what is normal after bunion surgery?

Hi all,

 

I had bunion surgery on 11th December (3 and a half months ago). Post-op went very well, with minimal pain. I had a stick inserted on the big toe bone, which was removed after 35 days. 

Now my foot looks quite normal, just a tiny bit swollen and painful around the scar. My main concern however is the BIG TOE NAIL. First of all, it hasn't grown since the operation. The top half is a yellowish colour. The area all around the nail, and especially at the base, is visibly inflated and it hurts if I touch it or wear shoes that press on it. The surgeon who operated me didn't think much of it, just said that it may be because the big toe has to adjust to the new position, and also to touching the second toe. I then went to see a dermatologist, who said it might be inflamed, and prescribed an anti-biotic cream to be applied for 2 weeks. I have done so but I have seen no visible improvements!

I would like to know whether others have experienced similar complications after bunion surgery. I am aware it takes time to fully recover, but I would like to know whether this nail issue is common or not.

 

Thanks!

 

-scisci

Sorry to hear about your toe Scisci, a friend of mine had surgery more than a year ago and still has a very swollen big toe but the nail is ok, it does sound as if it is infected especially if pressing on it hurts.

Just reporting back on my surgery, my first operation Hallux Valgus Lapidus correction was on January 23, the plaster cast came off on Wednesday and I am absolutely delighted with the results, I cannot believe that it is my foot, I also had the second toe done, hammer toe, it is now perfect, the scar on the side of my foot can hardly be seen but the long one on the top has a bit of a sore spot where the plaster was rubbing.

HELLO scisci, sounds like you may lose that nail, but hopefully will regrow and be normal again if the blood supply and nerves not permanently damaged.

Am a bit worried to hear about a swollen big toe more than a year later, and wonder if that's because we do too much too soon. We've all got busy lives, families to care for, and probably don't rest enough in the first few weeks. I had to work out my own routine, and found lying down for two hours then being up for 20 minutes only, seemed the best. Unfortunately did not take my own advice for long enough, and have a very swollen and numb big toe. Hopefully will improve when cast off in 12 days. All the best.

Hi Onetreehill, I do agree with you about doing too much too soon, I was whizzing about in my Tripelstool the day after surgery, I was pretty good for the first two weeks because I couldn't put my foot on the ground but did give it a couple of knocks. I still have a lot of swelling in my foot and ankle which increases during the day so I wear a foot support to minimise it but we realy should take a lot of care for at least three months, it is a very invasive operation and not to be taken lightly.

My big toe is still puffy and there is no feeling just below the nail on the front but I can feel the side and the top, the surgeon told me that where they hold the skin back with the clamps it stretches the nerve and it can take up to a year for the feeling to come back, it is early days so don't worry about the numbness, I am sure time will heal.

Regards, Chezzie

Thanks Chezzie. Very reassuring. How many months now since your surgery? The foot support sounds like a good idea. I have a job where I have to be on my feet a lot. Don't know if foot will be up to it. Will look for a foot/ankle support like yours. Cheers.

My operation was 23 Jan this year, another tip is Calendula cream [Marigold] it works wonders on wounds and scars, they told me to massage the scars with it to break down the collagen so that they will be nice and flat, I was using good old Germolene but the difference since I have been using Calendula is amazing, it is my new best thing. I think the downside of forums is that most people who have a good experience don't post only those with problems so you read some terrible stories and think that every surgery has problems but there are thousands/millions of us who have had a really good experience, I am really looking forward to having my left foot done, no hammer toe there so that's good.

i am 7 weeks post op on bunyon on my right foot ...dr took my pin out 5 weeks after it was put in.hurts to walk a bit and do stairs but i would rather have the pin out of my toe then stay in it

I think it depends on your surgery what can stay in and what has to come out, I have two screws that will stay in and there was supposed to be a pin in the hammer toe but we couldn't find it, I have a follow up appointment in four weeks I shall ask then.

Chezzie, you are wonderful. Calendula cream has gone on the list. It was thanks to good, balanced reviews like yours that I was able to go ahead with my surgery on 26th Feb. 3 screws and three wires later, I'm hoping for a good outcome when the cast finally off on 11th April. Only one wire is due for removal. The rest will be permanent hardware, but that's OK. I trust my doctor, and also believe a lot of what happens after is up to the patient. How well we do those post-op exercises, eat properly to build good bone, and stay cheerful is up to us, not the doctor. Be well.

My pleasure Onetreehill! I learned a lot from the two other patients who were on their second foot, they didn't have crutches only walking racks, I fell off my crutches within a few minutes, I have balance problems due to Meniere's syndrome, my son skipped straight off to the care shop and collected a frame for me [paid by my insurance] I felt so much safer, I am a firm believer in self help groups talking to people who have been through the same thing. I just wish that more people with success stories would post then a lot of minds would be put at rest.

Too true. But crutching it can be strenuous for people over 50, unless an athlete or a man. I've just learnt how to go upstairs on crutches. Last week it was hands and knees all the way. So there is life after bunion surgery. Good luck with your left foot.

I went upstairs on one knee and one foot and came down on my rear end but it was very difficult to stand up when I got to the top when I wasn't allowed to put my foot down at all, so I put a little foot stall next to the bed and cut out the standing up by going on my hands and knees to my bed.  Btw I have not had cramp in my foot since the operation, I used to have it every day, I wear a splint at night too, it is very light and made for me so a perfect fit, I was told to ask for one by the other patient.

I had bunion surgery about 6 months ago first on my left foot and one month later on my right foot. One both feet the doctor said he had to scrape quite  bit of Osteo arthritis off which complicated the healing process. I also had pins put in, that I did not have removed.  I have not walked pain free since the surgeries, but the doctor said it could take up to one year to feel somewhat normal again. I have been trying to be patient. Now I am experiencing this lumpy bulge on the side of my left foot. It is a hard bump and feels hard to the touch. I have an appointment this morning to get it checked out. I fear that the pin is starting to come out the side of my foot. I do not want anymore surgery on my feet. Although, I had pain before the surgeries , I'm not sure the pain that I have been experiencing after the surgeries is any better...just different. I have restricted movement in my feet now, alot of stiffness and much reduced mobility in the joint of my big toe. I'm waiting for the day I will feel and walk pain free again. Maybe never???

cath

Hi Cath, It is still very early days so don't lose heart, have to had any physiotherapy and did they tell you to move your toes with your hands back and forth as far as they would comfortably go after the operations. I would think it is unlikely that the pin is coming out because they are deep in the bone.

How did your appointment go?

Hi...
It's only been 6 weeks since my surgery and I have just started a phase back to work... I too think it may be too soon but it's driving me crazy being at home.... I can place my toe on the ground. still really stiff and have only one pair of canvas shoes that I can get my feet into... when will the swelling go down :-/