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Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

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MaryGladys
MaryGladys

Had Scarf osteotomy to remove bunion on right foot on Friday 2 March. Foot numb for almost 24 hours so not much pain until Saturday morning - then sheer agony! Ibuprofen & codeine alternated with paracetamol & codeine the most effective painkillers but you can only take so many in a day. Have stayed in bed as walking (on heel) has been almost impossible and stairs too terrifying; bathroom visits have been a source of dread as when I stand there is a surge of blood to the foot and it feels as though it might explode. Then for the next 10 minutes or so after returning to bed the pain and throbbing are intense. However, this is now easing a bit so hoping to be gradually more mobile. Any advice anybody?

2 likes, 580 replies

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  • smilyangel
    smilyangel MaryGladys

    Posted

    Hello, my name is Habiba I've just turned 17 and I discovered I've had bunions when I was just fourteen. I have them on both my feet and I know that you have had your operations but I was just wondering from someone who has already been through the operation if you would reccomend me having it. They are really painful and I've already been limited to certain shoes and I have to put ice packs every chance I get. My doctor discourages me from having the operation because I'm young. The bunions sometimes change colour from purple to red to a bluish white. They get swollen and despite having four injections in each bone they don't do much good. I won't even walk and they hurt painfully or I'm sleeping or sitting and I have this awful bone and muscle stretching sensation. So would you recommend me having an operation, or does anyone else have any advice for me bearing in mind that I have basically tried everything - bunion pads, extra wide fitting shoes, injections, medication, toe seperaters.

    Any advice will help. Thanks a bunch and I hope you get better. 

    • goanna57
      goanna57 smilyangel

      Posted

      I feel you're too young having a bilateral bunionectomy done at this stage. When you're ready please check around for the best surgeon with good creditials because you could easily get nerve damage. In that case you won't be able to wear certain shoes and will always wearing flats. This happened to me eight years ago. I'm 60 and have just had a scarf akin osteotomy done correcting damage previously done. I could never wear heels after the bunionectomy. It has been four weeks since my surgery and only time will tell if all has gone well. Please don't rush things.
    • yvette_45745
      yvette_45745 smilyangel

      Posted

      Habiba, I am now four weeks into my recovery.  I have to say it hasn't been too bad.  A bit uncomfortable at times, but so far I can see it's going to be worth it. 

      Do you play sports? Are you a dancer? 

      I have a cousin who did hers at 16, that was last summer, and she was skiing by Christmas . 

      You and your parents should definitely seek a second opinion. 

      Good luck to you, keep us posted.

    • smilyangel
      smilyangel yvette_45745

      Posted

      Hi, in answer to your question I do play sports and a lot of it, when I did track - I was a LOT slower than the rest of the kids in class because my bunion pain slowed me down. I play cricket with my family and running is out of the question. I tried getting a second opinion that kind of failed. I would love to get on though. However I did ask my doctor who is also the surgeon what I should do now that the pain is constant. He said to me that it was my descion if I wanted to operation now that everything had failed. I agreed after being a bit wary. He is the top surgeon and lots of people have said he is the best and he knows what he is doing. People from different places come to see him. So I know I am in good hands. He said write up a list of questions that he knows I have. If you have any questions I should have could you please just comment. Thanks.

      He also said I am his youngest patient and he is a little afraid for me too. 

      Thanks for the advice. 

    • yvette_45745
      yvette_45745 smilyangel

      Posted

      Smilyangel, here in the US I hear about young people having this type of surgery done all the time. Especially soccer players and dancers. I wish I would have done this surgery 10 years ago when it first started bothering me. Because I waited the damage caused by the bunion was pretty bad, my foot became deformed and it was ugly and they surgery was more complicated.

      If you, your parents and the Dr. are all on board, you should consider scheduling your surgery. The sooner you get it done the sooner you are on the road to recovery!

      Is it both feet? In any case you have to make sure you have great home support, especially for the first two weeks. 

      The surgery part is easy, you will be put under anesthesia, you won't feel a thing nor will you remember, it generally takes 1-2 hours. You wake up and go home, now the fun stuff starts, it's  the recovery that's challenging. You must listen to your Dr, follow his instructions to the letter. 

      In a nut shell, my best advice; listen to your Dr, and take care of your feet, you will be back on that track field, may not be faster but you won't be in pain! 

