Burning sensation at the Base of big toe a week after scarf osteotomy

Hi Susan. Hope you're well.

I've been OK up until now apart from day 3 where I had swelling as my bandage seemed to really make the bottom side of my foot opposite my bunion near my little toe really hurt. I couldn't believe it. I thought, well, ive had a bunion op that doesn't hurt but my bandage is making my foot really hurt! Typical. Anyway swelling must have settled as it seems OK now.

Re pain Meds they gave me codeine BUT I've had it in the past and it doesn't agree with me. The other similar Meds might make me feel sick and I have a vomit phobia so just have to hope for the best with what I can take.

I'm hoping it's just a phase this happening. It's happened occasionally since having it done but last night it was relentless for a few hours. I was so tired too but couldn't get to sleep for it.

Did you get that burning feeling in your big toe too?

Thanks. Gillian

Hi Carl so early days for you. I've been pretty OK till last night. It was relentless pain for a few hours and I'm not used to it going on so long. If I've had that burning pain it's been on and off and certainly not lasted longer than 10minutes a time.

Did you go minimally invasive? Mine was. I had a nerve block and sedation. It was a breeze. It's the recovery that's tough. I have 3 young children too so I'm under pressure to get better soon. I keep them entertained by crawling around like a baby though. They find it highly amusing

I got no crutches from the hospital which I think has hindered me trying to heel walk. I have a crutch from my MIL and a walking stick but I need two crutches really. I need to get heel walking but tried it early this week took one step and cried!

Hi Margaret. Hope you're well.

Thanks for your reply. It's a relief it's just not me with the burning sensation. You always worry something has gone wrong.

It's just such an unbearable pain. It was relentless last night!! I couldn't get rid of it. I can feel it today too trying to creep back in. It's worrying as the pain Meds don't seem to get rid of it. I can't take strong pain Meds as they don't agree with me so I have to hope for the best with ibuprofen and paracetamol. I guess I was a bit shocked last night as the unbearable burning lasted about 3 hours and just eouldnt go. I was frustrated as I couldn't get to sleep. I need my sleep. I have 3 kids to torment me when they get back from school. It's terrible when I'm tired and they need attention.

Anyway. How are you getting around now. Is your big toe stiff? Are you pretty much doing what you did b4 ? I'm wondering when I can get back to the gym after the initial 6 weeks of healing.

I have my 2 week check next Tuesday. Will be a day off 2 weeks. Getting my stitches removed! I can barely wait but on the plus side I get to see my new foot. It's nerve wracking. I have to drive too as hubby away and my mum can't drive that distance as it's about 2 hours away! I have an auto though so no left foot needed. It's going to be a tiring day. X

Hi Gillian

i am doing ok thank you.  As you know I had MIS same as you and since my shoe came off at the end of week 6 I have been walking round quite well.  I have just taken my dog for a walk and intend to go back to the gym next week (surgeon said I could) without doing any heavy weight bearing on foot but can go on cross trainer etc.  My big toe us loosening up nicely and started with physio yesterday which has helped considerably - highly recommend this to help mobilise more quickly.  So far I have very happy with my recovery and I am sure we have gone the right way having MIS. X

Hi Margaret.

Wow well that's really good. You'll be glad to get back in training. This is so not a 6 week here and back to normal op is it! I wouldn't like to think what the pain would have been like if it was open bunion surgery ??.

Interesting re physio. At least I'm prepared if I'm told I have to see one. If it helps get back to normal quicker I would do it.

I took my shoe of 3 or 4 days after surgery. I couldn't stand it. I've not been doing any heel walking anyway so I don't think it should make a difference. I'm getting another crutch at the weekend so I will have two. I tried walking with a vmcrutch and walking stick but I couldn't bear enough weight on the stick so getting another crutch. I should be able to get about the house better then instead of crawling like a baby!! My knees are getting sore.

Did you heel walk early on. I tried earlier this week but just knew I wasn't ready. One step and it ended in tears ??

Hi Gillian, yes I heel walked from day 1 and it was ok.  I had 2 crutches initially and then 1.  By the way I hired a knee trolley for the first couple of weeks, a bit like a scooter and very helpful for getting around quicker without worrying about your foot.  Take a look on the Internet as for you with the children it would be helpful I am sure.  X

Heel walked from day one? Omg. Knee trolley sounds interesting! I need to seriously try and get heel walking at the weekend when I get another crutch. I need to be starting to make the family meals and not be crawling around like a baby all day.

