Walking after 6 weeks bunionectomy
Posted , 85 users are following.
Hi Friends,
For those of you who had only one foot done, I am wondering how you are feeling at 6 weeks. I have been walking for about 10 days in the aircast, as I had the surgery 6 weeks ago yesterday, but my foot is still sore and hurts, and I have severe sciatica in my good leg from sitting around for so long. My wound is raw and red, though no bleeding or oozing, of course. I thought I woud be much better by now. Is anyone else at the 6 week point, and in pain? I'm very dicouraged as I was told I could drive at 7 weeks, tho I am in this boot until after 8 weeks. Thanks so much.
7 likes, 875 replies
yvonne45277 joyce16553
Posted
Hi Joyce
I had one bunion done 4 weeks ago. I am fortunate in that I've had virtually no pain except the first couple of days. Exercising my big toe is mildly painful. Walking is fine although I still have to wear a splint and special shoe. The main discomfort has been leg and back ache from the lop sided gait and sitting around.
I guess it must depend on how bad the bunion was and how well you heal.
I would recommend that you speak to your surgeon and/or physio. You could try ringing your surgeons secretary.
I hope it soon recovers fully.
pldaffron yvonne45277
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yvonne45277 joyce16553
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Hi Joyce
By the way, I have kept my foot elevated above my heart a lot of the time and taken lots of rest. Fortunately my husband is great at making cups of tea for me!
I am thinking of getting a toe separator such as 'Correct Toes', if my consultant agrees (I'm seeing him next week). I've also started doing toe separating exercises on my other foot- interlacing my fingers right through them and gently bending them back and forth. You'd have to check this out with your own consultant though.
It is a veery invasive op and I really think you need to be positive, see what your consultant recommends and maybe see a good podiatrist and/or physio after you get the all clear. Everyone is different and it is still early days. Good luck.
ebony52467 joyce16553
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Hello my name isEbony I'm 25 and got my surgery on February 3. It is so nice to find this discussion. I have so many questions and it's nice to know that there is people out there in the same situation or has been here. So it's been 5 weeks since my surgery and been so confused on what I can and can't do but I'm hanging in here one of my questions is I got my stitches removed on February 28 and it's been about 2 weeks I have steri strips right now. Can I put anything over the strips? (Like ointments?) another question I'm still wearing my boot but do u guys wear a sock even tho u have the steri strips? What do u guys do for the soreness? Pain wise I have been ok I'm not taking anything only the first 2 weeks but I just feel discomfort/sore some days I do feel a little bit of pain but is manageable.
lisa74563 ebony52467
Posted
Hi Ebony,
I had my bunionectomy (mild bunion) on Feb 3rd also. I was told to apply antibiotic ointment on top of steri strips and I used self-adherent bandaging tape or "vet wrap" over that. Wrap firmly but not too tight. The wrap seems to help support incision area
My dr said I could remove wrap & bathe or shower, then pat foot dry & reapply ointment. Just let steri strips fall off on their own.
Now I am only wearing a band aid over incision. No longer using ointment as it was keeping incision too moist. Still applying adhesive wrap & wearing a cotton sock over it . I am still in cam boot whenever I'm up.
I've used Advil for discomfort but fortunately haven't had much pain.
I still experience alot of swelling. So be sure to elevate your foot above heart level as much as possible.
When I was in dr office last Friday to have incision site checked I visited with a patient who'd just had her 2nd bunionectomy a week earlier. She said she experienced swelling for several month after her first surgery. She felt 6-8 months for total recovery . Apparently that's pretty normal although discouraging. I was hoping to wear "normal" shoes sooner.
I too was happy to find this website. Good to know what others are experiencing. "Misery loves company "?
My dr failed to tell me to do toe exercises! So now I'm working on flexing my toes & my joints are a bit sore but I'm making progress.
Don't become discouraged. Take care of yourself. It's a process to heal. You can't rush it.
I'm supposed to get out of the cam walker on the 20th. Yay!
