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Swelling/puffiness

Posted , 6 users are following.

sue84239
sue84239

hello fellow recoverers!

I am now nearly 9 weeks post op and foot stiff looks really puffy. It is not hot though and only really gives any heat out at the end of the day. it can feel quite cold and yet obviously puffed up all around the top end of my foot. I have a dimple in the middle of the foot where the plaster cut my foot slightly so this looks very strange as it remains depressed but puffy all around it.  I cannot really notice much improvement in the last week or so despite being a bit more mobile.

any body else had this?

not sure whether to keep it raised more or exercise more to get circulation going??

my big toe is still stiff and sore to retry and get into shoes.....

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • bev52304
    bev52304 sue84239

    Posted

    I've just got back from 1st visit to physio (six and half weeks post op). Very swollen feet and I'm walking a little bit zombieish. I have been shown what exercises to do and also how to correctly massage the foot. Also to improve the swelling I was told to put my feet into cold water for 5 mins then into hot water for 5 mins and repeat this twice a day. walk and exercise as much as possible to loosen the stiffness with the aim to be back to normal activities within another 4 to 8 weeks. having said that I was told to accept that the big toe would still swell for upto 12 months post op. What a bore!
    • sue84239
      sue84239 bev52304

      Posted

      Sounds positive! Can you share the massage technique? 

      I am 9 weeks now and the last couple of weeks have seen lots of improvement and less of a limp so good luck.

      sue x

    • irina52822
      irina52822 sue84239

      Posted

      Sue, I have massage done during PT. This was the only time I  had pain. So, he said, it's suppose to be painfull. Try to massage as deep as possible - in circles the scar and near it
    • bev52304
      bev52304 sue84239

      Posted

      I was told to massage the scar at least twice a day with oil or lotion. If in real pain I could use one of those pain relieving creams. I have to sort of firmly stroke the toe and the foot downwards. He was very firm and when it got a bit ouchy he said don't worry that I can't do any damage. Also bend the toe up and down. My one foot is stiffer than the other as the bunion was more severe so needed a more severe correction.
    • bev52304
      bev52304

      Posted

      Sorry he also said that it would be a bit achey but just do in small bursts.

       

    • sue84239
      sue84239 bev52304

      Posted

      Thanks for that.

      i have been using arnica cream for bruising and bio oil on the scar but only for the last week or so as it was very sensitive before then.  It is difficult to be firm yourself I think as naturally you hold back if it is sore.  Have just done the hot and cold and it seems to have helped after a day on my feet!

    • bev52304
      bev52304 sue84239

      Posted

      I'm also using bio oil for the scar but yes you tend to hold back with the massage as soon as you feel anything like pain. The hot and cold water trick is good though.
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