How Long Does It Take to Recover from Common Toe Surgeries?

In this blog, I will outline the recovery period of the most common toe surgeries that are carried out.

Bunion Surgery Recovery

Typical recovery from bunion surgery involves the first 7 to 10 days of elevation of the foot to reduce swelling and prevent wound problems. Usually, absorbable stitches are used in a big bandage. You will be walking in the postoperative shoe about 10 minutes an hour. After 10 days, you can start to increase the activity to 15 to 20 minutes at a time as long as it is tolerated; you still need to elevate for the rest of the time.

You can usually transition into some kind of supportive trainers between week 3 and 4, but not walk barefoot. Bone healing will still take 6 to 8 weeks. During that period, you should avoid any high-impact activities. You can continue with gentle sports such as cycling and static weights. Typically, you can commence running at 6 to 8 weeks once X-rays have confirmed some healing. It may be 10 to 12 weeks before you can run any distances.

The swelling can continue to reduce over a longer period and in most cases will not be present at 16 weeks. However, in some cases, it can be up to 6 months, and in very few cases, it can resolve after 12 months. On average, bunion surgery healing takes anything between 6 and 10 weeks.

Tailor’s Bunionette Surgery Recovery

Tailor’s bunionette is on the outer side of the foot. It is not the main weight-bearing joint, which is the big toe. Typically, the bone will heal over 6 to 8 weeks, but for the first week or two, you will need to elevate and try to rest.

You won’t be able to wear trainers for about 2 weeks, following which you can wear rigid shoes/trainers. I would still allow 6 to 8 weeks before high-impact activities are allowed. Generally, the procedure is very successful. The small screws hold the bone into position. You can mobilise quite early on, but again, high-impact running may take time and up to 3 months. You don’t really get too much swelling around this area, and usually, it’s a very successful outcome.

Hammertoe Surgery Recovery

Hammertoe surgery recovery is dependent on the type of procedure, for example, arthroplasty or fusion. The fusion can be done with screws, which means there’s nothing sticking out of the toe, or with wires where you have to have a wire stuck out of the toe for 6 weeks.

Typically, I would expect that for the first 2 weeks you are elevating the feet. If you’ve had more than one toe done, then it may require a full 2 weeks, whereas one toe requires 5 to 7 days of elevation and rest. You have to use a post-op shoe for at least 2 weeks, especially if you’ve got screws in, then you can start to transition to trainers at 2 weeks as there’s no wires sticking out. Should there be wires, then you have to use a post-op shoe for about 6 weeks.

Bone healing would take 6 to 8 weeks where a fusion has happened and the bones have knitted together. An arthroplasty procedure allows for scar tissue to form, which can also take that period. Swelling can take many months and sometimes 3 to 4 months before it fully settles. Occasionally, you get a sausage toe, which is a bit more swelling that takes time.

Arthritic Big Toe Surgery Recovery

Arthritic big toes or hallux rigidus essentially involves two operations. The first type being a cheilectomy where the joint is cleaned up, and there is no fusion operation. This one has relatively quick recovery at 2 weeks. You’re quite mobile. If it’s done keyhole, you’re mobile after 4-5 days. Wound healing takes 2 weeks, but the general foot will settle over a 4 to 6 week period. You can continue with gentle sports for 4 weeks. In some cases, you’ll get some sensory changes and tenderness for a few months.

With the fusion, on the other hand, you need to use a post-op shoe for about 6 weeks or possibly an air cast boot for that period. You will require 2 weeks of elevation. Then if you’re in an air cast boot, you can mobilise up to 20 to 30 minutes an hour but in a protected shoe. Once the bone is healed sufficiently, you can start increasing activity. However, running may not be allowed for about 3 months. Swelling can take up to 6 months, but mostly most people have very little swelling after 3 months.

FAQs

How long does toe surgery take to heal?

Toe surgery can take 6 to 8 weeks typically to heal fully. However, swelling can take 3 to 4 months. The initial rest period is about 2 weeks of complete rest.

How painful is toe surgery?

With modern techniques of local anaesthetic and pain management with modern minimally invasive surgical techniques, there is minimal pain after the first 48 hours.

Can you walk after toe surgery?

Walking is permissible in post-op shoe and air cast boots straight away. I would expect that you build up from 10 minutes an hour to full recovery over a week between 2 and 8 weeks.

Can you walk after toe removal surgery?

Yes. If your lesser toes are removed, they do not affect your gait. They are usually removed in very elderly patients where reconstructive surgery is not indicated.