Tips for before and after bunion surgery
November 12, 2010 53 Comments
Follow your doctor or nurse’s instructions regarding taking any medication and wound care. I’m not medically qualified so I can only tell you what my experience has been. If in doubt, phone your doctor or the ward where you had your surgery.
Beforehand
Get everything you’ll need within reach for the two weeks immediately after your surgery when you will be in bed. This could include your music, your phone and mp3 plus chargers, laptop, and any books you want to read. Also, I found a portable DVD player useful whilst flat on my back in bed for two weeks.
Sort your kitchen out too so you don’t have to reach for things as well. Standing on tip toe is not going to happen for a few weeks! If necessary get yourself a pole or grabber of some description to reach up to windows if you need to open or close them. I guess this bit depends on how much help you will have during your recuperation period. I have been very lucky and have had my mother staying with me and giving me 24/7 support, but I know in many cases this level of support isn’t possible. If your partner goes out to work you’ll have to fend for yourself during the day.
Carrying things is impossible while you are using crutches, unless you can manage with one crutch. A wheelable small trolley or table could be useful to transport a cup of tea or hot food without spilling it. You can find this kind of thing in a mobility or aids shop for the elderly or disabled. Or you could put a chair and table in the kitchen if there isn’t one already, so you don’t need to move hot drinks or food very far. When I was alone one day I made a flask of tea and was able to transport it back upstairs so I had tea for the afternoon. That works, but the tea tasted of that strange flasky taste.
If you need to use a taxi to get around (for your hospital appointments) then get enough cash as you won’t be able to get to the cash machine later.
After surgery
If you are having a general anaesthetic then get some sore throat lozenges. You might appreciate them after your surgery as sometimes it can give you a sore throat. And if you don’t get one, then just save them for your next dose of flu!
Get some painkillers and ibuprofen. You’ll probably be given some painkillers immediately after your surgery by your doctor, which are stronger than normal. I was given a week’s worth of Tramadol. But after this time, you will probably need to take some pain killers or anti-inflammatories, so get stocked up.
Two weeks in bed
During the first two weeks you will need to stay off your foot as much as possible and elevate it a lot of the time. This means spending two weeks in bed and only getting out to shuffle to the toilet and back. So you may be eating food in bed, if you’re lucky enough to have someone to assist you with your care. Make sure you sit up to eat it and stay sitting up for about half an hour afterwards or you run the risk of gastric reflux, which is unpleasant. Prop yourself up with good pillows or buy a bed wedge or back rest.
I found these two weeks frustrating, due to the inevitable discomfort and pain in my foot and also just because you are lying there for days. I got back ache as I couldn’t sleep on my side because my tender foot had to be propped upright and kept away from the sheets and mattress. I found a roll to rest my foot on was a really good idea, because it kept my foot elevated at night, and later on when I got a bit better, I could sleep on my side with my ankle on the roll and my foot slightly elevated off the bed so my wound didn’t touch the mattress.
Showering and washing
Use a plastic bag, with some kind of tape, to cover your foot if you want to take a shower. It’s very important that you don’t get your bandage wet while the wound is healing. In my case, I decided to avoid taking a shower for the six weeks I had my bandage on to avoid any risk of getting it wet and therefore risking infection. So I opted for a flannel wash, which is not that pleasant but it’s not the end of the world and it only lasts six weeks. And when you can finally get in the shower, you REALLY appreciate it!
When the bandages come off – dry feet and stitches
Buy a big tub of E45 cream for when the bandages come off. This is cream for dry skin conditions and was recommended by the plaster technician who removed my bandage. The skin on your foot will be dry and flake or peel off for a while. It’s a bit gross, but it’s perfectly normal and will be sorted out with the cream in a week or two.
I also bought some Bio-Oil for use on the scar. I haven’t started using it yet, but will when the dissolvable stitches have all come out (I’m nearly there, only one left in!). I found my scar/wound was very hard at first, and the E45 cream has gradually softened it up. I’m sure the Bio-Oil will be good for that as well.
Get a large pair of socks (or two) for when your bandages come off. I appreciated having a roomy sock to put on when I got rid of my bandage so my scar/stitches didn’t rub too much against the sock.
