Pain and the 4 Week Anniversary

Hi Cecil, 

So sorry to hear that you're having a bit of a bad time.  It should be closed by now but infection will delay the healing so perhaps a second round of antibiotics will do the trick . The infection will not be helping the pain much either. Are you managing to rest ? Sounds like you need to more than ever.

Not sure why he would be telling you to walk without crutches at this point ?

Lou x

Cecil.

Oh deary me! you are having a rough old time.

Your Dr sounds like a bit of a challenege.

Has he/she ever experienced a bunion operation? I suspect not. And whilst a patient usually looks towards their GP for expert guidance and knowledge I think that on this occasion it's abundantly clear ( to meat any rate) that you need to stay off that foot to allow the incision chance to knit together and begin to heal/close up. Walking around, even 'Frankenstein walking', can in my view do nothing but delay your recovery. Also you may have added issues with your hips aching if you try to walk this way. The hips ache anyhow after this surgery due to the unnatural way we patients have to walk so puttng extra pressure on them isn't going to help. As for weaning yourself off the crutches, well, I just wouldn't even considering going there. I'd use those crutches for as long as yo feel you need to use them. It's bad enough trying to hobble around after bunion surgery without them without all the problems you're having. I know because I found it difficult and my surgery was straightforward and successful. The rule following bunion surgery is to heel walk wearing the special shoe that you're given to wear following the surgery AND the crutches is imperative but, as you are clearly unable to comfortably do this then to tell you to start weaning yourself off the crutches seems very unwise.

It sounds as though you have a bit of a journey ahead of you but with the antibiotics and staying off your feet as much as possible will only server to aid the recovery.

No! I think that you have been very badly advised and to be honest I think I'd be making an appointment to speak to another GP in the practice nd/or ry to speak to the secdretary of the consultant who carried out your surgery.

Don't be afraid.

Best of luck!

Gillian 

Thank you Gillian!  The pain while heel walking is not bad, the first step terrible, but then it loosens up.  I am not going to give up my crutches and I am nowhere near close to Frankenstein walking.  

What at I am having a very hard time with is the unbelievable pain at night.  It starts about 45 min after I go to bed, foot elevated.  The pain is level 9-10 and I have not slept much in the last  2 nights.  I am assuming this is from activing the nerves and using the leg again. 

How's things Cecil ? Feeling any better ?

BW

Lou

Doing pretty good,  Lou.  Pain every night, lots of swelling and having a hard time returning to putting some weight on it.  All normal I suppose!  Back Thursday for X-rays to see if the screws are where they should be.

Sorry to hear about the tough time Cecil.  There is nothing wrong with taking pain medication, especially at night.  Something like ibuprofen that deals with both inflammation and pain may be helpful. I do hope you can get some sleep....everything is worse in the day if not well rested. Nor does healing take place effectively if body fighting pain and/or fatique.  Wishing for you steady improvement from here.

Sorry to hear about the tough time Cecil.  There is nothing wrong with taking pain medication, especially at night.  Something like ibuprofen that deals with both inflammation and pain may be helpful. I do hope you can get some sleep....everything is worse in the day if not well rested. Nor does healing take place effectively if body fighting pain and/or fatique.  Wishing for you steady improvement from here.