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Bunion op

Posted , 6 users are following.

craven
craven

Hi All I just wanted to put my experience in writing in the hope like others it will help others to decide should I or should'nt I?

Before I had my surgery so many people doing the sharp take of breath and saying(most unhelpfully)'Oh painful!'

Well I opted for a private hospital on the NHS and it has been great!

Two weeks today I went in at 7.30am and was home with my left foot in a large bandage and shoe at 2.30pm

Just had a check up and now have a toe splint which I have to have for 3 months, that was the only surprise but it is needed to straighten my big toe.Now shopping for a boot to wear which will take it on my return to work in 4 weeks.

I would say to anyone hesitating 'Have it done' I have no pain and the only thing which is a pain is still having to wear the boot.

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

  • janine1952
    janine1952 craven

    Posted

    Your message has cheered me up no end.  I have been researching NHS Choices and I am going to go for it and try for a private hosp on the NHS.  so many people have said exactly the same to me that it is so painfull blah blah, and those were ALL  doctors.  I don't see why I should have to "live with it". I will let you know how I go on.

    Thanks

    • craven
      craven janine1952

      Posted

      Hi I am so pleased my message was of value and my GP did the same by trying to put me off.

      My nerve was being effected and causing pins and needles and some numbing sensation. My GP tried to convince me that it was not related to the bunion!

      Fortunetly I have some experience in the medical profession and knew otherwise but again I am so happy to have it done.

      Good luck and if you can choose a private like me hopefully you will have a positive experience too.

      My Consultant was at Chelmsford.Springfield Hospital and one of the nicest men I have ever met and treated me with the upmost respect.

      Good luck

  • janine1952
    janine1952 craven

    Posted

    Hi thanks for the encouragement.  My foot is feeling much better since the cortisone injection. Iam still going to pursue having the operation. I think I will probably end up having both my feet done. My right foot is as bad. I will keep you posted.
    • craven
      craven janine1952

      Posted

      Hi glad to hear the cortisone is giving relief but as you know not a long term solution.

      My right foot is nowhere near as bad although I do see it as a future op.

      Good luck with your op when you have it, I am on week 3 and doing great with just having to remember to rest my foot as much as possible.

      Let me know how you get on

  • amanda18539
    amanda18539 craven

    Posted

    Hi , I agree, I had a scarf osteotomy just over a week ago, not much pain after a couple of days and stopped taking all mess. I just take arnica and rescue remedy. The only pain is the hideous shoe! I am self employed so no sick pay, back to work tomorrow. Just for mornings though. 
  • LadyPink
    LadyPink craven

    Posted

    Hello Everyone, I am a young 70 years old and live in the Surrey area of UK. My husband is nagging me - because I keep moaning about the discomfort I am experiencing with bunions. He says I should get something done about them before I get any older. I also have flat feet which I have always had so getting comfortable, stylish (heeled) shoes these days is a nightmare. In summer I used to be able to buy Scholl sandals and Flyflot sandals (the originals Flyflots from Italy) as both styles used to have the arch supports and toe bars. I could live in them all day as they were a dream. Now both these brands have changed and they no longer have the supporting footbeds - cutting costs I guess. Buying shoes for comfort is so difficult now and takes forever. Has anyone got the same problem and could possibly have any suggestions? In the meantime I suppose I should start the ball rolling and visit my GP in order to get referred to a specialist with a view to surgery. My husband said my feet are not very 'attractive' to look even with pretty nail polish, because of these ugly bunions, but over time I am used to them of course. However, as time goes on and some days they they really do hurt I know I am only delaying the inevitable. I would, therefore, like to know how successful a bunion operation is and would they do the two together? What does the operation actually entail. Would those of you who've had it done, recommend it? Dont spare the gory details as I like to know what challenges I'm up against. Many thanks for any advice. LadyPink
    • amanda18539
      amanda18539 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi there, I just had one foot done 2 weeks ago, they wouldn't do two at once as you need one to hobble on while it heals. I get my dressing and stitches out tomorrow, looking forwards to having a peek at my new foot.

      i was told it would be very painful, but it hasn't been, just aches when I try to do too much. I have sat for 10 days with my foot elevated and will take a few months to heal properly

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink amanda18539

      Posted

      Hi Amanda, Thank you so much for your prompt reply. Bunions always seems such a comical thing to other people don't they do it's almost embarrassing to mention you have them. Ok, so it's just one at a time - and did you have it done on the NHS? If so how long were you waiting before the operation. Finally, were you in hospital as a day patient? Be grateful for any tips or info as I don't know anyone else who has had to have this done. LadyPink
    • amanda18539
      amanda18539 LadyPink

      Posted

      smileHi ladypink,

      yes yhey are embarrassing, I am 50 this year and have had mine since I was about 18 thanks to all the ladies in my family ( hereditary). Gone my life trying to hide them. Anyway no more. I am in New Zealand although I am English by birth, came here when I was 29. I have had it done privately on my medical insurance. It seems from reading on this forum that the uk surgeons like to fuse the bones which restricts the joint movement. In nz and Australia they do what is called a scarf osteotomy where the bones are straightened and screwed so the joints still move. Seems to be more natural. Good luck. It's not as painful as people say.

