Hammertoe Recovery Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
Hammertoe surgery is performed to straighten the middle joint of the lesser toes, mostly the second, third, and fourth toes of feet. The most common joint involved in forming the deformity is known as the proximal interphalangeal joint or the PIP joint.
The procedure typically involves removing the deformed joint and fusing the ends of the bone to each other, holding it in place with either screws or pins, also known as K wires. The K wires or screws hold the bone in position whilst the bone heals over a six to eight week period and becomes one bone that is straight and well aligned.
The objective of correctional deformity is met once the bone is healed and soft tissues have reduced in swelling and the toe is well aligned.
Hammer Toe Surgery Recovery Week-by-Week
Day of Surgery:
– Recovery starts on the day of the operation.
– Typically performed as a day case under local anaesthetic with or without sedation.
– Physiotherapy session immediately after surgery.
– Fitted with a special postoperative rigid sandal for use during the postoperative period.
First 48-72 Hours:
– Pain relief required.
– Most postoperative swelling occurs.
– Elevate as much as possible.
– Walk no more than 5-10 minutes per hour using the sandals only.
– Keep dressings intact.
Days 3-14:
– Pain usually subsides.
– Maintain dressings and walk in post-op sandal.
– Elevate and mobilise 10-15 minutes per hour as comfortable.
– Painkillers may not be necessary for most people.
Week 2:
– Clinic visit for stitch removal.
– If screws were used, can return to a rigid trainer or UGG boots.
– If K wires are in place, continue using postoperative shoe with minor dressing covering the wires.
– Generally, feet can get wet, but with K wires, keep toe ends dry to prevent infection risk.
– Toes may be splinted to reduce risk of floating toe and maintain alignment.
Weeks 2-4:
– Increase activity levels to 20 minutes per hour, sometimes more a couple of times a day.
– Some swelling persists.
– Begin scar management with deep tissue massage and toe massage to reduce swelling.
Week 4:
– Increased mobility.
– Swelling subsides and toes begin taking shape.
Week 6:
– Clinic visit with possible X-rays.
– X-rays should show good healing and fixation position.
– K wires, if present, removed at this point.
– Screws remain in the toe and do not need removal.
– Begin increasing activity, including high-impact activities.
– Can start Pilates, static bike, weights.
Weeks 8-12:
– May begin running around 8 weeks post-op.
– Most swelling continues to subside.
Week 12:
– Toes should be mostly well-healed.
– Healing should have mostly stopped.
Some people may experience swelling for up to 6 months, and occasionally up to 12 months, but these cases are rare.
FAQs
Modern techniques using local anaesthetic make postoperative pain predictable and manageable. Pain relief is typically required for two to three days, with many patients only needing paracetamol or ibuprofen, and occasionally codeine for a short period. Mild discomfort may persist for one to two weeks, but significant pain is usually limited to the first few days.
You will begin walking immediately in a postoperative sandal, limited to short periods during the first week. Activity is gradually increased over four to six weeks. Gentle activities can resume at three to four weeks, while high-impact sports are usually possible after six to eight weeks.
Most patients do not require formal physiotherapy. Home exercises, including scar massage and tendon-strengthening exercises, are usually sufficient. Toe strapping for five to six weeks may be advised to maintain alignment and correction.
Recurrence is uncommon. It may occur in around two percent of cases due to nonunion of the bones. With arthroplasty procedures, the risk increases to approximately five percent. In most cases, hammertoe surgery provides a permanent correction.
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If you have any other questions or would like to reserve an appointment at our practice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team: