Anyone with experience of clawed toes?

freakyogre

Well the insoles arrived in yesterdays post and I wore them today (with flat shoes, nice rounded toes...the doctor would be happy )

They're a bit weird as have a wedge on the inside of each which is about 2cm high and also a raised bit in the middle. I'm sure i'll get used to them, but feel like I need to go for a walk in them as my job is in an office so I don't move a lot.

freakyogre

Me again, just updating for my own benefit really.

I've been wearing the insoles every day since my last post (except for when i've been at home all day and then i've been barefoot!) and they do seem to have helped my feet slightly, they don't look so arched, but they've done nothing for my toes.

Went to the hospital yet again on Tuesday, the specialist (or so I thought...i'll get to that in a minute) said that he thought my feet looked better and seemed happy. I said that I agreed, BUT my toes were no better and I didn't think the insoles would help. He once again said he didn't want to consider surgery because of my age and also that it might make it worse, I said I was just getting older etc etc. He asked if I had any pain with the insoles, I said that with wearing them with flat shoes I was getting a bit of pain in one foot (like I said above, it feels like there's pressure on the top of my foot). I said that my toes were hardly rubbing now, but that was because of the shoes (nice and soft) but I couldn't wear them forever.

He looked at my feet again and asked me to stand and said that I was quite flat footed, I said that I assumed I was just trying to compensate for usually walking on my toes. He asked me to walk and noticed that I was quite unsteady (I wobble a lot with no shoes on...no, I wasn't drunk ) and then he seemed a bit more concerned. He looked at my x-rays again and said that one part of my foot has gone arthritic and would need looking at, then he said my heel could need re-aligning (!) and then a simple operation on my toes. He did say that I could go and see 10 different people and they'd all tell me different things.

Anyway, he has referred me to a specialist (I thought he was the specialist so was a little surprised) as said he wasn't an expert on this and because there was such a lot going on, he'd rather I saw them.

So I will wait for a letter to arrange that and hope it goes somewhere.

I didn't mention my numbs toes again, but last weekend when I was driving for quite a while, they started off numb, then went tingly, then I got a burning sensation, so i'm sure something isn't quite right there!!

freakyogre

Yet another update...

I had my appointment with the specialist at the end of February. A really nice man who explained things properly and made it clear what could/couldn't be done.

He said he can operate on my toes (would be 3 on each foot) by removing a piece of bone and having 'little' wires' that will stick out of the end of my toes to hold them in place. He mentioned that my big toes were also a bit crooked which to be honest I hadn't really noticed and doesn't cause any problems. He said he could sort that at the same time, but not essential if there's no problem with it.

He also said that the tendon in my right leg is still quite tight (that's the one I had stretched) but the left one is tighter and he'd like to stretch that as well if/when he does my toes.

I asked again about the numbness and he made it very clear that there's nothing that can be done (I know I was told that before, but was hoping there might be some...well, hope)

I was a bit upset at the time as he said that no one will know if further on in life I may have different problems related to this. He couldn't say what, or if it would/wouldn't happen which I appreciate they can't tell, but it was a bit of a blow to know I could go through all this, just to have something else go wrong.

Anyway, he booked another appointment for the end of April so I could think about it. I have thought about it since and decided to go ahead with it, otherwise I won't know whether it will help or not and if it sorts the current problems, then I think it's worth the risk. I phoned last week to let them know, but the doctor wants to leave the appointment as it is, so I will talk to him again at the end of April and hopefully it can be arranged from there.

I'm still worried though and it's mainly down to having time off work as I have only been in my current job for 6 months (on a temp/fixed term basis) and was offered a permanent position last week which is brilliant, but I don't want them to think i'm taking the p by having it done...then again, if I keep thinking like that i'll never have it done! I have already talked to my dad and he has said that I am more than welcome to stay with them after the operation (I live on my own) and if I can, they will take me to work, so hopefully (and maybe i'm being unrealistic with healing times) I won't have to take too much time off work.

Anyway, until April...


Blah. Hospital phoned today to cancel and rebook, not sure why, sounds like the doctor/specialist may have cancelled the whole day? Anyway, now booked for the first week of May so a bit more waiting

freakyogre

Me again!

Well went back to the hospital this morning and saw the specialist/consultant again. I said I had thought about it and wanted to go ahead. He explained what would be done, said the operation will only take around 90 minutes and I should be out the same day and then asked me to sign a form to confirm I am happy with the operation to be done. I asked a few questions, the main one being how long will I be out of action for, he says around 2 weeks off work, but I have to wear a special boot for 6 weeks. I'm hoping I can reduce the 2 weeks from work, but will have to wait and see.

The only possible problem is the pill i'm on as it can cause a higher risk of blood clots during the operation, so I have got an appointment with my doctor next week, so hopefully they can change it to something else. The specialist said he wants me to be off this pill at least 6 weeks before they go ahead with the operation, so it won't be until at least then.

I thought that would be it, but I was then sent to the day surgery unit where I had to fill in a form, then had an assessment where they weighed, measured, check my blood pressure etc. He seemed happy with all that, we did have a laugh as he said any piercings need to come out as there's a chance it could get burnt during the op - I have my belly button pierced, so said i'd take that out. Then he went on to tell me about possible blood clots and a sock i'll have to wear on the other leg, so I said he was really selling it to me

I was then sent off to have swabs as anyone having an operation that cuts skin apparently has to be swabbed for MRSA (or to see if you can fight it off...I think). That was fun, a nose swab, a throat swab and a groin swab...nice!!

So that's that then. I suppose I just wait now and they will write to me to tell me when it's going to be. I am having the tendon on the left leg stretched (he said there would be 3 incisions, so may be a smaller scar than my current one on my right leg), the 3 middle toes are being straightened and while he's there he's going to do something to my big toe as said that isn't straight either. I think I said before that I hadn't noticed, but he may as well do it all at once.

Funfunfun!

vixarooni

Well at least you are getting sorted. Since i last posted i am now in the process of seeing a specialist in london, because the operation i had when i was 16 to remove the cyst on my metertarsel infact wasnt to remove it, but to do a biopsy on it which they then lost and thought would be fine to just leave a huge cyst on my bone. Nice one NHS!

Thank god i went back, it has got bigger so im hoping theyre just gunna take it out and let me be! Im in the same situation as you though, just started a new job in the last month, dont wanna be walking off sick!

freakyogre

I received a letter last Friday to advise surgery would be on the 7th June which was a bit of a shock as didn't expect it so soon! I had to phone them though as would only have been off my old pill for 3ish weeks, so they've moved it to the 21st (plus I was on holiday last week and didn't think going back for 4 days then going off 'sick' was a good idea!!)

Anyway, another letter received today confirming it will be at 8am on the 21st. I'm not really worried about the operation, but it's afterwards i'm a bit worried about. I didn't ask if i'd be given crutches (I assume I will be as had them before and this will be a bigger operation as my toes are being done too?!)

I was considering asking if I could take the time off work as holiday as I 'don't do sick' (i've had one day sick since I started working in 2003) and really don't want it to go against me in the future, but a few people have said that as it's a planned operation, no one is going to think badly of it. I still worry though and do need to find out what exactly I will be paid when off. I still need to sort out getting in to work afterwards. My dad has offered, but I don't want him to miss out on work because of me. I am hoping to find someone I work with or even near, who may travel the same route. It's all good fun!

Vixarooni I hope you get it all sorted, I can't believe they didn't do what they said they were going to!

freakyogre

Well, it's all done I arrived at about 7:30am yesterday and a bit later was seen by the surgeon, a nurse and the anesthetist, given pain killers and a sock for the other leg and went through some questions.

At about 10am I was called through where they went to get the right size boot (which I had in my mind as a sort of ankle boot...it's not, it's huge), but as that nurse went to get it, another nurse came in saying they were ready for me, so off I went to get changed! I went straight in and was 'knocked out' and then I remember waking up at about 12:30/1ish and being greeted with tea and biscuits.

