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Started walking 1 week ago - 4 weeks post op on May 23

Posted , 4 users are following.

susan13617
susan13617

Hello, I had a scarf bunionectomy on my left foot - cut and 2 pins- the big toe already had arthritis in it - 2nd toe was a hammertoe cut and pin...The back of my left leg was cut and stapled - a vertical slit to allow my Achilles to drop down.  I am walking a little with a velcro surgical sandal.  Unless I have my leg up, my foot feels "full", swollen, throbbing.  I guess this is normal...The hard part now for me is still being patient, when I want to do things and need to do them.  I am playing piano in church this Sat. & Sun. I don't have pain so much as a feeling like blood is pooling in my foot, unless it is up and elevated...

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • susan13617
    susan13617

    Posted

    one other question about my 2nd toe hammertoe cut and pinning - the pin is now appearing at the end of my toe.  Please tell me the pin is not going to be pulled out...my surgeon said nothing about this, so I assumed it will stay in???  and thank you all for the help so far...I can see that as usual, I am expecting a faster recovery than the reality...
  • barbara00055
    barbara00055 susan13617

    Posted

    Susan, everything is normal, you just need a few more weeks and you will be feeling better; still getting the swelling when you do too much but you will be able to get around more.  

    I've learnt to listen to my foot and if it starts throbbing I'm doing too much and so sit back to elevate my foot.  I think the throbbing is to do with blood or fluid rushing down to the feet making the swelling.  

    I have also tried lymphatic massage drainage for swollen foot and leg; I found this on YouTube and am able to do this myself.  Someone recommended it on here, but they went to have it done professionally.  It's only massaging in a circular way down the inside of leg from crutch to knee, then massaging from ankle to knee and particularly under the knee on the calf.  Be careful of your Achilles of course biggrin.  Also I drink one cup of detox tea each day and I think that helps with the swelling.

    You asked about the pin, is it for hammer toe, if so yes it will come out.  I was really dreading this and don't know why!  It was nothing.  My surgeon just pulled and It was out, I can remember saying, 'oh is that it!'

    So my advice is sit back and enjoy the break, think of it has a holiday from doing the household chores etc, enjoy the warm weather and relax.  Hope that helps.

    Oh did you enjoy the game, was it a successful trip?

    • susan13617
      susan13617 barbara00055

      Posted

      I'll start with my fun trip first (a summary I wrote to send to relatives and friends)

      1. I stayed on my LowCarb way of eating the whole time! My foot and leg were great the whole trip!

      2. Jim drove the entire way and also pushed me everywhere in our new travel wheelchair, which ended up being a good purchase for us.

      3. Monday, the weather was gorgeous in Lake Geneva; Tuesday it turned cold and rainy in Illinois and Iowa .

      4. It was so cold at my nephew's soccer game at Pleasant Valley high school last night (about 40 degrees wind-chill), that Jim and I had to sit in the car for the 2nd half, but high up on a hill with a perfect view of PV's goals. PV won 2-0 against Assumption. My nephew played VERY well - he is a junior. He is #11 in the picture.

      5. We went out to dinner and after the game, at about 9 pm we congregated back at my sister's house in their large family room (about 600 sq. ft. or so). My godson, Eric, was doing prep on the floor with all his notes for his Spanish final and was pronouncing his Spanish sentences really AWFUL just to be funny. It was hilarious. 

      6. Eric also had on a huge cam walker boot, as he has a foot injury. Only problem was near our car, in saying goodbye to me, he stepped on my good foot (in a sandal) with the HEAVY CAM BOOT and fortunately he did not break my good foot, but we were both laughing about it - he said he would work that into his Spanish essay today...LOL

      7. My other nephew, Austin, was working on a term paper on his laptop. So the boys, my sister, brother-in-law, Jim, and I were all sitting together. It was a short and sweet visit, just as I had hoped for...

    • susan13617
      susan13617 barbara00055

      Posted

      Thank you so much for reassuring me about what I am going through now.  I need patience and also need to lower my expectations.  I have two hours of Masses to play for; all I can do this weekend is try the best I can.  I probably will rest a lot in between...
  • gillian14549
    gillian14549 susan13617

    Posted

    Hello susan.

    I have just read your latest comment ( posted about 8 hours ago!).

    Re the pin in your hammertoe. This is probably a K-wire. If so it will be pulled out at around 6 weeks post op. It HAS to come out then because it mustn't be left in beyond that stage to avoid infection and also to allow the internal healing to proceed.

    The nurse/consultant/surgeon will extract it with surgical pliers. I too was dreading having my K-wire removed but the clinic nurse was very gentle and did it very slowly and carefully. It did sting a bit but I can't say it was painful.

    I am sure that you will be fine.

    If your at all concerned ask to be allowed to lie down whilst they remove it.

    I did as I am a bit squeemish.

    There will be a tiny hole at the end of your toe which will be covered with a small dressing/plaster until it heals over and avoid any dirt entering the toe.

    Trust me. You WILL be fine.

    Gillian

    • susan13617
      susan13617 gillian14549

      Posted

      Gillian, thank you so much for the explanation about the K wire...I need to lower my expectations and try to be patient.
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