Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Thanks VJ

This is exactly what I needed to hear today I have been rather sick and dizzy with one of my pain killers and feeling low, and I had both done at the same time so that I had just one block of time off work and off life , I am spending many hours with my legs and feet elevated and it's good to hear it will be worth it in the long run and I know it's early days, thanks so much for the advice

Sue

Sue and vj, I will be 5 weeks post surgery on Tuesday. This past week I have been able to put my foot down with much less discomfort and for longer periods of time which is definitely a big improvement. That said it does seem to be one step forward etc since I was not feeling well for most of the week and have been resting a lot with my feet up. It is a long time and it seems that however frustrating it may be, and it is, continuing to rest and elevate the feet is the key. I have been out in the car a few times now, been out to dinner and managed a quick trip to the supermarket this morning for just a couple of things. So keep holding on and things will get better.

I wish I could have had both feet done at the same time as I think it will be a while before I can bear to put myself through this again.

Have a lovely weekend and keep resting and getting better.

Older Beth

Thanks for the encouragement Beth, friends who have had a similar operation on one foot haven't gone back for their 'other' foot as it takes so long to heal and they say despite the pain they can't afford the time and don't want to experience the pain of the operation and healing second time round, I can understand that.

I plan to get my husband to take me to church tomorrow evening where I can sit in the wheelchair and put my feet on a chair and if it's too much we can always sneak off home .

Enjoy your weekend

Sue

Hi All

Sue- I'm with all the advice to rest and keep your feet up as much as possible. I'm three and a half weeks post op and had both feet done. I find that parts of my feet are a funny colour if I have my feet down for long......so I just try not to do it. One big plus is that my ankles look amazing( ie. not puffy at all) after all this time with my feet up. I probably didn't realise that I needed to put my feet up more anyway!

I think I've had two or three really blue spells where tears aren't very far away- I think that's post op trauma and to be expected.

VJ- enjoy your family do and let them pamper you.

Beth- thanks for the advice from five weeks- it' heartening!

E

Hi all,

I found this thread a few hours ago when I googled “bunionectomy with osteotomy recovery” since my doctor didn’t give me notes to reference. I normally call into his office daily with new nagging questions but since it’s Saturday I thought I’d take matters into my own hands. It's been riveting reading and invaluable to take in everyone’s advice and account of their own recovery, some that even mirror mine from the initial onset of pain after the block wears off and daily exhaustion when trying to do menial tasks to sweets cravings and constipation. I also appreciate seeing what day everyone is at; it’s like seeing into the future.

I’m day 15 now with my left foot, and I wish I found this on day one (March 7) because I wouldn’t have done a lot of the stupid things I did (like drive the next day). Thankfully one thing I’ve apparently done right was keep elevated. My 23 year-old son had pilonidal cystectomy last year and experienced too much leg swelling, which resulted in a Pulmonary Embolism (he lived), so I knew it was important. I was never advised to ice my foot, but rather, advised to ice behind my knee if I experienced the bursts of throbbing pain at night (however it was too painful and I was too exhausted to get up, so endured it).

From desperation due to pain of using crutches and having absolutely no upper body strength (despite being a regular at the gym), and pitying my downstairs neighbors as I hop-hop-hopped around, I rented the leg scooter just to get around inside the apartment, do chores and to the bathroom. I also obtained a wheelchair from Goodwill for outside events. Being in Tempe, AZ, it’s been in the 80’s since my surgery so weekends are always filled with airs shows, concerts, beer festivals, etc.

The biggest challenge is conquering the stairs since I only have one foot to stand on. My apartment is on the 2nd level and the steps are the rocky-stone type. I tried with crutches and even with my guy “spotting” me, I fell several times , so now I scoot up (or down) one step at a time using my hands to lift (or lower) me. Some of my neighbors will see me and encouragingly shout, “You are half way up!” On a good note, after a solid 2 weeks of using muscles I apparently haven’t been exercising properly before the surgery, my arms, right leg, hip and stomach muscles are feeling the “burn” a little less every day.

As for protection, I was given a Velcro boot and gauze with strict instructions to the dressing tightly wrapped and keep on the boot on day and night except in the bath. Doc says next Wednesday I get stitches out and he will teach me how to put a little pressure on the foot. As for meds, I was given Percocet, which I depleted by the post of (5 days), then a refill of ½ the dose which after 9 days I only take at night (mainly due to the constipation as many of you experienced), and Ibuprofen, which is sufficient for the day.