    • janine1952
      janine1952 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hello lady pink. I have more or less the same problem as you. My husband says the same as your husband about my feet, and  he also thinks I should do something about them.   I am 62 . My feet are painful most of the time and I can only wear sensible lace up shoes.  If I wear anything else for even a short time I pay for it afterwards. The shoes I buy are from Hotter. they do have an arch support in the shoes.  Even so I put my own supports in as well.  they are not the cheapest shoes in the world  but I have found them to be comfortable.  I cannot wear any kind of shoes with heels. I have been to see the doctor about my feet a couple of times now. Each time the doctor has tried to put me off having the operation. The first specialist told me to learn to love my bunions!!!!! The second said something similar and also said that these operations are painful and that a good result cannot be guaranteed.   so don't be put off.  I am convinced that they say these things because it is down to costs to the NHS. I let this put me off at the time but after having done some research and reading other peoples comments on this forum I have decided that I am not going to put up with this situation any longer and I am going to insist that I want to have the operation on both feet. 
    • amanda18539
      amanda18539 janine1952

      Posted

      Good for you janine. Just got back from having my dressing removed and a couple of stitches out, the rest were dissolvable. My foot looks great. Swollen red and bruised, but great.
    • LadyPink
      LadyPink janine1952

      Posted

      Hello Janine, It's been really good to hear your comments on our foot problems. I know Hotter Shoes although I've never tried any(yet). I buy Ecco shoes which aren't cheap either, but so comfortable - although I have noticed that lately not many of their flat styles now have shaped and supportive foot beds. I, like you, wear flat lace ups all the time and only put on heels just to look dressy when like last weekend we were at a wedding. They hurt me like hell and I couldn't walk far. As soon as I put my M&S wedge sandals on it, was pure heaven! Interesting to hear that consultants in UK try to talk you out of the op. Mmmm, maybe I'll leave it and put up with things for the time being then. I don't think we could afford private treatment. How much would it cost anyway I wonder? I wonder why our surgeons use different techniques than say where Amanda is in NZ? Thank you again for your input. I'm very grateful. LadyPink
    • LadyPink
      LadyPink amanda18539

      Posted

      Great to hear all is looking good, Amanda. Well done and I hope you will continue to do well. Let us know how you progress. Best wishes. LadyPink
    • eileenf
      eileenf LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi

      I had a double atkin and scarf osteotomy done at the end of February this year on the NHS in Scotland (Perth). I would say to go for the operation before your bunions get any worse- I'm 60, my feet were hurting and I was having difficulty finding shoes to fit me. I spoke to my doctor who was quite happy to refer me to a consultant- it took 4 months for the appointment to come through for that alone!

      The consultant was very sympathetic and said quite simply that he could make my feet better........and he has! I did have to wait quite a bit for the op but the target up here is three months- I was longer because I didn't want operated on just before Christmas.

      I had both feet done on the same day and had a spinal block so was awake for my op (but sedated!). I did stay in overnight but was released early the next morning. My feet hurt a bit for the first 5 days or so - I had both toes plastered and wore heel walking boots. The plaster came off after two weeks and then it was a light dressing for another week only. In the heel walking boots till my six week check up then freedom!

      The advice is to keep your feet up as much as possible for the first six weeks- which I did. After that they let you go, after checking X rays, telling you to take things easy.

      The next bit was the hardest as you have to learn to walk again and I have to admit that my feet hurt in different places and were quite swollen for the next four months! That was unexpected and a bit depressing but I can now say at 6 months post op that I would do it all again to get the result I have now- straight toes and no pain when wearing shoes.

      The above is my story only-in a short version(!)- but remember everyone is different and each will have different outcomes. Have a look at the thread 'Hello There' where you will see a number of people's experiences related as well as my own.

      Good luck in what you decide and I hope that the NHS treats you as well as they treated me!

    • eileenf
      eileenf janine1952

      Posted

      Hi Janine

      See below for my post to LadyPink as it would of use to you too. I would go for it- if your feet are sore then a good consultant will operate. Try to find one that is a foot and ankle specialist as mine was- he regarded the op as fairly routine!

      Good luck.

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink eileenf

      Posted

      Oh Eileen, thank you so much for telling of your experience. What an inspiration you are and already I have changed my mind and decided to 'go for it'. I shall call in at our doctors' surgery on my way to the supermarket and make an appointment to see my GP. Having had a rectal/ bladder repair not so long ago I know all about pain and discomfort. I was more concerned about doctors here in the UK appearing not to recommend it and talking ladies out of it. So, thank you so much. I'll see what my GP has to say. And, by the way, well done you. Pleased everything has gone so well. best wishes, LadyPink
    • eileenf
      eileenf LadyPink

      Posted

      Glad that I could help!biggrin I think they maybe only talk people out of it who are doing it for cosmetic reasons or whose bunion isn't deemed severe enough.

      The only thing I would stress is that you have to be happy with the consultant who is operating on your feet. If you're not try and get referred to another one.

    • eileenf
      eileenf janine1952

      Posted

      I think that you need to really impress on your doctor how sore your feet are. Maybe if both the doctor and consultant realise that you are suffering they may take a different view. Sometimes we can all be a bit stoical about the pain we're in and put up with a lot more than most doctors/surgeons realise. I suppose that the other point is that your feet are never going to get better on their own and that it's best to get this op done when you are mobile enough to recover well from it.

      I wish you success-let us know when you get an op date!

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink eileenf

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen - & Everyone for all your comments and advice. You ladies have been truly helpful.  Many thanks once again; I have a feeling I will be back.....  A speedy recovery to you all. LadyPink
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