Your felling now

Hi my reason for going ahead with op was pain after being on feet for any length of time or wearing certain shoes on a night out is have to take spare flat shoes as I knew I'd be in agony, I work on a hospital ward doing 13 hour shifts my feet hurt when hot so after few years putting off went for it, I'm not back at work yet but so far so good I'm week two tomorrow post op and I'm weight bearing in post op shoe only minimal pain end of day so still ice and elevate but getting around ok with care and common sense, I've a high pain threshold but have to be honest first 48 hrs hurt a lot I was told I need other foot done and at present I will go ahead in future when this healed, I'm relatively fit don't drive so walk everywhere and im 54. Today I'm starting light exercise I can do without using my foot,, key to good recovery is for me I think plan ahead and listen to yr surgeon advice they all differ even if same procedure x

Yes I would do it again virtually pain free odd day a bit rocky finished my physio getting my other foot done in 6 mths

Hi Rae, I am 70 yrs old. Have had bunions and flat feet since I was in my twenties. The bunions were getting more painful and comfortable shoes were becoming more difficult to find. Walking was becoming painful and getting worse. I'd dismissed all thoughts of surgery at first, as I'd heard it was extremely painful. However, I finally plucked up the courage to have it done. Surgery took place here in the UK last December - so exactly 12 weeks ago today. The results are fantastic! The toe looks beautiful!... (can you call toes beautiful?) The pain I had heard about, never happened. I was in hospital just one night and home next day. I took paracetamol tablets for a few days and that was all. Yes there is discomfort of course, but nothing I couldn't handle. Resting with your foot elevated higher than your heart is crucial especially for the first two weeks. This cuts down on swelling and throbbing. After that and up to 6 weeks you can walk a little with crutches but you must elevate the foot for 45/50 minutes out of every hour. After my final check with the surgeon at 7 weeks I began walking more and more putting full weight onto the foot. I was able by now to wear my usual walking shoes which were flat leather lace-ups. I started driving again once I could use the clutch without discomfort. I returned to supermarket shopping, walking the dog every day etc. Now at 12 weeks everything is absolutely wonderful. I have no discomfort, no pain - although I never really did, and there's no sign of a limp. I am so delighted with the results, that I am having the right foot done in September -  and my husband says he's entering me for the London Marathon - he's joking of course!!!

Looking back, things turned out to be far better than I could have ever have imagined. The results were amazing. The operation went well, very little pain and discomfort and none of the horror stories I'd read about, materialised. Post op can be boring with a fair bit of sitting around so you need to find plenty to read etc. Without the surgery I know that I would have ended up as a cripple. Bunions don't go away - they do gradually get worse and more painful. I now walk with a 'spring in my step' and walking is a great pleasure again. As a retired person I can't say how long you would need off work. It depends what your job is? Put it this way, at six weeks post op I wouldn't have wanted to be on my feet for very long  - but say, at 10 weeks I could. Anyway, I would definitely recommend the corrective surgery - so I'd say "go for it". Good luck and best wishes.LadyPink

I am 64yrs old and just had my first bunion operation about 6 days ok. I feel fine although haven't done anything but watch TV. I found the pain better than expected after first 2 days. I only take paracetomol at moment so pleased about that. Dr gave me tramadol strong painkiller but I started to vomit so that was the end of them. The codeine also had side effects so left them alone too. I have had bunion off and hammer toe straightened with a pin in it. A bit in the dark about what happens next cos everyone different like you have said. I am an active 64yr old who goes gym and lots of grandchildren so I hp I won't be out of it for long. The forum has been a god send to me and a great comfort

Hi, reasons for surgery, my major joints were rubbing through thick leather caterpillar boots, and after they did that to the 3rd pair, I thought I better see the doctor. Was referred to a consolutant, who said if I didn't have something done within the next 2years I would  damage the other joints, and would find any movement impossible. So, 27/11/14 bilateral lapidus & Atkins procedure and release of hammers toes. Lost 3pints during the op, bp 70/30 afterwards = dramatic night in hospital, then released by noon the next day. Managed to stay on the meds for 5 days before I threw them away, just hated the effect they were having on me.  I could manage the stairs from 29/11 and moved painfully around the house, when required. Knitted scarfs, jumpers -anything, which meant, as I had my feet up,  I got me a flat tummy a strange and welcomed side effect. Signed off for 8 weeks, physio started @ 9 weeks, from all accounts I'm about 6 weeks ahead of what I should be. I haven't had a decent night sleep since 26/11  as the feet hurt and throb, along with a bit of sciatica and knee pain, due to muscle wastage. I've been driving since 8 weeks, can walk 3+ miles in one go (knackered after it) have just started using my husbands rowing m/c every night, also have started a beginners pole dance class (I look like a hippo kebab). All in all, I wonder why I put myself through it, but, thats mainly due to the slowness of recovery, the horrible painful swellings, but considering what I was like a month or so ago when I could only wear walking sandals - I'm pleased with the progress. Really looking forward to when spring finally arrives, so I can attack my first 12 mile walk, and then I'll know I'm on the road to recovery. Oh, I'm 60, work full time in IT support.

sorry about the grammar and punctuation, feel I should have put my time off to better use . Seems strange, but now I'm back at work, I wonder where did all that time go, I quite enjoyed being 'lazy' , but at the time just hated being immobile.

Caroline xxx

 

Rae, 

it's not just the sitting around, but your expectations. Consultant says you can expect some swelling, and it may take up to a year for full recovery,  I will make small  incisions either side of the major joint means   when translated, 6 inches of scar on the arch side, an inch between the big toe and second, cuts to the for and back of the 2nd toe and feet like puffer balls. Unlike a broken bone, which heals in 6 weeks, some of these procedures also twist and turn the bones which makes healing longer, more painful and more frustrating. MIS surgery has faster/better recovery rates, so find out which one your surgeon will use on you. If you have a lapidus, seriously think of doing one foot at a time, recovery is quicker, as you have one 'good' leg, but you'll have to go through it twice. If you know a physiotherapist, chat to them about it I wish that I had met Marion prior to the op, so that she could asses me before hand then she would know my fairness levels, and to give me exercises to do immediately afterwards. It's a long journey, the problem being you don't know how long. And yes, being a total control freak I hate being bossed around by my feet grrrrrrr!

keep posting.

caroline xxx