Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Wow, your surgeon does want you up and around quickly!  Although, I'm not sure what procedure you or the other lady had, it seems a bit aggressive to me.  I was on crutches for 7 weeks.  3 days and wanting to play tennis? Bone needs longer than that to heal, sutures are not secure. Wow!  Everyone heals at a different rate and everyone has a different pain tolerance level.  I will say that you need to push yourself a little beyond your comfort level but not to the point of unbearable pain.  I had some nerve pain after surgery (I had 4 separate procedures at the same time) and my doc prescribed some Neurontin to quiet the nerves down. It helped a lot. You might inquire about that?  Otherwise, the foot turning purple when down, sound completely normal to me at this stage.  

Hi 

I had my surgery on the 13th March on both feet , I am walking slowly but fully weight bearing now and able to drive the car again for trips of around 45 minutes but my left foot is still not fully healed and to be honest your surgeon sounds slightly off kilter mine explained that for the best recovery I should spend around 4 weeks with my feet elevated above my hip for 95 % of each day 

I haven’t been on forum for awhile, but wanted to contribute some positive comments.  Despite us all having varied procedures along with bunionectomy, I too agree this forum had been very helpful to my psyche during my recovery. 

Nice seeing some of the same names have been on here for awhile. Hello all and I hope you are making the progress you intend.

I had left foot bunionectomy/osteotomy with pin on March 7.  Finally had a normal gait the week before same surgery on right foot May 23rd .  Can’t hop around on left foot while right foot is incapacitated since left foot is still not 100% (like 75% now, because it still gets a bit swollen after standing/walking several hours).  Doc and I decided that even though not 100%, it would continue to heal while I babying myself after right foot surgery.

The light at the end of my tunnel came like clockwork.  About the 6th week, Doc told me to start putting weight on it with boot. Ironically, I had completely run out of the pain meds I was taking (1/2 of a low dose of Percocet and he wasn’t refilling).  I looked at him like he was a mad man, but within a few days, I could do it and let go of the crutches.  A week later I could stand/walk for a few hours at a time. I was even at gym, going upper body.  By 8th week, I was wearing a sneaker (untied).  The day before the next surgery, even a little dancing.

I am 1 week after 2nd surgery. My left foot still swells a little since it is my dependent foot (I call it my Shrek foot when it does this).  Crazy, but a day after, I actually forgot about the right foot surgery, because of block, and applied total pressure on heal and outside of foot.  When I went in for follow-up 4 days later, I told Doc’s MA.  She said just because I physically could, doesn’t mean I should.  Now that the block has totally worn off, I get her point, because of the pain and swelling.  Its difficult to sit-n-scoot because its very hot here in AZ and I have to stand while ascending and descending the outside apartment staircaseAlso experienced nausea this time since day 1 vs zilch last foot.

To be helpful, I will apply my left foot recovery knowledge to my right foot recovery with what worked as well as mistake I’ve made:

What worked:  I elevated a large % of each day.  I rested.  I followed doctor advise despite what I thought I knew best.  I wore boot to bed while elevating even though it wasn’t comfortable. I alternated ibuprofen and pain pills while sleeping (most painful while sleeping).  As soon as I was given go-ahead, went back to gym (6 weeks) to keep up the upper body strengthened  after I abandoned the crutches.  Also, worked on calf since they lost so much muscle tone.  Rented a knee scooter from week 2 to week 4 for inside home.  I just wear sneakers.  Who cares what other people think, especially  since my Shrek feet don’t fit in anything else.

Mistakes:  I tried to drive too early  Okay, I didn’t stop. If I had someone to drive for me 24/7 I wouldn’t have done it, but I wasn’t able to elevate, so it hurt. I didn’t ice (I didn’t remember Doc advising first time, but they did 2nd time).  I think it’s hard because I have to get up for ice.  I also took it easy on the pain pills, but really needed them longer than he prescribed, so I will try to make them last longer.  Also, if significant other or family member wants to care for you, yes, they are needed the day of surgery, but with the block still in effect, they won’t be needed for about 4 or 5 days after the surgery.  Wish I rented knee scooter for additional week, wasn’t ready to go back to crutches full time in home.  I also wish it steered better, look for one that has bicycle steering.

