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!

itanya · Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

I had a bunionechtomy on my left foot on sep 30th. I did not have severe pain... just felt like a broken bone. at this point im on crutches and can put some limited weight on my foot. it has been encouraging to be able to read that some people were walking w/o crutches at about 2 weeks... so wish me luck!
I believe that if you ice and elevate your foot for the first week, the pain will be minimal and recovery will be easy. this surgery was a life saver for me. i am only 20 and could not walk for more than 10 minutes because of excruciating bunion pain. i highly recommend that people think about this surgery if you are in pain. 2 months of discomfort are worth a life of painless walking!

srfiu · Newbie Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

Hello..I am a 27 year old female and I just had the surgery on September 30th as well. I'm not sure what the name of the surgery I had was, but my bone was cut and realined..I believe I actually have wires (two) not screws. I thought I was superwoman for the first few days (while on Percocet)..but after that, the pain started to kick in. It was bearable, but in no way easy. I did get nauseas from the Percocet and had to have another prescription filled to help with the nausea. It's been almost 3 weeks since the surgery and I am not really taking any pain meds at all now, although there is still some discomfort. I am pretty sure that the discomfort is stemming from the fact that I just began putting pressure on my foot. I didn't put any pressure on my foot at all for the first 2 weeks and kept my foot elevated and iced at every moment. I am now walking in my boot and putting a good amount of pressure on my foot. No pain at all on the bottom of my foot, however I do have pain on the top. I truly believe that the pain is from the "butterfly stitches" or whatever those clear strips are. They are pulling terribly. I am still at home and keeping my foot elevated and iced as much as possible. My next appt. is on the 27th and I plan to return to work on the 28th. I'm a little nervous about that considering I'm not walking my best (but another week and a half could show much improvement). My flexibility is great--I followed my doctors orders and performed the flex exercises daily. 1,000 times a day (up and down). I believe this will help trememdously with my recovery. My biggest concern now is findind a decent looking shoe to return to work in. Smile

Wish me luck there. We'll see how this one goes. If all goes well, I will probably have my left foot done in a year or two..it bothers my slightly, but not nearly as much as my right did. Thanks to everyone for the posts. They have been very helpful.

Guest · Guest

It's nice to see a website that have participants that recently had foot surgery and nicer to be able to participate. I had a "modified McBride" on my right foot and, I admit, I didn't realize it was going to be as complicated as it actually was. My surgeon was/is excellent and I've heard only wonderful things about her but she is not very good when it comes to communicating with patients. Regardless, I'm three weeks into recovery and am able to put some weight on my right foot - I'm still walking around with two crutches, however. My next visit to the doctor is November 6th and at that point she wants to put me in what she is referring to as "tennis shoes" which will replace the hard shoe I now have. I have some aches and pains but nothing too alarming, thank Goodness. I don't hesitate to take a Vicodin at night if my foot is bothering me - sleep is an excellent Healer! I went back to work last week (desk job) but still can't drive. Thankfully, I have several co-workers that live within a mile or two of my home. I'm optimistic and taking recovery "one day at a time".

surgery bunion recovery problems

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK