line I'm far more mobile .

Good luck

S

20

Wendy. Hi I'm 58 this summer and I had both feet done five weeks ago. I didn't really want two periods of being out if action and was happy to go for the double as my surgeon suggested it. The hardest bit was having a bath keeping both feet out and having a shower same difficulty, I sat on a stool and left my feet out which was ok in the short term. I managed in the house, my husband has cooked and sometimes works from home. On days he was out we made sure I had most of what I needed around me.

My mobility is much improved now but I still can't push it. Went to a wedding y'day and feet ache today. I've been icing tonight, those peas are perfect for the job and it really helps a lot

You need patience and a good sense of humour but you can do it with a bit of help. I suggest hiring a wheelchair from the Red Cross, been invaluable and will help next week when I go watch my son run the marathon!

Accept all help offered however independent you are, be patient and kind to yourself. Get physio if you can and be prepared for a few months to fully repair and wear "normal" shoes. It's never too late - go for it. Good luck! 👣👣v