Advice about bunion surgery

Hi Christine

I too am in the same dilema.  However, I dont have anyone who can help me out while I recover.  All the comments appear to have either a husband or partner who is there for them.  I am a working 61 year old and I also look after my 89 year old mother.  Apart from this very important factor, I still dont think I would go ahead with the operation unless the consultant convinced me to.  Until now Ive seen the hospital surgeon and a Podiatrist,. both recommend that unless I cant walk, not to have it done.  They both told me its the most painful opertion and infection is common.  Also, they say that the bunion returns.  A real difficult one, as my bunions are getting much worse. They look much worse than they fee, I am still able to walk, stand for hours and dance a little.  I buy very comfortable wide shoes with slight wedge heels.  Luckily fashion nowadays means I can get away with trousers and flats with skirts.

Let me know what you decide. 

Hi Christine, 

i realise that everyone is different but I am surprised by all the gloomy tales below. I am 63. I had my bunion op and second toe shortening do e two weeks ago. I took Naproxen and Paracetomol for the first two days as instructed and occasional Naproxen at night after that for about a week. I could walk on my heel after two days and since then have been able to walk. I even went to Italy for a long weekend. There is no pain. Yesterday I managed to adapt a walking sandal so that I had a matching pair of shoes on my fleet. The stitches come out tomorrow. I work on the principle of positive health - if you think it's all going to be fine and behave as normally as possible - chances are it will be. I'm. to advocating ignoring professional advice but just do what feels right for you. Good luck. 

Hi Christine

I'm 60 and had  bi-lateral lapidus, aktin & hamertoe surgery last November. still on the way to recovery, but doing painfully well. before you have any op, find out if it's minimally invasive or the full invasive surgery as these will have an impact on your recovery. i didn't really have much choice in having the op just the timing, either within 2 years or i wouldn't be able to walk anywhere. but, have been told by serveal professional since, that i was extreemly brave to have both done at the same time.

best advice is to be over organised prior to the event,  keep your expectations low, and be prepared to be bored and housebound for the first couple of weeks or so, and also remember it's major surgery, not in the same league as a dental appointment.

So far, p*ssed off about the recovery time, but it hasn't stopped me from doing want i've wanted to do, abiet a bit slower. i've even started a pole dancing class in the past 2 months (totally useless at it).

Caroline

 

I am a 61 year old woman who has had bunion surgery.  Firstly let me say that with bunion ops it depends on the procedure as to recovery.  The scarf is quicker healing than Lapidus.  Last year I had my left foot done by the Lapidus procedure this was done Jan 2014  at the same time I had a Morton's Neuroma excised.   My surgeon would not have done a Lapidus procedure on both feet at the same time.  You will need help the first 2 weeks I was lucky that my Mum who is quite fit came and lived with me added to which I had my husband.  For the first 6 weeks I wore a boot cast and the following 6 weeks were spent gently gently in trainers.  I was therefore able to drive after 6 weeks.  The first few days I experienced pain but this is easily controlled with co codamol or similar which also makes you sleep.  After that you don't have pain until the boot comes off and you have to walk.  This is when the pain really starts because your ankle is so weak and you have to pull your toe backwards and forwards until it hurts to get some flexibility in the joint. I returned to work at 13 weeks and my ankle was swelling for a good few weeks after this.  You are told that swelling can be expected for up to a year.  At six months I was still walking with a bit of a limp.  This was rectified with a further op under general anaesthetic of aggressive manipulation.  I had one week off work to recover from this and I am pleased to say that this did the trick and I had no problems from this pointI have now had my left foot done  in February 2015 and despite it being the same operation and the same surgeon it has not healed the same.  The bones did not fuse so well and I have had the boot cast on for the full 12 weeks, luckily being my left foot and having an auto car I was able to drive after 6 weeks.  I would have gone mad if my right foot had reacted like this because I wouldn't have been able to drive for 12 weeks.   I am now going through the learning to walk stage again, exercises, bending back and forward and squats bending my toes, this is painful.  When people talk of bunion ops being painful I would say it is not painful but the rehabilitation stage is because it is down to you to do the exercises but if you don't you won't have the flexibility and it takes longer to be able to walk properly.  That said it is very difficult to put yourself through it when you know the pain is coming.  If you stand for too long your foot and ankles swell so you cannot overdo it and have to put your feet up.  I am expecting to be off work for a further 6/7 week period making about 19 weeks before I can stay on my feet for long enough.  I suppose it depends on your job though, mine is not a sitting down job.  One nice side to this operation is that despite being immobile you are not ill so you can do nice things like reading, watching TV, be lazy, visit friends, go for coffee etc. etc. It can be quite a peaceful time in your life.  Now that I am in the final stages of recovery, boot removed into trainers, I am trying to exercise by swimming which helped enormously last time.   It is a long job really, be prepared for 6 months before things are more normal.  Is it worth it, I think so.  I have lovely straight feet.  I hope this helps others.

Thank you for your informative post.  I will require -

Metatarsal cuneiform joint fusion (Lapidus), along with second and third hammer toe correction.  

It will be carried out by a podiatric surgeon.

I find this site very helpful but must admit I do get confused over all your names and your individual procedures.  Thank you all.

Yes I understand your confusion because as I said not all bunion ops are the same and the easier scarf method has much quicker recovery to the Lapidus method.  You are going to have the Lapidus which I was told by my surgeon is more successful in the long run although much longer recovery.  You will be fine if you do what you are told and use this,time in your life to enjoy the rest.  Good luck.

Any one wants to contact me, re lapidus just pm

on the way to total recovery ... YIPPEEEEEEE

Hi Chistine,

I regred I didn't check a forum before and after my surgery.  The doctor who did the surgery was not clear with his advice so after two weeks of minimum walking I had myappoinment with the doctor for changing the bandage, and remove the stiches  (he only put 3 wraps of elastic bandage on my foot) and he said "now you have to start walking"  so I went home and start heating my food, washing dishes.  Needles to said I had a  horrible pain.  He told me to wash the foot every day and put some over the counter antibacterial only in the place whare I had he stiches. I followed the instructions but I was noticing that my fat toe was moving toward the other toes as before so I decided to see how to redressing the bunion on youtube.  What I saw, was a totally different way from my doctor.  It was much better the one on youtube.  I made the appoinment with the doctor to learn how to do it.  Lucky the doctor was busy and the nurse did it for me.  She did it the same as the youtube.  What a difference, my foot had more support, my fat toe was separate from the other ones and the hammer toe was genly pull down.  My advise is check the forum, check youtube if what you are doing is  correct.   Thank you so much for posting your experience.

One question, did you wash your foot every single day and put some antibacerial oilment on the wouds?  Thank you SO much.

Marisol

Hi Christine,

     I'm 65 and had a bunion removed on one foot with a metatarsal osteotomy with 2 screws inserted.  It is now close to six weeks post-op and I feel no pain.  I still have some swelling on that right foot. (I measured around my foot and the right foot is 1/2 inch larger around than the left.). Pain only lasted a little over a week.  I wore the boot for a few weeks after the bandages and stitches were removed.  I don't where it much now because it is uncomfortable.  I can fit into my Birkenstock sandals and walk fairly well.  No limping, but I tire easily.  I ice in the evening, but it is due to use and swelling.  The swelling will eventually lessen as time goes by.  I am very pleased with the result and plan to do some swimming next week.