surgery bunion recovery problems

SherriJ · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hi. I had a bunion removed, as well as a hammer toe on my right foot May 27, two weeks later I had the same done to my left foot. I am a 6 weeks post-op on my right, and four weeks on my left. The first surgery went okay, I did have a lot of pain the first three days, but I just popped the percocet and pretty much slept through it. My second surgery was not good...the pain I mean. My doc said because I really didn't have a good foot to bear the weight on after the second surgery, the increase in pain was expected. I have a desk job and went to work three weeks after the second surgery. I couldn't wait to be back at work, and feel normal again. The first day back was okay, the second was painful, but after taking a day to rest the forth and fifth were not too bad. My doc said that swelling was from both sitting with my feet down, as well as walking. I was worried I could do damage by them swelling so bad, but he said no damage, they'll just hurt. My wound opened slightly from the swelling. So pretty much get over it, this will be painful for about another month. I think I would rather be in a little pain than be sitting at home doing nothing. I am still wearing the ortho shoes. My foot still will not fit into a shoe, although when I drive I wear a really big croc on my right foot. So, so far I'm a little down about not being able to do much this summer, but hopefully in a month or so I can say I am glad I had it done.

Guest · Guest

Hi/ i wrote about a month ago. Had a modified McBride bunionectomy plus 3 hammertoes done. I am 4 weeks post op and during the first 4 weeks the dr. did NOT allow me to bear weight. Went to the dr. yesterday,had th pins removed from the hammetoes, and now am able to begin to bear weight. The pain is awful when I bear down. I am worried and nervous about this. I don't understand how some people bear weight agter 2 weeks. I need to have the other foot done but I am waiting until this is 100%. If anyone is out there and can talk about this pain while bearing weight, please let me know. Linda

Guest · Guest

I had bilateral lapidus bunionectomy on June 18th. I'm now at 4+ weeks post op. My doctor did not want to do both at the same time, but I insisted. I'm a teacher and did not want to miss weeks off work. My feet were hurting so badly that I wasn't able to wear any closed shoes. I live in Indiana and didn't think sandels in the winter would cut it. I'm disappointed in the amount of communication that I've had with my doctor. Prior to surger he told me that I would be completely non weight bearing for two weeks. After surgery I was told that I would be non weight bearing for six weeks. I knew that it would be difficult to be non weight bearing for two....but six!!! I have to admit that I'm using my heals quite a bit to transfer from my wheelchair to the toilet, bed, and my faithful chair in the living room. I've spent a lot of time of the laptop reading boards like this. Today I read that after the lapidus proceedure non weight bearing means "Don't let your feet touch the floor." Oops. Has anyone had the lapidus bunionectomy and if so, did you heal weigh bear much? Thanks

Guest · Guest

I have recently had a lapidus bunionectomy and when the say non weight bearing they mean foot not touching the floor. My mom was an orthopedic nurse for years and has seen what happens when you do bear weight. The bottom line is that bearing weight can cause you to have to go back in a repair the damage. Everyone always talks about crutches but a roll about (knee scooter) is amazing. I do the dishes, do the laundry, cook, clean and get around just fine. I am not going to work (working from home instead) until I can put the boot on but as far as getting around home, it is the best $500 I have spent in a long time. I can only do crutches for a while before my muscles start to fatigue.

So please don't bear weight and take that chance. It really isn't worth it.

Good luck - Kelly

Guest · Guest

Hi,
I had a bunion and neuroma removed in April 2007. I am still having problems. My big toe does not lay flat. I have the ball of my foot still swollen. One of my toes stays swollen all the time. I have pain in my toes and yet many of my toes are numb to the touch. This is now 16 mos into this and I am so sorry I had the work done. I had a very reputable surgeon. I even went for a second opinion after no success with my surgeon and they took x-rays and said everything is healed fine but on rare occaisions this happens. They fitted my shoe with an arch to try and force my big toe down and take the pressure off the ball of my foot. This has availed nothing...I am stuck with a bum foot.

Guest · Guest

Had the surgery 6 weeks ago and they used a piece of freeze dried bone after removing a piece of mine. I guess it was pretty severe. STILL on crutches and it only really hurt for about the first 4 to 5 days.

Front bone is not fusing correctly, but back bone is. They are talking about screws and pins now....GREAT!!! In January it will be the other one....

freakyfeet · Newbie Joined: 18 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

I had surgery 1 week and a day ago, bunion and neuroma (2nd surgery) and knee scope. I was knocked out completely w/general anesthesia. The doctor expected that I might want a block on my knee when I woke up, but I NEEDED one on my foot where my bunion surgery was. I had two, in fact. I was borderline as to whether to admit for a morphine pump due to pain. I ended up going home with pergacet (sp?) and hydroxizine ( to relax muscles). However, 24 hours later, my husband had to go pick up a script for morphine pills, because the pain was excruiating. I ended up taking morphine for 5 days, straight, and have only went back to pergacet and hydrox 2 days ago. I am still in extreme pain and only getting up to go to the restroom, shower (with saran wrap and garbage bag duck taped tightly on my leg, sitting on folding chair), and move from the couch to the bed and vice versa. It really sucks, however, I remind myself it could always be worse. I go in 5 days to get stitches removed. I am using crutches and was told I could be partial weight bearing, mostly on heal. However with the pain, I am really trying to keep weight off of foot completely most of the time unless totally unavoidable.

Anyway, I am hopeful things will get better after having stitches removed and the bandage changed. Day by day is the only way to get through it, I tell you. And yes, thank goodness for laptops!

surgery bunion recovery problems

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