Questions about pain and swelling after scarf and akin osteotomy
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all recovering well from your surgery whichever stage you are at. I have a few questions following a scarf and akin osteotomy on my right foot on 6th April. I am now 3 weeks post op.
First a little background - I had both my feet operated on in 2000 but just had the bones shaved. In Feb 2014 I had a scarf and akin on my left foot and then in November 2015 had the pin removed from that foot as well. My left foot was always worse and I did seek advice on here at the time of both operations which was very helpful.
So my Consultant decided this year was a good time to have my right foot done as well as it had got worse but not nearly as bad as the left one. I think I have blocked the recovery from my left surgery out as I can't remember what I went through last time!
Last time I did have bandages on for the whole 6 weeks and had them changed at 2 weeks. This time they did it differently and I had bandages on for 2 weeks then had those removed and had a dressing and a toe alignment splint put on instead. I am not getting on very well with it I must admit! The nurse said I could remove the dressing after a few days to allow the wound to dry out but now the scar is rubbing on the splint and I'm not sure that is a good thing. I have been putting a sterile dressing swab on it to protect it. The swelling is really bad underneath my foot which I don't remember from before which means the toe part of the splint digs into my big toe. I'm not sure if that much swelling at 3 weeks is normal as I had bandages on last time. Has anyone else had a splint on after 2 weeks? If so how did you get on with it? And any tips for making it comfortable?
I am not sleeping well at night as the pain comes from the former bunion site as well which is normal I guess - swollen and stabbing pains too. At the moment I am feeling a bit sorry for myself so thought I would turn to this as you have all been through the same as me and so might have some answers!
Also I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I have a cruise holiday booked and paid for which now falls 5 weeks post op. I didn't know when it was booked that I was going to have this operation! Obviously I won't be able to get off the boat as my walking is a bit limited with the wedge shoe, and part of me is feeling like I'm being stupid to even consider still going on this holiday! It is for 4 days. Did anyone else go away after 5 weeks and if so how was it?
Hope everyone is going well and I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks in advance!
Emily
0 likes, 3 replies
JaneG Emily1985
Posted
Hi Emily - I'm now 15 weeks post-op and am still limping and foot swells if on feet for too long. I'm so fed up I sometimes wish I hadn't gone through with it....meant to get the other one done but having second thoughts....sorry what a moan.....
Emily1985 JaneG
Posted
Hi Jane,
Yes I agree with you, I'm realising now this is probably what happened when I had my left one done but I have conveniently forgotten about it 3 years later when I decided to go and have the right one done as well! I just find it all so frustrating!
But on the brighter side I can reassure you, and this is what is keeping me going, that my left one looks great now and causes me no problems compared to before when I was struggling to find shoes that fitted me and it hurt all the time! I think I will just have to be patient.
Good luck with your recovery and it will all be worth it in the end! If you decide to have the other one done perhaps wait a few years too - it is going to be nice to have symmetrical feet. Also I think this is why some people have both done at once.
Take care
Emily
theresa_22006 Emily1985
Posted
I had the same but with no fusions (don't know if you did) just over 5 weeks ago and am always amazed at the differennt approaches from different surgeons. I was in a heavy bandage for two weeks and in a heel walking boot , light weight dressing for one week with heel walking boot at which point the stitches came out and i have been in trainers ever since with severely restricted exercise, a minute a day increased exercise in the hour starting at 10 minutes and the rest of the hour with the leg elevated. I am up to 27 minutes but even though I have a desk job am still not allowed to work.
The ball of my foot was pretty swollen at 3 weeks but is getting better daily so your seems pretty normal from where I am standing but I didn't have a splint. The walking and the physio have really helped it though and it is getting better daily.
My surgery was on 24 March 2017 and I had a cruise booked for 4 June and the surgeon insisted I cancelled it, I am not sure if this is because of the heat making the swelling worse. It was for 2 weeks and Southampton to Southampton so we were surprised but still cancelled it. if would have been 10 weeks then. I would suggest ask your surgeon, I think I could have gone based on the progress I am making but he is the expert so did what I was told. He has said we can go away late July though so we might organize something for then.
I know he chose Scarf and Akin because it gets you on your feet earlier so you may be out of your boot sooner than you think. When are you having your next check up?
By the way, depending on the fare price you paid on your cruise and who it is with (if it is a select price) you May be able to transfer it another date. That is what we did.
Hope this helps a bit.
Theresa