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The patient can expect moderate swelling, stiffness and limited mobility in the
operated foot following toe surgery, sometimes for as long as eight to 12 weeks.
Patients are advised to keep the operated foot elevated above heart level and
apply ice packs to reduce swelling during the first few days after surgery.
Many patients are able to walk immediately after the operation, although
the podiatric surgeon may restrict any such activity for at least 24 hours.
Crutches or walkers are not usually needed. There is no cast on the foot, but
only a soft gauze dressing. Wearing a splint for the first two to four weeks
after surgery is usually recommended.
Special surgical shoes are also
available to protect the foot and help to redistribute the patients body
weight. If the surgeon has used sutures, they must be kept dry until they are
removed, usually seven to 10 days after the operation. The patients physician
may also suggest exercises to be done at home or at work to strengthen the toe
muscles. These exercises may include picking up marbles with the toes and
stretching the toe muscles.
Risks
Risks associated with hammer, claw, and mallet toe surgery
include:
• swelling of the toes for one to six months following surgery
•
recurrence of the deformity
• infection
• persistent pain and
discomfort
• nerve injury
Normal results
All corrective toe procedures usually have good outcomes in
relieving pain and improving toe mobility. They restore appropriate toe length
and anatomy while realigning and stabilizing the joints in the foot.
Morbidity and mortality rates
There are no reported cases of death
following corrective surgery on the toes.
Alternatives
Conservative treatments may be tried by patients with minor
discomfort or less serious toe deformities.
These treatments include:
•
trimming or wearing protective padding on corns and calluses
• wearing
supportive custom-made plastic or leather shoe inserts (orthotics) to help
relieve pressure on toe deformities. Orthotics allow the toes and major joints
of the foot to function more efficiently
• using splints or small straps to
realign the affected toe
• wearing shoes with a wider toe box
• injecting
anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and inflammation
See also Arthroplasty.
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