Hi Yvonne
2 weeks in, and all is going okay. No problems with the bunion surgery but the mid-foot fusion occasionally has sharp intense shooting pain if bend a specific way. I don't have a hard cast but was just wrapped and told to use the aircast ice sleeve as much as possible. I've been back 3 times to have the dressing change and complain about extreme swelling. Despite keeping my foot elevate, the few times it is down lingering longer than 5 minutes the foot swells and turns blue until I can elevate and put in the ice sleeve.
Today is day 14 and the stitches were removed. A bit discomforting for the most part except the last stitch removed of the mid-foot stitches. The pain was piercing! People could hear me screaming in the waiting room which was about 50 feet down the hall.
I would like to know if anyone else has suffered from this -- excruciating sharp pain with the mid foot after surgery.?
Hi California experienced no pain at all from mid foot fusion. Not even a sharp intense shooting pain. Cannot understand why you do not have a hard cast, maybe thats to come. Mind you in the first two weeks part of it was plaster cast and very heavy and the front part soft - is that what you have. Two weeks in and I then had stitches out - one or two were a bit "tough" coming out but no pain and I could feel a little discomfort but not much. You need to take the pain killers they should have given you as I believe that they helped me a lot in those two weeks. The morphine was a slow dosage every 12 hours and 4 morphine four times a day and other pain killers as and when required. I have no need to take any now. If you leave your foot down for any length of time it does swell up and become very uncomfortable, especially if it is in a plaster - all you have to do is lay on the bed with a couple of cushions underneath and the relief will come. Its all a healing process. As I said have my airboot (to be honest) I find it awkward but have still been nwb with it off. Leaving my foot open to the air makes me feel normal. I have been putting vaseline gently on the stitches to soften it and it works for me. I have had two operations on my hands and I used bio oil and this worked well with the healing of scar tissue. You still have that to come. Just hang on in there, things will get better but its getting to the point to feel good. I look back and think how quick it all was but at the time I wanted to scream the place down, not necessarily with pain but all the things you normally do but do it on one foot. Take care Yvonne
Hi Yvonne
My foot was only lightly bandaged up. The surgeon had me utilise the aircast ice bag/ sock compression system for two weeks. He believed that the ice will improve recovery times, hence no hard cast. After the stiches were removed only plasterers over the stitched areas were applied. They informed me I should remove those in the next few days. Then the foot will be completely expose. This is so I can start massaging the scar to eliminate risks of scar toughening and to encourage blood circulation (not just pooling).
I wasn't diligent about the pain meds. I was on co-dramol and tradamol along with ibuprofen. Nothing has reduced the swelling except keeping the foot elevated and using the ice sock. I am nervous of taking the pain meds, I don't like the sleepy feeling and the headaches which seem to prevail. However, I am back on them since yesterday and they are helping significantly. The pain has subsided. But I still have tingling sensation in my foot. I gather this is just the nerves calming down and is a good sign. A nerve must have been entrapped by the stitch hence the intense pain.
Because my foot is not in a hard cast, I have more freedom of movement and more opportunities to move it in directions that might be uncomfortable at this point in time. However, I do get to start movement and prevent the stiffness that others seem to suffer when the foot is totally encased.
I am NWB for 8 weeks. Then PWB for another 8. I am getting handy on the crutches, but will probably get a knee scooter to use for work. I find it impossible to carry anything when using the crutches so I cannot imagine carrying my laptop bag and papers. I am not looking forward to the hour drive to work when the foot is down even though it was my left foot and I have an automatic. My foot swells very quickly turning red-purple and I don't know if this is normal.
Well it is only day 15. It is good to hear about your recovery. I am glad that you have had no discomfort. Will the plate/screws be removed or retained in your foot?