Since becoming educated these past few hours by all of you, I feel I’m progressing just fine and I feel like I’m not alone and CAN’T WAIT to be at the tail end of this recovery like a lot of you are. Rest and Elevate for just a little longer. However, I haven’t seen whether any of you are on their 2nd foot. I’m wondering how long is realistic to wait to do the next foot, since the recovering foot will be the sole support carrying me upstairs/downstairs and around. I’m shooting for mid-May, when my classes are done for the summer (med-school, respiratory therapy, my mid-life career change).

Terri

Hang in there Terri. I agree, this forum is great... everyone has been such a great support and it's nice to know your recovery is normal from hearing everyone else's stories.

I'm now on day 10 and I'm feeling quite low. Getting fed up of being in the house and being so incapacitated already! I don't experience any pain in my foot anymore, just a slight ache when I've been on my feet 5 mins or so. I only tend to do menial tasks around the house like putting in the washing, making a cuppa, quick tidy, making the bed and the hundred times I must go to the loo everyday! My mum took me to the pub for tea last night and it was my first proper time 'out'. Foot throbbed so much and swelled enormously.

I feel like I can tell when I've been on it too much - rushing and bursting sensation in my foot where my stitches are. I'm due for dressings off and stitches out within the week so will update you more then - don't know what to expect!

Just a question for anyone who is back at work after their surgery, roughly how much time did you have off? I'm a lecturer so I spend an awful lot of time on my feet. The nurse I saw on my pre-op assessment said I should expect to have two months off.

Keep smiling

Hi lovely ladies,I see you've all been busy posting whilst I've been celebrating my father's 90th. We had a three hour journey down with a break for something we had to complete at two hours so I was well and truly ready to put my feet up again.

Nex t week btw I am going to go thru this site and write down how many days/weeks everyone is so I get a good recovery picture!

I did manage to squeeze into the Ugg boots but only to wear going from car to restaurant, putting them on is painful, going round the bend of the boot. My swelling is pretty consistent even in the morning, but I haven't iced for a few days. Felt rather unwell and my feet already cold, so the last thing I wanted was a bag of peas on them haha!

Yes a few of you mentioned a funny colour and mine go a purple puce colour if down for very long, this being at three weeks now.

Five week Beth, that's good to hear. My pain is now quite centred where the big toe joint has been moved/broken (not sure really!) and comes when I put my feet down properly and particularly when I try and walk and straighten my big toes at the same time. They seem more flexible now but that's the hardest bit of walking, so I find myself walking on the outside edges of my feet, not a good habit to start really. There are times when I wonder when I will get my life back.

The new shoes I ordered for a wedding in two weeks have apparently arrived at my house today - typical eh since we are not there and I could have potentially worn them tonight as they're about as strap free as a shoe can be whilst not being a flip flop!! However since I have some steri strips on my left foot still as it wasn't healing, it wouldn't have made a pretty site! Going on your experience Beth I will be able to walk better at the wedding. Course I've no idea if they will fit, as my feet are still quite wide, but I've never bought shoes on line in my life, so I had to try!

Keep going everyone and rest up as much as you can. I know if I don't, I pay the price, quite heavily. I think It was easier the first couple of weeks when walking was so much harder, so I wasn't tempted to try and do things!

Enjoy your weekends whichever side of the pond you are! V x

It's Carol again, now on my 38th day post op to let you all know it does indeed get better every day. I am still using the scooter for long distances, just because I know from experience that the more I am walking, the more I deal with hurting and swelling at night. I went to several functions without it, jut walking funny with my hey diddle diddle, one shoe on and the Velcro hard sole and sock over my incisions. My 15-yr-old granddaughter told me to use the scooter more and walk funny less, as her dr. (she had Two bunionectomies 6 months apart) told her that walking funny woukd throw her leg and hips out of line and to try to walk normally or not at all for best long term results. Sounded like wise advise to me, so I am trying to not favor my poor foot too much and use it as normally as I can while it is down. I have two grandsons here running errands for me now, so that is nice, and we are having carry out pizza for supper! Anything to make cleanup easy I am for! I, too, am wondering if I will ever be able to go through this again for the left foot, but I advise anyone to do it while young. I did call my podiatrist about whether or not to be trying to move my big toe. He said yes to keep trying. I am not able to move it at will yet, but I can manually. I am planning on a pretty shoe by Easter and being able to walk with friends this summer! Best wishes to you all. Remember surgery is traumatic to the body, and a foot tskes longer to heal than any other body part. Do not despair. Read good books, & enjoy the slower pace.

