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What exercise to take at 4 weeks post-op?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Jayniejay
Jayniejay

I had a scarf osteotomy and 2nd toe straightened with k-wire on 11th October. When I was discharged the following day, I was told by physio to just rotate my ankle to stop it stiffening. The stitches were removed two weeks later and the consultant said that I should not wiggle my toes and needed to only heel walk until my next appointment on 25th November. I've realised that my ankle is getting quite stiff with the unnatural position from wearing the heel-walking shoe so have been flexing my foot in the opposite direction, definitely helping to relieve it. I'm just concerned that I'll not have beenmoving my toes until over 6 weeks after surgery, whereas some of the online advice sheets I've seen stress the importance of moving toes from much earlier as, without doing so, full movement takes much longer. Think it might be another one to check with physio over the phone but has anyone else been advised to be wiggle-free for this long?

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  • karen27130
    karen27130 Jayniejay

    Posted

    I had bunions removed four and a half weeks ago and the only exercises that I was told to do was to rotate ankle, flex ankle and raise and stretch legs

    In order to help with circulation. Nothing said about toe wiggling. In fact can't seem to move big toes. All procedures are different and require different rehabilitation 

    • Jayniejay
      Jayniejay karen27130

      Posted

      That's more than me! ☺At least I've just worked out that flexing the ankle is a good thing to do. I guess that it's very much on an individual basis - as you say, procedures are different, with different rehabilitation. Hope you are doing OK.
  • carol94506
    carol94506 Jayniejay

    Posted

    Yes I have been told no toe exercises and not to put any pressure on the toe so that the bone mends.  I go back in about a week to see the Consultant so hopefully I will know some more.  After the pin was taken out I was just told to build up my activities gradually.  I do short walks now most days if I can, I am 7 weeks post op.
    • karen27130
      karen27130 carol94506

      Posted

      Hi. Wondering how far you mean when you say that you do 'short walks'. What sort of footwear are you able to wear? Wondering what to expect! 
    • carol94506
      carol94506 karen27130

      Posted

      Hi Karen, I only had my 2nd toe done not a bunion so I might be different to you.  I wear my trainers to walk in, I remembered that I had a pair those Ugg type boots which I very rarely wore but they are wide and have a fairly stiff sole so easy to get on and do not hurt the bottom of foot so a bit supportive. I was told to wear trainer type shoes for width with swelling.  Indoors I ave been wearing a pair f crocs because they do not recommend slippers, they are comfy wide and thick soled.  I just walked at first around the house garden and then just walked around where I live but stopped when I felt sore, or tied etc.  then just went a little further when I felt I could.  Hope this helps
    • karen27130
      karen27130 carol94506

      Posted

      Thank you for that. Thought that I might get some glamorous crocs for indoors. Thank you also for your comment about your toe sometimes pulling upwards. I have been a bit worried about it but sure that it will be ok. Go to see consultant next Tuesday. I think that just have to be more patient. I have been putting ice around the toe for the last day and this seems to be helping a bit. Do you have taping to keep toes straight? You have been. Very helpful. Thanks

       

    • carol94506
      carol94506 karen27130

      Posted

      Yes I had to tape them together after I had had the stitches out.  That was a right farce getting it to stick Lol ..glad to help I have worried and asked questions because your always wondering if you might do something wrong.  I go next Tuesday to see my consultant so keep your fingers crossed for me too. 😊
    • karen27130
      karen27130 carol94506

      Posted

      Good luck for your visit to the consultant. Sure that everything will be well. Will be good to hear from you after you've been. I have had some problems with the taping too - getting it to stick and worrying if I have done it right. Had worried that this is what might have causes it to hurt over the last couple of says when it hadn't before. Was lucky enough to have had the taping from he nurse still on until Friday! 
    • carol94506
      carol94506 karen27130

      Posted

      There was a post earlier about someone who said her screws had not fused so she has to do 3 more weeks of no weight bearing.  I cannot find it now but that is what I hope will not have happened to me.  Going back to crocs the podiatrist who referred me told me to wear them the only thing is they make my feet hot because they are rubber but they are comfy.😊
    • karen27130
      karen27130 carol94506

      Posted

      Have a vague suspicion that this might be the case. Will no doubt do my head I if this is the case but will just have to get used to it if that's the case. Have spoken to a nurse and have taken the tape off today I case that was what was causing some of the problem. However, have had some 'clicking' with the foot which suggests the possibility of it not repairing as well as it might. Might be forced into getting some crocs although my son and husband said that they would disown me if I went out with crocs! 
  • simbacat
    simbacat Jayniejay

    Posted

    Funny, I posted a similar question about 4 weeks ago.In the end I wiggled away and when I went to see the surgeon at 6 weeks he bent my toe right back to show me how I had almost full range of movement back! But everyone's op is different so best to chck first.
    • heather00719
      heather00719 simbacat

      Posted

      Did they have to shorten and read attach the tendon on your toe?
  • MacG
    MacG Jayniejay

    Posted

    Don't worry.  For,first few weeks just ankle rotation and flexing up and down for circulation.  Toe movements come when consultant says so - further down the line!  Be patient and don't worry.
    • Jayniejay
      Jayniejay MacG

      Posted

      Thank you! It's really helpful having reassurance. I trust my consultant, he's the expert, just tend to start worrying that I should be doing more. I would have replied sooner but, after doing just a bit more than normal for a couple of days, suddenly felt wiped out. Just the lesson I needed! Or is this what happens from time to time, even 4 weeks or so after a general anaesthetic?
  • karen27130
    karen27130 Jayniejay

    Posted

    It is always best to do what have been told to do. I wasn't told anything about wiggling toes or not wiggling toes. I just didn't. Have tried to do so over the last day or so and now my foot is quite sore so now hoping that I haven't done anything wrong and that it will settle.My toe now seems like it is pulling up and I am a bit worried. Has anyone else had this problem? 
    • carol94506
      carol94506 karen27130

      Posted

      Yes Karen I noticed my toe sometimes seems to pull upwards, especially when I first get up in the morning.  But the rest of me is not good in the morning anyway.  It relaxes as I start to stand and walk.  I presume this is normal.  I did a slightly longer walk yesterday and it twitched a bit last night, I just take panadol and that helps.
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