It is estimated that 75% of all Americans experience foot problems at least once in their lives. Simple surgical correction sometimes may be the answer – but what do the recovery from hammer toe and bunion surgery and toe shortening surgery all look like? If you have one (or more) of these foot conditions and wish to know what to expect after the surgery, read on.
What Is the Recovery Time for Hammer Toe Surgery?
The hammer toe correction procedure is an outpatient surgery, which means that the patient is released from the clinic on the same day. However, the initial healing process lasts approximately six weeks, after which patients usually can get back to their everyday activities. However, a full recovery process can sometimes last up to a year.
How Can You Speed up Recovery From Hammer Toe Procedure?
The most important thing to remember when you want to speed up the recovery process is to rest frequently. Also, it’s likely that you’ll need to wear a postoperative shoe to keep your toe in place and protect the wound from possible infection during the recovery period. In addition, ice and elevation can help the healing process by decreasing swelling.
Activity
If possible, increase the walking distance each day – but do not overwork yourself. Walking after the surgery can improve blood flow, which can positively affect recovery. For greater distances, you should wait at least three to six weeks. As for driving after hammer toe surgery, it will take four weeks or longer until you’re able to drive.
Diet and Meds
Your normal diet shouldn’t change after the surgery. As for the medication, talk to your doctor about when you can start using your regular meds (if you take any). If your doctor has prescribed you pain medication and antibiotics, make sure you take them as prescribed.
What Is the Recovery Time for Bunion Surgery?
The recovery time for bunion surgery is a bit longer than the one after a hammer toe correction. The initial recovery period takes between six and eight weeks, on average. However, depending on the type of bunion surgery, the recovery period can last up to six months.
If pins were inserted, pin removal should be done between the fourth to sixth week, while stitches are removed between the first and third postoperative week.
How Can You Speed up Recovery for the Bunion Procedure?
The better you follow the doctor’s instructions, the sooner you’ll be able to heal. Therefore, make sure you wear a cast or a post-op shoe as long as needed. It will usually take up to six weeks, but in some cases, patients need to wear them for a few months. It will help you keep soft tissues and bones steady and allow them to heal faster.
Activity
For an initial couple of weeks after the procedure, make sure you keep weight off your foot as much as possible – elevate and ice it to reduce swelling. After that time passes and the pain and swelling are gone, you’ll be able to participate in lighter physical activities and do some toe exercises. Make sure to ask your doctor when is the right time to start running after bunion surgery or begin with physical therapy.
Diet and Meds
As with a hammer toe correction, you’ll most likely be prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. Make sure you use them the way your doctors have instructed, and don’t hesitate to contact the clinic if the pain continues. As for the diet, no particular changes need to be made.
What Is the Recovery Time for Toe Shortening Surgery?
If the patient’s overall health is good, healing from the toe shortening procedure usually takes six weeks. However, keep in mind that certain medical conditions or a patient’s habits, such as smoking, can prolong the toe-shortening surgery recovery time.
How Can You Speed up Recovery From Toe Shortening Surgery?
Aside from already mentioned resting, icing, and elevation, there is no other way to speed up the healing process. It’s important to keep your patience and follow the doctor’s orders in full.
Activity
Some people are able to get back into their regular shoes as soon as two weeks post-surgery. However, it usually takes between four and six weeks for patients to get back to their usual routines.
Bones and soft tissue must heal properly, so make sure you stay clear from any demanding physical activities such as running or working out. Moreover, doing challenging physical work too soon after the surgery can be counterproductive and end up slowing down the healing.
Diet and Meds
As with bunion and hammer toe surgery, you’ll need to take painkillers and antibiotics, but there is no diet adjustment needed. If you notice redness and swelling in the operated region, or the pain doesn’t go away, make sure you contact your doctor, as it may be a sign of poor healing. Thankfully, this can usually be improved with additional meds.
Talk to Your Surgeon About Recovery From Hammer Toe and Bunion Surgery and Toe Shortening Surgery
For the most precise information about the surgeries such as a bunion, hammer toe, or long toe correction and the recovery process that follows each of these procedures, book a free consultation with our specialists at Luxe Foot Surgery. Our experts can examine your foot condition, come up with the best treatment options, and answer any questions you may have about the needed surgery and healing time. Therefore, feel free to contact us through the online form or call our office Monday to Friday – and schedule an appointment.
