1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Hallux Valgus (Bunions)

Bunion surgery recocery

Posted , 8 users are following.

Mamacat81
Mamacat81

I just had bunion surgery 2 weeks ago, and was wonderi,g when I can expect the pain to lessen. It was pretty severe and requires screws and metal hardware. He said the recovery will be 8 weeks, but surely this pain won't take so long...

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

Next
  • ness.b
    ness.b Mamacat81

    Posted

    Hi M
    • ness.b
      ness.b Mamacat81

      Posted

      My phone went haywire when I was trying to reply!

      Hi Mamacat! I am 8 weeks into recovery of bunionectomy on both feet, two screws in each foot but no other hardware.

      In my first 3 weeks I took a lot of nurofen to ease my pain. I think swelling caused the most discomfort in my experience. That and getting used to the sensitive sensation of walking to & from bathroom.

      From week 3-6 my pain subsided, because the swelling had reduced & I wasn't scared to walk around. I would take nurofen occasionally & had to put my feet up multiple times a day. I had a few muscle cramps too, they were bad because you can't just rub, jostle & twist through them, you have to wait patiently!

      From week 6 onwards, my pain has been more muscular. Learning to walk, stretch & grasp with the toes takes a lot of effort. At the end of the day it feels a bit like walking on thin skin & maybe bruises - because weight is put on outer foot because big toe can't handle it fully.

      Ultimately, 8 weeks in is still uncomfortable with times of pain, but not in the same way as the beginning.

      First couple of weeks are hard, we can understand. It's a new experience and your mind may feel full of what-ifs & uncertainty.

      In the first weeks don't be afraid to dose up on meds!

    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 ness.b

      Posted

      Thank you for the encouragment, the pain is miserable! I've been taking the medication, using ice, and keeping it elevated. I do notice its worse when it is not propped up. He won't let me put weight on it or take the heavy boot off, which I think is causing a lot of the discomfort!
    • Starla486
      Starla486 Mamacat81

      Posted

      Try to loosen your bandage a little see if that helps. It will get better and you will be glad you had the surgery.
    • fiona7662
      fiona7662 Starla486

      Posted

      Hi don't losen the bandage.  The doctor would have applied a pressure bandage on your foot to force all bruising out and to stop the wound splitting open.  After 6 weeks the bandage should be taken off. 
    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 fiona7662

      Posted

      I haven't touched it, each week when I go to doctor, he removes it and applied a new one. Suppossed to get stitches out on Tuesday. I had a bad night last night, and no matter what I did the pain was unbearable.
  • Starla486
    Starla486 Mamacat81

    Posted

    The pain is worth the end result. It just takes time. It takes 8-12 months for total back to normal again. Be sure you ice, take meds and prompt foot up!!! That's the key.
    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 Starla486

      Posted

      I'm doing that as much as possible!! Just the spasms that get me! I saw my foot during foot surgery, looks amazing. Ty
  • beth57815
    beth57815 Mamacat81

    Posted

    I had bunion & hammertoe surgery on both my feet 5 weeks ago, and I still have nerve pain especially in the evening.  I have pretty much been house bound.   I keep hoping the pain will get better.  Sleeping has been really hard!  I only have 3 more weeks of leave left from my job.  Don't know how I will be able to go back?
    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 beth57815

      Posted

      Bless your heart, I can't imagine both feet at once..,wii. My doctor said at least 8weeks
  • Kirkham
    Kirkham Mamacat81

    Posted

    Hi

     Take your pain killers  regularly and if they are not working then ask your GP for something stronger.  Then do whatever your consultant has advised you to do.

    Some  say rest and elevate and some say you can weight bare after 2 weeks.  I think it depends on what they have done and whether you have the special shoe.

    i had screws and metal  hardware In toe and once I got the pain sorted out I was walking about fine.

    My biggest problem was a build up of fluid and swelling in the toes and foot.

    this will only go down with elevation as water doesn't flow up hill.

    Once I got my swelling down it was great.  Good luck

    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 Kirkham

      Posted

      I was told it was a severe case, and could not put weight on it for 6 weeks, he also has me wearing the boot 24/7.Thanks for the encouragement, I'm just hanging in there.
  • fiona7662
    fiona7662 Mamacat81

    Posted

    Hi Mamacat. Don't panic. When Doctors say 8 weeks recovery it  is a big fat lie. At the beginning the pain is epic. After 4-6 weeks it eases. However walking pain free without a limp, in my experience was 16 weeks. I had similar done end of January this year. Still swells slightly at the end of the day. Bit stiff to get going on occasions. But the benefits of the surgery are so well worth it. So chin up, take those pain killers, feet up and don't panic! I wish I'd known what I know now when I had my foot done. My other foot due in October and will be well prepared this time round. Good luck x
    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 fiona7662

      Posted

      Thanks so much, i was freaking out as this pain is miserable. I read how people just bounce back, and here I am unable to care for myself at times.Thank you for the encouragement. This one was severe they said, and requires the hardware. My other one is mild, so will be more prepared for it.
    • fiona7662
      fiona7662 Mamacat81

      Posted

      It is miserable... I had bunion sawn off toes broken off cut stapled and bolted back together. The Dr said 8 weeks to recover...hahaha!! Honestly take it easy don't worry it's wortth it. I didn't bounce back. I slugged it back!  There are so many variations of bunion surgery. I think those who have less severe surgery are those who get better quicker. In a weird way pain is good in recovery, it tells you when to sit down and put your foot up. Message anytime you need reassurance x
    • Mamacat81
      Mamacat81 fiona7662

      Posted

      That sounds very similar to what I had done. The shooting pain is no joke!! I'm gonna stay off it as much as possible, thanks for the reassurance
    • jksaunders
      jksaunders fiona7662

      Posted

      Hello im suppose to have the other one done next year in January im scare of the pain.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.