Pain and severe stiffness after bunionectomy

Man. Sorry to hear about all the complications! I'm 29 and I just had my first foot done (bunion/hammertoe) 3 weeks ago and so far so good. I have to wear the boot when walking for the first 6 weeks. I got my own pair of crutches to use when I don't feel like wearing the boot. I don't take chances with walking on it.

After week 1 doc replaced bandages. After week 2, doc removed bandages and stitches, and put on a stretchy, valcro kind of bandage. He also supplied me with some to take home. I could then start washing my foot as normal and after every bath/shower, I put on new bandage - apparently to help with swelling etc.

There is less pain as the days go by. He did tell me to move my big toe as often as I can to regain full motion - I've been forgetting to do this :-( I've got another three weeks until my next check up so I'll step up the exercises. I'll post again after all is said and done.

So far I am impressed with my podiatrist.

I had the surgery mostly for how awful the big toe bunion looked. Also, I couldn't wear my normal size shoe, but was fine in wide shoes and sandals. My surgery was done 6 weeks ago (have a pin and screw to hold bone together). My doctor said that I could not put weight on the foot, but after a few weeks I did. I also fell during the first week. Now I am told that my bone is not healing and I have to have a cast put on my foot and will have to use a bone stimulator for another six months. I still can't walk and I have gained weight. This is just a mess! I wish I would have done some research as I would have never got it done. So unless you have to ..... just keep the bunyons!

Well, I had my first bunion op. in December 2007 and was told it would take about 6 to 8 weeks before I'd be back to normal. It actually took 13 weeks before I was anyway back to "normal." It wasn't even that bad - I had numbness and tingling down the side of my big toe and midway along my foot, and my toe was turning in a bit - but I trusted the surgeon when he said if I didn't have the op. it would only get worse...

I had a cast on for 8 weeks, and had to hop about on crutches. The pain was severe for the first 3 nights and day, and then it just throbbed, partic. at night. Anyway, I survived all that, and did everything I was supposed to - but when the cast came off the toe was "cocked up" literally. And that's what they actually all it! He advised physio. which I did have for 3 months, but it didn't help at all, mainly because the bone set in that position and it's the tendon being missing that's the problem. My main problem was that I can't actually bend it downwards and it's much shorter than it was previously. Also, the long tendon which joins the big toe to the heel and goes up the calf, doesn't appear to be working. I could see this the minute the cast came off. I asked him about whether it was cut or ruptured during the op. and he never answered me.

He said he'd do a second op. to straighten out the cocked up toe last summer. So I had that and this time the cast came off after 8 weeks. I had a plate and 4 pins put in and was never told anything about pins or plates before I had the surgery! Much bigger scar this time and toe very stiff. I can pull it upwards no problem, but I just can't get it to bend downwards to grip when I'm walking, and I haven't great balance because the tendon is missing. You need this tendon in place to pull the toe downwards, it works like pulling on the brakes of a bicycle. I also have longer toes than the big toe (Morton's) and shortening the big toe on top of that now makes my big toe look extremely short, esp. in sandals.

I've ended up having to pay for private physio and also pay for orthotics to wear in my shoes 350 euros a go, and have had 2 lots so far. He tells me the operation was "botched up." I've had ultrasound to see what has happened to the tendon, and he's not sure whether it's there at all, or just cut as there's very little movement appears on the screen when I move my toe. I can't have an MRI scan, which I need, as the metal in the pins would affect the scanner adversely. And the only other thing is a CAT scan - which I'm not being offered. The surgeon is keeping his mouth shut as to what happened the tendon - so it leads me to think he must have cut it. I was never told all this could happen. I was led to think it was a routine operation which I now know it definitely is NOT. It's major surgery. Plus, it's your foot - your whole body weight is carried on your feet and you don't realize the job they do til they can't do it. I would never hav had it done if I'd known what could happen. I haven't been able to exercise properly over the last 2 years and have put on weight too. What a mess. Unless you're in serious pain or you're big toe is so badly deformed that you can't walk, I wouldn't advise surgery. ONLY AS A LAST RESORT....

I had bunionectomy last Monday. The first night I fell asleep with the ice pack on, it melted and my dressing got wet. Next day went in to have them changed and was given an antibiotic. My follow-up appt is tomorrow. After reading all these posts, I honestly have no idea what to expect. My question to all of you out of curiosity, who did your surgeries, a Podiatrist or an Orthopedic surgeon?

had left foot done in 2007, recovery went well. second foot done 3 weeks ago, minimal pain IF I followed directions. Really need to stay off foot for at least 2 weeks. Just stay home! As far as toe being stiff- it will be for long time- have to let it do it's thing, it will heal when it's ready. Stop thinking about it. I honestly don't remember when toe from first surgery was able to move but it does!!! :-P

A foot & ankle specialist podiatrist performed my bunionectomy. He is Board Certified & specializes in surgeries as well & a great doctor! I had my first bunionectomy surgey 5/28/09. 3 weeks later and the recovery has been going great, and I can finally walk on my foot. It swells after a while of standing/walking, but not too bad.

