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Wearing heels after fusion bunion operation?

Posted , 27 users are following.

sally54711
sally54711

Hi

Call me vain, but I am very concerned that I apparently won't be able to wear heels EVER if I have a fusion bunion operation.  I'm not talking huge here, but the surgeon said anything over half an inch would not be possible.  Is this really the case?  At present I usually wear shoes with heels of 1 - 1 1/2 inches, so not huge by any means.   I know this is trivial compared to some of the other discussions but, as I have little pain with my bunions and the op would only be to make is possible to wear 'ordinary' shoes rather than being confined to the limited availability and styles of extra extra wide, I am concerned.  I don't want to be still struggling to find footwear!

Thanks for any thoughts. 

 

2 likes, 57 replies

57 Replies

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  • yvette_45745
    yvette_45745 sally54711

    Posted

    Sally, I am three months post op. I have not been too concerned about high heels, however, I am really concerned that I won't ever get my cowboy boots on.  My Dr said it could take as long as six months to a year to get back to normal. Be patient and do what the Dr tells you, do physical therapy and watch YouTube videos to rehab your foot. 

    I found a shoe from Bernie Mev, they are super cute and really comfortable. I will certainly be wearing them, lots of styles to choose from. But until I can get my fat foot in them I am wearing an athletic shoe. Surprising how well they go with just about everything (yes, they are solid black) 

    Be patient! This will all be behind us soon enough. 

    Take care

    • lisa54656
      lisa54656 yvette_45745

      Posted

      Hi Yvette. I have just found this forum and fear I am too late. I had my big toe fused in December and my favorite and most comfortable boots are my vintage cowboy boots. Were you ever able to get yours on your feet? I am so depressed that I did this surgery that all I do is cry. Yes, the pain is gone in my joint but the pains in the other part of my foot, mainly under my big toe, is a worse trade off. Please let me know how you are doing!

       

    • cynthia31960
      cynthia31960 lisa54656

      Posted

      Hi Lisa,

      How are you doing now at 7 months post op? Do you still have that pain under your big toe, or has it disappeared after a few months? Thanks!

       

    • doroteia
      doroteia yvette_45745

      Posted

      Hi Yvette,

      Just wondering which style Bernie Mev you used and was it approved by your podiatrist?  Does it offer enough support?  Thank you!

  • christine65679
    christine65679 sally54711

    Posted

    Hi. I am due to have fusion surgery in couple of weeks but it is for arthritis pain, not a bunion. Does anyone know if it is the same procedure. I too am a bit concerned about  wearing heels. 
    • michelle37913
      michelle37913 christine65679

      Posted

      Hi christine, yes it is the same operation i had my arthritous bones removed in both feet i am 5 weeks post op and recovering really well. I got told i can wear a one inch to two inch heel but i cant walk in high heels anyway haha its a long recovery mainly coz u cant do much but worth it in long run i am only 31 
    • christine65679
      christine65679 michelle37913

      Posted

      That's very interesting Michelle. Was your surgery to remove the bones a resection arthroplasty (known as floppy toe) rather than fashion. I have been given the choice of these and can't decide which is best for me. 
    • michelle37913
      michelle37913 christine65679

      Posted

      Hiya yes mine was to remove my arthritous bone and put a screw in although i will admit the second day was the worst and i was thinking how can i walk on crutches but to be fair i found it easy and afta 3 weeks i could walk to local shop which is 5 mins away 
  • goanna57
    goanna57 sally54711

    Posted

    I was told the same after having a bunionectomy 8 years ago because putting pressure on the large toe was too painful. Thereafter I couldn't wear certain clothing because they didn't look nice wearing flat shoes. June of this year I saw an orthopaedic surgeon who said my foot was deformed and did a Scarf and Akin Oateotomy operation cutting off the bunion which had previously been shaved, then sliced the bone along the side of my foot in half adding two screws holding it in place and a staple around the toe. The swelling will take until next February to go down and then hopefully I will be able to wear nicer shoes. One thing I did with each consultation before the operation was showing the specialist shoes I intended wearing afterwards with him agreeing on some highheels.  Best of luck Sally.
    • sue84239
      sue84239 goanna57

      Posted

      Hi goanna57 I was just wondering if you have recoversed your movement and got into the shoes again?.

      hope all went well for you?

      be great to have an update!,

    • soleystars
      soleystars goanna57

      Posted

      Hi, did you have to have surgery again on your your bunionectomy due to it creating a deformity? I thought the bunion surgery normally corrects deformity. Good idea showing the surgeon your shoes.
    • Gillygreg
      Gillygreg goanna57

      Posted

      Hi there, I had this op a year ago, but sandfly my gt went back towards my other toes, but my second toe caused a problem that after the op it stuck up which meant rubbing on shoes causing a corn and burning pain. Now I am 3 wks post op after having gt fusion to keep the toe straight and pin the second toe flat. Gill
  • Yvonne
    Yvonne sally54711

    Posted

    Hi Sally I had this operation in 2007 on both feet at the same time. I am wearing high heels now  - no trouble. If I remember rightly I didn't go back to high heels until probably about 18 months after my operation. I went to a wedding last month & wore really high heels all day & danced all evening in them at the reception. My feet were killing me by the end of the evening but they soon recovered the following day.
    • lisa54656
      lisa54656 Yvonne

      Posted

      Wait, you had fusions? And you can wear heels? But the bone on my fusion is rock solid straight and won't flex at all. Do I need to push it? I am so depressed and regret having the surgery. I am finding all these regrets and wish I had read them before surgery. 
    • Yvonne
      Yvonne

      Posted

      Hi Sally, yes I wear high heels but my operation was 12 years ago now. My feet don't hurt at all now but it did take a long time before I could wear fashionable shoes again. I find that high heels are ok as long as I don't wear really pointed toes shoes - they have to be more rounded but the actual high heels aren't a problem.
    • Sparkle67
      Sparkle67 Yvonne

      Posted

      Can you post a shoe that you are able to wear because I also had toe fusion and cannot get any shoe on December will be a year and I still have swelling I regret this surgery it is definitely hindering my social life
    • allison40116
      allison40116 lisa54656

      Posted

      Hi Lisa... I had my big toe fused and my other 4 toes straightened and pinned. Like you my big toe is as solid as a rock. It does not move at all. Im concern because I have a foot drop and that was the reason I needed the surgery on my toes to lift and straighten. So I walk funny in flat shoes (rising gait) and now that my big toe doesn't move I cannot wear anything but flats. I am 8 weeks post op. How are you going now with shoes. I'm desperate and regret the fusion completely.

    • Gillygreg
      Gillygreg allison40116

      Posted

      Hi there, just seen your post, and was wondering how you are getting on with walking after toe fusion? I am 3 wks post surgery and walking limited to toilet and making a drink in op shoe walking in my heel. Can you put your foot flat and walk normal ?  Gill
    • Gillygreg
      Gillygreg lisa54656

      Posted

      Hi Lisa, I see your notice, how are you getting on with your fusion? I am 3ks nearly post op
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