1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Hallux Valgus (Bunions)

Are there ill consequences for overdoing it?

Posted , 7 users are following.

dot_818161
dot_818161

Hello,

I had a R Scarf Akin Osteotomy 10 days ago and thought I posted a question for the first time last night, but it hasnt appeared so have no idea what happened to it.

Obviously I am new to all this.

I have found the Forum very helpful, because though you are given some guidelines as to what to expect prior to the operation, you really cannot imagine the reality.

My concerns are mainly how will you know whether you are doing any damage, or can you undo the work of the operation by doing too much.

The notes I was given by the Consultant prior to the op was do rest with foot elevated for the first two day apres operation. Unfortunately I ended up going back to A&E the following morning because I felt the bleeding was more than it should have been. I did take a homeopathic remedy for the bleeding and by the time I saw the Consultant's Registrar, he said the bleeding had stopped and a nice new bandage was issued. However I wasnt able to elevate the foot much that morning, though I hope I made up for it later.

Only needed 1 dose of Ibrufen on day 2 and 3, took Paracetamol the first night, but probably didnt take quite enough, as I had a pretty sleepless night. On the whole I feel I am doing OK, but I am doing the washing up, hanging the washing out, have done a bit of pruning in the garden and have hoovered part of the house, all over the last few days, though not all at once. I do get a bit of a niggle on the top of the foot, but not near the operation site, so I wonder if that could be due to swelling or bone healing?? nerves??? It doesnt persist and am lounging about most of the time, with these occasional flurries of activity.

Do you gauge things by how the foot feels and can you do damage?

I am due to go back for the unveiling on Monday, and can hardly wait, but I was under the impression that the pins would stay in. Some of the people in the Forum seem to have had them removed? I wasnt told to put ice onto the area, will that make a difference to how long it takes for the swelling which I assume must be present?

I can walk on the foot with the wedge shoe, but I tend to alternate that with using the crutches.

Does the foot really have to elevated higher than the heart?

Look forward to some advice please

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Prev
  • gillian14549
    gillian14549 dot_818161

    Posted

    Hello Dot.

    Have just read your message but as I'm a bit busy cannot reply as fully as I wish right now.

    If you care to read through some of my postings to this forum which I began contributing to in January I think that your many questions will be answered.

    I will try and reply fully later today.

    The pins you refer to in my case were for hammertoe correction and I had a K-wire. This was removed 6 weeks post op. The screws in my bunion correction are still insitu and will remain so. They cause me no problems and as far as I know there is no need or intention for them to be removed.

    My surgery has been a revelation and huge success and I'm so glad I had it done. Almost 8 months down the line I am now back to normal but the recovery is very long and cannot be rushed.

    Take care.

    Gillian

    • dot_818161
      dot_818161 gillian14549

      Posted

      Hi there Gillian,

      I think I did come across your posts when I initially checked out this Forum, but now I have been trawling through the pages and cannot find you there.

      If you have time, would appreciate if you could comment further, but no haste, I am not going anywhere fast, let alone anywhere!

      One thing I havent asked is, with these metal pins being left in the foot, when you go through the security checks at the airport do they set off the alarm, and do you need to have a letter from the Dr to say you have these pins?

      Hope you are enjoying this lovely Med summer...

      Go well,

      Dot

  • goanna57
    goanna57 dot_818161

    Posted

    Hi Dot, first of all you shouldn't have had any bleeding. The bandage should have stayed on for two weeks undisturbed but mine was changed within a week because it got wet. During that time your foot should be elevated as high as possible provided you're comfortable. Best sitting on the lounge resting your foot on a high cusion placed on a chair. Best not overdoing things because the foot needs to heal. Please see the following video which shows scarf/akin osteotomies. http://www.tucsonortho.com/specialties/foot-ankle/bunion-correction-scarf-akin-osteotomy/ I hope this will help with some of the questions you have. I'm surprised you were only given Ibrufen and Paracetamol medication for pain relief. (I was in hospital for two days on antibiotics, Endone, Oxicontin and one Morphine injection in the stomach. On discharge I was given two days medication and had to see my GP for a prescription. I asked my surgeon if the two screws and staple need removing with him saying they are there to stay. I'm not sure if you are sleeping wearing your surgical boot but you should do so. Some people in the forum don't agree but this is what the nurses and orthopaedic surgeon told me to do keeping my foot aligned plus there is less chnace of bumping it. Ice helps but I prefer not doing so. It will take eight months or a bit longer for the swelling to disappear. During that time its best you wear thongs or a very soft comfotable flat shoe allowing your foot to fully heal. I had this operation because the bunionectomy op eight years ago left me with nerve damage and deformity. Oh! I had 12 stitches removed which all but one didn't hurt coming out. Nine were along the side of the large toe and three on top of my foot allowing movement of the large toe. Best of luck!!!!!!
    • dot_818161
      dot_818161 goanna57

      Posted

      Thank You Goanna,

      Is that Go Anna, or goanna as in the reptile??? or Joanna??

      Sorry its interesting to speculate on our User names.

      I had a TIA about 3 years ago and have been on a low dose of Aspirin daily. The consultant asked me to stop taking it two weeks before the op, which I did, but maybe it still wasnt long enough. That is what I am putting the bleeding down too.

      The video was very helpful, thank you for that, as didnt really know what they did. I was given another painkiller as well as the Ibufren and Paracetamol, but I didnt touch that one and dont want to get up and check the name of it. However I really havent had much pain,  apart from the first three nights and I think I could have tolerated the pain, but I wouldnt have got to sleep.

      I was only told to use the wedge shoe when I am on the foot, will ask about that when I go back to have bandages removed tomorrow.  I would think it would be quite difficult to sleep with the wedge but I have been keeping the foot free of the sheet and havent needed a blanket these last few nights. Once the bandage is removed that may be a whole different ballgame. I suppose the shoe issue is a few weeks down the line, but I have some sandals that I hope to wear which have a velcro strap across the ankle and the top of the shoe. So hopefully with a sock there wont be any pressure on the operation site or ex bunion..

      Am feeling a bit apprehensive now, about the follow up tomorrow.

      Much appreciate all your advice.

       

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.