Walking stick
Get yourself a walking stick to use when you are finally learning to walk again in your flat surgical shoe. It will feel very strange when you walk in your flat shoe, after walking about in the wedge shoe for a few weeks, and you’ll need some support. You could still use the crutches you’ve been given. Walking sticks however are not that expensive and can be useful to signal to other people that you aren’t steady on your feet, even if you don’t really need it to walk with. When I started walking again, I found that I was imbalanced on my right leg due to lack of weight bearing on it for 6 weeks. The muscles need to get stronger again, so you experience a period of one leg stronger than the other. A walking stick will help you with this!
Back ache when walking
When I stopped using my two crutches to walk around, I noticed that my good foot in its slipper was lower down than my post-surgery foot, which was high up in a wedge shoe (and later on in the flat surgical shoe). This caused an imbalance in my walking which put pressure on my lower back. So when you start walking about without crutches wear a shoe on your good foot, which will raise your leg up so you are not putting pressure on your back.
Shoes
A roomy shoe or trainer to wear when you get your bandage off. It took me a week to be able to get my foot into a shoe, after my bandage came off (7 weeks after surgery), despite the fact that my doctor told me it should only take a couple of days. I don’t think they know because they don’t get to see you for another three months (in the case of my hospital) and probably don’t think to ask what your experience of shoe wearing has been (after all, it’s not clinical!). In any case, there is no rush or competition to get your shoe on so take it easy. If you do go back to work, you can always wear your flat surgical shoe for a while.
The type of shoe you might use is one with a short tongue (the bit at the top), so you don’t have to flex your toe too much to get your foot in. Also one which has an extra wide fitting so it can accommodate any swelling, and give your scar/stitches room without rubbing and irritating them. I had a shoe made by Websters when I had my bunion, and it has a wider fitting for the right shoe. I find it is perfect now for accommodating a foot liable to swelling. However, you might prefer to go out and look for a cheaper alternative, such as a roomy trainer. Do this before your surgery so it’s ready for when you need it.
You may not need this, but I was thankful that I had an ankle support tucked away in my draw at home. Now that I’m walking again and have returned to work, I found that my ankle is a bit weak due to lack of use (6 weeks of non weight bearing), and I have developed a bit of soreness in it due to struggling to walk. I wear an ankle support to help me.
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This is assume. I just had my surgery 10 days ago and this site was extremely insightful wish I would of seen prior. I will be getting my stitch out in three days and then I was told I would get a hard cast. I am excited because right now if we go out I am always afraid of people knocking into it. Currently, I don’t have much pain but I do have swelling more at the end of the day and hot foot feeling. Worse as the day goes, my friend right now is evaluation and ice. Is it normally to have hot foot?
Hello Tabbath! I hope all is going well with your surgery. I would advise you to ask about your hot foot if you are getting your stitches out. This is just to be on the safe side and make sure you don’t have any infection. I found that my foot felt warm, and had pins and needles and also felt a bit numb. I needed to elevate it alot, especially in the first two weeks.
When you say hard cast, do you mean a boot? To be honest, I didn’t go out at all for the first three weeks, just rested and elevated! The swelling at the end of the day is really normal. My foot is still a bit swollen now, but I am managing to wear wide shoes.
I do wish you well in your recovery. Are you in the UK?
best wishes, Swirlingleaf.
Thank you for the reply. I had a few more things done to my foot then just bunion being fixed. I had my bunion shaved and a screw placed in the upper part of the first toe bone after the complete sawed through it and rotated it. I had my 2nd toe released and my tailors bunion shaved. The cast is a hard cast no weigh bearing for 6 weeks, since the screw is further up in the foot. The screw will stay unless it causes problems. Burning hot foot seemed not to be a problem. Doctor thinks it was the swelling against the bandages. I am now on 19 of recovery. I have been back to work for over a week. First week remotely, 2nd week I went into the office and did a full day on Monday only to be on my back on Tuesday, Pulled together for a half day on Tuesday. Today I have been working from home. Temperature change in Florida from a warm sunny 78 to a cold 35 has made my foot angry. Hope to be able to go to work in the office tomorrow since, training for new team members requires my appearance.
