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Progress at 7.5 weeks

Posted , 6 users are following.

sue84239
sue84239

just wondering if my progress is normal as feeling fed up at not been able to get about as much as I thought I would by now.

when my foot has been raised in the evening or after a nights sleep and I lower it to the floor it gets bright red and puffy and I struggle to walk on it until I get going. Feels uncomfortable on the ball of my foot and the side if it touches a hard floor.  

My big toe is very stiff and aches after trying to bend it a little when doing any raising exercises.  

I try to use a normal walking motion but conscious that I cannot bend the toe so end up doing strange limp so still struggling with lower back pain and hip problem as well as sciatica.

Scar is very sensitive and shiny 

I can tell I am progressing a bit but it seems so slow.

sorry to moan but just looking form some context and comparison to feel like it is normal.......😳

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • anita51180
    anita51180 sue84239

    Posted

    This is just the same way that I   Have been. I'm 14 weeks from op and  do look at all my backwards threads please. Im still struggling to not limp. This  is making walking painful.  At times I don't know what's hurting more my foot or my back. The joint even now is still swollen and does not want to move. The scars are still lumpy.  Your progress is so normal. Do not worry. You are really not alone on this.  Some  seem to bounce. Back to normal so fast but others like me are much slower. It's been depressing at times, more so as now I have my back to contend with. I did have a problem there before but this is setting me back again, hence the backwards threads. If you look at those you will see how normal your progress is. Try not to worry. Keep looking at this site , it's been such a help to me.
    • sue84239
      sue84239 anita51180

      Posted

      Thank you....this site does make me feel better.

      it is hard not to feel fed up as your foot being damaged has a knock on effect on everything and I don't think I had through that through before the op and foolishly thought I would be getting back to normal by now.  I am not the most patient patient but do feel I have taken it easy and wonder if I need to push it more to improve my recovery only the pains  stiffness scares me form doing it.  Wondering if I should book some physio as none is given where I live.

      i am seeing physio for a hip problem I have but he has said he cannot advise me on the foot as he is not had a referral for that which I do understand.

      want to book a holiday for easter but nervous of what I will be capable of then and whether I should be flying when I have potentially dodgy circulation...?

  • judy48339
    judy48339 sue84239

    Posted

    I'm 9 weeks post op and cam empathise with everything you say.  My foot feels so much better week by week but it's still swollen and painful if I'm on my feet for any length of time.  I automatically look for somewhere to raise my leg wherever I am, at work (I have a stool with a cushion under my desk), footstool with pillows at home, and even at the theatre last night where I quickly nabbed the empty seat in front of me by plonking my foot on the back of it (I did ask permission of the nice people either side!).
  • gill09855
    gill09855 sue84239

    Posted

    Hi I'm 7 weeks post on Thursday I on complete elevated rest again after having to see consultant early because of excessive swelling and pain I am still unable to weight bare my big toe is still very swollen and numb to the touch and unable to flex toe because of swelling also feels as though I got an elastic band or a piece of tight string pulling around base of big toe !! I'm so disappointed I should be back driving and weight baring in s normal shoe now and I aint ! Hoping consultant can give me some reassurance and help when I see him Thursday ! My back and hip is hurting too ! What a state hey !!
    • sue84239
      sue84239 gill09855

      Posted

      Totally sympathise Gill. I braved putting some size 7 trainees on tonight for my children's sport presentation evening. My foot is now huge and very tender and I feel rubbish. So disappointed at recovery pace.

      fed up. 😞

  • anne53733
    anne53733 sue84239

    Posted

    Hi Sue, ur progress is totally normal for you, everyones recovery different ! The 6-8 week recovery period I was quoted seems unrealistic and just made me despair once it passed. I am 11 weeks post op today and still struggle to walk/stand for more than a few minutes.Still elevating & icing, have pain in hip from limp as ball of foot sore & toes not touching ground ! Have started physio and seems to be working, but slowly, my therapist has told me i'm looking at 6 weeks therapy. Accepting this has helped me greatly as there has been lots of tears from pain, frustration & boredom !

    You are not on your own !

    Hopefully another few weeks & i'll be in a better place & so will you..

