Bunion Operation

Hi, Im Lisa and only just had my bunion surgery yesterday afternoon under a local block.... 2 screws and a wire -

Brilliant.....

Well until 1am when it had worn off and despite loading myself before i bedded down the pain was immense!!!! I have been taking at different intervals ibuprofen, codeine phosphate 30-60mg and paracetamol. I dont really consider myself to be a wimp and suffered chronic pain from my bunion pre-op but im definately NOT pain free by any means. My foot feels extremely tight and constant throb ,i am resting on my bed and up for toilet break only and then i think my foot is going to explode!! So avoiding getting up. On reading other comments pain doesn't seem to get much of a mention or appear to be a problem for others??? Or is it that after the first few days its "forgotten pain" i do hope this is the case!

Frimag 2-3 wks may be pushing it a bit but it would depend on a number of things. If it is just the 1 foot that needs surgery, the type of surgery you need and what sort of post op instructions you are given. I had 1 foot done and after 2wks dressings were removed and I was able to drive and return to some activities but still needed to rest and elevate foot. If you are just getting 1 foot done you may cope with returning to class after 3wks if you were able to elevate your foot on an extra chair. You would need to ask your surgeon if he thought it was doable!

Lisa I don't think you are on strong enough meds. Panadol and ibuprofen won't cut it! I was given codeine phosphate to take 4-6 hourly and tramadol and oxycodone for what they called "break through" pain. I would contact your doctor and tell him you are in pain, most of the comments I have read people say pain wasn't a huge problem as they were given adequate pain meds to control it! Good luck

Hei!

Wendy 4, I am only doing my left foot and I don't drive yet. Don't know about keeping it elevated, but should be doable and since I live at school I shouldn't need to move around too much.

Thanks Wendy,

Wow thats a cocktail n 'alf, inc oxycodone, you've a good GP - must've experienced the op themselves, lol ;-)))

Yeah ive been taking codeine 60mg. If the pain doesn't show signs of 'letting up' by tomorrow morning then i shall contact my GP. Ive got my friend to buy me some voltarol instead of ibuprofen- try that. I do have tramadol in my cupboard but didn't get on with it in the past. Might try it again before bed. Will let you know how i get on.

Hello - something to think about. Codeine really upset my stomach on day 2, was terrible. Surgeon said the sooner you can be on standard paracetamol and or ibrophrofen the better. Also I had no idea that coedene is addictive! But then again anything is I suppose??

Hi All,

I have been following your comments and found them really helpful.

Frimag I went back to work part time after 2 weeks but wished that I had waited one more as it made a big difference to how the foot felt. Whenever you return you will need to elevate the foot as much as possible.

I am now 6 weeks post op and was told yesterday after x ray that I could go back into ordinary shoes. I

found that none of my shoes were comfortable as the foot is still swollen and have had to buy some

sandals in a larger size.

Walking feels strange and a bit uncomfortable, but not very painful. Although the foot starts to swell if I am on it too long. I wondered how long it has taken before you can wear your own shoes and if anyone can

suggest what they have found comfortable. My crocs are too small and the Birkenstocks too hard and I

don't want to have to buy several pairs if I will not need them for long.Any advice would be welcome!

Hello I'm 3 months post op and know exactly what you are talking about re shoes / bigger sizes / not comfortable etc etc.

I have found the best shoes are trainer style. From 6.5 weeks til now I gave been wearing my lace up walking shoe style trainers. Good as you can pull the tongues right back to get your feet in, they are supportive and also you can vary the tightness with the laces.

My surgeon recommends Fitflops for summer.

I have just bought some mesh lightweight Skechers (will pm you with a link to my blog about my surgery with a photo) and these are super comfy but maybe a little early for you at 6.5 weeks. I love sketchers as you can even get them in a Mary Jane style which is a bit smarter than a lace up.

Hi All

Lisa, I'm nearly 4 weeks post op after having both feet done. I know what you mean regarding the pain and tightness. I had that in one foot in particular which is still rather tender,. I was given Voltarol and Co-codamol when I left the hospital and that saw me through. One of the side effects of Co-codamol is constipation though so I stopped taking that after a few days.

