Guest guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 , I have hammer toes - 10 of them lol, but seriously, they got better and started straightening out more when I started to wear my custom made in-shoe orthotics. That and I stretch them out manually, almost every evening, or every chance I get, like when I get out of the pool, shower and put lotion on. I have had 5 of the top world class foot/orthopedic surgeons look at my toes (feet too) in regards to my requests to straighten them. They all asked if my toes hurt, to which my answer is " no " . To this they then said, " keep doing what you're doing " (i.e., stay active, stretch your toes " . They explained the way surgery would stretch my toes, bones would be broken, pins would be placed in (to keep them flat, etc). About 10 years ago one doc said the cost of this would be about $59,000 on top of that, and recovery would be 6 months. The surgeon at that time explained the surgery would only last 10 years or so, because the muscles in my toes would cause them to contract again. That was enough at the time to keep me back on my feet as 'normal' or what is 'normal' for me. More recently, a foot/orthopedist surgeon I saw for my sprained ankle last year said about the same thing. That is, until my toes/feet hurt, to do nothing. These men are top notch and know my CMT feet and know CMT foot surgery is not exactly considered a 'routine' foot surgery. And these doctors are so impressed that the tendon surgery I had as a kid on my feet was so successful; they just all agree to keep me on my feet, so for now, a very simple thing I have done is to buy a wider pair of shoes. (And I LOVE New Balance shoes - models 853 and 1122. )So simple, so effective. I have plenty of other shoes, I change shoes throughout the day, allowing my toes to breathe and stretch, and I also do NOT wear socks, which tend to 'trap' my toes and do not let my orthotics do their full job when I walk. Get a handful of medical opinions first, look into wider shoes, and also foot orthotics made especially for you for starters. ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Hi , I had hammer toe surgery in January 2002. For me it was a good decision. I don't have as much discomfort on my right foot. My surgery took about an hour and I didn't have to stay overnight at the hospital. The joints were fused and I had steel pins in for about eight weeks. The pins were removed at the doctor's office. I am now facing the same thing on my left foot along with ankle fusion, straightening of the arch and moving my heel.It will be a bigger procedure but if it will ease some of the pain it will be worth it. Best of luck if you decide on surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Hi -I have had ALL my toes surgically straightened. The BEST surgery I ever had. My two children also had the same procedure done.What a difference in my balance and wearing shoes. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Hi , Thank you for your e-mail. My doctor mentioned thinking about surgery on my toes as they are quite uncomfortable now. Did you have a general or local anesthetic for the surgery? Good luck for when you have surgery on your left foot. Sounds like you are in for a tough time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Dear Gretchen, Thank you for your email. I have in shoe orthotics & I am now using lace up ankle braces for stability & to stop me tripping over so much. My doctor has suggested thinking about having my toes looked at by a surgeon because they are uncomfortable when wearing shoes & are starting to curl under my foot. I had both my achilies tendons lengthened by 2.5 cm 7 years ago & the pain is still fresh in my mind. But it was the best thing to happen as I can now stand up straight & it did help my walking. I appreciate what you are saying regarding the surgery but over the last 4 to 5 years the effects of CMT have become life changing for me. My wife is fantastic about it but finds it difficult when she sees the pain I am in. I have an appointment to see my doc in a couple of weeks to discuss my options but will take into account what you have said. Many thanks again. The support from CMT is very much appreciated. - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Hi , I have one toe on my right foot that is bent over. It just recently started to be very painful. I have a small toe pad that I can slip on my toe to straighten it out. Instant relief. After a while I stopped wearing it. You can get these toe pads at any medical supply store or an orthopedic dr can order you one. They come in sizes depending on the size of your feet. They are referred to as hammer toe pads - at least that is what I asked for but they are also referred to as Hammer Toe Crest pads. I would try that out before surgery and see how it goes.... Good luck - I know how painful it can be... Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2007 Report Share Posted September 10, 2007 I have a question to throw out there. I have developed hammer toe in one of my toes (joy). It has become quite painful and feels as if there is a blister developing on the end. I was wondering if anybody can give me some ideas on what the do to rectify this problem in a Heloise sort of way. That is, a home remedy that anyone is doing. I'd like to try to avoid going to a podiatrist and probably having surgery or something. Defman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2007 Report Share Posted September 11, 2007 Defman They have these packages now like at Walmart or other stores where they have other various size foam-like inserts that have tape on one side that stick to your toes and help to take pressure off your problem area. They make the inserts with circles, and with holes in them also to place around " blister " areas like yours to help it from contacting it directly. Hope this helps, save you a trip to your Podiatrist. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I have one toe in particular that gives me trouble. I was told about, and have tried, these tubes with a gel base. Problem, with the lower functioning of my hands and not being able to spread my toes, I struggle for too long to get it on. I have resorted to using bandaids. I use one to sort of straighten the toe from top to bottom, then use another around the toe to keep it " straight " It seems to do the trick. Not sure how good it is to keep on for weeks on end, but the toe curling up, sliding over and getting walked on causes too much pain to ignore. At present I have not asked any doctors about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 Thank you guys. For anyone else that is having this problem, I think I found something. At Rite-Aid (around here in Seattle) they have something in the foot isle specificaly made for hammer toes. It is made out of a gel base also, but it has a ring that goes around the toe next to the big toe. I will have to get back to you on the name as I can't remember and am work (heh). It seems to be working, although there is stil some pain. I think this is just because I let it go so long. For now, I am also using the pads for corns (with the hole in it) that was suggested before. Hopefuly any blistering that may be still casing pain will subside. Thanks again guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Trust me on this one, I have had hammertoe since I was a kid, I am now 48 years old. I have had several operations to correct the hammertoe including a tendon release and pins in all ten toes. I had a couple of toes that " went back " after the surgery. I had used the Visco-Gel toe caps and they worked pretty good, but are rather expensive and dont last long. My ortho doctor did an out-patient procedure with local anasthesia, he split the toe open and snipped the last joint off. He then pulls the skin back and stitches it. It makes the toe a tad bit shorter, but also removes the hammer toe effect. It has worked great for me and it is the best money I have ever spent to help relieve my foot pain. I even went back and had another one fixed that was giving me trouble. It is a simple and painless procedure, we had a nice chat while he performed the surgery. I was out of work for 3 weeks. This is the best fix yet for hammmertoe. I highly suggest it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Hi. I have a toe that curls under and have tried the corn pads, etc. The thing that helps me is I take a cosmetic pad, usually the round ones but either works. I roll it up and then put that under the toe. It may not make it 'straight' as the others but I can put weight on it and it cuts down on the skin pulling apart. Hattie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Good Afternoon: I am curious why you don't recommend hammer toe surgery...I'm really having trouble with two toes on one foot and one on the other. Been considering calling the foot doctor. Thanks Crock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 I too am curious why you dont recommend hammer toe surgery? I'm having surgery on my left foot in april and quite nervous. my surgeon is planning basically reconstructing my entire foot (tendon release,tendon transfers calcaneal and metatarsal osteototomy, ankle ligament reconstruction...)so if anyone has any advice or tips for me i will greatly appreciate it! Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Matt, I had the tendon transfer in my toes after the toes curled up when I had the feet lengthened. The tendon transfers were painful and in t he end didn't really help. the only thing that I have is balance in my big toes which were fine in the first place, (were never " bent out of shape " ). Surgery on my feet was many years ago but the toes never really straightened at all. The only thing was the lengthening of the feet (prior to that and my only other surgery) that helped the balance. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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