Hi there California57 - my first day weight bearing - I did it with the frame (I cannot seem to get used to the crutches) a bit nervous but the airboot gives so much support - it rocks heel to toe which is how I have been walking but very slowly and not much either - great to be able to sit on a chair or settee without having to throw myself on it .I have up and down movement on my foot but not rotation but once again so great not to have pain. Much less swelling each and every day and I massage near the scar aswell. The underneath of my foot (Planta fascia) is very stiff I presume because of it being booted for so long also the left side of my foot very stiff. Have been gently rolling a small cold bottle under it and it does help. I had plantafasciatis a few years back and the pain was excruiating - have a good physio and also had acupunture (at least I know what the problem is). I was so tired after the walk about though. Feeling good and the scar is healing well. I have an auto car but the air boot is quite wide and cumbersome so am going to wait to drive for longer. How you manage to work I do not know, mind you our business is landscape gardening and fencing (I work with my husband) so I will be a while till I get back. Take care. Yvonne
Yvonne - Well done for getting to the next part of the journey. I am still weeks away from that event.
I survived last week, after the stress of the stitches being removed which took 2 days for the nerves to calm down. I still have pins and needles sensation, but it is minimising by the day.
I have yet to be fitted with a proper aircast boot. I am seeing the surgeon in a weeks time, so I suspect I will be told to where the boot then.
I went into the office yesterday for an all day meeting. I kept my foot propped on the table with a pillow, but this was not as comfortable as leaning on the couch with the foot up. I noticed that my foot started having pains early in the day. I was able to maneuver my self well on crutches (in fact most staff were impressed how fast I could go, at times faster than them!), but carrying anything, getting coffee - forget it. The foot swelled up a bit, but not as much as the previous week. Next week I am in the office 3 possibly 4 days. I won't be driving as a co-worker lives a few miles a way and has agreed to take me (thank god, as I didn't think I could survive those hour plus journey's in the car driving). I still find my energy levels are low and appetite for work is not as great as before the surgery. But I am sure that will return.
I have do bending of my toe exercises (I also had a bunionectomy) and up and down motion of my foot. I take this gently and not push the action. There is movement, most of the tightness is with the big toe. I have been rubbing the scar lines when I remember to do it, and massaging my foot. I still get a twinge at the top of my foot when I try to rotate.
I look forward to seeing the Surgeon on Wednesday to get an update and hopefully an xray to review how well the fusion has worked. California57
Hi there California57 - you seem to be progressing well which is good. Now onto my 50pct weight bearing with the boot - it fits so snug and supports the whole foot very well....and I am standing up...great. However when I take the boot off my foot is the shape of the boot and when I "poke" the swelling it leaves a dent. Very odd but its normal. I find my foot very stiff without the boot and I place my foot as flat as I can on the floor. Pointing toe up and down the whole foot and ankle moves (but not side to side) but I cannot take a small step with the same movement on the floor (does that make sense) I suppose it will come. I also massage the foot and the scar (just the one) each day, which has healed and is much much smaller now. Had a letter to say the fusion xray showed signs of a "good fuse" (which I am happy about). Have been doing a little more physical work now (housework). I went for the longest walk (shuffle with the frame - still cannot master the crutches) around a garden centre the other day. Fresh air (great). The only thing is the extra exercise now is very tiring. I once again cannot imagine working as you have done. Amazing!!. Next appointment in a few weeks and then awaiting physio to learn how to walk "properly". Kind regards Yvonne
Hi Yvonne
Wow you are still swelling after 8 weeks! My swelling has been reduced dramatically by increasing my activities. Though it was painful and uncomfortable returning to work, it has allowed the healing process to hasten. Evidently you must do exercise with your leg to encourage the calf muscle to circulate the blood. An easy set of exercises to do is to go on all fours and raise your leg to the side x10 for three sets and do the same for back kick and side kicks. Do both legs. Then do cycle motions on your back raising your leg. After a week you will see your swelling decrease. Ice at night also helps.
I had my 4 weeks check-up on Tuesday, the bulk of the time was spent trying to remove sutures that are not remove completely by the nurse 2 weeks prior. One suture was so imbedded that I required minor op today under a general aneasthetics to remove it! Slightly annoyed, there were 7 sutures that had not been properly removed. I removed 4 with some gentle tugging, the doctor did 2 at the office, and the final one under general. A bit incompetent and this was Private!!
