Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Kim, I think it might depend on how/where and what kind of job you have. I have an office job, but no way of getting to the office without a car so until I can drive again I can't go to work, not missing it though, trying just to chill. Yes, Velcro shoe and trainer/sneaker works well, I have to wear a big thick sock with my Velcro shoe.

Happy healing everyone

Kim, I asked for physio because I have been troubled with posterior tibial tendonitis (not really sure what it is just very painful to walk) for the past 18 months. I want some exercises that will strengthen my feet post surgery and hopefully improve the PTT.

Whether you want physin probably depends on your foot issues pre/post surgery.

I can't help feeling also that the muscles in my foot must be very weak from lack of use and I want to make sure I strengthen them without injury so I can exercise again.

Best, Older Beth

Beth, Joan, yes I think perhaps I'd only be offered physio if I still wasn't walking very well by my next appointment on May 15th (at 8 weeks post op).

I've been on my feet a lot more today and I found that once I start moving the swelling sensation goes away, but when I sat still with my foot down, the swelling became extremely uncomfortable. So certainly at the moment (day 17 post op.) elevation is still very important. Sometimes I think I can feel movements in the bones when I walk which is a bit worrying.

I will probably go back to my office job before the 8 weeks providing I can get a lift to work, though I'll still get plenty of rest in the next few weeks as I don't want anything to go wrong after all this!

Plaster off next week hopefully, does this set you back a bit - I am four weeks and keen to get back to work!

Jilly can't help you as I didn't have a cast my toes are held by screws. I would say after four weeks it's too early to be on your feet all day but your foot will tell you for sure. I've had two Longish days with not much rest and my feet are telling me today rest and ice.

As far as physio is concerned I've just been sent a letter which I assume the consultant generated. I also met a physio at business club this week who said definitely get physio to aid your recovery so from the horses mouth as it were I'd say why not it can only help :-)

I reached a plateau mid week (am 37 days now) when I couldn't seem to progress but then it all moved on a pace again. This seems to be the pattern of my recovery! Hope everyone's well, there's so much posting now I can't keep up with it all! 👣👣VJ

Day 18

My arms are aching loads from all the walking on crutches in town yesterday.

Today I'm walking on the side of my foot as any pressure on the ball is very painful. I also noticed last night that my big toe is off the floor- is this usual? Will it drop down when I start manipulating it? (Still too painful to do at the moment.)

Day 14 and the pain has got worse. I'm feeling really down in the dumps today, have to keep reminding myself that at least I still have a foot to hurt!

I've also lost weight which doesn't seem possible with the lack of mobility, but I guess it's muscles getting slack?

Day 6 so happy to have found this forum....but wish I saw it pre-op! I describe my initial post-op pain as intractable, which is severe, constant pain not relieved by typical medications. If I had a clue that this could happen, I would have discussed this topic (pain) with my physician in more detail prior to surgery. I had bilateral bunion surgery set with 2 screws. My doctor upped my dosage of pain med and added once a day clebrex (anti-inflammatory). This has helped. I also wish I new more about the "ice machine" people have spoken about in other blogs.

I was lucky to have helpers the first few days, my husband used a walkie talkie when he was away from me, in case I needed something. I used bags of frozen peas instead of ice packs, as they conformed around my casts better. I had bought dry shampoo and cleansing wipes before surgery. Also, friends brought by meals.....that being said, if you have not had this surgery yet, please look at these posts so you will have an idea of what you might expect and problems that might occur

Laura, what a pity you had so much pain, I took the strongest painkillers I could for the first few days, morphine bases, then ibuprofen and codomol, which I do still take although only half dose and at bed time. Definately was good coming across this forum even though everyone's op seems different.

Getting organised pre op was a must for me, cupboards stocked with easy cook foods, ready meals and lots of chocolate, thinking about toilet needs as well.

Hope this helps anyone thinking about the op

Hi Patricia odd isn't it I seem to have lost weight which makes no sense because of immobility. Not that I'm complaining. I feared becoming a blob and had a hard time getting my husband I needed less not more food whilst not moving!! Like your avatar. Fraud my toes will never be perfectly straight but since they bent as 8/9 maybe that's what I have to live with. The toe separators help and things have straightened out a bit as I'm healing. Six weeks on Friday, seeing the consultant Thursday and physio starts end of the month by which time hopefully I can drive again. Still can't fit outdoor shoes but ugh boots feel bit better today.

Laura hopefully your pain will soon subside to a manageable level. Just keep resting, icing (peas are fine!) and elevating.

Kim don't know re your big toe but be careful 18 Days isn't long to be out on a shopping trip. 👣👣

Patricia, hope you are feeling better now. I had a slight infection in my foot which caused extra pain, . Also I have lost a couple of pounds which is surprising as not doing any exercise and eating more chocolates, maybe it's the bodies way of healing.

Kim- my toe wa up off the ground , going down now though, day. 27 for me.

Patricia, I also hope you feel better. I am thinking like Joan that maybe you should check with your doctor re the pain to make sure you have no infection.

vj, I had my first session of physio yesterday so exercises to do each day now. Walking seems easier each day and I feel positive. Sadly stubbed my toe going upstairs to bed last night. Serves me right for not having any shoes on. It hurts so I hope I haven't done anything to my healing foot.

I sadly haven't lost weight but don't seem to have gained any either so that's ok. Now I am more mobile I can begin to do more exercise and hopefully get a bit more into shape before the summer.

Have a great evening everyone. Older Beth

Hi All

Just to let you know that my toes seem to have been straightening themselves overnight- I think I underestimated the swelling that I have!! I get a few days when my feet don't hurt and nothing seems to change then all of a sudden there is a day or two when both feet grumble away and then suddenly look so much better......so much so that I've taken to measuring the width of both feet (just to pass a bit of time!) and can actually see a reduction in the swelling.

My next visit to my consultant is on Thursday (same as you VJ) so hopefull I will get back into proper shoes rather than my heel walkers. I have tried on a number of my old pairs of shoes and the ones that I am most pleased about is fitting into the sandals I bought for rough walking about three years ago- I haven't been able to fit into them for the last couple of years. Guess what- my bunions don't poke out of the holes in the side of the sandals......that for me is real progress.

Weight gain for me has been in the last couple of weeks but not by a lot so should manage to work it off once I start moving about.

Hope the pain subsides soon for you who are in the early stages of recovery- keep icing and elevating. It always hurts when you do too much!

E

Oh- does anyone know how to get rid of the iodine stains on your toenails. Even after six weeks the nails on my left foot look very discoloured.....the right foot has cleared fine. I know that I can paint the nails but I quite like a more natural look!

Eileen, Iodine stain - I realise that I have that with the nail on my big toe. I wondered what it was and thought the nail was damaged. Mine seems to be gradually growing out and the new nail coming through is normal. I am waiting until my foot is a bit more healed then I am going to treat myself to a pedicure.

Older Beth