Just got home after dinner out and read all your posts. It is nice to hear how everyone is doing. I tried putting some shoes on earlier which was a bit concerning. Couldn't get my foot into my Birkenstock clogs. Managed to fit my foot into a velcro fastening sandal but top strap barely fastens around. Of course I had my thick sock on which might explain it but felt I wanted the protection. I think I might have to buy something in a larger size. I am thinking something with velcro might be best. It's so hard to wait but I feel I should wait until after I see the doctor again (April 3) when I hopefully will get the all clear to begin putting some more weight on my foot.

I am hoping the swelling might have gone down a bit more by then.

Good night. Older Beth

Carol, I am also trying to work with moving my big toe. Mine actually sticks up some, it doesn't rest on the floor when standing. What kind of shoes were you all able to wear in the 4-6 week time frame? I am wearing a mens slip on Croc shoe which is super ugly and I would love to have other options Thanks for all the great info and advice! Hope you are all doing well!

Best wishes,

Krissi

Morning everyone.

Finally computer problems sorted and back on the internet. It's like I lost my right hand for a while! Didn't feel too good yesterday afternoon. Felt very faint and eyes blurry. Perhaps all the reading I've done. Poor hubby had to cook dinner after cooking in the cafe all day. Felt guilty.

I am around the same time as Kriss, Carol and Beth (older) post op. I am still in Velcro shoe walking up and downstairs better, but still like a toddler. I also tend to walk on the outside of my foot but can wiggle my big toe quite well now. I have my pin out on Tuesday. HOORAY. Can't wait but terrified.

I can't see that anyone else seems to have a pin sticking out top of toe that needs to be removed. Or is there anyone else out there?

Can't wear shoes until then and will ask when I go next week when I can. I don't think my Velcro will last on my boot for much longer. I have some Sketcher shoes with Velcro fastening that I am hoping will fit.

My scars on my other toes are healing quite well and once pin is out I will be able to have a nice soak in the bath. Looking forward to that.

All slicked up with oil all over my foot, which seems to help the scars heal quicker. I do get twinges every now and then, but each day seems to improve. Resting seems to pay off, I don't have much swelling now and the gaps between my toes seem to be widening, which is promising.

We all have the summer to look forward to and scrappy sandals. At the moment we have had hail and snow showers, it's blowing a gale and very cold. Don't think I will venture out today.

Keep blogging.

Jan

Good morning bunion folks and Good afternoon to those of you east of Arizona. I know you don't want to hear it, but I'd love to experience some of your weather. Sunny weather is overrated.

I'm also looking forward to being able to buy any type of shoe other than EEE for the first time in my life. It's funny looking at my feet side by side, one is wide and the other much more narrow.

Am at 16th day post op. Days aren't so bad anymore but the nights! The burn! Even with foot propped up high, the burn lasts all night. I take the ibuprofen and 1/2 a Percocet but it doesn't go away 'til I get up and move around. When does this end?

Hi Terri. Yes I get the burn at night, mainly cos I overdo the walking. Last night was really bad, we were away from home so I could do nothing and didn't take painkillers away with me! I'm trying to come off them now anyway :-)

I think you may do well to try icing your foot in the evening because I think the burn comes when the foot has been overworked and feels like it wants to burst out of the skin, nasty feeling. I have a bag of peas in the freezer for this purpose, be sure to wrap the bag well it gets quite cold very quickly!

Jan I think you will find someone called staralfur who has posted about a pin in her foot, maybe this blog maybe another one on this site.

Everyone re shoes, I think we have to wait til the swelling recedes, there are no magic shoes. Let you know if I've a hope in hell of my almost no strap sandals fitting when I get them. My neighbour took the parcel in and she's out!!

Have a good evening everyone. VJ x

Hi all, just an update.

Day 12 - no pain whatsoever. Can't believe how much easier the last two days have been. The only inconvenience is having to elevate the foot most of the time and wear the daft boot!

A friend took me to a local shopping centre today and rented a wheelchair. Managed to attach one of te leg supports to it so she drove me around all morning with my foot elevated. Had a lovely day out - so uplifting to be out of the house, seeing a friendly face and a bit of retail therapy.

Feeling much more positive - currently sat on the setee with my foot up and a cuppa in hand.

Happy Monday all!

Happy days indeed Beth- glad the outing was fun. I managed a walk to the end of our street today in the sunshine- very nice to be out. Sitting here with my feet up looking forward to doing some beading and watching tv. Life is so difficult isn't it!! I'm at day 26 so a bit ahead of you- this is the best rest I've had in ages.