Hammertoe Surgery and Neuropathy

@dbeshears1 Debbie - Mayo in MN gave me the identical diagnosis, axonal sensorimotor. They told me nothing can be done to "fix" this and as time moves on, the more I learn, the more I realize how right they were. I do have cold shins and feet all year where I have neuropathy, so I do agree with you. No other areas, just where I have PN. I have minor PN in fingertips but no temp change. It is not severe, just slight in fingers that effects handwriting. In summer of 2021, my sweating also changed, less in lower areas of body, more in upper part of body especially around back of neck. head and upper chest. It's tough this time of the year, less in winter months. My neuro doc says it is part of the sensory side. I found out there is a med to reduce that excessive sweating, but I don't want to take one more med if I don't need to. For now, I deal with it. Ed

I found this conversation while researching the same subject. Debbie, I’m curious what you decided to do and how things turned out. I have neuropathy in my right foot from an L4-L5 disc blowout that sat against the nerve too long before surgery causing some permanent nerve issues. This toe is so bad and causes more pain so I’m seriously considering fixing it but I’m so worried it’s gonna make the neuropathy worse. UGH! Surgery is scheduled for 1/26/24. Thanks.

Hi -
How timely, I just had surgery 48 hours ago! I talked to my Neurologist and my PCP for advice in advance, over months as I tried to gather as much information I could, with huge thanks to @johnbishop for his help. While the Orthopedic surgeon was ready, I too didn't want to make my PN worse. In the end, my Neurologist said the surgery shouldn't cause additional nerve injury or numbness He believes the biggest adjustment will be in re-learning a new walk after the structural changes are made to my toes. I have been adjusting my gait over time to compensate for the curling happening in my left toes. Nobody knows if the clubbing was caused by Neuropathy or just a regular thing that many folks without PN get in their lifetime. They also can't say whether my PN could ever make me susceptible to an eventual return of hammertoes, but it is believed it would take a long time if it did.
I only got my left foot done, because the right toes aren't bad enough yet, and even if so, they thought someone with PN as severe as mine would be safer getting one foot at a time. I have to wear a special surgical shoe for 3 weeks, so at least I'll be able to drive (when not on pain meds) since my right foot isn't affected. They called it "arthrodeses" on my middle three toes, which now have wires in them for three weeks; they did something called "arthroplasty" on my pinkie toe, no temporary wire in that one. I'll see my foot unwrapped at the 10 day mark for bandage change. On Day 19 I'm to get the wires pulled out in his office. My surgical shoe will go with it, so that will be my time to adapt to a new gait and make any necessary shoe style adjustments.
Just like other parts of our PN journeys, we kind of figure it out as we go along, don't we, and see what works for us? Luckily, we have good mentors and members here to share experiences and articles. I'm fresh out of the gate with this surgery and will gladly share progress as I move along. My surgeon came highly recommended, and he is as anxious as I am to make this a positive outcome for me and my balance! Debbie

Hi -
How timely, I just had surgery 48 hours ago! I talked to my Neurologist and my PCP for advice in advance, over months as I tried to gather as much information I could, with huge thanks to @johnbishop for his help. While the Orthopedic surgeon was ready, I too didn't want to make my PN worse. In the end, my Neurologist said the surgery shouldn't cause additional nerve injury or numbness He believes the biggest adjustment will be in re-learning a new walk after the structural changes are made to my toes. I have been adjusting my gait over time to compensate for the curling happening in my left toes. Nobody knows if the clubbing was caused by Neuropathy or just a regular thing that many folks without PN get in their lifetime. They also can't say whether my PN could ever make me susceptible to an eventual return of hammertoes, but it is believed it would take a long time if it did.
I only got my left foot done, because the right toes aren't bad enough yet, and even if so, they thought someone with PN as severe as mine would be safer getting one foot at a time. I have to wear a special surgical shoe for 3 weeks, so at least I'll be able to drive (when not on pain meds) since my right foot isn't affected. They called it "arthrodeses" on my middle three toes, which now have wires in them for three weeks; they did something called "arthroplasty" on my pinkie toe, no temporary wire in that one. I'll see my foot unwrapped at the 10 day mark for bandage change. On Day 19 I'm to get the wires pulled out in his office. My surgical shoe will go with it, so that will be my time to adapt to a new gait and make any necessary shoe style adjustments.
Just like other parts of our PN journeys, we kind of figure it out as we go along, don't we, and see what works for us? Luckily, we have good mentors and members here to share experiences and articles. I'm fresh out of the gate with this surgery and will gladly share progress as I move along. My surgeon came highly recommended, and he is as anxious as I am to make this a positive outcome for me and my balance! Debbie

Wow, Debbie, you've been through the wringer this year. I had hammertoe & bunion surgery on my right foot in 2011 but I was several years into my neuropathy journey at the time. I did not have wires in my toes but I was in a boot for several weeks, and I'd say it took a year for full recovery, and to figure out workable shoe styles. The PN got considerably worse after back surgery in 2021 (and a broken hip with replacement 10 weeks later). But just based on my experience which seemed to be a lot like your doctor was advising yours would be, I'd think you have a real good chance of total recovery. Hunting for shoes that are safe yet comfortable with the PN is a huge challenge, but not due to the foot surgery. I had my foot surgery this same time of the year, in the midst of holiday preparations, so I feel for you! I also wish you the very best in your recovery. Try hard not to rush it! 😉