I'm not sure this is the right place to ask, but I got bunion surgery 7 weeks ago and my cast came off last week. All was going well with minimal pain but my 80 pound dog was running around and stepped on my foot yesterday and since then it has been hurting more than it hurt anytime after the surgery had been done. It occasionally has been throbbing on the bottom arch and lower shin just above the ankle. I was thinking it might be possible that something happened to the screws. I tried calling my doctor but have not been able to reach anyone. Does anyone have any ideas what could have happened / if they have been through this before? Thank you very much!
Hello, It's understandable to be concerned, especially after an incident like your dog stepping on your foot. I can offer some general insights into what might be happening and what steps you could take.
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Increased Pain and Swelling: After bunion surgery, your foot is in a vulnerable state, especially in the early weeks of recovery. Any direct trauma, like being stepped on by a large dog, can cause increased pain, swelling, and inflammation. This reaction is your body's way of responding to what it perceives as a new injury.
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Potential Damage to Surgical Site: It's possible that the impact could have affected the surgical site. This could mean anything from minor irritation to more significant issues like shifting of screws or other hardware used in the surgery, or even affecting the bones that were operated on.
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Throbbing Pain: The throbbing pain in the arch and shin could be due to a number of factors, including increased swelling putting pressure on nerves and tissues, or a more direct injury to those areas.
Here are some steps you can take:
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Immediate Care: If you haven't already, apply R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to manage the swelling and pain. Avoid putting weight on the foot as much as possible.
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Contacting Your Doctor: Keep trying to reach your surgeon or their office. If you can't get through, consider going to an urgent care or emergency room, especially if the pain is severe, if you notice significant swelling, color changes, or if the pain doesn't improve with rest and ice.
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Medical Evaluation: It's important to have the foot evaluated as soon as possible. Your doctor might want to take an X-ray or perform other imaging tests to check the status of the bones and any surgical hardware.
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Medication: If you were prescribed pain medication post-surgery and still have some, consider taking it as directed. If not, over-the-counter pain relievers (as long as they're not contraindicated for you) might help.
Remember, post-surgical feet are delicate, and it's always better to err on the side of caution.