Sorry for being so desperate BUT ....

Hi I'm not out the other end, think I've posted to yiu before.  I went to consultant today at 9 weeks and had my first X-rays done.  He said all normal and that I would continue to get the swelling up to 1 year and if I'm unlucky indefinitely!!  I can't imagine what it is like to have two feet done.  We walked around Bluewater shops with a rest in between and like yiu I went on a snails pace, it felt so strange - it's usually me who is charging on when walking but my husband had to keep slowing down his pace for me.

Do you have occupational health at work, maybe they need to see your condition and rearrange your return?  If you have a sit down job though you should be able continue to put your feet up.  I am and sometimes I raise it well above my head for 15 mins to get the swelling down!

Margot

im bilateral lapidus and Atkins, phased return @ 7 weeks, but was desk bound for the first 6 weeks.

i had the same problems as you to start, but, found with regular exercise that the swelling was less, than sitting down all day with your feet up.

10 mins in cold water at night should help with the swelling, also, flight compression socks and soft lace up trainers -seems to squash the foot in and give you fat ankles.

if you're going to be on your feet all day, then the phased return isn't going to work. They should factor your op in, they wouldn't expect someone who had a back operation to do lifting all day, would they?

See how it goes, don't forget to take the crutches in with you, and don't be afraid to show them the swellings and scars, and let them know it still hurts.

i was scared stiff about starting back, one day the first week, followed by Monday-Wednesday -Friday the following 5 weeks, then back full time.

at 6 months in, still getting very tired, and still getting swellings.

you're not being desperate, I have no idea of why this happens, but everything seems to take 4 times longer than usual, and you have no time for anything.

my first normal walk took 30 mins, rather than 10 mins, but I sped up over the days, it's just getting out there and going for it.

youll be fine, and after the first few days, you'll wonder what you were worried about.

take care 

caroline

Hi Margot,   Don't worry, your phased return to work should allow you some extra rest breaks at work or even shorter days, and if you are worried that you can't manage it at all, go to your GP for an extension of the surgeon's  fit note, or  for the GP to at least add detail to your return to work, requesting any  extra support from work that you feel you may need.

I had my  I had my first foot done (scarf and akin) 18 months ago, and returned  to my job in the fire service 6 weeks later. I am not a firefighter but my job is very physical and am on my feet most of every day. The swelling and discomfort were part of my daily routine, but nothing too serious.

I felt I had healed well by 6 weeks, and was getting bored and not doing enought physical activities whilst off work. I wasn't scheduled to see my surgeon until 7 weeks, but my original sick note expired at the end of 6 weeks. So I went to  my GP and we discussed what I felt I COULD do at work, and he wrote the fit note with this in mind, for me to return to work on light duties.  I firmly believe going back to work was just the physio I needed to get back to normal.  Even with the discomfort of those first months, my foot has always better for 90% of the day than it did with with a terrible bunion!

I had my second foot done 2 1/2 weeks ago and seem to be on the same course. (except that my foot turns greyish-purple when i put it down too much, I don't remember that particular symptom from last time - do you have it?) Mostly it's all good, not much post-op pain.  I am so glad to be rid of those bunions which have plagued me for many years.

I have a different surgeon this time and he has said he thinks 6 weeks may be too early to go back to a physical job, but he said 8-10 should be more than enough.  I will see him at 6 weeks this time, and will follow his advice.

You haven't mentioned what shoes you are in? I had work boots bought for me by my employer which were a size larger than normal and which I wore for the first 3 months back at work. For my own shoes outside of work I now swear by Skechers GoWalks. I have one pair a size larger which i bought for the 'first shoes' after coming out of the Darko boot at around 5 1/2 weeks, and a few more pair in my original size which I bought a few months later.

I hope you have the same understanding from your  own employer as I did,  and they will make all reasonable adjustments for you.  (I am inclined to believe that this is a statutory requirement for all employers?)

It must be more challenging having had both feet done at the same time, as you don't have a 'good foot' to lean on when you're hurting. But I am sure you are nearly ready; it may be just worrying about the unknown that makes you doubt it.

Dear Margot

I had mine done over 3 years ago but I remember progress was really slow and painful.  I too had to go back to work before I felt able and ended up hurting my knee on the other leg and the swelling took the best part of a year to subside and I wore shoes in a bigger size as it was difficult to get shoes on.  This is not to depress you but to reassure you that although the recovery was really slow, it does get better - I am now pain free and live a full and active life - including exercise.

Surgeon had said to me that I probably would not thank him for 6 months, unfortunately I did not see him again so did not get theat opportunity.

You may have to go back to the Doctor and ask for a bit longer - I found walking in water every day really helped as it means you don't have your whole weight on your feet.

Best of luck - Chris M.

Hi Margot. My recovery has been relatively quick but, yes, I do still get pain where the bunion was. I get it less as time goes on though. It was pointed out to me that there are now different surfaces of the joint articulating with eachother and that it is bound to be painful as readjustments take place. In my opinion, your feet have to take precedence over work's desire to get their money's worth out of you. There are plenty of recovery schedules from various clinics and hospitals on the internet. Perhaps you could let work see them so they know you're being genuine and/or make sure Occupational Health know. There are Youtube videos of the op as well... Progress is slow but steady as long as you don't allow yourself any setbacks (says she who tripped and stubbed THE toe on a wooden step yesterday)! This is my "wisdom" following my (mere) single scarf/akin osteotomy on 4th February. I hope it helps!

Hi Margot. Be re-assured, what you're experiencing seems the norm, the painfulfeeling of walking on a golf ball, those sudden alarming zinginging shooting pains that come from nowhere, the pains that move all over your foot, they do  subside. Your idea of repeating your PO walk is a good one,  an easy way to monitor your progress, I found I had good days and bad to begin with but I'm sure on the whole you'll find it gets easier each day and you'll be able to go a little further each time. Perhaps try walking in different shoes too, only suggesting that as I know that really affects my walking but then I've only had one foot done so far,  you've been way braver and had both. It does get better,  just not quick enough for our liking, guess we might be far less demanding on ourselves if we had some broken those feet in an accident don't you think?! All crossed you'll be feeling less worried when it's time for you to return to work and they're understanding of what you've been through. All the best Margot.