Hope some of my insight helps someone out there.  Happy healing all.  Terri from AZ 

just checking in after a long time off. Nice to see some same old friends. I don't think any of you had your surgery as long ago as Feb. 12, however. I am up to 6-10,000 steps on my pedometer most days now, but the more I am on my feet, the more they hurt at night still. I agree it is just a sssllloooowwww process. I am shocked at the TX surgeon who pushed exercising so soon, as I was told the opposite. I still can't bend my operated on toes, however, & wonder if I should have been doing exercises earlier. The burning still happens sometimes too, but very little swelling now. Hang in there. We will all be walking comfortably in pretty shoes one day.to any of you in the first month, I say, keep your foot up as much of the day as you can & don't rush the driving or working. I have not regretted the surgery at all as my foot is much straighter. I might add that soaking in Epsom salt baths is comforting after a long day on my feet. I still always elevate in bed too. I am not playing tennis,but I am trying to push the walking to save my bones.my osteoporosis worsened while I was inactive so long. If I do anything differently with the next foot surgery, it willbe to have it before I get to where walking is so painful and to keep working with hand weights while recovering. Anyone else have osteoporosis and want to compare info on that? Best to you all and keep elevating and icing. It will get better.

10 days into left foot bunion surgery, two screws inserted at surgery.  First followup appt was today and dr said I am heeling well (stitches still on).  I got a big boot today, and cleared to drive.  First drive out, to fetch my daughter at school, and I opened the car door and put that huge boot on the ground and started to raise up, like I always do when leaving the car.  The pain is bad.  Did I do something really stupid?  I don't think I broke it but the pain!

Carol,

I can't bend my big toe much either, had my left foot bunionectomy/osteotomy surgery March 7.  Doc said to manually push forward and bend back. Do several times. I feel the pressure, and a little pain, but since I've been doing for over a month, it does bend a little when I curl all my toes.

All - I did something stupid yesterday and don't want anyone to copy this: I had my 2nd surgery on May 23.  Of course we know that with pain pills (Percocet for me), it causes constipation.  So, I took a stool softener without water (it's sometimes a bother to get up to get it), thinking it would slide down my throat.  You really can't feel those softgels, so I thought it was all good and well. 

Well, about an hour later while eating cereal, I felt a lump.  My throat was starting to swell and it was hard to swallow.  Fearing it would swell more and inhibit breathing, I went to urgent care.  The softgel had dissoved for the most part, but was stuck in my esophogus for so long, the active ingredients sort of burnt my esophogus.  Will be painful for about 3-4 days, but I was relieved that something so small wouldn't inhibit breathing; scary nonethe less.

Everything else going fine.  Interesting that the right foot recovery seems LESS painful.  May be because I know what to expect?  I was even able to bounce right back into using crutches.

Hope you all have a great (and pain-free) day.  :-)

 

Hi, everyone!

First, I must say how comforting it is to know I am not the only one dealing with recovery! I am actually in the US and on Thursday, May 29th, (about 1 week & 3 days ago) I had a bunion removed from my right big toe, osteotomy (bone cut to align), Taylor's bunion & hammertoe on my 5th toe as well. I was put in an incredible amount of dressing and am on non-weight bearing instructions for the next 6 weeks.

From Thursday to midday Saturday the nerve block was still working so I had no feelings, but numbness and tingling. When the block wore off though, I was awake every few hours in terrible pain, causing my boyfriend to wake with me and cycle the cold water in my cryo cuff.

