bunions - post op

buettner · Newbie Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 25

After a lot of thinking I decided to undergo a bunion surgery. In the end, I had to make that decision because I was in a lot of pain. I think I found a good surgeon. Atleast he looked confident and as if he knew what he was talking about, so this calmed me down and made less anxious. I am interested in how long can the recovery last. Thank you

rori · Silver Member Joined: 15 Jun 2000 Posts: 300

It’s been 6 months after my surgery and I can say I finally feel well. I still experience some swelling and pain if I walk long but I expect that to subside as well. However, the beginning of the recovery wasn’t as marry.
I was about to rest a lot and I am quite a restless person. I kept legs elevated and put ice on them to reduce the swelling. I was using crutches while walking and it still hurt. A month after the surgery I started therapy. The physical therapies was excellent but it still hurt and swelled when I walked. Months went by and the pain slowly subsided. I expect it to be over in a couple of months’ time. Good luck with your surgery!

Guest · Guest

HAD A BUNIONECTOMY AND HAD MY HAMMER TOE REPAIR THREE WEEKS AGO. IT WASN'T PAINFUL BUT THE RECOVERY TIME IS LONGER THAN I THOUGHT. WENT BACK TO WORK BUT MY FOOT IS STILL SWOLLEN AND I PUT IT UP AFTER I GET HOME FROM WORK. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL AND I PROBABLY WOULD BE WEARING MY SURGICAL SHOE FOR A LEAST A MONTH. BUT OTHERWISE FOR ANYONE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BUNIONS AND ARE UNSURE OF THE SURGERY; IT'S NOT THAT BAD EXCEPT THE "BEING OFF YOUR FEET" RECOVERY PERIOD. I AM NOT A "SITTER" SO IT KIND OF DROVE ME CRAZY.

pkddoe · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

I just had medium to serious bunion surgery (metatarsal osteotomy) July 25th and I am quite pleased with my recovery so far. Even though it was just done a few days ago, I haven't received any real pain. Very little, I was wondering if the procedure my doctor said she was going to perform was actually done!
I saw my foot yesterday, ( I am very squeamish)and I saw my foot. I do have a long cut from the middle of my metatarsal to above my big toe. It is all stitched up but not as horrible looking as I expected. I will have a scar but hopefully not too pronounced. If it is only a white line Im fine with that.
Back to pain, I took four of the codine pills over a period of three days, two of them I probably didnt really need.. My doctor said I was through the worst by now. She said everything looked fine. Recovery will be at least 6 weeks
to three months before I am back to regular unswollen feet. Swelling, recovery time , procedures, doctors all decide on true healing. After 4 to six weeks I should be wearing larger then normal shoes till swelling stays down.

pkddoe · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

It has now been exactly 3 weeks after bunion surgery and I feel great. I went in for a check up and they said I can now wash my foot and start bending my big toe. Smile

I was trying to limp on my foot a little more the last week or so and, without all the gauze bandages and ace bandage , I can actually walk practically normal. My toes were raised higher then my big toe in the bandages and were about two inches of the floor. All the wrapping separated them from my big toe so my big toe stayed in proper stiff alignment while healing. I was kinda walking on the outer edge of my foot.So now my other toes have to start laying flatter and start "grabbing" the floor. All in all, minimal discomfort. Barely used any of my pain pills except on the third though 6th days. I really probably didnt need it then either. I took it expecting the worse. When I tried to deal with the pain without help I felt only sparatic quick shouting pain or muscle spasms. It felt like someone took my foot and squeezed it tight then let go. Pain scale 0 to 10, I would say maybe a 2 or 3.

Guest · Guest

i had bunion surgery (left foot) 3 1/2 weeks ago and it wasn't as bad as i had thought (initially wanted to do both feet but Dr said i would be bed ridden for at least one month!!!). i was able to get rid of my crutches by the fourth day. i think the worst part was being couped up at home for 2 weeks !!! was able to go out for a short period of time during the 2nd week. foot still gets swollen sometimes but duration is much shorter and can almost walk w/o a limp ~ but still stuck wearing my Birkenstock sandals - none of my regular shoes fit (except flip-flops - can't wear those to work!!). am quite pleased w/ the result & my recovery. the 2 scars aren't bad but the longer one on the side of my foot seems to be healing much slower. will probably get my other foot done next spring.

Wendy

Guest · Guest

I had Bunion and Hammertoe surgery (right toe) on Aug.22,2007.
The Dr. put 2 screws in the big toe and a pin in the hammertoe. I was in a splint for 2 weeks, a 1st cast for 2 wks and then a final cast for 4 weeks. I am now using a walking soft shoe with velcro closures. My toes are straight and I don't have pain any longer. The foot and toes are still swollen and slightly discolored, especially when my foot is down. The dr. said that it would take about 3 months to fully heal. I believe that having the right Orthopedic surgeon makes the difference. I asked others who have had surgery by my dr. and got good feedback. I would do it again.

Guest · Guest

I had one bunion done 10 days ago. I had it done under local - it was not unpleasant (I got a mild sedative pill in advance s well, and wore headphones!), and I have had practically no pain with it, thuogh I took the painkillers the day after in case. I stopped using crutches less than 48 hours after, for the short household journeys. It has had a redressing and sems to be healing nicely. The only thing that bothers me is a sensation across the top of the first big toe joint , and the others too, of a constriction - feels like a piece of wire crossing, or wood - sometimes seems worse than others, but it's always there. have other people noticed that? I had an Xray with the check up but didn't see the consultant again afterwards, so don't know whether the pins were fine - the small screws(2) looked OK but the long pin did look slanted. It doesn't really hurt though - just uncomfortable, and I wonder if it's OK. I hope so because next Thursday I am having the other foot done. I am a rock climber and generally quite fit and I think this must help for a foot operation. I am 50 though!

Claudia_Branker · Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

How cool to find this page with other bunion surgery patients testimonials!
I'm now 2.5 weeks past surgery. Honestly, pain has been minimal, just hot sparks from time to time. On a 0-10 scale, I rate my pain 1.5. Also the middle of my foot cramps sometimes because I've been walking around a little bit and I've been placing all my weight on my heel and the side of my foot to protect my big toe.

My doctor wants me to stay off my feet for a full 3 weeks...this has been torture, and I like I mentioned, I've actually been liming around a bit without my crutches. I go stir crazy if I'm not up moving around for long periods of time. I just can't wait until I can wear a shoe again and get back to walking and jogging. I think the smartest thing I did was waiting until winter time to do this because if it was spring or summer, this situation would be all the more unbearable.

lolita-doll · Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

i just found this board while i was searching for bunion surgery.

i can't believe that i am saying this but..i think i have a bunion.

i am not sure but..the location seems to be the telltale sign..i suppose.

i am only 22 and i had assumed it was a corn..or something. my mother always warned me not to wear painful shoes or a corn might develop. i really don't understand why this has happened because i do not put pressure on my toes, i usually wear my favourite pair of mary janes (flat, no heel) and i have seen this small bump starting since i've been wearing these shoes. the shoes have never been painful which is why i like them so much and wear them almost everyday (the wear has made them become pretty wide). the bump is not painful but i am afraid it will get worse which is why i think i should act now. the bad thing is that i have been unemployed for awhile and i don't have insurance right now (not sure if insurance would cover this) so i don't think i should have surgery done right when i find a new job.

one other thing is that i tend to walk a lot (maybe a mile or two a day) and i'm worried that this will worsen the bump. i know that people might say that if it is not causing pain i should not have it removed, but i strongly believe in nipping things in the bud, and prevention..

if anyone has any suggestions, i would greatly appreciate it.

bunions - post op

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