Surgery to correct Hammer Toes

[PrimeTimer]

Hubby's Podiatrist suggests surgery to fix 3 hammer toes on each foot. Each foot could take up to 6 weeks to heal. Being a Diabetic, hubby is afraid of recovery time and infection. Right now his toes are not bothering him. Anyone else have this surgery and get good results or end up with an infection and amputation?? Seems so scary when dealing with the feet and toes. Diabetics don't always heal as nice and can take longer. Sometimes things can go south real fast. I am terrified of what could go wrong. Wondered if the benefits outweigh the risks. I want hubby to have straight (painless) toes but not become a bloody infected mess that will end in amputation.

[kickingandscreaming]

 I wouldn't trust a Podiatrist if my life depended on it.  I have seen 3 in my life and they have all been singularly unimpressive.  Seem sleazy to me.  Foot surgery is a real crapshoot.  If if ain't broke, don't fix it.

[cassandra]

I whole heartedly agree with KaS.


Love, Cas

[Michael Murphy]

At the least get a second opinions from another podiatrist and a vascular surgeon.  The vascular surgeon would probably give a better risk assessment.  A vist to hubbys diabetic doctor would also be benifical since he/she may have had other patients who have had foot surgery and may have some ideas of the risks.  Good luck.

[PrimeTimer]

Hubby has decided against surgery. At least for now. His toes are crooked but they don't hurt and it hasn't affected his gait. I still wish I knew of other's outcome with this type of surgery. Diabetes sure does complicates things.

BTW, this is the same podiatrist that saved his toe and basically his life several years ago. The endocrinologist had referred him because of a small sore on the bottom of one toe that didn't seem to be healing. It was very hard to see but after a second look, the podiatrist found a small spot of bone infection on an MRI. He pointed it out to us and it was a very, very small spot that easily could have been missed. The tip of the toe had to be amputated but we were thankful that the podiatrist spent the time looking over that MRI because things could've gotten much, much worse. But now hubby's hammer toes concern him and he suggested surgery. It's the diabetes that scares us. Damned disease.

[Michael Murphy]

About 20 years ago during a echocardiogram it was discovered that my gall bladder was full of gallstones. My then go insisted I go to a surgeon I went.  After he looked at the test results he asked one guestion.  Does it cause you any pain or problems?  I said no. He said come back if ever does.i haven’t been back in 20 years.