upcoming foot surgery on 3/28

Hi Karen,

     I am on the 7th week of my second surgery---two feet done in the last 6 months.  I should be getting my cast off this week and then into a boot and on to physical therapy.  I did not use a scooter--I have been using crutches.  I found that I could wash my hair in the sink but, then I was exhausted and had to go back to the couch.  You are going to have to be very patient with yourself and take it day by day--don't expect to be doing much at all.  There are days that I am totally depleted and days I can read for hours.  You are going to have to sleep with your surgery leg/foot hanging elevated over a pillow and take your pain meds as prescribed.  You will need a lot of sleep as well.  These are huge surgeries but absolutely necessary, for sure.  I was unable to walk for more than a half hour without having to sit for awhile because of tremendous pain.  For using the bathroom, you need to give yourself time to even get to the bathroom and then it is pretty much being careful not to fall while you are learning to manage yourself.  I think the biggest thing was not to expect too much from yourself and give yourself permission to just rest while you heal.  You should have a chair or cart near the couch with all your to go stuff on it, being that you are only getting up to use the bathroom---phone, remote, books, meds, etc.  Someone will have to bring you your meals.  The scooter looks great but, honestly, I was too tired to have much use for it.  When you go for your post op visits, there should be wheelchairs available for you to use.  You are going to have to transfer yourself from wheelchair to tables during your visits (exam table and xray).  Please feel free to ask any questions at all.  Tami

Hi Karen,

Have you considered getting a pedicure at your nearby nail salon and requesting for an exfoliating scrub?  Those usually accompany a nice foot massage too.  You can begin exfoliating at home now by soaking feet in warm water w epson salt for a few minutes, then gently rubbing your feet w a small handful of epson salt.  Using a pumice rock helps too.  A small foot brush gets in the nooks and crannies between and under toes. I also find that a few drops of essential oils (tea tree oil and lavender) have been quite beneficial.  You won't be able to avoid dry skin on your feet from this surgery as we all have had our share.  I'm 6wks post op today and still have a lil if I don't stay ahead of it by moisturizing.  Just know and expect a lot of dry skin when you get your cast off, but don't freak out as it can be managed.

As for getting around, hopefully your Dr will give you crutches especially since you'll have a hard cast on.  Or if you know someone no longer using theirs can borrow if it's adjustable to your particular height and have it w you or the one driving you home after your surgery.  My bunion was considered a mild to moderate on RT foot and so my Dr performed what was called an Austin in correcting my bunion along w 2 titanium screws and also shaved off a bone spur on the top of my foot.  They issued and put me in a short boot-like air cast and crutches.  Dr said I could go PWB (partial weight bearing) on my heel only, but could't nor dared to the 1st wk due to swelling.  

Once you get used to using crutches, I would recommend having a light backpack or a light cloth bag (ie. recyclable cloth bag) to put some essentials in and to carry with in whatever room you relax in.  Some essentials I have in my bag are: pack of disposable face wipes (can be used for hands too), small box of tissue, hair pin, small box of individual sterile 4x4 gauzes, transpore tape, compression wrap, neosporin, essential oils (helps keep inflammation at bay when doing ROM), Correct Toes, Injinji socks, and I'd place my cell phone in there too when hobbling between rooms.  I used to have an extra water bottle and paperback books in there too but learned eventually to keep things light.  Hubby always keeps small water bottles within reach for me in both bedroom and livingroom where my books are as well.

As for washing hair, I've yet to do the sink thing.  I have long hair so figured it would be more of a hassle.  The first few weeks into my recovery, before my stitches were removed @ 2wks post op appointment, I took baths in the tub and wrapped my surgery foot in a strong plastic bag, using strong packing tape and securely taping in two places of my leg - at the lower thigh just above knee and at the top of my calf (you can do your ankle too for extra security), and elevated/laid my leg on the edge of the bath tub.  This is when I realized upper body strength was important.  Before getting in, fill up the tub half way w water at an ideal warm temperature, then carefully getting in and relaxing in the water, while leg remained up on ledge, and scooting the rest of myself down to immerse and wet my head.  Having a big plastic cup to scoop up and pour the water over my head came in handy for when I needed to rinse off shampoo and conditioner.  And would drain that water out then soap body etc then use cup of fresh running water to rinse off with.  I read somewhere that some folks used bath chairs to sit on.  In my case, I didn't want to spend the extra money for that.  Plus, I found that elevating my surgery foot on the tub ledge while I laid in the tub helped keep foot swelling to a minimum as it usually did whenever it was in down position during this early stage in recovery.  I would also suggest, having extra towels nearby handy - one on the floor so you don't slip, one on the tub edge, and more for your body and hair to dry off with.  You'll need that towel on the tub edge to sit and turn around on when getting out of the tub, as well as for when you remove the bag.  Your clean change of clothes should be nearby within reach too.  Oh, and last but not least, have scissors on a nearby counter to reach for to cut off the bag from your leg.  I totally forgot about this on my first try as I struggled to pull off the tape and bag to no avail.  So I had to hop on crutches butt-naked (lol) to the kitchen for the scissors.  Thankfully no one was home to witness my dismay.  Then again, it would be best to have your spouse or a trusted friend/relative nearby to call out to in case you need or forget something.  My husband didn't want me to bath without him being home for that reason.  However, during this recovery journey you'll find that the urge/need to do something usually happens when others aren't around and oftentimes it's earlier in a day when you have the most energy.  So definitely plan ahead and think things through before doing them so you're not having to hop butt-naked to the other side of the house for something like I did.  Lol.  It's funny now, but it wasn't then.

Keep in mind that any surgery on the lower extremities shouldn't be taken lightly and will always require special care and a lengthy recovery given that we use our feet often, blood rushes there, many connecting bones, ligaments, tendons, and the skin on the top part of our feet are very thin.  Everyone has different experiences, procedures, pain tolerances, and health issues that contribute to either lengthening or shortening their recovery.  So be patient w yourself, don't rush through your recovery, and ask lots of questions of your Dr, and feel free to do so here too.  You're not alone!!  I've learned a lot here in the forums and knew what to expect from my Dr, and when I wasn't sure would ask more until I fully understood.  

Good luck!