Pronosis

        Pain is not the longest aggravation after surgery, because it will only last 2-3 days and is anyway bearable with medication. The major problem is the swelling (oedema).

        It takes at least three months after surgery before one can comfortably wear elegant shoes. Patients who have varicose veins or whose feet already used to swell easily before the operation will have to wait even longer.

        The final outcome of such a major foot surgery will be seen anywhere between six to 12 months. Of course, the patient can lead a normal life long before that, especially to regain as much flexibility as possible. Sometimes, it won’t fully come back.

        If work is possible while wearing the post-surgery sandal (meaning a mostly-sitting job) with an occasional opportunity to put one’s foot up, sick leave may be as short as 10 to 14 days. If, however, work means to stand a lot on your feet or regulation shoes must be worn, then sick leave will last at least 8 to 10 weeks.

        One should also be realistic about the outcome: A foot with important malformations which have been there for years will never become like Cinderella’s. I often have to select what is more important. For instance, a lady whose metatarsals had fallen since long ago and had sore plantar calluses and stiff hammer toes to boot will see improvements to her condition, but her toes, eventually made straighter, will not become flexible again and one of them might not completely reach the ground if it used to be hammer-shaped and distorted for a long time. However, she will be able to wear ordinary shoes and walk straight again.   Surgery will generally improve function and aesthetics, but cannot perform a miracle. In the same way, a very misshapened Hallux Valgus can be eventually accompanied by secondary osteoarthritis and even the best surgical procedure will not make the worn cartilage grow back.

        Therefore it is best to consult with a doctor before the malformations get so out of hand that the surgery results won’t be the best.

Please see also "Post-surgery Advice"