Pain and severe stiffness after bunionectomy

sarkishuhn · Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

I had bunion surgery in Sept 23 2006. My recovery was quick, but I too lost movement in my toe. I'm had stiffness and pain at the site of the screw. The dr did the v cut and then a screw to hold the fractures from the v cut in place. It was suppose to help it heal faster. I have been getting severe pain at the site of the screw and I now having it removed on Friday 4/20/07. I think my body is rejecting the screw, my dr didn't agree w/ me at first, but he is willing to remove it. I agree with everyone else, if I would have known what it was going to be like now....I never would have had the surgery. It's not worth it. My original surgery was for a small bunion and joint pain. I should have just gone to the chiropractor. She's the one that suggested having the screw removed. She felt a lot of swelling and the screw sticking out of my foot (on top).

Guest · Guest

I had both bunions done with screws put in 5 months ago. Doc's main concern was that I stay off feet for several weeks, then small orthopedic shoes. Didn't have a shower for 7 weeks. I can wear tennis shoes (one full size larger than before) and exercise feet in the pool (highly recommend water therapy for allowing you to use your feet without putting too much weight on them). Also doing slow treadmill. But I'm having a problem with one foot that still hurts. Doc says screws should come out as that might be causing problem with that one foot. So I am going to get screws removed. Have to confess that I had no idea that the screws could be removed until doc told me last week. But he did pretty much level with me as to recovery time (10-11 weeks minimum). I used to get bummed out when I read posts about people with really short recovery time, but realize that there are many different procedures. Also having both done at the same time is a totally different situation than just one. One warning: After so many weeks sitting around with my feet up, my back muscles got quite weak so that it took a while before I could stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. Perhaps chair-bound exercises would help. So, status now is: I really hope getting the screws out is going to solve the problem because I don't know what else to do. Bit scary.

fluffypurrcat · Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 5 Location: EUREKA,CA

I have almost the same symptons as you do but do , but my surgery was on MARCH 21'st, only about a month ago. I have terrible pain on the bottom of my foot, the first metatarsal head. I go to physical therapy and the therapist couldn't believe how much my foot hurts. I find myself walking on the side of my foot, and now am back on Vicodin and back to wearing the post op shoe. My foot is still very swollen, and I dont think I will ever fit comfortsably back into my old shoes.
My x-rays looked ok, normal on the post op visit of April 11th, and I was not in the pain then that I am in now! Do you feel sudden twinges of pain or like a bone is popping or something is comming up through your skin? Sometimes I feel like the screw is trying to pop through the skin! Sounds strange, but that is what I feel like. I didn't feel this much pain when I had my other bunionectomy, and that was same dr. about 8 years ago. Does a bunionectomy take longer to recover from when you are older? I hope you find some answeres and relief to your pain. patcat

lataylor76 · Newbie Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1

I have had bunionectomies on both of my feet. My first one has caused no lasting problems or pain however, my second one has been an ongoing battle. I had not only the bunion removed on both but needed correction to the big toe involving a screw and pin and tendon release. A year after the second foot I am still having problems and recently got an MRI on it. I just found out that I have swelling in the bone and it will require another surgery to correct. I suggest to everyone thinking about getting a bunionectomy to consult an Orthopedic surgeon rather than a podiatrist. These surgeons specialize in bones and know what they are doing.

Chris523 · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 2

I had bunion surgery almost 4 months ago and they pain I feel now is 10 times worse than before the surgery. I have been going to PT with no improvement. My toe is fine, bends up and down. My problem is around the ball of my foot, it feels swollen like I am walking on a rock and the pain continues down the side. Even just sitting with my tennis shoes on the pressure of it is terrible. At night it just throbs.

Has anyone had this sort of pain? I am calling my doctor tomorrow and demanding that he does more than just send my to physical therapy. Any suggestion on future action that I can take. My kids get out of school in a couple of weeks and the thought of spending the summer in this kind of pain is so depressing to me. I am just so fearful that I will end having to suffer with this.

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Chris

whisky · Newbie Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 4

I am in week 10, and was told that I would be off my feet for twelve weeks, although I have been getting around in comfy shoes for the last three weeks I am still a long way from normal, my foot is still swelling every day and is very stiff am unable to bend my toe, can't imagine being able to walk without a limp ever gain, Its crazy to think that I can swim faster than I can walk. I would like to hear from someone that they have had this op and obtained a fantasic recovery, cause so far all I have found here is worrying, I had a chevon op and read on another link that it is not a very good option like many of you I decided to have the op as I suffering pain and was of the mind that this would improve matters, and feel that the health professionals have not been entirly frank with us on how long the recovery takes

Guest · Guest

Hi I had my bunion removed March 30th 2007. My big toe is stiff too. I like to do yoga and I'm worried about the bending of my toe too. Everyday I am doing exercises to make it bend. Someone told me that I have to be persistant otherwise it will never bend. The most important thing is to lift up your heel as you walk. That is what someone told me.
Good luck to us all.
Victoria

whisky · Newbie Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 4

I am at the ten week period of my op called a chevon with a screw in the large joint below my big toe, the shape of my foot is much improved and the wound has healed without any problems, but much like the rest of you I have been shocked at the scale of recovery, I am still unable to wear normal shoes, and am still limping can not bend my toe swelling still takes place on a daily bases, I certainly had the impression that by now all would be well. I can only hope that the health care professionals have been lax in informing us that this all takes longer to get better than they lead us to belive

whisky · Newbie Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 4

Now at week 12 and have had noteable improvment, the level of swelling has reduced considerable not sure if this is down to the passage of time or the Glucosamex Gold supplement, but whatever Iam greatly relived still cannot bend my toe but can acheive some movment, I am aware of discomfort on the ball of my foot that i had not noticed before, but maybe that is just cause I am gettting about a bit more, had my first full day back at work, really tried the short walk from my car to the shop was exhausting not helped by the fact that I have put my hip out, and of course it is my left foot but my right hip!! so you can imagine the sight trying to limp with both side's damaged haha. still thinking posivtive best luck to you all will keep you updated if youcan bear it.

DMD · Newbie Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

Nice to find a site to exchange thoughts. Not sure how anyone feels about this, however, I have been having reiki on my foot and it appears to be really helping with the pain. I was on Vicodin for 3 days and it really altered the behavoir, Not for the best. I am now on Darviset and I take it at night, it appears to hurt the worst. I am 2 weeks into the surgery, I feel pain mostly around the screws and walking in a air cast with my crutches.. Also, I have been told to put my foot in Two buckets (pans that fit my size foot), and soak in Hot water (110 degrees or as hot as you can handle it), and cold, alternating after 60 seconds, this appears to helping for the swelling. Reading about the stories in regards to the screws has me with some concern. I didnt know that they are supposed to come out. Any thoughts?

Pain and severe stiffness after bunionectomy

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