I am concerned about my scarf and Akin bunion operation post operative recovery

Hello Den.

Everything you describe sounds perfectly normal to me.

I had left foot hallux valgus correction together with 2nd hammertoe fusion November 2013 and then my bunion on my right foot corrected in October 2014.

My bunion toe and the hammertoe were standing proud of the floor and I worried about this. The bunion toe has now adopted a more normal position but because of the nature of the ammertoe surgery this toe will now never ben and does stand a bit proud still. The bones in the hammertoe have been fused as I was told they would. Thjis is absolutely no problem and I have no discomfort from it or the bunion toe.

I seemed to be sailing along very well but then got the most awful pain/discomfort below the big toe joint and I got very down hearted about the whole thing. However, my surgeon told me that what I was experiencing was discomfort from the Sesamoid bones. There are several and as the bunion is developing the alignment of the foot interferes with these tiny little bones and really we don't know about this until after we've had hallux valgus /bunion surgery and the toe is then re-positioned and the Sesamoid bones have to also find their proper place again. Hence the discomfort. Anyhow, if you vigorously massage this area during bathing and regularly each day the condition should get resolved. Mine did. My surgeon ( again , like you on the NHS) told me that there are a few procedures to alleviate this condition if it doean't improve. One involves removal of the sesamoid bone(s). I haven't needed this.

I am sure that you will see improvement but, it is rather disheartening when everything appears to be going along nicely and then things seem to be taking a backwards route.

I am sure this is not the case and that merely as you regain more of your mobility and spend more time on your feet this is when these niggly silly things start to be apparent.

Take it from me, I am now practically back 100% to my pre-bunion condition with this foot. My right foot still has a little way to go. But I am confident that in a few more months I shall see this return to almost pre-op standard.

I found some Waldlaufer Holly training shoes which have proved to be an absolute Godsend. I like to go walking but found my usual walking boots a bit awkward to get onto my feet and wear with comfort for quite a long time and then, passing a shoe shop near where I live, I spotted thge Waldlaufers.

I wear them almost all the time around the house and when just pottering about ( although I wear my other ordinary shoes which are all flats anyway when I'm going out and want to look a bit smarter).

Re the numbness. My left big toe is still very slightly numb on the top but my right big toe is still quite numb but I know this is improving. So, I guess it will all soon recover.

Re the disfigurement. You are certainly not a wimp.

I think the key is to not try and expect to wear your normal shoes before your foot tells you it is ready to have them on. Your foot will be quite stiff or very stiff and this will in time improve. The worse thing you could do would be to force a shoe on when the foot is reluctant to bend.

The bend will return but this may be avery slowly.

You do not say what gender you are but, I found my ballet flat shoes were the easiest to get on as they don't come too far up the foot and therefore you don't have to get the foot to bend too much.

Take care,

Good Luck!

Gillian

I am 30 weeks from scarf op and I can tell you that the joint is still large, larger  and deeper than  before. And I can say that the toe is still numb, the upward facing  side...... Although numb  it's still painful if you see what I mean, it's a very slow recovery for some. I still cannot get into a lot of my shoes.... So you have to accept a long time  for improvements.  I try massaging it every day and exercises, I think it helps,  but I think that it's as good as it's ever going to be. .... But I also had arthritis in the foot so  can't expect  a miracle....

hi den..... you are not alone believe me.   I had a double bunion removal and hammer toe pin put in... i had stitches out after two weeks and was told to come back in a months time for pin to be removed... like you i can not put my foot to the ground as it feels like there is a swollen ball underneath, the soreness and bruising is so painful, i could not even think of getting any sort of shoe on due to the swelling, if i rest the swelling seems abit better as soon as i get up to go to the loo the foot with the pin in tightens almost goes purple and gives me pain, the toe i have the pin in is not level with my big toe its like raised up and my big toe seems to be pushing inwards towards hammer toe... i am sure this may be due to the pin still being present.... like you i have had no advice on exercise or even if its ok to have a shower or bath, i have been having showers with plastic bags taped round my legs... so my wounds have been dry all the time... but i dont know if i am doing the right thing or not... all very confusing... i am due to go back to have pin out on the 29th i have lots of questions to ask hospital too about all this, i am sure you are ok den but like me if any doubt get on the phone and ask hospital because no one seems to want to help only if we ask, wishing you a speedy recovery x

Hi I Had my operation on the 20th of Feb this Year and my foot is still swollen, worse at night. It gets more swollen and very tight. As to the shape of my foot I can't answer because I fell week two and broke my big toe. So my operation needs to be done again... Good luck with your recovery, I hope you are back in your shoes soon.. X

Hello just wanted to update you on my doctors appointment today. I am now 3 months post surgery for bunion removal on both feet(had them done at same time) I am not happy with my right foot as the big toe is squiashing the other toes I told them my concerns he says that I should give it another 3 months and they will look at me again to see how it is going. He said that sometimes its hard to get the toe comloetey straight and that my feeling that I have should settle down. I hope he is right as I did not have this issue before my operation. Its feels like I have a tight fitting shoe on all the time and is very very uncomfortable. lets see what happens. Still not happy but not much else I can do,