Recovery after big toe fusion

I'm now home after my operation this afternoon.... 13.30.

Felt really sick and had a terrible headache for sometime after.

Sickness has passed but headache is still hovering.

I did have to have big toe fusion with metalwork.....second and third toes shortened.....

I'm non weight baring until my 2 week check up, then they'll see how progress is going.

 

Nerve block is starting to wear off, can feel a slight stinging.

No pain meds given by hospital but I have Paracetamol and Ibuprofen at home.

Glad your home sounds like you had the same as me except I had the 4th toe done too. I was amazed we get sent home with no painkillers! My block wore off yesterday and I'm still in a lot of pain. Ibroprofen and cocodomol just aren't touching it. I phoned the Dr back today and he prescribed naproxen and a higher dose codeine. Taking this and I still have a really sore throbbing and now the odd prickle pain! I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.

Now off to my 4 week post-op check up, so just to say  as regards painkillers, that my doctor prescribed Tradonal (which I think is known as tramadol in the UK) which is stronger than either than ibuprofen and codeine.  I found it worked really well once the nerve block wore off.  Prescription only.  Highly recommend!

Hope you're both feeling much better this morning.

Yes tramodol was my backup plan but this morning things seem much better the real bad continual throbbing has stopped thank god! I now have the odd sharp hot needle type pain in the toe with the screw sticking out the top but I believe this is nerve recovery pain? Hope your checkup goes well xx

I slept really well last night. 

Woke this morning with the nerve block wearing off and the twinges starting..... I've taken paracetamol and ibuprofen but expect I need to take them through out the day for them to kick in.

Toe area feels sore and stingy. At this point I wish I'd have kept a journal when I'd had my previous ops so I could compare.

 

Hi I did find over the counter pain killers just didn't help me the day after . I called my surgeon and he wrote me a prescription for a higher dose of co-codamol and he gave me naproxen. Today (day 2) the massive throbbing has stopped thank god. Much less pain today. I hope your pain stays low

Take heart, I've  just bought a pair of shoes for driving!  Four weeks post-op and my doctor told me today that not only can I drive again, albeit only in shoes with a totally rigid sole, but also that I can WALK in those shoes.  OK, not to walk much, and to put the surgical shoe back on if the foot starts to ache, but nonetheless normality is beckoning.

So keep your spirits up. The same doctor had told me it would probably be six weeks to get to this point, but this time I was much more diligent about icing and elevating (especially elevating) and I think it has paid.off.  The first two weeks are so critical - wish I'd known that better with the first foot.

My thoughts are with you both.  Only those who have been through this can truly empathise, and I have a pretty good idea how you are feeling right now!

You are my inspiration! Elevate is the best advice I think. I haven't had to use ice luckily. You are so right people who have had this certainly do understand. I seriously underestimated the post op pain but never expected new ways of doing things like being told to try from day 1 to place your foot on the ground as if you can walk! Also internal wires was new to me I'd expected all removeable ones.

So did you have a big toe fusion?  Sounds as if you have K-wires in your other toes.  How are you coping with them?  Not something I've experienced, they tend not to use them here.  

I think I overdid it yesterday in the excitement at the prospect of freedom!  Foot definitely aching today, so elevating once again.....So annoying, I really wanted to get behind the wheel again, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.

It's all about patience really.  Hope you're both pain-free today.

 

It sounds really dumb but I'm not sure exactly what they did do! Obviously my side bunion lump has gone and my big toe is now straight. My second toe was a hammer toe I believe so this has been shortened and has some kind of wire/screw in it I can see a metal thing out the top! The next two toes have a non removal wire in each. Pain is now totally under control. I can't put my foot to the floor thought as it feels like it would explode ! I have an appointment Tuesday for a bandage change. Hope your OK x

Oh dear Amanda, I hope you're feeling a bit better today.

When I had the original operations the surgeon said 6 weeks is the recover time and to do all things "normal"

Having seen the second surgeon that did the right foot correction surgery he practically laughed and said once he was happy all was well at my 12 week check up it could be up to a year for full recovery.

It was around the 10 month mark when I was out walking one day and suddenly realised that my foot seemed ok.

The only thing that does bother me is now the toe nail seems to be ingrowing and I get a lump of hard skin form on the side where the toe nail is.....if this builds up it can be uncomfortable.

