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

feel like the only one still in pain and cant walk to full capacity after bunion ectomy and hallux v

Posted , 5 users are following.

The_sweetHeart1
The_sweetHeart1

Five weeks into my recovery from a bunion ectomy and a valcus hallux surgery can only move my three toes very stiff big toe and little rang of motion on big toe and fifth , I cant bare full weight on foot or stand on it for long period of time without pain and swelling the same day and lots of soarness the next must keep foot up the next day after activity anyone has advice???or im I the only one who feels this way

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • barbara00055
    barbara00055 The_sweetHeart1

    Posted

    Hi. I'm five weeks too, and feel the same.  When my surgeon said begin to get back to normal activity at four weeks, I took it I could now walk more and not keep my leg raised so much (as I had done so diligently up to then).  So wrong.  First time I went shopping without wheelchair it was so uncomfortable and my foot swelled up badly all through next day too.  Someone said on here their surgeon said we should keep our foot raised mostly for at least six weeks.  So I am back to less activity again, and keeping my foot raised wherever possible.  I have read just do a little walking and exercise massage each hour for say five mins.

    I found on YouTube a massage for the swelling,  it's called lymphatic drainage massage, it's easy to apply yourself and it works, with also drinking one cup of detox tea a day.  However, my foot is still painful, only put pressure on my heel and side of foot, I can just about wiggle my little toes maybe a centimetre, big toe stiff.  Told to massage them with moisturiser, with back and forth motion holding the base of the big toe near the bunion joint with other hand.

    Wish someone told me that this was going to be a very slow recovery.  But then we have had major surgery on our foot bones, and they take over three months to six to mend.  Pleased I don't have to have the other foot done!

    • The_sweetHeart1
      The_sweetHeart1 barbara00055

      Posted

      Where did you get your sergery done ? And yes im glad I dont have yo get my other foot done either. I guess every sergon has their own opinon on when you should walk im hoping to get bk to normal activity soon
    • barbara00055
      barbara00055 The_sweetHeart1

      Posted

      My surgery was north of Kent. He did say keep the foot raised for first three weeks, then after four his philosophy is, get up and do as soon and as much as you can, that way your foot won't get stiff and it will heal more quickly.  But he hasn't been through the op himself!

      I'm finding it best to keep it raised but also exercising through walking around the house and massage each hour or so.

  • wendy89734
    wendy89734 The_sweetHeart1

    Posted

    Hi, I am 6 weeks tomorrow and yesterday I was told that I could remove the Velcro shoe and splint and start to walk normally - what joy!  But....I can only get the foot into a sandal with velcro straps let out, and like you have all found, it is not that easy!  My big toe is quite stiff and I can't wiggle it downwards at all.  If I do walk normally it aches and my foot in the toe area swells up.  I had hoped to drive my automatic car today - freedom! but I must make sure I can operate the foot pedals OK so will have a practise in the driveway first.  I am disappointed because I thought it would be pretty much OK now, but hear that it might be as long as 6 months.  Looks like the foot elevation/massage (which really works) must be continued. I will be interested to know how you all progess and hope that you all have a full recovery eventually. Just going to look up lymphatic drainage. Thanks. 
    • barbara00055
      barbara00055 wendy89734

      Posted

      Hi, strange how surgeons give different advice!  I have bought myself some Teva active sandals, lovely wide and shaped sole for support, few straps with Velcro around toes and instep, and I added a little more Velcro on toe straps for when my foot swelled.  Trouble is the weather has got cold again so am wearing socks with them!  The massage seems to be working well, and the detox tea might also help with the swelling, as my foot has gone right down, almost looks thin like the other one.   Let me know how you go.  Oh and I have also bought on the Internet an armchair pedal machine, to get me exercise, not arrived yet though.
  • caroline38772
    caroline38772 The_sweetHeart1

    Posted

    hi everyone

    I'm almost at the 6 month aniversary of my op, and i can tell you that it is a very slow process, all depending on what you've had done, your surgeon, and your attitude to it.

