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Six weeks post surgery, out of the boot but no shoe fits

Posted , 5 users are following.

Mishe55
Mishe55

I am six weeks post surgery,  the specialist visit and the Xray is scheduled on Wednesday and I expect to be out of the boot and allowed to weight bear on the whole foot which is all great news.  But there is a little problem, at present no shoes of mine would fit on my still slightly swallen and pretty tender around my big toe foot. I went through few shoe shops today and absolutely nothing was suitable (even tried men thongs/flip flops but they also hurt me too much) so now I am considering buying a flat post-op shoe (with flat bottom) as they are adjustable and padded so comfortable for me at the moment  but I am wondering if anyone else had better idea as the post op shoes have quite thick soles and for that reason would not be the best for my spine as I would have uneven leg length.  My Ugg boots would be probably ok but it is Summer here so hot weather and warm shoes would most likely increase the swelling.

I expect swelling to go on for a while (in my experience 6-8 weeks) but I dont want it to stop me from exercising and being able to drive.  I am also about to start a new art course and no way I would give that up.

I will be grateful for any suggestions.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Tiany
    Tiany Mishe55

    Posted

    Hello,

    my first surgery, left foot was sept 17. After 6 weeks I could only use my walkingshoes, one size bigger than normal. But week 7 I could already wear sportshoes and some other flat shoes. End of november more elegant boots with a little heel, it go's fast. I went skiing in december and could wear my skiboots all day.

    Last friday I had surgery for my right foot, so everything starts again. 

  • wanda85458
    wanda85458 Mishe55

    Posted

    Hi!  My doctor didn't let me wear a real shoe or bear weight on my whole foot for 9 weeks.  I had, what I think, was pretty intense surgery.  Bunion and the next 2 toes.  One hammer and tendon release on the third.  I have 3 plates and 13 screws total.  I bought a pair of Skechers, GO WALK in a size larger and wide width.  They feel pretty good.  At first they felt sort of funky but after a couple of hours they were just fine.  I just bought another pair of Skechers, GO WALK and they have memory foam in them and they are working out good, too.  Good luck.

     

  • Mayfairmam
    Mayfairmam Mishe55

    Posted

    Hi I am 7 weeks and can only fit into ugg boots and a pair of old trainers with laces pulled loose for maybe an hour.  If you wear your Ugg boots without socks the wool lining will equalise the temperature and you should be reasonably comfortable.
  • caroline38772
    caroline38772 Mishe55

    Posted

    Hi Misha, I'm 7.5 weeks post op, and the only 'shoes' I can fit into I are my walking sandals, merrell, with Velcro straps everywhere. Very comfortable, although being in England not very practical during January. Caroline
  • bohemia
    bohemia Mishe55

    Posted

    Hi Mishe, I'm going for my xrays tomorrow too.

    I bought myself a boot the is similar to the shoe(open toe) that the hospital gave me to wear in the house. The boot I bought was off ebay, New costing £18.50 and it is an above the ankle boot with a closed in toe, velcro fasteners and rocker sole.

    I wear my Ugg on the left foot and they seem to be a similar height.

    If your weather is warm right now, could you get a pair of crocs because they have quite a good sole, to match the post op boot.

    On Ebay there are some shoes and boots by Doctor Keller that seem quite good too, they are wide around the toe area with a good sole.

    Don't know if you can get hold of Hush Puppies by they are quite comfortable too.

    Ther are other names here in the UK such as Sketchers, and Padda, not sure if you can get them though where you are.

    How about moccasins, they are wide and soft and you could always take them and have an extra sole added, at a shoe repair shop.

    Good luck with your Xrays.smile

  • Mishe55
    Mishe55

    Posted

    Thank you all for great advise.  I have contacted the hospital and was told that I need to see physio tomorrow after the Xrays and specialist consultation,  apparently they may fit me with an appropriate boot.  I also spoke to a shop which sells medical supplies and can I buy a post op boot from them for almost $130 (I know I can get it much cheaper via internet).  The issue for me is that since my other foot is a club foot it is much smaller and deformed so I have to always buy two pairs of shoes and they have to be ultra comfortable and fit my club foot (that in itself is a huge challenge and I usually succeed once a year or so as most shoes just do not fit) as my other foot is also painful.  I have to admit that I refuse to wear all those horrid "old ladies' shoes".  Additionally my club foot leg is shorter so I have to have the shoe build up which is additional and quite significant cost as it has to be done exactly right so it has to be done by a skilled and therefore expensive shoe maker.  All in all I would prefer to buy a boot for few weeks as long as the sole is not very high so I can wear my normal build up sandal or what ever on the other foot.  As for ugg boots,  it is a great idea but in Winter,  I am in Australia so it is mid Summer here and the temperatures are between 28 and 38 degrees which is definitely not the Ugg boot weather - sadly as that would be so much easier but i imagine the overheating would increase swelling (I may try that anyway and see what happens)
  • Tiany
    Tiany Mishe55

    Posted

    It seems that most of you have more problems. Maybee the difference is that my feet are very narrow( is that the correct word ) and that I had only a little bid of swelling during the recovery.
    • Mishe55
      Mishe55 Tiany

      Posted

      My good foot (that sounds pretty funny considering that it is my good foot which just had a surgery) is also very narrow but it is still swollen and the fusion area is tender to say the least and I am more lucky than most in that my whole surgery was done via new method which does not involve one large cut so no problems with scaring.  I do wonder if it is people who did not have fusion who recover quicker or perhaps age has something to do with it and also what else was done.  So many variables but one thing seems to be sure,  it does get better but it takes time and effort.
    • Tiany
      Tiany Mishe55

      Posted

      So difficult to say. In sept my left foot was Scarf+Akin osteotomy big toe, fusion 2the toe with pin, tendonextension 3th toe. Now in jan right foot Chevron+Akin osteotmy big toe, fusion with pin, Weill osteotmy, tendonextension 2th toe, tendonextension 3th,4th,5th toe. So a lot of work. But In normal live I have never swollen feet. I think the swelling is the cause of the problem by so many of you. 
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