On top of that, the pain medications that I was prescribed (codene based) my stomach did not accept and I spent a couple of days vomiting and very uncomfortable. I stuck with taking Aleve every 12 hours and 5 days post-op (Monday) I had the dressing changed, which did help a little.

After that, every day it began to feel better, I was able to sleep longer without severe pain. So, a week later (Thursday, June 5th) while walking back on my crutches I stumbled and instinctively placed my operated foot (in the splint) onto the ground to brace myself. This caused immediate pain in the bottom of my foot, which spread throughout.

My doctor's nurse reassured me with the splint on I could not do any damage, but will certainly have pain since I ruptured the healing process.

The day following this, I was delivered a knee scooter to increase my safety and mobility. Friday and Saturday I spent some time on the scooter doing a few things for myself. Now, Sunday, anytime I go to the bathroom (only time I leave the bed) I get that incredibly intense burning and pain - as if my foot will explode!!

It doesn't help that I don't have any pain meds to take currently that can give me some relief, but this is nearly unbearable when it is happening.

Once this 6 weeks are over, I will spend about 4 weeks in a walking boot, a few more weeks rehabilitating the foot, then I plan my left foot surgery - same procedures!

This is something I really need to have done, but I do not want to go through the same pain and discomfort all over again. I am trying to gain some tips and perfect recovery for the second time around.

I also experience a lot of cramping, burning and tightness in all areas of my foot (especially the bottom on the arch), anyone have this?

Has anyone else been taking pain medications that have managed their pain?

I was prescribed a new medication, Nucynta, that is not codene based, but I have to wait a few days for a pharmacy nearby to order it.

Any advice, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated!

Hope everyone has a comfortable recovery!!!

Hi Mary

I had my surgery the day before you. I had my bunion removed and  my big toe then staple and screw put into it .It was two days before I felt the excruiating pain.

I put pillows either side of my foot so that the duvet would not touch my foot.

At six weeks Iam without both crutches and walking about comfortably.

I will be going away on a walking holiday next Saturday but will take each day easy as there is still a bit of pain in my big toe so will not over do it.

All our bodies heal differently if you follow the consultants advice and have taken it easy with your foot up for the six weeks the you should start to feel the benefits .

I thought it was great to go out without my large designer shoe on.

I put Bio oil and cream over my scars morning and night and massage this into

the side of my foot and the scars on top.Will continue to do this for a couple of months.

Alexander     

Did you ever get back movement in your big toe? I can't move mine, either. More worrisome, my doctor said he didn't touch the tendon, and was very puzzled as to why I had this problem. I started doing some ROM exercises, but it has caused great pain in my foot. I had my surgery a month ago (lapidus with akin).

I had my bunion surgery 5 weeks and 2 days ago and am using an orthopaedic sandal for heel walking. I have not been given any exercises and told to put my full weight on the right foot and heel walk only. It has a very large screw in between the 1st metatarsal bone and the 1st phalangeal joint. The bone has been broken in two places and is still very painful. There is no swelling along the medial side, the the toe itself is still puffy and quite discoloured. My worrying point is that the toe is veering to the right more than it did before surgery and I am concerned he may want to do this again. The day I came home from an overnight surgery, my mother died so 3 days later I was able to fly from Australia to NZ for her funeral with wheelchair assistance from the airline. They were marvellous and my flights were very comfortable. But I didn't get to elevate my foot as much as I would have liked. The pain was mild compared to the back surgery  I had 12 months before, so wasn't to concerned with the discomfort. With my 6 week visit to surgeon next week am concerned what he will say about the crooked toe!

I had bunion surgery 6 days ago, and I have yet to take anything stronger than Advil! Before surgery I rented a knee scooter and practiced on it, what a fantastic invention! To heck with crutches. I also came home with a non-narcotic pain pump, geez why would anyone take pain killers if you have access to a pump as an option? On a scale of 1-10, mine  at it's worse has been a 2!  I've had a bit of swelling but certainly manageable.