Bunion swelling at 5 months

Posted , 7 users are following.

I had both feet done 5 months ago and was just wondering is it still normal to have swelling or I should say puffiness at the joints where the operation was done. It just seems to be in that particular area and not on the toes or feet. Can anyone tell me if they have experienced the same thing, I am aware that it can take up to a year to fully recover but hoping that they will not stay like that although the surgeon did reassure me that it would go down but I still need to ask. Thanks.

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  • Posted

    I'm at five months after a scarf/Akin and lateral release and all I have now is pretty much what you describe, together with a bit of residual stiffness in the big toe. In practical terms as regards walking etc, I'm back to normal.
  • Posted

    Hi Rainey123. I had scarf/akin osteotomy and 2nd hammertoe correction on 27 November 2013. I still get some slight swelling to the foot if I'm on my feet for too long. But this soon goes if I do the sensible thing and get the foot elevated. Ice is a good means of helping also. A bag of frozen peas or something similar. I'm concentrating very hard at trying to bend my foot a little more each day as the big toe area is still a bit stiff. But again, this improves each day. I don't want to overdo the bending and cause problems for myself but am aware that walking slowly and bending it a little more is better than trying to increase my walking speed and putting my foot down flatly. I hope this makes sense to you. I managed to get my Brasher walking boots on 3 weeks ago. It was a bit of a struggle getting the foot bent enough to lever it into the boot. But once inside there was no discomfort and the boot is roomy enough to avoid constricting the toes. I find that walking on a surface with the smallest gradient feels a bit like climbing a hill and I find this tiring. But even this is getting easier. I always take a walking stick with me for the extra support and to help me along when I feel weary. I managed a walk around my village yesterday which is a distance of approx. 1.5 miles and have to admit that my foot feels quite weary today. So, today, I will be kinder to it!

    Good luck.

  • Posted

    hello Gillian.

    thanks for your info.. very interesting to read.

    I am in my post op 6th week now. having wires out of 2nd and 4th toes on thursday this week. hopefully that will make things easier! I know we all heal differently, and a few people have said that they are still not wearing 'normal' shoes after 3 months.. my swelling has almost gone, just my big toe is still a bit chubby!

    I am having occasional sharp hot pains in my 2nd toe (was hammertoe) and it does feel floppy and not attached... I can put weight on my foot but I have been very careful not to bend my toes. I can wiggle them (apart from the wired ones) with no pain.

    I just wanted to say to anyone who is just about or just had multiple toes done... REST... as much as you can. keep it elevated, make sure you are not allergic to the elastaplast strapping (as I was!) this caused my foot to get too hot and swell to the point that I was almost screaming! this also set off an infection where pus was coming out of the wire on 4th toe. at 3 wks I only had a thin surgical sock on, which I left off when resting. this helped my foot to 'dry' out. At 4wks all the scabs had come off and a healthy pink scar replaced them. at night I strap my foot up with a cotton bandage, first putting cotton wool in between my big toe and threading the bandage around my big toe to keep it in line and straight. then a sock over it to stop me catching the wires on the duvet.

    The first 3weeks I slept on our settee, mainly because it was the best way to elevate it, and there was no chance of my husband kicking it! also I didn't sleep too well so could watch the TV!

    Make sure you have the essentials by your side.. phone, flask of tea, food, remote, mags, painkillers and water, fleece cover, pillow, lamp, bucket! and plenty of chocolate! I also used our old doorbell to summon my husband because he works at opposite end of house. oh and your crutches and special shoe at hand

    Hope that helps anyone who is about to take the journey...

    Ann the Foot.

  • Posted

    Thanks all for your replies so far, very interesting and it's good to know that it is expected to still have swellingat this time although it looks as if I still have bunions especially on the left foot more but X-rays show no bunions and straight bones. I am most or less back to normal with my recovery and my range if motion is 85% perfect to a point where I am wearing high heels as advised by my physiotherapist. I will try the ice packs for the swelling and I also have Epsom salts foot soaks at least twice a week.
  • Posted

    Wow! You are all scaring me. My three incisions---bunionectomt, hammertoe, and clipped tendons on top of my foot---- were done 14 days ago. I see podiatrist Thursday to get 2nd bandage off & stitches out and was planning on an end to this ordeal. I know I am to be put in some kind of a boot until the end of March,but I wasn't expecting swelling and hurting continuing past the second month. I haven't had to have a pain pill for 4 days, just keeping it up still. I do hope I am healing right. I have a Nikken magnet inside my bandage. Maybe that has helped. Blessings to the rest of you. May we all walk pain free someday soon! Carol
  • Posted

    Hi Rainey.

    I have been 'washing' mine with 'Simple' cleansing wipes (not allowed to get wet yet)

    and applying Benet's Balm which is a pure beeswax, olive oil and Friars Balsam bought from Buckfast Abbey. I have found that it is soothing and seems to have reduced the bruising and swelling. It is also pure enough to put directly on the fresh scars. I've also used a natural herbal anti-flamme cream that contains arnica, calendula and peppermint. But I don't use this on the scars.

