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When could you walk normally again?

Posted , 5 users are following.

sue84239
sue84239

hello everyone.  I was just wondering when people felt they could walk normally again after a bunion procedure?  I know all ops are different but I have heard a range of comments up to a year before a full recovery is felt.

i am definitely still limping at 10 weeks and as I get a dull ache in the base of my toe if I try to walk completely normally I am guessing it will be a while yet!

 

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • bev52304
    bev52304 sue84239

    Posted

    !0 weeks! Oh dear I'm 7 and a half weeks post op and I still l have the zombe walk. I was hoping it would be gone by 10 weeks. Are you having physio? I had a fantastic session yesterday after which I was almost walking normally, but after sitting for half an hour my feet went back to being puffy and stiff. I've had both feet done. One is much better then the other. My physio said I have to be very persistant with the firm massages and tippy toe exercises. Have you had any physio?

     

    • sue84239
      sue84239 bev52304

      Posted

      No physio but am massaging it and trying to exercise by standing back to wall and trying to go up on my toes.  Aches a lot afterwards through.  I had a bad night last night after trying to do too much yesterday and had stinging pains up my foot and swelling so know I need to take it easy.  You are doing fantastically if you had both feet done so don't be despondent based on me...I think I just get impatient and want perfection.  

      In in reality I have made loads of progress and know it gets better but keen to set my expectations so I won't be dissappointed!

  • caroline38772
    caroline38772 sue84239

    Posted

    Hiya

    16 weeks after bilateral lapidus & Atkins and I've managed a 3.5 mile walk home from work, it took me an extra 20 minutes on normal time, but probably due to some interesting shops. I'm now staggering around the house. A bit painful, but getting there. 

    Dont expect too much, to fast and you won't be dissapointed, it's very frustrating waiting for everything to gel together. I've got a long way to go yet, and will probably be paying for walking so far tonight. But dead chuffed that I managed it.

    caroline

    xx

  • Swampiesue
    Swampiesue sue84239

    Posted

    I am still at the early stage, 4 weeks Friday, I can walk in my shoe, and have been to the shop , I can stand easily without my shoe. Tried to get my husband's size 9 desert boots, very soft, but my foot is still so swollen could not get it on.. I just wanted to see if that floppy curling toe will stop me wearing shoes..not been offered physio at this stage and don't think I will be. 
    • bev52304
      bev52304 Swampiesue

      Posted

      Even though I had my op done privately I still had to ask for physio. It really is worth it as all the pushing and pulling etc that the physio showed me that my foot won't be damaged, if I try to walk properly or deeply massage the toe to help with swelling. I was even scared to stroke the scar too firmly but now I'm really working on it.
    • caroline38772
      caroline38772 bev52304

      Posted

      Mine was private as well, was put in for Phyiso, but the doctor forgot to send the letter off, so i was rather late having some.

      4 weeks is very early to try shoes on. I was told that these ops were worst than a normal break as the tendons/ligaments/soft tissues have to be re-alligned/swished/cut/moved and played around with, with the bones broken & re-modelled/re-shaped, so there is a lot of settling down to do.

      It takes 6 weeks for the bones to heal, so DON'T push yourself

      My right foot 2nd/3rd toes are still 'numb' and lifeless and i couldn't get into lace-ups for ages.

      Relax and enjoy thwe sunshine.

      caroline x

    • bev52304
      bev52304 caroline38772

      Posted

      Hi Caroline, I'm actually 7 and half weeks post op. Lol I'm annoyed I can't get into any of my shoes. Right now I've got a pair of mens deck shoes on and even they are a size too big. I look a bit like side show bob. I'm back at work in a couple of weeks and don't think I can turn up looking like this!
    • sue84239
      sue84239 bev52304

      Posted

      I went back in trainers and my work were ok about it.  I am sure they will be reasonable while you are recovering.  I can get on a flat shoe in my own size but worry whether my foot would be happy walking around in it for long?!  This procedure has made me want to protect it and appreciate that any mobility is a blessing so shall be looking for comfortable shoes that down aggravate the scar and my limited toe bend for a while!

       

    • Swampiesue
      Swampiesue caroline38772

      Posted

      Thanks Caroline, I won't be trying any more shoes on lol, I was just experiment because that toe is really worrying me.. I can't move it using my mind at all only when I do it by hand. x I guess I will just have to wait and see what the Dr says at my next appointment in two and a half weeks..
  • sue84239
    sue84239

    Posted

    Just had a positive shoe experience.  Good old primark! Two pairs of flip flops with a flower design that covers swollen toe on new foot and bunion on the other. Great to free my feet from oversize trainers and ugg boots! Also bought some black plimsoles to give myself another option.  Only negative is that the shopping trip has left my foot achy and fat!  Guessing the ache in the middle of foot is just down to lack of proper use and hoping this will diminish as I walk more and more...... Fingers crossed!
  • frimag
    frimag sue84239

    Posted

    Hey,

    I am 15 months post-op after a Osteotomy on my left foot. I had to use crutches to various degrees for about 3 months. But was able to get into trainers before that.

    It took about 5-6 months before I could walk normal in all my daily activities without feeling any pain.

    But if I walk more than regularly the pain returns, and if I do too much the pain will also be there when I do my daily activities for the next few days. So I still have to be careful about walking hikes, cross country skiing (nearly impossible) and running.

    I had some physio, but not a lot.

    • sue84239
      sue84239 frimag

      Posted

      Thanks for that.  I am still feeling despondent about progress....just can't help myself! I know I would be ok if I knew that it would right itself eventually but it is the not knowing!  It is reassuring to hear that you were getting more normal by 5-6 months as I am at 11 weeks.  Have got an annual hike holiday booked for end of October so hoping to be more able then.

      i am having a telephone consultation tomorrow about booking some physio more for reassurance than anything else. Even just a couple of sessions should help.

      are you getting the other one done?

      sue x

    • bev52304
      bev52304 sue84239

      Posted

      Hi Sue I've had 4 physio sessions. And I've been very grateful for them. They have put my mind at rest. My physio guy said he thinks all bunion people should get it. If I'd been refused I would've paid for them.
    • sue84239
      sue84239 bev52304

      Posted

      It does seem strange that it is not a recommended approach and certainly is not considered necessary by my consultant.  It certainly can't do any harm and personally I will like the opportunity to discuss my progress and assess the pain I get to see if it us 'normal'!
  • frimag
    frimag sue84239

    Posted

    I agree, physio should be something everyone was at least offered. It really helped to have the guidance of someone who knew what they where talk about.

    The unknown is also a worry for me, I was only 17 when I had surgery and the doctors think I have a high possibility of needing surgery again on the left foot and on the right foot too.

    • sue84239
      sue84239 frimag

      Posted

      Oh dear that doesn't sound good.  When do they want to do more surgery? Are you still in pain?

      i hope you get a positive outcome.

    • frimag
      frimag sue84239

      Posted

      Don't know when as it haven't become a problem yet. But the doctors believed that I would most likely need surgery again. I have an underlying foot diagnosises that causes the bunion and makes it progress quite rapidly when it first starts. That underlying problem haven't been addressed other than special soles, but it didn't stop me needing the surgery the first time around. I am mostly fine unless I walk more than normal or do anything that bends the toe.
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