Hi Paula -
Surgery went well, thanks for asking. It has been almost 3 months, and I am glad to report that at this time I have no regrets! I had my left foot done, so once off narcotics, I was able to drive in the shoe I had to wear for 3 weeks. I am not keen on any pills that increase my risk of losing balance and falling, but only took 2 doses of the oxycodone during the 1st 24 hours, and then only took Ibuprofen for a day, and that was it, so I'd say the discomfort was very tolerable. It wasn't a constant pain, it only hurt to walk for a couple of days, but since the toes (4 of them) were the area affected, I could at least walk more on my heel until it got easier on the toes. I had my first peek of my foot when my bandage was changed after 10 days and was surprised that it looked worse than it felt, but the doctor was pleased then, and at the 3 week mark when the rods and stitches were pulled.

The toes look and feel better. They fill my shoe properly and my gait seems to be better as I can roll off my toes a little when I step vs having one foot gripping like a claw when walking. I think the most difficult part of the recovery was walking with one foot in the surgical shoe for 3 weeks. It was like a 1" thick brick, and I didn't have any street shoe or slipper I could wear to match it, so I was lopsided for 3 weeks, and I was certainly feeling it in my knees and hips. I told my surgeon that in hindsight, maybe I should have bought 2 of the shoes so I would have been more balanced. After the boot was gone, I was able to wear my regular shoes again.

I do not need my right foot done at this point, but if they started curling, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. Though they say you can drive with your right foot with the shoe, but I'm hoping I won't have too. I want to observe how my left toes adjust over time. Nobody said that PN caused my hammertoe development, they say it happens to people of all kinds. But if my toes disappoint and start reverting back to the pre-surgery position, then I'd have to wonder. The good news is that my surgeon says that is unlikely to happen!

Good luck with your decision. I know there are so many factors to consider. Our bodies have already been through so much and we get tired. I think what motivated me was worrying that it wouldn't get easier the longer I waited and hemmed and hawed about it, and I did that for 2 years. I talked to my PCP who thought it had a good chance of improving my current state, which would help my future state. We also discussed how aging and further degeneration of strength and ability could one day remove me from being a candidate for surgery. That was the reality check for me.