I have always kept my feet elevated and even have cushions in my bed to ensure my feet are above my hips which is what they did in hospital. This has really helped keep the swelling down which can cause the pain. If I do get the tight feeling, pins and needs, throbbing etc, especially after I've been up and about for a bit, I move my feet back and forward, to the side, in a circular motion and wiggle my toes and that helps get the circulation back and relieves the tightness. Also elevating your feet a bit higher should help.

I'm going back to the hospital today to get my dressings changed so will get to see how my feet are looking again and next week I'm getting the wires removed, which means I'll be able to move my bit toes again, yippee!

Evalucy and Fabulousfeet, I'm definitely going to stick with lace up shoes once I get to that stage. Sketchers sound the very thing too. I've got Fitflops which I'll be wearing them for as long as possible. I live in Scotland though so I will need to look out for frostbite!

Definitely agree with the elevating!!!! Surgeon tells me to do it even now of I've had a busy day or been trialling new shoes...! Off to Hong Kong on mon and he said to prop the end of the hotel bed up if I've been walking round a lot site seeing.

Hi everyone so many positive posts here. I posted May......saying my foot not good, walking on stones, had second

opinion as my foot very tight and "trussed up" Found out my surgeon not done bunion. New xray shows

no straightening of toe and hardly any shaving off bunion itself ( two pins in, but don't know what their purpose!)

Second opinion told me i'm walking on the bones of my feet. Common symptom when tendons over tightened, Also toes 2,3 and 4 " buckled, says all wants doing again. No way can I go through with it as I live alone and family not near. I knew there was a problem weeks ago but original surgeon tried to

discharge me saying the tightness was the swelling and would ease!!!

Just want tendons releasing...."new" surgeon says all done again or nothing....don't know where to go from here.

sallysmum6 - have you thought about a third opinion? Even if you have to pay for a private consult.

My surgeon said that he gets quite a few people who have had unsuccessful operations with other surgeons - it must be very frustrating for him and really so for people like you.

I think (after getting a clear story of what you need to do) you've got to think of the long term. At least if you had corrected surgery then you know what you are in for and you know the problems are going to go away.

I'm so very disappointed for you :-(

Hello All..... Wendy4, Elaine140, fabulousfeet, Sallysmum6

Feeling more positive today..... I changed my NSAID from ibuprofen to diclofenac 50mg TDS and that's helped immensely!!! Got laxatives to counteract the codeine and vodka in the fridge for later cause its Friday night. ;-D Plus I slept most of the night and think that's helped also. Im still experiencing pain and weirdness/heaviness and I expect that for a few days more yet, but no longer feel like my foot is going to explode its guts out, LOL

Im also being very patient (which is difficult for me) and remaining on 'bed rest' with my foot elevated, with intermittent ankle exercises. As advised, 2 days after surgery, so over the weekend im hoping to start pottering around the house for few mins every hour if comfortable?? Im determined to go by the book/sheet of paper as my job requires me to be on my feet all day and I don't want unnecessary complications.

Reading your different posts on foot wear my surgeon advises that once my 'club foot' bandage comes off in 2 weeks that trainers are to be worn as they can be loosened to accommodate any swelling and also help to support the foot whilst the bones are still healing.

Sallysmum6 sorry to hear that your surgery wasn't at all what you expected and your worse off now :-(((( I guess it knocks your confidence and having suffered the 'pain' once to do it again is hard, good luck with your decision. Personally though I think I would probably proceed and Sue Surgeon 1 for cocking up especially if the operation performed was not to the one you actually consented to1? Im guessing the Surgeon will have to reopen the scar to release the tendons so you may as well have the procedure completed properly and the have the bunion shaved off proper this time??

Well heres to a recovering/improving weekend!!! Positive thoughts n all that, LOL.

Hi all im now 4 week post op and last week had my pins out of my second and third toe and still find then uncomfortable to touch x ive been away this week and really struggled to walk which I was able to do quite well before having pins out im due to have pin out of my big toe in 12 days but think I will be going back sooner as I cant put any pressure on my big toe as it feels like im walking on the pin . Im due back in work in 2 weekd but cant see this happening due to not being able to wear correct foot wear and walking I know I have two weekyet but im worried I still wont be able to walk properly x