    • smilyangel
      smilyangel yvette_45745

      Posted

      I have asked the Dr. to put me on the list for surgery which is only five months so its not very long! My eldest sister who is a Nurse at Leeds St. James told me to have the operation along with my father. My mum is a little afraid for me though and is not fully on board, she wants what is best for me and hopes that delaying the operation is best, my Dr. however is somewhere in between because I am his youngest patient he is afraid and also he wants me to not be in pain anymore. We have tried everything and the operation is my last resort. I do have bunions on both feet but the hospitals in England only do one at a time (I think) but my Dr. said I will only do one foot at a time. My doctor said I will have to stay at the hospital overnight and he will teach me how to walk with the crutches and everything else. 

      I am really nervous, but he said if I had any questions to write them down and I should ask him. Is there anything that you really think is important? What is the recovery like? 

    • yvette_45745
      yvette_45745 smilyangel

      Posted

      A good support system at home is key. Make sure you have lots of books, movies and healthy food. Portable electronics are essential! 

      I don't know about England, here in the US I was able to rent a knee scooter, if you can try to get one, much better than crutches. I was fortunate to receive a pain block pump (peripheral nerve catheter) I didn't feel anything for three days. Plus I was mobile and that sure helped with my mental attitude. I've been very lucky I haven't had severe pain. I have yet to take a pain killer. I do take Advil which is ibuprofen and that has seen me through. 

      Sounds to me like you have a fine Dr, please listen to him.

      Check with Dr regarding the pain pump thing, and if you have a medical supply store near you, see if they have knee scooters. 

      You will be fine! Keep me posted. 

       

    • kathryn02630
      kathryn02630 smilyangel

      Posted

      I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma regarding your bunions at such a young age. I have just had both of mine done at the same time (in Scotland) and I am recovering well. I am in my 50's though and only started having problems with mine over the past 15 years. While I was in hospital there was a girl aged 18 having one of her bunions operated on, so whether that is the minimum age they consider operating I don't know. I wish you all the luck in getting your operation done, sounds like you have found a good surgeon. Best advice - follow instructions from the medical staff to the letter to recover well. Let us know how it goes.
    • Starla486
      Starla486 Gabby.K.White

      Posted

      Yes I did. It went very well. No complications at all. Foot looks amazing! Dr did a great job! I couldn't have asked for a better surgery. The only thing was I tripped and fell about the time I was to go back to work and I think I broke a bone at the bottom of my second toe. Dr thinks it's a ganglion cyst but I think it's broken. Other than that, the surgery was great with hardly any scar or anything. How about you?
  • dana51192
    dana51192 MaryGladys

    Posted

    Hi all had bunion surgery on Thursday. Elevated foot and iced regularly. Started pain killers immediately when I got home. Pain has been ok to a minimum. Hope this is normal ?
    • fran64059
      fran64059 dana51192

      Posted

      Dana all sounds normal. I didn't have any ice packs. Try not to do too much when you get home.
  • fran64059
    fran64059 MaryGladys

    Posted

    I am enjoying reading about everyone's experience. I am now day 6 post op. I overdid it yesterday. Every time I have my foot comfortably elevated I remember something I need. Being home alone during the week with stairs is tiring. I have had a few friend pop in which is good. The pain has not been nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Am on Panadene forte which is paracetamol and codeine which is perfect. The greatest companion is my iPad.

     

    • michelle21223
      michelle21223 fran64059

      Posted

      i am now 5 days post op and am quite happy today. I have taken my pain killers exactly on time when they are due and have had my foot up all the time above the height of my groin. My toes are still a bit numb but my son says that is because the blood is not in them as my foot is up. When i get up all the blood rushes down into my toes and it feels like my foot will burst but i make sure to take my pills before i get up so that helps.  

      The crutches are a bit awkward and not being able to carry anything is annoying. I have a big bowl of fruit beside me and a bottle of water so am never hungry or thirsty. When ever someone brings me a cupmof tea it is really appreciated! I found a bag which i hang around my neck so i am able to carry small things about! 

      Apart from being so immobile i am feeling ok now. I am 46 and have had bunions all my life. I am so glad i have now had one fixed and hope that i will ba able to get the other one done in the near future. My surgeon only does one at a time. Cant wait to see my "new foot" next week when i get the bandages off and the stitches out!

  • fran64059
    fran64059 MaryGladys

    Posted

    Yes I get to see my new foot next Tuesday.   As I have had the Bunian for so long it will be amazing I am sure.  My 14 year old daughter already has small bunions and my surgeon said it it was inherited which I believe as my mother had terrible feet. I am so pleased that surgeons can do amazing things with key hole surgery and lasers these days.  Can't wait to get back to yoga and ride my bike.
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