My X-ray showed the fusions went well. Only 2 issues now 1) one of the cuts is not closing well and has slight disheasion doc thinks this will eventually close in a few weeks. And 2) the bone graft extended my 2nd toe which has toe drop, hopefully that will sort it self out, but will be monitored in 4 weeks.
Once my wound has closed I can start swimming rehab, so hope to do that in 2 weeks time,
I have also started the partial weight bearing with the air-cast boot. I am not suffering any of the issues you have yet. I am to use the crutches for a week with the air-cast then just the air-cast. I won't start with a physio until week 8.
Interesting to hear how both our Doctors are taking different approaches to healing. I would like to hear how you are getting on, and l'll let you know mine. Was a plate used for your fusion or just screws? I have a plate with 4 screws in the 2nd metatarsal and tarsal fusion joint and another fusion joint with just 2 screws.
Good luck California 57
Wow you are still swelling after 8 weeks! My swelling has been reduced dramatically by increasing my activities. Though it was painful and uncomfortable returning to work, it has allowed the healing process to hasten. Evidently you must do exercise with your leg to encourage the calf muscle to circulate the blood. An easy set of exercises to do is to go on all fours and raise your leg to the side x10 for three sets and do the same for back kick and side kicks. Do both legs. Then do cycle motions on your back raising your leg. After a week you will see your swelling decrease. Ice at night also helps.
I had my 4 weeks check-up on Tuesday, the bulk of the time was spent trying to remove sutures that are not remove completely by the nurse 2 weeks prior. One suture was so imbedded that I required minor op today under a general aneasthetics to remove it! Slightly annoyed, there were 7 sutures that had not been properly removed. I removed 4 with some gentle tugging, the doctor did 2 at the office, and the final one under general. A bit incompetent and this was Private!!
My X-ray showed the fusions went well. Only 2 issues now 1) one of the cuts is not closing well and has slight disheasion doc thinks this will eventually close in a few weeks. And 2) the bone graft extended my 2nd toe which has toe drop, hopefully that will sort it self out, but will be monitored in 4 weeks.
Once my wound has closed I can start swimming rehab, so hope to do that in 2 weeks time,
I have also started the partial weight bearing with the air-cast boot. I am not suffering any of the issues you have yet. I am to use the crutches for a week with the air-cast then just the air-cast. I won't start with a physio until week 8.
Interesting to hear how both our Doctors are taking different approaches to healing. I would like to hear how you are getting on, and l'll let you know mine. Was a plate used for your fusion or just screws? I have a plate with 4 screws in the 2nd metatarsal and tarsal fusion joint and another fusion joint with just 2 screws.
Good luck California 57
Hi my name is Margaret and I broke my foot on Christmas day 2012 and had pain every since, I have been in the shoe with crutches and in a boot with crutches and neither one helped so now my doctor says that the only way that I would get relief from the pain is to have a mid-foot fusion, my surgery is scheduled for Monday March 17, 2014. I am worried about the procedure but I have been in pain since the accident I have read some good results and a few bad ones but more good than bad I am 52 years old and tired of being in pain my doctor told me to go on the internet and look up mid-foot fusion I watched the video and read several articles and I decided that this was the way to go, I just want to thank everyone who posted on this site and I will let you know how my surgery turns out.
Hi Margaret, what type of fusion will your surgeon perform, in which joints or bones is he fusing? I think it depends on the complexity and multiplicity of the fusion that effects recovery. My was fairly straight forward so I am hoping to return to better activity than where i was prior to my surgery. I was not in constant pain but was no longer able to do long walks or run without pain, and it was worsening daily.
It is still early days for me day 32, so I cannot comment on the success. I obviously have more pain now than prior and not all was successful yet. One of my wounds is healing and closing very slowly, and because I had a bone graft at the joint, my 2nd toe is extended and drops.
The recovery is extremely long. Good luck with the surgery, mine was on February 10th, 5 weeks prior to yours. The early weeks are extremely uncomfortable. Take the pain meds regularly along with Ibuprofen And remember to elevate and ice. I hope you have someone around to help you. Taking a shower was very difficult. Prepping your home situation in advance is really important. We purchased a shower stool and used a limbo bag to cover the leg. Works great. I moved my sleeping arrangements to the living room, as it is easiest to get around with crutches and to our downstairs shower room and had small set of clothes moved downstairs. I have been working from home since day 4. But by week 3 started easing back to the office. Fortunately I have a work mate who drives me.
