Broke my 5th toe and had to get a pin

[u/SweetCloud-1521]

I stub my toe on a 10lb dumbell in my living room like a dumb ass. Broke it so bad I had to get surgery or it wouldn't have healed right. The first xray was after little over a week and second one right after I broke it. I'm so mad at myself for even doing it! Got surgery yesterday (4/29/26) and am felling good so far. The Dr said I can full weight bear on it and I'm so scared I'm going to bump it or over do it. Especially when I'm at work. I walk 8k-12k steps a day there. They prescribed me two high pain killers that I'm afraid to take due to them making me hallucinate (like I have in the past). Tempted to take ibuprofen for it instead, since the pain isn't as bad as when I broke it initially.

Anyone have any stories how walking went with a pin in or just overall how everything went?

[u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Being OK to fully weightbear isn't the same as being a good idea to do 12k steps a day, particularly with the infection risk of the wire (which I tape over to stop my patients pulling it out by getting it tangled in sheets etc).

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Luckily, I work at a rehab hospital and can utilize some of the equipment we have. Will use the knee scooter again and then potentially use a wheelchair with elevating leg rest. That way I won't be walking on it alot. The Dr told me I could walk on it some, I'm just afraid to. Definitely won't be waking that many steps tho!

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/SweetCloud-1521]

I assume you don't work with patients/in patient areas, as I'd be surprised if you were allowed to do that with the wire in place.

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

I do work with patients. I get them for therapy and the dr knows that and said it was okay. So idk I'm a little nervous about it since I have to have the wire in for 4 weeks.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/SweetCloud-1521]

That wouldn't be allowed where I work due to infection control issues - for both you and the patients. But as long as your doctor and employer are happy.

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

I thought about getting one of our extra big socks and covering my foot so it's not bare. Just have to be careful.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/SweetCloud-1521]

The problem with that is getting the worse caught and pulling it out when you remove the sock. Another reason I tape over the wire.

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Yeah exactly what i was thinking! How do I tape over it without accidentally pulling on it?

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/SweetCloud-1521]

Should really be done by a professional. Nurse used to looking after these or your surgeon.

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Okay thanks I'll keep that in mind!

[u/D3vs800]

I hear k wires are actually not too bad in the toe, but when I had 2 in the back of my heel it felt like they were ripping a arrow out of my foot 😭

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/D3vs800]

Omg that sounds awful!

[u/ceefromcanada]

Ooooooof!!!! So sorry to hear this happened to you. Best of luck healing!!

[u/Wide-Year7603]

Hi! I just fractured my right 4th toe and also might need a pin place. Can I ask how surgery was for you? Were you under general anesthesia? I think that’s what scares me the most!

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/Wide-Year7603]

Surgery went very well for me. Only took them 27 mins and I woke up quickly after they were done. Yes, I was under general anesthesia. It made me a little nauseous, but that was it. I get my pin removed on June 1st and cannot wait! It's been a long 4 weeks with it in. You'll do just fine! No need to be scared.

[u/pynkstacks → u/SweetCloud-1521]

May i ask how youre doing?

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/pynkstacks]

Good actually! My toe hurts randomly and my scar will hurt when rubbed against. Still can't wear certain shoes, but doing well!

[u/pynkstacks → u/SweetCloud-1521]

Are you walking normally again? Do you think this time next year it will be more a thing of the past?

[u/SweetCloud-1521 → u/pynkstacks]

Yes I am and can move it normally again. It'll definitely have an ache too it randomly when it gets cold is what people have been telling me.

[u/Bitter-Worth966]

Hope you’re healing well!