Good luck to you.
linda05126 ebony52467
Posted
Thanks Ebony for the insight. It really helps to know someone else's progress. Hang in there and good luck with your healing.
jodi98327 joyce16553
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Im 7 weeks after hallux valgus surgery. I went back to work last Friday in the shoe provided after surgery. I am a hairdresser, trust me i'm very swollen and sore. I wish i had more time off but hard to sit after standing all day. My dr said partime but we know how that goes. Good luck with your recovery. Ice and elevate.
linda05126 jodi98327
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lisa74563 linda05126
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I'm so happy you're getting your casts off tomorrow. I was supposed to get out of my cam walker today but office called & dr is out all week for family emergency so I can't see him until 27th. Ugh! Patience is a virtue.
Let us know how you feel tomorrow.
Good luck.
nikki07 joyce16553
Posted
Hi to all you Hop-a-Longs
I'm three weeks in...never had more than a twinge and ive had bunion removed, another toe pinned and tendon cut on another yet I'm happy to say I hobble around flat footed as per instructions. I keep foot up when possible and although bored silly im able to manoeuvre my way around a supermarket, cook meals, vaccum and all sorts. Never needed painkillers 😊
nikki07 joyce16553
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cynthia5456 joyce16553
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Hello, I'm at almost 7 weeks. Walking with crutches or walker with boot and partial weight on left foot. Had surgery July 17. I too have redness, swelling, Pain and numb areas. It "stings" when I walk on my foot and swells very quickly. Doing PT now, still very stiff. I have many screws and a plate on 2nd toe. I really felt I would be farther along by now.
lisa74563 cynthia5456
Posted
Hi Cynthia,
Yes! Get your opposite foot in a good athletic shoe with arch support . I too hobbled along one sided and developed pain in my hip & lower back.The extra weight of my pneumatic walking boot plus my right leg being higher contributed to my pain.
When I got into a shoe that had some height for my left foot it made a huge difference!
I am 7 mos out from surgery & some days are still a struggle with swelling & pain. Elevate as much as possible. Ice as needed. Don't rush trying to wear "fancy" shoes for a while.
It's a slow heal but worth it.
Good luck!
cynthia5456 lisa74563
Posted
Thank you for your reply. I'm managing so far, but Pain and swelling come fast and furious. Ice and elevate are becoming a way of life. I ordered the shoe lift...should be here in a couple of days. WalMart had them but were out. I can put full weight on if I am more balanced in my hips. Right now that's impossible. 3 steps and paraspinal muscles are in a huge knot, not worth it. I will use the walker a couple of more days.
Any suggestions besides ice and elevate for swelling. I'm up 10 minutes and my foot is nearly purple and throbbing. BTW I have many plates screws and hardware. I had a total foot reconstruction done, not just bunion.
Thank you so much!
lisa74563 cynthia5456
Posted
Well I can certainly understand why you're having so much pain & swelling. I had a bunionectomy with one screw to hold my big toe in correct alignment. It's just going to take time to heal.
I've heard foot surgery is one of the slowest to heal because obviously your lowest extremities are going to swell the most.
Stay in close touch with your surgeon & if something doesn't seem right don't hesitate to ask questions. .
cynthia5456 lisa74563
Posted
Thank you again for your reply and I am being as patient as can be! 😊 Today I can actually see some of the swelling has gone down. So thankful. I'm thankful for every day that I feel a tiny bit better. I'm 61 and I feel like a kid looking at her feet...lol. Oh well, time is what it will take.
kelly62856 cynthia5456
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I had both feet done at same time July 28th , cast came off yesterday, while getting x-ray I was made to stand on each foot one at a time full weight bearing, so now I'm in more pain than I have been for entire time, stitches were taken out after 2 weeks wound healed fine. Have been told to walk on heals for at least another week. To anyone reading this I wouldn't recommend getting both done at same life has been very difficult. I have found placing spacers between toes today has relived pain somewhat, worth a try if you are still in pain.
cynthia5456 kelly62856
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Oh my! I would never have both feet done at the same time. I can't imagine that you did full weight bearing right after cast taken off. Yes, this is the worse pain I have ever had including natural childbirth. However, my pain is less now but still there . Are you icing your feet? Since you are in more pain it may be that they are inflamed . Do you not have any kind of post op shoe? How are you walking only on your heels? I saw my post op xrays yesterday, with all the hardware in my foot I can better understand why I have the swelling and tenderness. Good luck and take care, just don't overdo.
kelly62856
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I shouldn't have been wait bearing but the lady doing x-ray insisted I had to her mistake, looking at my feet it has done damage going to hospital today to show them .
cynthia5456 kelly62856
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