Bunion op

Hi Katherine,

I think you have stopped to smell the roses and you like what you smell! Having love and people around you is what life is all about. The reason you will miss it is because you won't be in 'control' of yourself when you go back to work. We are all 'owned' by someone in the workforce and the thought of giving up all the warm and loving care you have received whilst healing is a hard to give up. All good things come to an end and just look at it this way, I am to have two feet done too, but no help at home at all!....so think how lucky you are to have had so much love and assistance from hubby and friends. Good luck with your weight bearing, take care.

I am scheduled to have a chevron osteotomy and PIP joint fusion in August. The specialist says that I will be able to heel walk and he has allowed me two weeks off work, then two weeks part-time. He thinks that work is socially good for you and it is easy to get depressed if you are too long off work. I'll let you know if he's correct!  Unfortunately it seems that most of us are accountable to someone else whether we are at home or work. Good luck with the transition back to work. 

Hello Katherine.

You will probably be apprehensive about returning to work. Do you actually need to go out to work or could you afford to stay at home? Not many people work for pleasure these days. Have you had all the bandages/dressings removed? Are you still having to use your crutches or a walking stick to help you with your balance when moving around? Do you still need to wear the special shoes that we are given to wear following bunion surgery? Maybe, you just need to ask your GP for a further sick note until you get your confidence back . I know it took me quite a while. And even now ( my surgery was on 27 November 2013 for a single but substantial bunion and hammertoe correction) I am still a bit wobbly at times when I walk around. I think this is due partly because of the lengthy spell of  inactivity following the surgery and also the fact that my leg  muscles are weak and need building up. If I was in your position ( I nearly said  'in your shoes'!!) I'd delay returning to work for as long as you feel necessary. It is summertime ( although you'd never know given the awful weather we're having in the UK) and the thoughts of having to go to work each day instead of being free to sit in the garden ( weather permitting) is not a very pleasant thought. Unless of course, you simply adore your job.

Also, do remember, that if you do return to work before you feel emotionally and physically ready, you will be expected to resume normal function the moment you set foot inside the workplace building. The lay-person doesn't appreciate that bunion surgery takes far more time to recover from than hip and knee replacement surgery. My consultant told me this fact. So I know it's correct. Please take your time in making your decision. And remember, the more rest you allow your feet to have now will mean the swelling will reduce better and an all round better recovery will be achieved. Whereas to return to work too early will delay the healing and the swelling process and also may give you complications in the months ahead and you having to take more time off from  your job.

Keep me posted and Good Luck!

Gillian.

 

Hi, thank you for your replies.

Im sorry you will be alone Carol after your op. I did experience a lot of guilt, while lying there and my family having to do everything for the first 10 days or so. Its hard relying on others when you have always been so independent and the person who keeps everything together. I hope all goes well Carol xx

Gillian I have had all my bandages removed and have now been advised to fully weight bear. I am 9 weeks post op, had both feet done, bones broken, toes realigned and my toe next to my big toe, on right foot, cut and positioned. It feels normal to place my left foot flat on the floor but my right foot doesnt. I still have some swelling on the top of my feet and in my right big toe. On walking in a pair of comfy shoes on the day of my last visit to my consultant I was slightly limping on my right foot. I have thought a lot today on replies and I think as I have only just started to try and walk normaly that it would probably be best to see my Gp and ask for a bit more time off. Due to how difficult I am finding it to walk normaly and the amount of sugery I had. Or am I just delaying the inevitable ? xx

sbj I have gone through bouts of crying and feeling low since having my feet operated on. I am very lucky in that I work with a lovely team, I am a community Rehab worker, and have the pleasure of working with a lot of very special clients. I am on my feet a lot working with them and can walk quite long distances to get to their houses as its difficult to park near any ones house in Bristol lol. You can be on your feet for a hour each session and only sit down while traveling. I think you are right though in that it can be depressing being at home. But it depends a lot on what you do as a job, how quickly you heal and how quickly you can walk normally again. Good luck for August xx