    My feet are still swollen, but to a lesser degree, I still have bad days, followed by good, one foot can be extreemly painful to the point of tears BUT, i've been told a minimum of 12 months, so i'm just half way through.

    At 6 weeks, when the boots came off I could only wear old velco walking sandals and took 30 minutes to walk half a mile, feet looked like slami sticks and hurt.

    start with exercises (look for them on the web)calf stretching, full weight toe raises, squats, minimal amounts everyhour or so, walk up and down stairs a lot, just to get the circulation moving, cold foot baths 2x a day for 10 minutes and lots of massage,

    It does sound like a full time job, it is, did i follow my own advice - no not really, but when i did my feet felt a lot better.

    Have patience, you'll get there in the end.

    caroline

  • The_sweetHeart1
    The_sweetHeart1

    Posted

    Ladies thank for the advice I also found this to be quit helpful ice the swelling for 15 mins and then soak with bathingsalt after walking or doing excersing this is a long journey to recovery but with the right mind frame and will power not impossible I staryed physical theraphy and the massages are a good help but do have the soar effect hoping by my six to seventh week I can get rid of my big boot good luck to all and lets keep eachother posted on our recovery with little tips on getting well soon
    • creativeph
      creativeph The_sweetHeart1

      Posted

      from what I can tell there are several types of bunion surgeries. I anticipated this to be very very painful and a very long recovery of approximately 12 weeks I prepared to be out of work for at least 2 to 3 weeks not driving and a long recovery. After that that i heard I'm still waiting to feel any pain. the surgery went well I was able to walk out of the hospital in a Styrofoam sandal took regular pain meds first few days then 800mg advil for swelling from there on. The most pain I had was from the bandage the first week because it was putting pressure on my smaller toes that's where I felt a little bit of uncomfortableness. after the first week then the doctor removed the bandages and replaced them with lighter ones for the next week it was much better I stayed in the styrofoam sandal for 2 weeks keeping my foot iced (every hour) and elevated. After that 2 week time I was able to put on a soft comfortable shoe it was not warm enough here for sandals yet so either a soft shoe or my slippers we're comfortable. The only thing the dr said I needed to do is at the end of every day is to ice my foot and massage it otherwise for the past few weeks I've been walking driving and can resume all normal activities I am now at 8 weeks today with no pain still. the doctor used dissolvable pins in my toe he said they will take up to 90 days to dissolve fully. I have had many days of slight twinges throughout all areas of my foot and found that just after those twinges were felt I was then able to move that part of my foot . From what I can gather it is the nerve ending starting to reconnect that i was feeling My only issue with the whole process is now... my big toe just under the nail bed feels this it has novacain. And i can't seem to lift this toe up with the rest. No pain at all and it can bend to curl but no upward movement yet. Dr gave me a prescription for PT i wanted to know if anyone else had this problem and what worked. Did it just heal or was PT necessary or did it never heal. Every surgery will be different and if i have helped anyone as i was helped by all of you and your experience that would be great btw I'm 53
  • creativeph
    creativeph The_sweetHeart1

    Posted

    From what i can tell from the discussions those who were put in a boot after surgery have a much longer recovery and do not have as much movement as those in the sandal. I am not a dr but i think if the surgery is done old school with metal pins etc they are in the boot and a really long recovery like i was warned about. But if done with dissolveable pins it is less pain and recovery time. There is also times when the tendons are released this may have a different recovery as well. People will all recover differently and have different pain tolerance so hang in stay informed and follow drs orders. Good luck to all.
    • The_sweetHeart1
      The_sweetHeart1 creativeph

      Posted

      I just started pt and so far it is helping my big toe was giving me the hardest time to move I have alot of stiffness I didnt ice frequently before bc the ice gave me alot of pain good to hear you have ni pain the excerises they do and massages are great after a couple of session ill get bk to you on how much a difference does pt mean or can you do that same treatment at home soarness and rang ROM is my biggest challenge . This might help try writing the alphabet with your toes and ankle only soaking in bathing salt helps to can you walk normally yet I can walk but must put my feet up right after swelling and soarness come quickly after walking
Back to top

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.