Hammer toe & bunion surgery: Experiences?

[BumbleBeeDave]

I've got surgery scheduled at the end of February for a pretty bad hammer toe on my right foot plus a bunion on the same foot. I've had to get Sidi mega shoes for quite some time just to be able to fit it into my shoe. Looks like I'm probably going to have to procedure on the toe where a pin is inserted lengthwise in the toe to facilitate straight healing.

Looking for any feedback on recovery . . . Complications? How long until you got the pin out? Were you able to jury rig any way to use a stationary trainer during recovery? I'm not looking forward to watching my cardio fitness go to heck by spring, but this timing seemed better than missing up to six weeks of "real" cycling season.

Thanks for whatever you can tell me.

BBD

[Alan]

I have Shimano spd sandals and have used them when I have had foot issues. They work fairly well and I use them in the basement on the trainer in the winter as they do have "give". I have used them outside as well in some circumstances.

Good luck on your procedure.

Alan

[weisan]

Originally Posted by BumbleBeeDave

a pretty bad hammer toe on my right foot plus a bunion on the same foot.

[gbcoupe]

No experience with hammer toes. Just had a big toe fused mid November. It was never referred to as bunion surgery, but that's the spot. No joint left to clean/repair, it was bone on bone and a large arthritic mass.

The first 36 hours after surgery were a bit painful. 1 week out, I was able to stand and shower in bare feet. I was also comfortable to walk, but told not to, as the bone was not yet healed.

5-6 weeks out, free of the medical boot and very few restrictions. I was able to ride with only a little pain while clipping in and standing to pedal.

2 months out, I can track stand and sprint with only a slight bit of discomfort.

You will be stressing other parts of your body while recovering and favoring the foot. Don't be surprised if you develop some lower back and hip pain. Had a love/hate relationship with the boot.

Very happy I had the procedure done. Prior to, bed sheets were painful. I did lose the few degrees of flexibility I had left, but lack of pain was well worth it. I probably shouldn't have waited as long as I did.

Best of luck to you. Don't think you'll regret it.

[Likes2ridefar]

Check out Lake cx or Mx 242 for cycling shoes. They are specifically designed for accommodating bunions and other challenging fits. My father has bunions and wears them and for him they have made a huge difference in fit and comfort. I have the mtb model in wide and like that I can lock the heel in with the first dial and with the second dial have just enough support around the forefoot to keep the foot stable but virtually no pressure. There is a massive range of flexibility on each panel.

Here is a snip from the model description:

Made with a heat moldable heel counter and an uniquely designed upper that has enough adjustability to accommodate riders with bunions, deformation, narrow or wide feet, or a high or low instep. The separated panels allow for fine tuning the fit, relieving pressure from sensitive and painful spots on the feet.

[OtayBW]

Good luck with that, Mang. I've hear all that can be tricky, but I wish you the best.

[fourflys]

good post of interest to me.. I have a decent sized bunion on my left foot that aches and makes shoes difficult to find (I already have a wideish foot).. I considered having it fixed last year and declined as I was getting ready to retire from the Coast Guard and didn't want to deal with the recovery while starting a new job.. now I have a job I could telework during the recovery, so considering it again..

[rnhood]

My riding buddy (66) had it done, the doc did a procedure called arthroplasty where the bad joint is removed, and an artificial joint in inserted. Then, a rod is inserted alongside the next toe to keep it aligned and mostly straight. The rod stayed in about a week or 10 days. He is doing fine now, and riding better than ever. As I remember, he was off the bike for about 5 weeks (maybe started a trainer a bit sooner).

[Louis]

Originally Posted by weisan

(not mine)

[gbcoupe]

Originally Posted by Louis

(not mine)

That would fix the hammer, but not the bunion. Believe me, there were times I thought of it!

[OtayBW]

Good grief....

[BumbleBeeDave]

You asked for it! Be glad I haven't posted any of the pics I found on Google!

Not pretty, but it's a pretty typical hammer toe . . . and yes, I skipped my usual mani-pedi this week!

Originally Posted by weisan

[Louis]

Originally Posted by BumbleBeeDave

You asked for it! Be glad I haven't posted any of the pics I found on Google!

Not pretty, but it's a pretty typical hammer toe . . . and yes, I skipped my usual mani-pedi this week!

Oh wow Dave - that's going to require a serious intervention.

[CNY rider]

Wishing you a speedy recovery Dave.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Thanks for the suggestion. Open toes should be a big help.

Originally Posted by Alan

I have Shimano spd sandals and have used them when I have had foot issues. They work fairly well and I use them in the basement on the trainer in the winter as they do have "give". I have used them outside as well in some circumstances.

Good luck on your procedure.

Alan