Double bunion surgery my story. 2020
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi. I live in Australia and had very extensive bunion surgery to both feet 16 weeks ago. Before surgery my right bunion was so severe my big toe was dislocating. I just want to help others prepare for this surgery and its long, lonely, frustrating recovery. It was worth it though.I am a nurse and got organised early. I am in my sixties and husband arranged several weeks off... you do need help for at least five weeks
Having both feet done at once is much better. Having said that, my surgeon allows you to heel walk immediately after surgery. I am puzzled as to why some of you talk about plaster casts and six weeks off your feet? My very long operation for severe deformities didn't require immobility!
i purchased a shower chair and sat in the shower with my plastic bagged feet hanging out. The hospital gave me waterproof tape but I didn't risk it and kept the feet out while showering. You do need help in shower.
I bought a pick up frame as I cannot use crutches, just for steadying myself. It was great.
I bought a wedge leg elevating pillow to support my legs, alternated this with a stack of regular pillows as your back and legs do get sore if you don't alter position.
I prepared and froze lots of food as hubby is not a good cook at all, bless him.
I also bought a bed cradle as it was winter... you won't be able to tolerate the bed clothes on your feet for weeks.
Now to the operation: Took 5 hours, woke up heavily bandaged and in hard sole velcro surgical shoes. Pain was minimal... Honest! I was offered many heavy duty analgesics but needed nothing more than paracetamol. As the nerve endings started to mend I did take lyrica which helped at night.
Stitches out at 12 days, back into surgical shoes and still heel walking until week6. My specialist stressed not to remove the hard shoes and I had to wear them when sleeping.
Physio was never mentioned and I did one exercise only, involving a rubber band and scrunching toes.
The hardest part is the recovery. As I said, I was walking to bathroom from day one but for six weeks you mainly sit around with feet up high. If they start to throb, put them higher than your heart, it works!
Why on earth, says my surgeon, would you have one foot at a time and go through the long recovery twice? Just go for it and you wont regret it.
0 likes, 3 replies
Misslinnie
Posted
Jut a few more things which may be helpful: The pins in my claw toes were removed painlessly. It sounds horrendous but it is quick and doesn't hurt at all. I had continuous stitches and they did give me cause to swear when removed but over in a minute, so no big deal.
At 3 months I was back in an adjustable sandal ( couldn't get tennis shoe on). I think it is better to have surgery in winter so you can be in sandals the first summer. I envy those who could get into a shoe within 3 months, I couldn't.
I wore long dresses which did not need ironing as I couldn't get skinny jeans or even non skinny jeans on! In fact unless they are wide leg, Forget long pants at first!
I just used a cheap vitamin e cream on the horrendous flaky skin which comes with this surgery. Alternated with bio oil.
Please reply if you gave any questions at all. I had scarf osteotomy, removal huge neuroma and plantar plate repair one foot and fusion big toe, repair claw toes other foot.
MrsDuck Misslinnie
Posted
Hi!
Thank you so much for posting this. I too have sever bunions and will be having both operated on soon. My surgeon has agreed to do both at the same time, I didn't want two lots of recovery! I am a very active 46 year old marathon runner - no guarantee i'll run post surgery but quite honestly i'll take whatever I can as I am having so many problems with them, one in particular is very stubborn causing me pressure sores no matter what type of shoes I try.
I am considering hiring a wheelchair at home.
So good to read a positive story such as this, please keep the updates coming and if you think of any more tips to help recovery or just make life simpler I would be interested to read them!
Beckie
Misslinnie MrsDuck
Posted
Hi MrsDuck.
You're doing the right thing getting both feet done at once. All the best!
Wheelchairs have a place in your recovery if you need to be non weight bearing but you will probably be fine on crutches if you have upper body strength. Wheelchairs don't fit through many doorways in most homes so they have limitations.
Another thing I made sure I did was clench/ release calf and thigh muscles every hour in the weeks when you're not moving much. Stops you getting all sorts of muscle issues down the track.
Make sure you have vitamin e cream for the flaky skin which comes about a week after stitches are removed.
There are such different protocols for each doctor.....mine allowed weight bearing on heels which made life easier but yours may not. Any questions just ask.