I don’t think I could of stayed inside more then the week I did. Doing okay expect for the frustration of not being able to drive or to just get up. I have a knee walker which gives some freedom but, cause my knee to be sore. Think it is funny that you are in London. I used to live around Bury St. Edmunds. That is where I met my lovely husband who refuses to go back now that he has been living here in Floirda for eight years with me.
I don’t blame your husband for wanting to stay in Florida!!
Tabbatha,
Sounds like you had quite a lot done to your foot. I had the first metatarsal sawed through as well with two pins in it after repositioning, and my big toe was repositioned and pinned too. But I didn’t get anything else done. No wonder you will be no weightbearing for 6 weeks. I’m amazed you’re back to work. I hope it’s going well and you are not on your feet too much at work, and your training went well.
It is frustrating isn’t it. Hang in there! I hope it’s all going well!
Swirlingleaf (Julia)
I had surgery on 12/21/2010..4 days before Xmas..only time I could do it..had my other foot done in May 2009…straightened out the 2nd toe also…..almost passed out in bathroom..very weak..maybe the combo of surgery, painkillers, etc. Has this happen to anyone else?
Hello Sharon. Hope you’re feeling a bit better now.
One week left in cast! Merry Christmas to all now, mine is in a few days:). I have had good days and bad days. I think heading back to work really did me in. I would be great the first day of the week and then would be worse each day. Recovered on the weekends and started over again. Thank god I work with computers and can do stuff remotely, too. Few times I would do Wednesday at home. Foot is healing well, at least what I see. Big toe started to lift but, docs says this is normal. Once, I start using it, it should go down. I still have the pins and needles feeling on the toe. The second toe is the problem, still purple looking and I can not move it. Feels like dead weight. This has me concerned. Doc was not too worried. Will let you know how things go with the walking cast, boot. Maybe I will find out more on the second toe. Worried about that one.
Thank you Julia for your excellent webpage with great advice for the foot surgery we have chosen to undergo!
To Sharon who posted on your site. I had the same thing on my third day or so. I think it was pain killers and the pain coming through. I had an ankle block given prior to being released to go home, and that lasted about two days before the real pain was felt. Hope your recovery is speedy.
Hi again Tabbatha, only one week to go then before you get your cast off! Great! Count the days! I know what you mean about going back to work, it’s really tough and by the end of the week I felt tired, sore and swollen. I took some annual leave days and working at home days to help me get through. I’m so glad my blog posts have been useful to people who are deciding whether to go through with surgery or those of us who have already taken the plunge! Do keep us updated on how it goes!
And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!
Swirlingleaf (Julia)
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Happy new year! Cast is off! I am in a walking boot up to my knee and only partial weight bearing but I can take the boot off to take a bath and to sleep. The first thing I did was wash the smelly thing. The amount of dead skin gross. My foot looks so small now. Saturday, all the scabs fell off and I started with scar minimizer cream. The scar across the top of the big toe is the largest and section there are the deepest. Was scared when the scab came off but, no blood! New years day, being the second day in the walker with crutches, I tried to much weight and too much pt on the toe. By Saturday night my foot was really hurting took pain pills. Only to awake this morning with pain still, I am assuming, I just was trying to hard to get rid of the crutches.
How were your first few days weight bearing on your foot? Did it hurt? Did you feel like the tendons on top of your foot were burning and stinging?
Thanks for all your help. It helps to chat with someone how has been through something similar.
Hi again! First few days of weight bearing were strange and painful. I was on a flat surgical shoe, so it felt really odd after hobbling round on a wedge shoe for six weeks. But it did feel painful as well, and I think that’s only to be expected. I still had to elevate my foot a lot to keep the swelling and discomfort down. When I started walking again (to and from work) I had bad pains in my tendons around my ankle and the top of my foot. I think the foot gets used to not doing much and then suddenly you are putting weight on it again. If you can, do it gradually. My ankle/foot pain has gone now, so it does get better!! Happy New Year to you!!
