Bunion Operation

LindraR, thanks a lot

What kind of surgery did your cousin have with this doctor?Did she do both feet at once and how long did it take for her to recover?

I am the same-46-flat feet-can not really take time off work and need to be able to drive in the shortest possible time.I have had noticable bunions for at least 15 years and braved them up but now with the new kind of ops I thought it was the time to sort it

I'm not to sure about what sort of surgery she had. She had one done first then the other 3 months later. She wasn't in pain, mild discomfort for a few days and walking the same day. Will post more when I have hopefully had a consultation.

I am 47 and have suffered since I was a teenager with bunions I inherited from my mother. My mother had

her bunion op in the 70's and her feet were literally butchered by the surgeon, needless to say her experience put me off having the op myself. Then I read an article in a national newspaper of a french surgeon called Dr Joel Vernois, of Care UK’s Sussex Orthopaedic NHS Treatment Centre. My doctor referred me and he performed the operation under a general anaesthetic on both of my feet, 3 weeks ago. I had the dressings removed after 2 weeks and I was so pleased with my feet. There was very little swelling, five small dots, as I had minimal invasive surgery and they were so straight and even looked quite a bit smaller, without bones/joints jutting out here and there. They were painful for a couple of days, but thats all. The main problem I have at the moment is the boredom of not being able to go out, or go to the gym etc! A very small sacrifice to make for 6 weeks and then have good looking, pain free feet. Can any-one tell me how long after the 6 week recovery period, they were able to go for a jog or a work-out?

Hello DMK

I started with cycling around 6 weeks - maybe a few days earlier- and some low impact stuff. I also made myself do some upper body weights and core stuff, every other day up until then. I started swimming about 6 weeks too. I think it was more like 8-12 weeks before I started some light jogging and then running progressively. AND yoga - hot yoga was great for my foot! I was doing that at 5-6 weeks I think.

I'm just over 4 months now and I don't have the movement I used to but the foot is getting better. No pain just some swelling after a run. I was EXTREMELY happy when I started doing some proper exercise again. I didn't realize how much not being able to do anything affected me until then!

Thank you 'Wonderjob', for your most welcome reply. Would you mind me asking your age? As I am aware that it does have a significant impact on the healing process of the bones knitting together etc. I have recently started taking calcium + Vit D, as I've read this can help. I intend to follow your lead with some swimming, cycling and upper body weights. 3 weeks in now and I have very little swelling and am totally pain free! I hope I continue with this speedy recovery, as I have had both feet done and it is a real hindrance not being able to drive and move about freely. I would definitely recommend this op to any-one just thinking about it, as I did for years.

I read so many horror stories about bunion surgery I almost didn't go through with it. My issues stemmed from a broken foot that healed incorrectly 4 months prior to foot surgery. I used a wonderful foot and ankle specialist in Memphis, TN. I had sugery on my left foot October 31, 2012. Surgery was quite successful and I returned home with my crutches, a cast, pain killers and strict orders to stay off my feet. I experienced mild pain the first 2 days but nothing the pain killers couldn't fix. Day 4 I actually fell and ended up bending the pin in my second toe. The hardware stayed in for 30 days and I had to return to surgery since the pin was bent and couldn't be removed any other way. I slept in a recliner for the first month for fear of my husband or dogs hitting my foot at night. After the first week I had little to no pain. Life was a challenge. You cant do anything by your self! I def recommend a wheel chair!

Hello,

I had one done on the 6th Sept 2012 and feel VERY frustrated at the loose use of the word 'BUNION.'

I am not a scaremonger but must stress you need to know exactly what they are gong to do and the down time of how it will affect YOUR life - not a typical one.

I initially complained of perhaps a fractured toe, I was diagnosed as arthritis and an operation suggested, another consultant suggested to treat the bunion first although it wasn't very painful and didn't affect my day to day living. Seemed like a good idea an less major so I agreed. Obviously.

I am still under physio (after a wonderful surgeon I must add), not walking fully though have just returned to work on a phased return, purchased an automatic car, can't walk the dog, can't wear trainers for the gym or walking boots yet, just wellies for an hour if that, daily recovery pain. The operation was major with tendon, bunion and re-alignment (Scarf) carried out. My GP told me I had taken far too much time off sick already and put me on the phased return to work. Work have not been helpful and it has been very painful - basically you're back now get on with it - it's only a BUNION.