With heel walking I think I tried at maybe day 4 and had a bad experience. Think I for some reason ended up flat footed on my bad foot. Then one night I accidently forgot I'd had it done and stood up on my operated foot by accident - all my weight went on the that foot and I nearly fainted with pain. I couldn't believe I'd forgot. How stupid of me.

Hi. Thanks Fiona. I sometimes think that i am just being a wimp but I'm usually pretty good with pain. I can only take things that won't upset my tummy so just means ibuprofen and paracetamol. I've been OK until last night. I have had that burning pain since having it done but has just been fairly intermittent and goes within minutes usually but last night it lasted hours and the ibuprofen just wasn't doing anything. Was a bit scared. It was in the night too so you always feel more helpless in the night! I'm at week next 2 next Wednesday so hopefully it should start to subside then.

Having stitches out on Tuesday which I'm not looking forward to but at least I can ask some questions at my appointment . I have to just keep thinking beautiful feet beautiful feet lol.

Did you get that burning sensation? How is your foot/feet now?

Hello Gillian

I had a scarf and akin procedure to both feet 7 months ago.  Fortunately I didn't suffer any great pain but then I know that I have a high pain tolerance. 

The only thing I would say is that my feet felt hot towards the end of the two weeks before the big bandages were taken off.  When the bandages came off on the Monday, there was some sloughing of the wounds and the consultant immediately prescribed a course of antibiotics to guard against any infection setting in.

All turned out well, there was no infection and today my feet are great. 

Good luck for Tuesday, let us know how it went.

Hi ya.

Wow hats off to you both feet done together. Incredibly brave!!! Sometimes 8 wish 8 had got it out the way together but I was megga nervous getting one done so that was enough for me.

So glad your feet are great!! You must be so happy.

I have to get over this asap as I have such an active lifestyle and have 3 youngsters to run around after and a house to keep clean and tidy.

It's just this pain in just one place that's currently driving me crazy. It's bothered me since getting it done but on and off lasting a few minutes then goes but last night was relentless pain for hours! Not been a problem really until last night

Looking forward to my appt next week but dreading it at the same time. This is the worst it's been since getting it done which seems odd but maybe it's part of things all knitting back together.

Hello Gillian

I didn't have pain so bad to keep me awake, not from either foot.  I was taking the painkillers, paracemtamol and then Codiene but only one per day of these as they can cause constipation.  I had some shooting pain, like mild electric shocks where I think the nerves were coming back but this lasted only for a few seconds at a time.

My surgeon advised against using ibrofuren as there are reports of it affecting healing.

The pain I had was mostly on standing to go the bathroom etc and this was throbbing like mad.  Once the feet were elevated again this stopped.

I would suggest that you should contact the hospital or the secretary to the surgeon if you can and ask advice. 

I wanted to get both done at the same time, get it out of the way and I didn't want to have one nice straight foot and one still to be done, probably a bit of OCD ! I had a lot of help from my husband who did everything as well as looking after me.  I couldn't have done both feet without his help.

I can understand your decision to have one foot done at time though as it was difficult to walk on the heels of both feet, not a good foot to stand one.    I do not have a young family to care for.

The only thing I would say about having both done is that you cannot limp with both feet and there is no undue pressure on the good leg.

Hoping all goes well for your appointment

Yeah the hospital sent me home with codeine but I had an op last year and took them as directed but omg I looked 6 months pregnant for 3 weeks after stopping them and didn't go to the loo for a longggggg time they made me drowsy and nauseated and I can't stand that as I have a vomit phobia. So I tend to refuse strong pain Meds that could have nausea side effects which tends to whittle it down to paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Interesting what your surgeon said re ibuprofen as they gave me one with paracetamol in the hospital. Of I get that bad burning pain tonight I'd be tempted with codeine but only one just to get me thru the night and have some Sennakot to hand lol. I can't go thru what I did last year how it made me feel. Was awful. No matter how I was sat or laid it was painful. Hurting today but comes and goes. Praying it's a phase.

Well yeah both feet are the same time was ruled out by me having 3 kids 11 8 and 6 and a hubby that works away most of the week. I needed a good foot to hop on. My hubby is useless around the house too. I cleaned the bathroom yesterday and i slithered around like a snake . Was quite funny really. I was tired after it but happy my bathroom was clean ??.

I am now faced with the prospect of one pretty foot (hopefully) and one ugly foot. Still can't wear pretty and less this summer ??

I'm about the appt as I know someone will be messing around with my foot. The thought makes me judder but my stitches need to come out and I'd like it checking over.