Good luck with the surgery.
It is still early days for me day 32, so I cannot comment on the success. I obviously have more pain now than prior and not all was successful yet. One of my wounds is healing and closing very slowly, and because I had a bone graft at the joint, my 2nd toe is extended and drops.
The recovery is extremely long. Good luck with the surgery, mine was on February 10th, 5 weeks prior to yours. The early weeks are extremely uncomfortable. Take the pain meds regularly along with Ibuprofen And remember to elevate and ice. I hope you have someone around to help you. Taking a shower was very difficult. Prepping your home situation in advance is really important. We purchased a shower stool and used a limbo bag to cover the leg. Works great. I moved my sleeping arrangements to the living room, as it is easiest to get around with crutches and to our downstairs shower room and had small set of clothes moved downstairs. I have been working from home since day 4. But by week 3 started easing back to the office. Fortunately I have a work mate who drives me.
Good luck with the surgery.
Hi California57..reading your op - it seems that you have had a lot more done on your foot.
I had no bone graft as the talonavicular bone was quite smooth but lots of arthiritis on the inside of the ankle (which was removed). I have one incision only and the stitches came out fine except one was a bit tricky and a bit sore when the plaster was on but OK after 2 days. I recall when I was younger the wounds healed whilst the stitches were in making it difficult to get out, could that have been the problem. Mind you I suppose some nurses can be good at it, a bit like taking blood some inject and there is no bruising whilst other "jam it in" and you have large bruises.
I have one screw and a sort of clip that is diagonal across the top of my foot starting at inside of my foot near the top , it goes across the talonavicular bone - nothing more. No ankle rotation but movement up and down - I am going to ask again next week how it actually works with one screw only. Sam Singh performed the operation at Guys ..his CV is quite impressive I was told that he was the best in UK. I had it done on the NHS (where are you from by the way - are you an American). California (does that give it away)!!
When the plaster was off the cut was not "scabbed over" horrible word!!! and it has taken about 2 weeks and looks ok now (a bit dry - but I use vaseline to massage it with). Had a shower the other day on two feet (yippee)!!
I agree on the exercise regime (will try it) but the problem I have is that my shoulder and now my hip hurts so much on the right side The shoulder has been like this since beginning of January and I have had physio. Still amazes me how many parts of the body you take for granted and how all works together so well (wow profound for me!!) This is the side I have been pulling myself up on and the weakness in my shoulder has inhibited my movements a lot.
When I had the plaster removed after 7 weeks my calf muscle and leg was so skinny but strangely no swelling. They did say that I would get swelling on the foot in the boot once I start moving about so I am not worried - each day the swelling gets less and less but I am doing toe points and carefully balancing on both feet without boot and crutches. My plantar and achilles were very stiff at first and I rolled an ice cold bottle under the bottom of my foot and planta is mucher looser now.
I actually used the crutches yesterday and am fine now I am on two feet but because of 50pct weight bearing the shoulder hursts. I do have a hand rotating massager that heats up and I did that for 20 mins today on shoulder and muscle in my hip. A little better.
It is odd that these operations we have had each are so different in timescale...the fusion was what worried me as I did not want to go and have another operation which does happen in some cases when you rush back trying to walk whilst the body is still healing.
Nothing on physio yet so maybe get some instruction next week.
It's been great touching base with someone else and sharing information.
Regards Yvonne
You will be fine Margaret I am 66 and I had it done 6 January and I have NO pain after 6 years of pain day in and day out - just do exactly as you are told and all will be well. Mine was no an accident just worn out old bones and arthiritus through too much sport.
The nightmare is the no weight bearing and BOREDOM!!!.
