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Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Posted , 157 users are following.

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?

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  • carolyn92913
    carolyn92913 MaryGladys

    Posted

    Has anyone had this surgery recently?  I am seeing my doctor about this, since I have very little pain, he has suggested I have my shoes custom made to fit my foot.  But my insurance won't pay for this because my bunion is the result of rheumatoid arthritis and not diabetes.  I am a diabetic, but I have had my diabetes under control for over a year now.  I take Metformin for my diabetes, eat very little bread, no sugar, cake or candies.  My foot is severely deformed now and I have hammer toes with them overlapping.  They hurt when I walk on them.  He wrote me a prescription for the shoes and said come back in six months.  And that was it.  My biggest problem with my foot is that all my toes are numb and tingly feeling.  I do still have feelings in them, but I get where I can't sleep at night due to toes being numb and tingling; it is vry annoying when they go to sleep completely.Has any one had anything similar to this prior to their surgery.  Hoping that I can get shoes and start back walking and lose some weight!

     

  • goanna57
    goanna57 MaryGladys

    Posted

    Seems that doctor wasn't interested in helping you at all. I would honestly get a second opinion, then check out their history reviews before seeing them.

    Maybe the tingling and numbness in your toes is caused by having diabetes.

    Other than that, have you ever hurt your feet which may have caused nerve damage.

    I had a bunionectomy many years ago causing nerve damage until I had the operation again by a wonderful orthpaedic surgeon correcting the problem.

    Wishing you all the very best of luck with your feet.

  • nannapops
    nannapops MaryGladys

    Posted

    Hi there, i had my bunion removed big toe screwed and plated on the 6th May. Was told it would be agony worse than a hip replacement. Have to say nothing like i expected. No pain relief as allergic to everything, my husband works away mon - Fri so the worst thing has been not getting outand keeping elevated. Still got dressing crutches &boot until the 23rd june when i see the consultant.Nobody gave me any excersises to do, cant move big toe, uncomfortable when down and walking (thank god for ugly boot). Seems to be moreuncomfortable now than did in the beginning of op. Got to have right on done too. Hopefully worth the inconvenience and discomfort. Cant wait to say bye to crutches & boot. Good luck everyone.
  • cynthia31960
    cynthia31960 MaryGladys

    Posted

    I had bunionectomy/ osteotomy on my right foot exactly seven days ago. The worst was the first couple of days. Pain almost gone by the 5th day. Surgeon changed the dressing after three days and I'm supposed to return two weeks after surgery date for the removal of the stitches. Still wearing my surgical boot and using crutches. Doctor advised me to keep icing it and staying off my feet as much as possible for the first two weeks. I've been really good following doctor's orders and so far so good. Btw he also administered a pain pump which I believed helped a lot in minimizing the pain. Well worth it. It stayed connected to my foot for five days. On my visit (three days post-op), I saw my new aligned big toe and I'm happy. The worst part is not being able to drive for six weeks since it's my right foot. When did you all start wearing regular shoes after surgery?

    Thank you for this thread.

    • linda-may28010
      linda-may28010 cynthia31960

      Posted

      i'm so jealous! i'm one who "fell between the cracks" - four years after my FIRST surgery, my right foot is now "deformed" and mangled instead of just a medium bunion and hammer-toe - and my left foot which only had a SLIGHT bunion - has now turned inward and developed a hammertoe that now ALSO needs surgery! i'm going to ask for the  pump this time - maybe a few days of comfort will start my recovery off on the "right foot" haha. i hesitate to write about my negative experiences here - but think that others should know they are NOT alone in their struggles - and that as hard as it IS - finding alternative treatments - changing doctors, etc. will get you through the hard times - so don't let discouragement take over!

    • soleystars
      soleystars linda-may28010

      Posted

      Hi Linda, I'm really sorry to hear about your nightmare experience. Can you talk about how your foot deformed 4 years later?

