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hallux valgus

Posted , 5 users are following.

mary29514
mary29514

i had bunion op 2day and pins in 2 toes.i am in some pain just now.when will pain ease.i am glad the op is over i was anxious about it and i am quite an active person.wonder if i will get back 2 some of my exercises and jogging.its early days and i know i have 2 be patient but i am very independant and will have 2 let people do stuff 4 me.im also worried about getting washed but im sure i wil manage somehow.i would be very grateful 4 some advice on how other people managed it with the same op.thanks.

 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • lou6294
    lou6294 mary29514

    Posted

    Hi Mary,

    Be reassured every day gets easier but certainly the first few days are tricky most impotantly you need to take regular pain relief .The worst pain is when you try to get up to toilet or go for a wash as the blood rushes to the foot thus  causing pain so you need to do as little as possible in the first few days . Hopefully you have some help to get meals and drinks. If you have a spare stool put it in the bathroom so at least you can rest.Keep your foot elevated as much as possible .My surgeon encouraged me to move toes every couple of hours but just do as you were told . I needed pain relief for first 10 days but aftrr than no need.

    This will get better you just have to lie down and rest,

    Good luck, 

    Louise

    • mary29514
      mary29514 lou6294

      Posted

      thank u.that is very helpful.its the unknown and i suppose we are all different.i will need 2 do as im told and as u say rest and lie down.i find the forum very helpful and its nice 2 know im not alone.take care and glad u are on the mend.

       

    • lou6294
      lou6294 mary29514

      Posted

      Yes the forum is very good, I am now day 20 and feeling so much better . Up and about on crutches no pain, just occasional shooting and burning but this is just part of healing process.I am looking forward to straight and pain free toes for the summer.

      Have you got some strong pain killers ? Codine, Tramadol ? 

      Lou

  • billos
    billos mary29514

    Posted

    Hi Mary

    your pain will be at its worst for 2 days, so keep maxed up on painkillers and anti inflammatories. Also use ice around ankle and keep foot elevated. You may be able to gradually ease of the medication after this period, but everybody is different. I had a bath with with one leg over the side - very inelegant but worked for me. You will need strong arms or help to get out though. As far as jogging in concerned I was told 12 weeks. I am 13 weeks post scarf osteotomy and my foot still swells if I do too much. I was allowed to cycle after 6 weeks, but not stand up on the pedals. You will find it best to keep your foot elevated as much as possible for the first 2 weeks, otherwise it will swell and throb. Patience in this instance is a virtue

    • mary29514
      mary29514 billos

      Posted

      thank u for ur help.the first few days are scarey and its nice 2 hear from people that has been through it.i think the first few days i will use baby wipes and cloth 2 wash then i mite be brave enough 4 the shower.its awkward because its my left foot and im scared i bang the pins.its nice 2 know there people like urself that have been through it can help.take care and glad u are on the mend.

       

    • billos
      billos mary29514

      Posted

      Everyone worries about banging pins/ screws but they are there to keep the toe fixed, so little knocks will not damage it although it will be painful. If you live in the UK you will be able to drive sooner if it is your left foot that was operated on, probably after 2 weeks. With the right foot it would be 6 weeks or until you can do an emergency stop. Good luck with your recovery, boredom for me was the biggest problem. Organise visits from friends in this period and do not rush things!
    • mary29514
      mary29514 billos

      Posted

      thanks.boredom is what will get 2 me.im in2 my jogging and gym so i will miss that but i will need 2 be patient.got good support and a few friends coming round 2 keep me company.my son who is 12 has been a great help.thanks 4 the advice and glad u are all better.take care.

       

  • paula75437
    paula75437 mary29514

    Posted

    Hi mary

    i am just coming up to 4 weeks post op. I have had both feet akin and screwed and shaved. when, do you think, I can walk properly, for example bending my big toes when I walk and full weight bearing, should I be looking at wearing ordinary slippers or trainers around the house. 

    • Jayniejay
      Jayniejay paula75437

      Posted

      Hi Paula. Hope you don't mind me jumping in to answer a question put to someone else! I'm 5 weeks post op, having had scarf akin on one foot with k-wire in second toe. I've found the hospital's physio department really helpful when I've phoned a couple of times with similar questions. I have my first physio in just over 2 weeks from now, a week after I see my consultant and have the pin removed. Physio reckon it will be a couple of weeks or so of physio before I can take enough pressure on the ball of my foot to be safe to drive and there will be a lot of stiffness to start. I found a helpful youtube video on exercises (sorry, can't remember what) and it looks like physio includes exercises in moving your big toes with your fingers to bring them back to life, not an instant fix by any means but definitely achievable. (I noted the video physio's comment "if it's not hurting, you're not doing it correctly" - great!) Same goes for full weight-bearing but it will surely depend on each person. I've read somewhere on this forum that slippers aren't usually recommended. I'm still wearing a trainer on my good foot, for stability and also because I'd develop an uncomfortable uneven gait if not, because my heel-walking shoe is so built up.
    • Jayniejay
      Jayniejay

      Posted

      Just to add, I'm not doing the big toe exercises seen on the video, it was purely to get an idea of what sort of stuff I'd be doing.
    • paula75437
      paula75437 Jayniejay

      Posted

      Hit there...... Thank you for replying. I guess you are right, common sense approach too if it hurts it's not right? I think for the next couple of weeks I will be careful and all the time I don't need to apply pressure.... Don't! Xx
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