By the way... I did my research on what to expect with the operation. I was told I'd be back to work in a week by one Registrar, (so informed work a max of 3 - 6 weeks) the Consultant put me off sick for 6 weeks ( with crutches and medi shoe) altogether 3 months off sick and still can't bend my foot for walking properly. I have 2 screws and a staple holding my toe back together, 3 scars. (see 'Scarf' you tube video.)

Yes this was just a 'Bunion' operation.

Really sorry to hear of your discomfort and sudsequent problems. The op I had back in May was a total susccess, although I didn't have any other problems with my feet, other my unsightly and painful bunions. I'm not sure if we had the same op though, as I initially a non invasive bunion op, which has left little to no scaring what so ever!Both my feet arenow perfectly straight, with no nobbly bits and a size smaller, which is great. I read that people had lost some flexibility and I was advised, at my 6 week appointment to bend my toes back and forth to obtain this. Which I did quite regularly and now have full flexibility, probally more than I had before. I was told before the operation, by the surgeon that I would have to stay off my feet as much as possible for 6 weeks, since I had both feet done at the same time, this was very easy to do and then use minimal mobility for the next 2.5 months. I followed his advise exactly and now have, what I consider to be, the best looking & painfree feet in the world. I have absolutely no regrets and would thoroughly recomend anyone having problems with their bunions to do the same. Although, if they are suffering from other problems with their feet, then maybe they should also take your comments into consideration first.

Hello DMK,

I'm really glad your's was a success and must stress that surgically so was mine. How brilliant it must feel. Mine I feel was invasive but was still classed as a 'Bunion'. This terminology is too general.

Whilst at home I did my physio at least 4 times a day (approx 7 exercises) and enjoyed the thought of a good recovery. Somy exercises i.e. bending toe back and forth became automatic any time of the day. I'm still under the physio and I don't have the same amount of time any more now back at work. The physio says there is progression but slow.

So all round no complaints with any of the services received - but for some reason taking longer to get the same mobility back.

Had my base wedge osteotomy bunion op mid December. One foot only as my surgeon will not do two together. What is very apparent is that there are lots of different ops depending on the state of your bunion recommend anyone considering this find out what type of op you will have a research that.

I am wearing an aircast boot, large plastic and grey looks like a ski boot this means I can now walk around the house without crutches and go further distances with help from the crutches. I can take the boot off at night and when sitting with feet up through the day.

Real pain only lasted 24 hours or so since then it has been just stinging bit like a nettle sting. Wound took about 4 weeks to hear properly and still need to keep it covered for extra protection when wearing the boot. Seeing surgeon again in 1 week and hopeful will be able to start weight bearing and moving into more normal footwear.

It's a long job but the foot looks good and I am increasingly mobile.

Not an op to embark on lightly but do find out what is recommended for you and read up on that other situations will only confuse. good luck

hi 'ive just had both my feet operated on together as it was more a time allowed off work issue the hospital

were billiant but worned me it would be very hard on myself and hoped i had lots of help at home which i

did thank goodness as when it came to going home the same day as op i had to have a zimmer frame to

walk with as my balance was not good and said i would need a wheel chair to get about outside also

crutchies for when i felt more confident and more balanced,it has been ten days now since op and i feel

great and looking forward to next Thursday as i will see my new toes for the first time and carn't wait, for

the cast to come off and my stitches taken out then re- potted for a further four weeks i will let everyone

know if it was worth going through the pain to have straight toes dreaming of beautiful sandles for

summer and pain free for ever!

Hi I had my bunion op done 2 weeks ago and also a toe straightened. I went home the same day heel walking on crutches. The front of my foot is in plaster and I have a pin in my toe. I honestly didn t find it really painful. I came home on pain killers and take them regularly. I can now walk in the house without the crutches in the special shoe. Stitches come out in a few days. I had scarf osteotomy and akins osteotomy. I would most certainly have the other foot done. Yes it is an inconvenience not being able to drive and to have to rest your foot as much as possible but hopefuly it will be worth it. Can t wait for my new foot to be revealed.

Hi everyone I am having bilateral hallux valgus (bunion) and tailors bunion surgery on both feet on 22/5/13. Follow my blog at http://fabulousfeet.aussieblogs.com.au/ and feel free to ask questions about the procedures and recovery!