  • LTsunday
    LTsunday MaryGladys

    Posted

    I have appreciated this site pre and post surgery for my bunionectomy. I am 10 days along and am making slow and steady progress. One tip I recommend is an ice pack I was given at the hospital with ties to keep the ice around the top and bottom of the foot. I found a box of 25 on Amazon. I also was very lucky that a family member had a walker with a seat which I was able to put my knee on the seat to skoot to the bathroom etc.. It definitely gave me some independence. I still am uncomfortable sleeping. My foot throbs no matter what I do. My prescription of hydracodone and ibuprofen I use sparingly when it becomes unbearable. 
  • wendy87406
    wendy87406 MaryGladys

    Posted

    I am 12 days post op for having my bunionectomy. I was not aware until my Dr was doing the surgery that I also had a fractured to. I have a pin and screw placed in my foot. My question is how long before the pain stops. I can handle pain pretty well, but this is like no pain I have had before. I was feeling a little better yesterday and washed clothes and cooked. I was in my boot and using my walker but today I am in severe pain. I would say the pain is back to the way it was a couple days after surgery. Is this something that should be of concern? I'm not sure if I need to call my Dr or not.

  • wendy87406
    wendy87406 MaryGladys

    Posted

    I am 12 days post op for having my bunionectomy. I was not aware until my Dr was doing the surgery that I also had a fractured to. I have a pin and screw placed in my foot. My question is how long before the pain stops. I can handle pain pretty well, but this is like no pain I have had before. I was feeling a little better yesterday and washed clothes and cooked. I was in my boot and using my walker but today I am in severe pain. I would say the pain is back to the way it was a couple days after surgery. Is this something that should be of concern? I'm not sure if I need to call my Dr or not.

    • Poppet29
      Poppet29 wendy87406

      Posted

      Hi,

      How are you getting on now?

      I have had bunionette (near to my little toe rather than big toe) surgery on both feet. I am on week 4 now, still wearing surgical boots and using crutches. I got the stitches removed after 2 weeks and all was fine. I am due to go back in a few weeks to have more surgery to remove the wires in my feet. Unsure how much longer I need to wear the surgical boots.

      The pain was terrible for the first few days but settled down. I still can't do much and have to rest lots but am not in too much pain.

      The only thing really bothering me is that at night I get a horrible feeling in my right foot - it is very painful and the only way I can describe it is an awful burning/tight sensation. It is driving me crazy.

      Somebody please tell me this will go away eventually!?

    • goanna57
      goanna57 Poppet29

      Posted

      Dear Poppet29

      In my opinion the burning sensation in your right foot would be caused by nerve damage. Are you on pain relief medication such as Endone or slow release Oxycontin which would help with the pain but it unfortunately they cause constipation and you will need medication for that too. 

      I had the same thing when a lousy surgeon operated on my bunion a decade ago where he shaved the bunion and since then had a bunionectomy on the same foot a year ago and last Tuesday had bunionette surgery on my small toe and a pin stuck in my toe next to the large one. The surgeon said he fused my other toes but I'm not sure if they have wires in them or not. Maybe you can explain more to me. Stitches are being removed in 2 weeks and the pin and maybe wires if there's any in 6 weeks. I'm having my foot x-rayed tomorrow which will show what procedure took place. Have you had your foot x-rayed after surgery? If not, you should have it done. Wishing you all the very best of luck healing.

  • mye96829
    mye96829 MaryGladys

    Posted

    Im 27 and I got my first bunionectomy 10.20.16 and my second one 12.8.16 the right foot was done first and it was minimal pain i was off the crutches by 10.28. It is healing greatly. Now 2 days ago i got my left foot done and its very painful nothing like the right foot im pretty much bed ridden
    • goanna57
      goanna57 mye96829

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you're going through so much pain after surgery. Maybe the pain is caused by nerve damage which isn't uncommon. Have you been back to see the surgeon and are you on pain medication such as Endone and slow release Oxycontin. Have you since had your feet x-rayed? If not, it would be wise having it done ASAP. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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