    Best of luck

    • sue84239
      sue84239 anne53733

      Posted

      Thank you Anne. I really appreciate your reassuring words. I am so up and down with the recovery process. I rested it more yesterday so it has not been as puffy today so far. I feel like I want to constantly check that what I feel is normal as it is a worry and I don't feel like I can plan to do anything. Should be going back to work but the thought of the journey alone is daunting never mind being productive when I am there. I think I may need some physio but had no advice about it. We're you offered it or did you arrange privately?

      sue

       

  • sandra11356
    sandra11356 sue84239

    Posted

    Hi, I had my op on 12th December so am now 10 or so weeks and my big toe is still more swollen than I expected,  I am walking normally during the day and wearing mostly my usual shoes and boots but my foot still swells at the end of the day. the biggest issue has been the sciatica and calf aching, I have emailed my surgeon further to the previous DVT posting on the site and he is sure it's due to the change in 'gait' when walking. He gave me orthotics to wear in my shoes as he also mentioned that most lower back pain is due to 'issues with the feet' the orthotics are to help with the walking adjustment and when I wear them the sciatica is not evident although they take some getting used to. Your entire posture changes following this operation and if you have had bunions for a very long time (as I have) then you will have accomodated them by altering how you walk. So, check that you don't need orthotics to help your transition from bunion to no bunion. Good luck and it does get better, I promise! 
    • sue84239
      sue84239 sandra11356

      Posted

      Thanks Sandra.  

      I used to wear orthotics for a knee problem and only stopped in the last year aftervknee surgery corrects that problem.  I am falling apart!  I may start wearing them again once I get into shoes.   My sciatica has eased a little since I have become more mobile again but know that I am limping and as I have a hip problem I compensate for that too.  The gluteal tendonitus in my hip may well be due to the bunion problem though so am hoping that this surgery may eventually sort me out once I can walk normally agin...if ever!

       

  • sandra11356
    sandra11356 sue84239

    Posted

    You will walk normally again although from what the surgeon said, due to the amount of time I have had 'Frodo's Feet' as I call them (only one now though) I haven't walked normally for many years, doctors just don't recognise the correlation between back/hip pain and low arches or flat feet and bunions.

    Speak with your podiatriac surgeon about orthotics following this surgery. It really does improve and you may think it's slow but all of a sudden you think, wow! I just walked without a problem, it will soon be summer and you can wear pretty shoes again! 

    • sue84239
      sue84239 sandra11356

      Posted

      Thanks for your encouragement it is so lovely to know there is such a supportive network of Frodo feet sufferers!, 😊
  • sue84239
    sue84239

    Posted

    Just spoken to the fracture clinic about my ongoing symptoms and they were very reassuring that all was normal.  I should still be keeping it up to reduce swelling, wiggle the toes to increase movement and aim to try and walk more normally as recovery continues.  I have not been taking any painkillers but the nurse has advised I do so that I can tolerate more movement.

    she said that it will be slow progress but expects that the next two weeks will see more improvement and movement.  Got the impression that she deals with lots of calls like mine and so just wanted to tell me to be patient and get on with it!!

    i am actually experiencing more pain along the bottom of my toes and an ache in the middle of my foot now I am trying to be on my feel more but guessing some of this will be down to lack of movement in the last few weeks.

    At least the sunny day today is something to be cheery about!

     

  • sara44753
    sara44753 sue84239

    Posted

    Hey...I am at 8 weeks and go in next Monday to get the Boot thing off.  I am wondering if I will have a problem walking.  I will be so glad to go bare footed.

    I had a metal strip and 4 screws put into the big toe joint.  I really has seem liked a long long time.  Sara

  • sue84239
    sue84239

    Posted

    That sounds more serious than my procedure. I had one screw and a staple in the toe.

    the walking takes time and feels odd at first. The sole of my foot still feels strange touching the floor when I get out if bed but once I am going it is starting to feel more normal again.  It will feel good to not be lob sided too!

    take it easy and listen to your body...good luck

  • sara44753
    sara44753 sue84239

    Posted

    Thanks for your comment....that helps..seems strange that these two months have been so long....but it's been winter which is probably be best.
    • sue84239
      sue84239 sara44753

      Posted

      Yes hopefully the spring time will see us recover and get moving again. Each day it gets easier just don't overdo it!
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