A Hammer-Toe, Cut and Pinned

X marks the spot. Really, what doctor could not identify which toe needs major help? On doctor's orders the foot had to be scrubbed clean at home with anti-bacterial soap but I'm sure they also smeared the area with that Betadine stuff.

This is the husband's toe in pre-op, just before it was cut in two places, shaved down, screwed and pinned. The pin sticking out in front for up to a month is temporary but a tiny screw will remain.

I personally cannot tolerate the thought of metal in my body. After surgery, the nurse unwrapped his toe to show me the pin sticking right out of the middle of the end of the straightened toe and it gave me the shivers. I can handle blood and pain and usually have my teeth drilled without Novocaine, but just the thought of a pin sticking out of my toe (or the thought of bumping that pin and having to possibly redo the surgery), makes me twinge a little somewhere inside.

The patient is doing well. The enormous boot, worn for protection, is more annoying than the toe.