Success! I have finally been given the go on wearing tennis shoes. The doc said only to do as much as I can handle and return to boot if painful. I know I have had my great days then a bad day! Frustrating. The scariest was when I was allowed to bear weight in the boot 100 percent. I went to work came home and my scar has like blood under it. I was told sometimes this happens. The swelling was except but, not the trapped blood. When I went to the docs they just took a surgery knife and pop open to drain the bit of blood that was trapped weird. My ankle and knee and very wobbly when I try to walk in tennis shoes. I guess this is like a baby learning to walk. I took your suggestion of the cane to heart and will be using it. Keeps the dogs off the toes too. I have to say thank you for your words of wisdom. It has made my recovery much easier.
Hi again! Must have been scary seeing that blood under the scar. Glad you got it sorted. My ankle was very wobbly too when I started walking, in fact my whole leg felt very weak. You really do have to learn to walk again, because your foot is a different shape and so in a way you need to relearn how to walk. It feels really strange. Excellent that you are now in tennis shoes. It really does feel good to get that shoe on again doesn’t it! Good idea re the cane – keeps dogs and people at bay!! I’m so glad you are making a good recovery, take care, Swirlingleaf (Julia)
I like how you detail.
http://bunionsurgery.wordpress.com
It is a very awesome information. Thanks for sharing. St. Petersburg FL back pain
Hi it’s me again. Julia, did you keep your screws in your foot? My screw is still in and seems to be more prominent now. Not sure why I all of a sudden am feeling this more. I am now four plus months and still have limits. I also end up with pleurisy which spread to my heart lining. They say it could be the screw that caused the infection going back to surgeon at the end of the month and was just curious if you had any problems with the hardware implanted.
Thanks
Tabbatha
Hi Tabbatha, yes my screws are still in place. I have two, one in the metatarsal and one in the toe. I’ve had no problems with them at all. I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties, I hope your surgeon can sort it out quickly for you. Take care, Julia.
Hi! I had surgery on my left foot on January 12, 2011. The doctor had to shorten the first metatarsal so I have a plate holding that bone together and he put the metatarsal back where it is supposed to be. Then he put a hook mechanism on my first toe to pull it back in place. Finally he had to fix the second toe that had been pushed off the joint and became a hammertoe.
My question is this, I have been walking for 6 weeks, 1 1/2 in a normal shoe but I am still limping and despite the doctor telling me that I am healed and can’t screw up my foot, I find that I do not trust my foot or my leg. Any suggestions? I have been attending physical therapy and it has helped but I am tired of limping for no apparent reason.
Hi Hannah, I’m not a doctor, but from my own experience of bunion surgery, I found that it does take quite some time to “trust” your foot again. I started to feel more comfortable and stable about 6 months after surgery, and I had less done than you. So give it time, and ask your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about it. Good luck with your recovery.
I am having bunion surgery next week. I want to return to work asap. I work at a computer and have to get up occasionally. I am a little worried because I don’t want to be off of work long. It is November and we may have some bad weather anytime. I am thinking I made the wrong choice in timing of the surgery for weather possibly.
I’m now 7 weeks after surgery -1 week after coming out of plaster cast and surgical boot. I’ve managed to get into some old shoes but am finding it very painful to walk -it hurts putting weight on the ball of my foot and the whole foot feels unstable and “flabby”. The surgeon was a man of few words who warned me my foot would be swollen for a while but doesn’t expect to see me again. I’d just like to know whether other people have had the same experiences and how long should I expect before things improve – I’m feeling very trapped!
I am so grateful to all of you for this incredibly useful and realistic picture of whats ahead of me. I had a bunion and straightening of the next toe op just a week ago. I have been reading and rereading the post operative advice sheet but it is so general that it doesnt offer any reassurance on whether its normal to be experiencing some v painful sleepess nights. The big lesson I am learning from your experiences is to be patient, dont expect to start doing things to soon, and keep my foot up, no matter how irritating or impatient I get. I had hoped to start working from home 2 weeks post op but I find Im exhausted from hacking around on crutches just getting mysef a cup of tea!. At night my foot feels feels so hot – its got huge bandaging so icing reallly doesnt make any difference. I am taking a bone and nerve supplement plus homeopathic remedy of arnica and symphytum which was really effective with a previous break.
I have to say I am a bit anxious about how long it will take to walk normally again. There seems to be different opinions as to what to wear on the foot. I am not confident that the light postoperative shoe wil protecte my foot from knocks or give any support. Is there any special short air cushioned post operative boot that has worked for any of you?