It's all bandaged up past my ankle and I was told I could put weight on it (when in boot and still using crutches), which I found hard, as my first instinct was not to! I had to stay in a bit longer as when I got up to go to the loo and put weight on it, my toes starting bleeding a bit, so they wanted to keep an eye on that. I was discharged and left at about 6pm and am now staying at my dad's for a bit.

The pain is ok at the moment, but I expect that will change come the morning! (I wrote this last night but couldn’t post – it is very tingly this morning and the back of my leg/ankle is quite sore) I had a bit of pain earlier when I tensed my leg without thinking, so I must remember not to do that, but apart from that, it's more of a tingle and feeling that I really want to stretch everything.

I have to wear the GIANT boot day and night for about 6 weeks. I can take it off for washing myself, but it's a real puzzle to get back on. I've posted a couple of pics, don't worry, they're not gory. I've only just had a look at my toes 'properly' as couldn't really move my leg earlier and the pins look a bit scary if i'm honest.

I must say, all the staff were excellent and really looked after me, so I think i'll send a card to thank them (as long as it turns out ok...only joking )

brook2jack

Get your dad to get you a 3 legged camping stool (£5 ish) from a camping shop they are light,easy to carry and ideal to prop leg and boot up when out and about.

British red cross hire out wheelchairs free of charge £20 deposit also bath chairs and aides.

Wet wipes are good to keep leg sweet until you can shower that leg.

Take painkillers etc on time don't wait for pain, you'll never catch up.

Wear a long sock under boot otherwise all the dry skin sheds off on it and it's a swine to remove.

Get your dad to leave thermos, coolbox with food in when he goes out.

Aldi sell a wedge pillow ideal to prop leg up at night in bed or when on sofa. About £5 I think.

Good luck I'm on my 4th bout of similar surgery .... It does get better.

freakyogre

brook2jack wrote: »

Get your dad to get you a 3 legged camping stool (£5 ish) from a camping shop they are light,easy to carry and ideal to prop leg and boot up when out and about.

British red cross hire out wheelchairs free of charge £20 deposit also bath chairs and aides.

Wet wipes are good to keep leg sweet until you can shower that leg.

Take painkillers etc on time don't wait for pain, you'll never catch up.

Wear a long sock under boot otherwise all the dry skin sheds off on it and it's a swine to remove.

Get your dad to leave thermos, coolbox with food in when he goes out.

Aldi sell a wedge pillow ideal to prop leg up at night in bed or when on sofa. About £5 I think.

Good luck I'm on my 4th bout of similar surgery .... It does get better.

Thanks for your reply and all the advice. I'm not going far at the moment, so won't need the stool, but does seem a good idea as everything seems so knackering It took me 40 minutes to wash my hair and get dressed today, I miss just jumping in the shower!! I'm still at my dad's and being very well looked after (my stepmum used to be a nurse and my dad works in care, so i'm in the right place although I hate relying on other people for everything!) I am probably going to go home tomorrow, but will see how I am in the morning.

I can't get a sock on under the boot, well I possibly could if I cut the toes off, but it would need to be really stretchy to get over the bandages. I'm allowed to take the boot off for cleaning though, so hopefully it won't get too bad.

I had a lot of pain last night as felt like my foot was in a vice and being squeezed from all angles, so I took the boot off for a couple of hours, but it didn't seem to help and was painful again until I must have fallen asleep.

The hospital didn't phone yesterday, so I phoned them earlier as needed to get an appointment for the dressing to be redone anyway and she said everyone had been called...I hadn't! Anyway, as long as my toes are pink and wiggly, it seems all is ok, so i'll just have to put up with the pain for now

brook2jack

The secret to the pain is to keep your foot above the level of your waist for 50 mins out of every hour. Prop your leg up in bed at night. It's swelling that makes the pain so bad.

I often loosen straps on boot at night slightly to allow a bit more room.

Last surgery I had an aircast boot which came with stretchy socks that fit over bandage , so I kept those to use with boot this time.