    I am sat on settee at mo with my foot bare apart from the balm, with cotton wool balls in between my big toe and the 2nd/3rd toes. I find this keeps my big toe straight.

    As you can see from my profile photo which was taken this Saturday, my big toe is still swollen, and gets bigger as the day goes on.

    Ann.

  • Posted

    Ann, if your big toe is swelling still, I think a doctor should look at it. That should not be, as long as you have tried to take proper care and elevate. Good luck, but do see a doctor soon. Carol
  • Posted

    Hi Carol.

    I have rung the Hosp last Friday and spoke to the 'nurse' in charge. She told me to elevate it, which I am doing. I have my 6 WK xray and check this Thursday with my surgeon, so not long to wait now. I think they are removing the 2 wires too. They have been very helpful at the Hosp and I have rung them often for reassurance.

    As you said at the end of your message...

    may we all walk pain free someday soon!

    Ann.

  • Posted

    Oooops! The wire in my 4th toe just came out!

    I was on settee with blanket over my feet, and I got up to get some chocolate, the hook bit on the wire must have got caught and it just pulled straight out! didn't feel a thing...

    oh well, one out.. one to go..

    They are due out on Thursday anyway. I'll ring the Hosp in the morning.

    Ann

  • Posted

    Wow! I am soooo glad you are going to call in the morning. Please let me know what you learn. If it is ok to do so, can you tell me what part of the world you live? I am in the USA, & I can't imagine calling up a hospital when I have a medical question. I can call my doctor anytime personally. Anyway, I am hoping that all is good with your foot when the doctor sees it Thursday. Otherwise, I hope you get to the doctor tomorrow. I had my first outing today since my 2-12 surgery. I was driven to GYM where my trainer of 10 years gave me a tabletop weight- bearing workout to make up for my lack of it for too long. (I already have osteoporosis.) I stayed stretched out in the backseat with my foot up going and coming. We drove by a Mexican cafe and picked up supper to take home, but it was a huge undertaking for us. Foot started to throb a bit on top en route home, but I removed Ace bandage for relief. May have to back to ice tonight. Do you not have anyone to bring you chocolate? Good luck. Carol
  • Posted

    Morning Carol. I have now rung the hospital and they said it was OK and to just come for my scheduled appointment tomorrow. No problem. It will be 6wks on Friday, so the wires will be ready to come out anyway.

    I live near Dartmoor, Devon, UK. 16 miles from the hospital where I had the op.

    I read your old messages and see that you are only 2 weeks post op. Don't try to do too much too soon. My foot seemed to be pain free at one point and I thought ' oh this is gonna be easy' and then as the nerves woke up I was in a lot of discomfort. so take it easy... and eat chocolate!!!

    I'll let you know how I get on at the Hosp tomorrow.

    Ann

  • Posted

    Hi Annthefoot. Glad to hear that your wire situation is not too serious and lucky that you are getting the rest taken out tomorrow. I must also say Ann, that your foot is looking good so far and the swelling does not look too bad either, well done! Where can I buy the Benet's Balm and Frairs Balsam from as they sound good and it's worth a try if it will help with my swelling!
  • Posted

    Hi Rainey.

    Are you in the UK?

    I got the balm from Buckfast Abbey... The 'monks' shop. I found it really soothing.

    Done too much today, so I am now on settee with foot up. Keeping my other wire well away from my blanket! Don't want that one to come out too..want something for them to do at the Hosp tomorrow!

    Take care.

    Ann.

  • Posted

    Hi Ann

    Yes I do live in London, UK but I will have a look on the Internet to see if it is available to buy, thanks for the info..

    Good luck for today by the way, hope all is progressing well and keep us posted.

    Take care Rainey

  • Posted

    Well today was not too bad. Apart from the surgeon pulling the wire pin out with pliers and ripping the hole where the pin was! Gosh it bled... I was shocked! The one that came out on it's own hardly bled at all, and I told him so!!!! When I got home my white sock was brilliant red! I had to throw it away.

    So I am on settee with a very sore and throbbing toe, it feels horrid and wobbly. The surgeon says it will feel strange for a while, but should tighten up a bit as it carries on healing. I've been told to put tape around front and stick to sole of foot to stretch the toe flat as the scar will tighten up and pull the toe up if I don't do this while it heals. I've been told to start walking in shoes but to stop if it hurts, and to rest it as much as possible. I have bought a pair of children's school shoes with the Velcro straps...easier to get on.

    Surgeon says he's happy with the healing, but we were both a bit concerned about a small boney lump on the side of my 4th toe. So I have another appointment in 7wks for Xray.

    Well.. another 'step' along the journey...

    Still using one crutch though for a while, just in case I step on uneven ground....ouch!

    Ann the Foot...

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