Hi, sorry for late reply to your comment. I hope you’re getting on well after your surgery a month ago. How did it go? Hopefully you got back to work ok and moving around wasn’t too painful. I’m not sure where you’re based, but hope the weather behaved itself as well! Best wishes, Julia.
Hello Sue. How are things now after your surgery? I hope you’ve had some improvement and you’re feeling more comfortable and less trapped. Best wishes, Julia.
Hi Mary, How are you doing now? I hope you’re experiencing improvement and finding it less uncomfortable to move around. Personally I stayed in my post-op boot while I was still at home. I managed to get my foot in a wide shoe by the time I went back to work, and then changed back into the boot when I was at work. Fortunately, my job is mainly sitting down. I think I wrote about wide shoes in one of the posts. Hope it’s going well for you, best wishes, Julia.
Hi Julia
Thanks for your kind comments. Unfortunately things have not gone too well. It’s now three months since surgery -a pretty invasive lapidus procedure I’ve since found out. I’m limping around painfully still and just before Christmas the foot got even redder, hotter and more painful; I managed to get to my GP who put me on a week’s antibiotics which I’ve jus finished. So yesterday I bowled up to the clinic and waited two hours to see my consultant and told him I wasn’t happy -my foot isn’t straight, my hammer toe(which he said would right itself) has got worse and I now have a bulge on the top of my foot which he says is the plate protruding. X-rays apparently show that all is well so the only thing he can suggest to ease the pain is to remove the plate, which he says now serves no useful purpose and may be causing the problems. This means more surgery and recovery time, so I don’t know what to do…. Any one else had problems like this?
Sue
Oh dear, I hope you’re feeling more comfortable now and can get this sorted out soon.
Hi,
I had my right foot bunion surgery done Nov 30th, 2011 so I am just past 2 weeks. I will say that the surgery went smoothly, havent had much pain but I am getting frustrated with not being comfortable sleeping and not being able to go go go like normal. I was just told that I could start walking on it and received my surgical shoe. I think a lot of it is fear of walking on it. It seems easier to walk on it with the shoe versus the boot. My fear is learning to walk on the shoe then having to return to work in the boot. Its two totally different feelings and elevations. I am getting nervous that I will get dependant on my crutches. Any advice on starting out in walking again? I had my 2nd bandage change on Thursday, he said it looked great, no blood on the bandage either time but my poor toes were bruised this time..I tried putting full pressure on my foot yesterday and it started to swell.. Getting frustrated, so any advice would be fantastic. I was excited to find your blog. You were dead on with everything I am going thru.
Angee
The information you have all posted is very helpful and encouraging. I am on the list to have bunion surgery on both feet. i have talked to one lady who had it done and would never do it again so all your comments here encourage me. Has anyone gone through double surgery? I live in Quebec and my doctor said this is what they do. I was told it will take about three months before I can walk (properly). I imagine I will need a walker.
If anyone has any advice for me or who has had same experience I would welcome hearing it.
Johanna
If you are 98 lbs and 5′ tall you may be able to get away with double surgery…with help from big, strong people to assist you in and out of bed…to the lav… and help feed you and manage your meds. It is very painful and you will not be able to stand or put wieght on either foot. My dr wouldn’t do both… he said,” you live on the 17th floor… what if you were alone and there was a fire… you wouldn’t make it down the stairs… I would strongly advise against it. I am hesitating having my second foot done because of the pain and bedrest needed. I hope I will have forgotten some of the first 3 weeks after surgery so I will be able to go through with the next surgery…maybe next year…
Good luck!
Susan
Thanks for the advice, Susan.
I am moving my bed into my dining room which is on the main floor and central to everything I’ll need. I am counting on my husband for huge support. A friend is loaning me her walker. When I went for the pre-tests the nurse who counselled us said that my doctor obviously thought my bunions were not too large nor complicated to have decided to do both feet. It will be any time soon. I shall keep you posted as to how I am doing, as soon as I can climb stairs again, that is.