Good luck Yvonne
Hi Yvonne
I am American, a native Californian, but moved to the UK nearly 20 years ago for work. Then I got married and had a child - so you remain. I am based in the Midlands (a lone American). Totally different healthcare experience in the UK from the USA. I had my surgery under private healthcare through BUPA. Normally I would use the NHS, but when I first presented my condition with the NHS physician it was assumed that it was tendinitis. Because I was offered a private medical through work, it was diagnosis then as arthritis and referred to a specialist on the Private Health Insurance from work. Luckily there is no deductible and it has gone fairly quickly.
Had you considered getting a knee scooter? That would have worked perfectly for you and they are relatively cheap to rent £15/week equipped with a basket to hold things! I wanted one, but my doctor has moved me quickly to the boot and wants me to start bearing weight. I am 10 years younger than you and have good upper body strength. But age does wear on us! Second day in the boot, and I rather be NWB, as I move so slowly and painfully with the boot. My foot is now swollen, as a result of the surgery yesterday and not keeping it as elevated today. A good icing tonight will calm it right down.
I think the position of your fusion is more difficult to recover from than mine. I should retain full movement as the ankle joint was not fused as yours was. I would like to return to trail running and would be very disappointed if the fusion means that I cannot run on uneven ground anymore. My mid-foot fusion was of the tarsal and metatarsal 2nd joint. That joint normally doesn't move, so I hope that it doesn't serve as a shock absorber and as a result of the fusion stresses the other surrounding joints. I am not bothered by the bunionectomy, as that is fairly standard and loads of runners have that procedure done.
Hope you recover from the shoulder - that is making your life difficult. I am fortunate to be mobile.
I am American, a native Californian, but moved to the UK nearly 20 years ago for work. Then I got married and had a child - so you remain. I am based in the Midlands (a lone American). Totally different healthcare experience in the UK from the USA. I had my surgery under private healthcare through BUPA. Normally I would use the NHS, but when I first presented my condition with the NHS physician it was assumed that it was tendinitis. Because I was offered a private medical through work, it was diagnosis then as arthritis and referred to a specialist on the Private Health Insurance from work. Luckily there is no deductible and it has gone fairly quickly.
Had you considered getting a knee scooter? That would have worked perfectly for you and they are relatively cheap to rent £15/week equipped with a basket to hold things! I wanted one, but my doctor has moved me quickly to the boot and wants me to start bearing weight. I am 10 years younger than you and have good upper body strength. But age does wear on us! Second day in the boot, and I rather be NWB, as I move so slowly and painfully with the boot. My foot is now swollen, as a result of the surgery yesterday and not keeping it as elevated today. A good icing tonight will calm it right down.
I think the position of your fusion is more difficult to recover from than mine. I should retain full movement as the ankle joint was not fused as yours was. I would like to return to trail running and would be very disappointed if the fusion means that I cannot run on uneven ground anymore. My mid-foot fusion was of the tarsal and metatarsal 2nd joint. That joint normally doesn't move, so I hope that it doesn't serve as a shock absorber and as a result of the fusion stresses the other surrounding joints. I am not bothered by the bunionectomy, as that is fairly standard and loads of runners have that procedure done.
Hope you recover from the shoulder - that is making your life difficult. I am fortunate to be mobile.
Hi thereCalfornia57 - your "handle" gave it away but I did think you were American. I know what you say about the UK and USA NHS (not that there is any in America. My friend's daughter lives in Florida keys and it cost a fortune (even to have a baby). When I was at work I was covered by private health care and it really is a bonus. However when I retired I kept falling over and not hearing things correct. It took 5 months on the NHS to discover I had a brain tumour. Acoustic Nervosa (best one to have if it does not get too big..haha). I had to pay for my own MRI scan because my doctor was saying that it was wax in my ear or something to do with my teeth. The doctors were apologetic (of course they would be) but I had gamma knife treatment (non evasive) tumour still in my head but "dead now" but I am deaf in one ear. At had it done at Barts in London as it was a specialist "job" but could not have wished for better on the NHS.