I just had my second operation today 6/18/09 and it was a bunionectomy and a hammertoe correction. My doctor told me to not put any weight on it so I've been using the other foot, but it's not that painful. I'm only 20 years old and my bunions were very bad, my doctor had to do a lot of work not only with the bone but with the soft tissue as well. I have 2 screws in my right foot and 3 in my left foot. I am hoping that my recovery keeps going as smoothly as it has been. My doctor has already told me that I will need physical therapy, but so far I am very happy with the results.

I heard horror stories from so many people about their surgeries, but I do believe now that it's all up to the doctor.

If anyone is in the New Jersey area I highly recommend my doctor to anyone. I travel about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic to see him and he is well worth the trip. He has over 22 years experience with the surgeries. I'll give you his name if interested! :-D

Could I please get the name of jersey_girl's podiatric surgeon? Thanks.

Can I please get the name of the podiatrist in NJ areas who performed jersey_girl's surgery posted 6/18/09? Thanks.

I had surgery on the Taylor's bunions (little toes) on both of my feet over 2 years ago (bunionectomy with osteotomy). The right foot, which hurt the most, now feels much better but the left foot hurts much more than it ever did. I've gone through therapy (elec stim and ultrasound, icing, elevation, etc) but still have lots of pain and swelling on the left foot -- made worse by changes in the weather or lots of walking even with good shoes on. Now I've noticed that just about 1/8th of an inch to the left of my original incision, something sharp, white and somewhat flexible is starting to make it's way through my skin. I'm wondering now if my body is rejecting a surgical item, either left behind by accident or something that was put in place intentionally. I really have no interest in going back to the original podiatrist because he seemed much more intent on just bringing me back week after week to make more money. And I'm not the only patient that felt that way about him. Has anyone else experienced this skin-popping event?

I had bunion surgery 4 days ago because I am an athlete and they said it was a good decision. I can't sleep at night my foot throbs all over and it burns I am scared that there is nerve damage cause my big toe is still kinda numb. I cry everyday and I can't get outta bed except to use the bathroom, it sucks. But I trust my surgeon and wanna believe he didn't mess me up but is this normal? The pain is almost unbearable. However I also had a bone chip thathe fixed along with the bunion.

I had bunion surgery 4 days ago because I am an athlete and they said it was a good decision. I can't sleep at night my foot throbs all over and it burns I am scared that there is nerve damage cause my big toe is still kinda numb. I cry everyday and I can't get outta bed except to use the bathroom, it sucks. But I trust my surgeon and wanna believe he didn't mess me up but is this normal? The pain is almost unbearable. However I also had a bone chip thathe fixed along with the bunion.

I just had mine in 10/7/09 (chevron bunionectomy + screw) and my doctor said the continued numbing is normal since there was nerve damage. This forum is scaring me to bit b/c I'm now concerned that I won't heal in a timely manner or in a WELL manner. My doctor said I will be at 90% in about 13 weeks.

Hmmm. So I see thes posts are a couple years old, but I could have sworn you all we're inside my head, typing out my thoughts.

I too was a runner and even though I've had moderate bunions as long as I can remember (I also have flat feet...) my recent running began to bother them. Though not terribly painful it did interfere with my running schedule.So after my grandmother raved about having hers done I decided to get mine done between my school quarters at college, especially because my DR said it would be 6 weeks recovery. The difference is that my grandmother had her bunion shaved off and was walking very quickly, I had it shaved and a couple screws placed in aswell. If I had know it'd be longer thean "6 weeks" I dont think I would have done it either.

I've been out of my cast for about 2 weeks but its scary to have numbness, stiffness, and pain, it makes me feel like I'll never be the same. I desperatly want to run again, I want to wear regular shoes, and not have to walk on the heel or side of my foot. I want to go back to work as its been almost three months! Thankfully I dont have to get around on one of those knee scooters anymore, and I am able to drive again (my work was done on the right foot).

How is everybody doing now? Is there anyone who feels differently about their surgery?
If I had to give advice, I would say (1)really have a lot of pain before you do it (2)really ask your doctor the full recovery time and ask him/her to spell it out (for me, two weeks in a soft cast, six weeks in a hard cast, four weeks in a walking boot and phys therapy) (3)try all other options (ie orthodicts) before surgery, because nothing can prepare you for the foot you are left with afterwards.

I wish I had seen this before, I dont know if I would have believed it, but I hope it can help someone else. Its not just one opinion, I've read several just like mine. Wondering what happend to the 6 week recovery, what happed to flexibilty of their toe and foot and living with a sinking feeling they've made a mistake-that alone is not any fun.

Good Luck! Hope to hear an update from someone, I'd really like something to look forward to!!!!!!

You should have been fit with a Dynasplint device. My cousin had bunion surgery 3 years ago by a podiatric surgeon and he had to wear the Dynasplint for about 3 months after the bandages came off. He has had no problems with his toe joint motion and is back to running and his Ironman races. Ask your podiatrist to see if you can get a Dynasplint.

I just saw an ortho surgeon yesterday and booked in to have my left bunion sorted out in early December. He said that I won't smile for about 12 weeks while the foot is healing. I laughingly disagreed with him, but after reading these posts, I think he may be right!