I do intend, once left foot is fully healed, in going to a podiatrist to get this checked out..... well get them to look at both feet.

I also intend on having a really good foot/ankle massage...... I'mconvinced I'm still walking gingerly and need a good sort out.

So wish my husband would offer to do it but best to get a professional on the job.....

Likewise I was told when my first foot was operated on that six weeks was the normal recovery period, but that was absolute nonsense.  I think what he actually meant was that he would not need to see me again after the first six weeks, and it did take a good six months to be able to walk really 'normally' again for any real distance. He had warned me this time that recovery after fusion would take longer, but I have to say, based on my first (almost) five weeks' experience, that I hope your surgeon is being rather pessimistic.  This morning I managed the 20 minute drive to my language class completely pain free!  Still can't walk beyond a few metres, but my new highly inelegant Puma trainers with their completely rigid soles are a great investment and such an improvement on the surgical shoe. So just maybe my recovery this time won't take that much longer than last.  

So keep your spirits up. Make sure you're being pampered and keep that foot elevated!

Good to hear things are progressing nicely for you..

I'm still at that stage where it feels like my feet are being tickled with stinging nettles and the stitches are tightening up....

Also the very purple looking leg if I stand for to long.

 

I'm always a bit apprehensive until I've had my first check up and x-rays to make sure if the bones are fusing as they should.

I was just wondering how you are both getting on. The first week is not easy....

Hi Amanda....

I'm not too bad, foot hasn't been as painful as during my previous operations although the tingling is upping its game as is the feeling of swelling when I put my foot down.

I've an appointment next Wednesday for a check up......keeping my fingers crossed that all is progressing as it should be.

Hi everyone

I'm doing OK the pain is now controllable! I'm confused mainly by conflicting advice from the hospital. The paperwork I was discharged with indicated that for the first 2 weeks I should be non weight bearing and walking on crutches. When I had my bandage changed at day 7 the nurse liberally snatched the crutches away from me and told me off for still using them! She then made me walk unaided to the x ray Dept. She also said I shouldn't be taking the codeine and naproxen as I shouldn't be needing them now. My husband asked her was she trained by the SAS!!! I tried for 1 day without the tablets but found I still need them so I've ignored her on that one

Overall I am OK stitches come out next Thursday and the wire thingy 3 weeks after.

I was told by the  surgeon, nurse and the physiotherapist that gave me crutches not to weight bare for the first 2 weeks....although this is sometimes impossible.... but in general I'm keeping my leg elevated for the best part of the day.....literally bathroom....kitchen to grab something to eat, as I live in a bungalow it's not to bad....

I certainly won't be getting rid of my crutches anytime soon, infact if the instructions at my check up are the same as last time I'll be sent away and told to continue with the crutches and only walk by way of lifting my left foot and placing it flat on the ground, no rolling from heel to toe for the next 6 weeks.... my crutches we're handed in at my 12 weeks check....Even then the surgeon said I could keep them in case I needed to use them. 

Don't be rushed, only you know how you feel....

I think your husband is quite right.  Sounds to me as though that nurse shoud be sectioned!  My doctor would have been absolutely horrified.  I too was told for the first two weeks to be as NWB as possible.  I was then allowed to discard the crutches  if I 'felt comfortable without them'.  I did, so was happy to be rid of them, but still had to wear the surgical shoe.  Then at 4 weeks I was allowed to abandon the (by then much despised) shoe and am now fairly happily hobbling around in my rigid soled trainers. I agree absolutely that only you know how you feel, and everyone progresses at a different rate. My main problem now is a tendency to overdo it and end up resorting to tradamol in the evening as a result.  All my own fault as I was warned only to walk a little, but I start the day with my foot feeling pretty good - certainly not normal by any means, but quite functional- so then just do too much.  Having a house on four floors doesn't help!  A bungalow sounds like a dream come true...Whereas abandoning the painkillers would be an absolute nightmare!

But so glad to hear you are both progressing well.  Hope you're reading all those books and magazines you've been piling up for this period of enforced bedrest.

Hi i had my bunion surgery on the 4th of feb and ive still got my plaster boot on has anyone else had it on for this long? Its not coming off till the 6th of april cant wait much more painful than my last bunion surgery on my right foot left foot much more painful x