People in this country do not know how lucky they are to have "free treatment" because of the operations I have had I am grateful. To move on...my foot swelled when I went into the boot and I looked on Guys website and they say that it common place for it to be swolled (a little) for a year or more. Mind you looking back at your message that business about the stitches is "unforgiveable" that would have delayed you but you appear to be strong willed and strong minded - brilliant. I would love to run again but its not going to happen for me but I had no movement because of the pain in my ankle anyway..my mates would to form an over 60ies netball team well it might be over 65ies now as we are all getting on. Am off in May with girls to Qhotels to have a spa evening and day and have put in for full body and of course my feet massage...can't wait.
I am strong on my upper body because of our business (shifting soil, stones, building sheds, laying paths etc etc) but am straight down always have been unlike my daughter who goes in an out with her body. Thank god she did not inherit my box like figure.hahah. One thing I have felt during this process is that I have felt very old and I am not that kind of person normally but it worries me and I hope I can get back to being me!! I suppose its the dependency thing, maybe a little more attention needs to be paid to the "dependency" thing when people are getting ready for this type of operation.
I am sorry but I just cannot see me on that scooter thing (I did consider it) my mates had a laugh with me with the walking frame yet along "long john silver".
Take care and of course I am going straight to the web to look up what you have done (and in pictures) very sad!.
Yvonne
I've had a busy couple of weeks with work and personal life. The little op to remove the suture left-in cost about a week or more in recovery time. The one wound is slowly closing, but I still cannot start swimming yet.
I started wearing the big clunky ski boot aircast about 11 days ago. Because of the swelling in my foot and the open wound on top of the foot, this is not very comfortable. I take it off at every opportunity.
I had my first physio session today, she messages my foot which felt so amazingly painful then great as she loosen all the tighten muscles tendons at the bottom of my foot. She did not show me many exercises to do, only said to move the big toe at the base with my hand and message my foot! She did say I could do the exercises I find on U tube for bunionectomy.
However she did say I should start walking barefoot in the house with only using one crutch. Also that I can use the aircast without crutches. I feel like I have a new sense of freedom. No more crawling up the stairs. I can now use a single crutch and bear weight to go up the stairs. I can now carry things!
The foot has become stiff 7 hours after the message. I will need to regularly message it to loosen the foot. Much easier to pay someone than, I think, to do it myself!
How is your recovery going?
Hi there California57, well.....signed off now from hospital ..surgeon said the fusion was good and he explained a bit more of what they had done..shaved the boned smooth (yuk) and cut out the arthiritic aspect of my foot inside on the talonavicular (god I am getting good at this) stapled the bones together and then screwed it diagonally with a pin in it (have I said that already...soooo happy) keep repeating myself.
Mind you my foot was tight in the boot and it was very swollen when I took it off. (first time in the boot I was pressing it 16 times on 1 and 2 and now only 8...I think I must have done it too tight). When my foot was swollen I pressed my fingers into it and the dent stayed there ...most odd. Anyhow waiting for my physio appointment to come through.
Have still been rolling a small cold bottle under the foot where the plantar is...such relief ( from top of my foot right to the heel). I have also been doing a stretch on the achilles and toe pointing but yesterday the pain in my toe and around the inside of my foot was quite bad and swollen and i rubbed painkiller cream in and took some pain killers first time for a long time..
Ah the toe...I remembered this is the part of the foot that gives you the balance and I was walking bare foot with two crutches and then one and then on my own (without the boot). Probably done too much. (I felt confident and wanted to try it).Given that I have been 8-9 weeks non weight bearing it is hard to get going again.
The surgeon told me 3 weeks in the boot then throw it out and the crutches aswell. Just listening to my body. He said swelling until August so I will expect different levels of that but on the whole I so very very happy about having it done. Maybe I might be able to run a little and keep up with the youngster I teach netball to you never know.
Yep.. it's great the boot so much more freedom as you have said - I have been massaging my own foot with the cream and put a hotwater bottle on it, I still have pillows under my foot when I go to bed though. I live in a bungalow so no stairs except going out and coming into the house. Did a bit of gardening the other day aswell and out food shopping...once again so very happy with the op it seems ages now when I look back. Great to hear from you..I hope Margaret reads this and gets back. Good luck Yvonne