Toe Bone Spur

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Toe Bone Spur

by Jane
(PA)

I have a bone spur on the top (off to the side) of my middle toe. I thought it was a corn or wart until I showed it to my PC doctor. I had been using corn removal pads and filing it with a nail file until I had it infected. It gets really sore at times, depending on the shoes that I wear. I would like to know if bone spurs continue to grow. I am inclined to ignore it but I have read that sometimes they break off and cause other problems. If surgery is the answer, what is the recovery period? Do you have to wear a "boot"? I hear that it is quite painful. I would appreciate any info you can give me.

Hi Jane,
Generally bone spurs that occur on the side of the toe are really just a hypertrophy (enlargement) of the normal "flare" of these small bones.
Shoes that tend to be too narrow for the individual will press this enlarged bone into the adjacent toe and you may either develop a corn or perhaps an inflamed bursal sac.
So, the chances of this bone breaking off is about zero.
Your bigger question here is how much does it hurt? If you are reasonably young and in good health and it hurts enough, have it removed. Yes, it is surgery, but it is not major foot surgery. My patients leave the hospital with that "boot" you refer to, but I see them 2 days later, put on a smaller dressing and they can generally get into a large sneaker or if it is warm they can wear a sandal.
Sutures stay in for two weeks, the toe generally has to wrapped in a compression wrap for a few weeks, because one of the side effects of toe surgery is excessive swelling and if it is not controlled the toe may stay permanently swollen. During this period you will not be out on the tennis court but you will be functional and depending on your job may be able to return to work in a few days after surgery.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Toe Bone Spur

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Jan 20, 2012
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bonespur surgery - long time to heal
by: Lisa

I had bonespur surgery on big and 2nd toe (adjacent to each other) almost 4 months ago on same foot. Still healing. Incisions have long since healed up but it's what's going on inside that is problematic. Surgery areas still tender, with burning numbness underneath forefoot when pressure is applied. 2nd toe still not back to normal color quite yet. In physical therapy for desensitation, ultrasound therapy, and strengthening. Since surgery, gait has been thrown off which causes pain in foot and ankle, plus atrophy in leg from low use of it. Didn't think recovery would take this long or be this sore. Everything I read on internet had people back to normal in a about a month. I am assuming I am still doing internal healing. Could it take up to a year to be all done with this, even tho it wasn't major surgery? My toes are angry, lol!

Hi Lisa,
It sounds like your issues are taking longer than normal. At four months post operative I would have thought you would be well on your way to recovery with an occasional episode of discomfort. You need to have a conversation with your surgeon because if there is an issue, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remedy the problem.
If your surgeon fails to give you satisfaction and kind of blows you off, then I would suggest you get a second opinion from another foot specialist in your area.

Marc Mitnick DPM

Mar 27, 2011
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bad idea
by: Carol

I had bone spurs removed last July. They were in the joint of my right big toe. I was a nursing asst. and on my feet all the time. My DR. told me 4 to 5 weeks of recovery before I could return to work. After 7 weeks I had to go back I could't afford to be off any longer. Now it is almost April I had to leave my job because of the pain. I can't put pressure on it, walk barefoot, where shoes without pain or work. I feel stuck, depressed, I ache all over because of the way I have to walk. I lost my insurance (I now have cobra very $$$$) my surgeon has no idea what is going on. He told me to come back when I had my insurance figured out. Never have toe surgery without at least 3 second opinions.

May 05, 2009
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Bone spur surgery
by: Anonymous

I had a bone spur removed from my second to small toe. The pain has been worse since the surgery. What can I do next?

Hi,
I would suggest you see another doctor and get a second opinion, but do not be too quick to have additional surgery.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Toe Bone Spur

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Toe Bone Spur