Johanna
I had both bunions done on the 7th december 2011, they were severe and the consultant said that he would only do one but I persuaded him to do both together. I wanted only one recovery period. I used a zimmer frame for the first 2 days and after that crutches. I had one plaster off after 4 weeks and the other 6 weeks. I haven’t used crutches since about 3 weeks post op. I am now 8 weeks post op and am walking reasonably well but slow. I was told walking was my physio. I still have swelling and can’t get my normal shoes on but I bought a pair of extra wide fitting with a low opening and velcro. I have gradually increased my walking and I started driving short distances. I would advise having both done together if you get that option but be prepared to lie with your feet up as much as possible. My consultant told me “to be patient”
Most helpful and very encouraging, Alison! Thank you. Do you think you’ll be able to wear your shoes (pre op) ever again?
Am still waiting for the call for the big day!
Johanna
Hopefully I will but I was told that it can take 6months to a year for swelling to completely go. I was able to go upstairs from day 1, used the bannister and one crutch. Good luck with your surgery and hope you haven’t to wait too long. It was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be so hope it will be the same for you.
Hi,
I am still having a ton of swelling but havent had any actual pain per say since day one. Surgery and recovery werent as bad as I thought it would be but the waiting and being patient is the worst! Good luck everyone with your recoveries!
I had my surgery Dec 30th. I was in a boot up until last Thurs and my Dr finally put me into a tennis shoe. Warning It will hurt the 1st time. I was shocked how badly it hurt but if you take your time and wiggle your foot in its less painful
Has anyone heard from Sue Mullen? How is Sue?
I am still on the waiting list. i am a big walker and sincerely hope that eventually I’ll be able to resume after surgery. I do have fears about the outcome,
Hi,
I had surgery 5 weeks ago today and it took me till week 3 to really get to walking. I wore a tennis shoe to work today for the 1st time and I am slow but getting there, Has anyone that has had surgery had issues with walking on the side of their foot? Its mostly when I am barefoot that I am doing this?
I find it very reassuring that you were able to start to walk at week 3 post surgery. I am waiting to have both bunions operated and the surgeon told me not to expect to walk much before three months. I have found these comments posted here very helpful.
You are brave to get both done at the same time but I think that is prob a great idea, because right now I am still recovering and at this point and time do not want to get my left one done. Maybe in a few years! Walking was scary I wont lie. I think once i actually heard the words your bones have fused together I was less nervous to start walking. I think the tennis shoe is a lot easier to walk in versus the boot but I felt more protected in the boot. I dont have any complaints other than just being patient (which I am not) and not being able to work out. I did a lot of ab and arm work outs and did kickboxing sitting down (skipping kicking) just to keep moving. I wish you a well and fast recovery!
Thank you for the extra tips regarding workouts. That has been a silent concern of mine too, so i will re read your comments frequently! I had originally thought I was going in for only one surgery, however it was the doctor who told me he would do both at the same time. I must say, i was kind of shocked at first, but now I’m looking forward to it being behind me. With these insights from so many people who have gone through this surgery I feel much more confident knowing what to expect.
Many thanks to all!
Yes Angela I walk on the side of one of my feet, I really have to remind myself to put my heel down first and walk through my toes.
I also do a lot of walking Johanna and today I went out with my walking friend for the first time since the operation and we walked, not very quickly, but for a good distance. So don’t worry about walking you will be back walking in no time.
The input from all of you from your experiences with this is such a therapy. Walking is very important to me. I have a big dog, and we walk a lot together.
I’m now just over 4 months since surgery and am walking a lot more -it’s still somewhat painful but Im learning to grit my teeth and get on with it. I’m sticking to looseley laced flat shoes -no hope of boots yet! i’m still waiting to have my metal plate removed -it makes a big protruberence on the top of my foot and i’m convinced this is responsible for a lot of my discomfort.
By the way, I’d really think carefully about this op if you have any kind of back/hip problem. Since the whole business of plaster and heel boot on my right foot my left lower back and sciatic nerve have become much worse and are now ironically giving me more trouble walking than the right foot itself.
I’m just hoping that in a couple of months I’ll have had my plate removed, a pain injection in my spine and I’ll be signing up for Ramblers’ walks again!
Sue
HAVE BOTH OF MINE DONE ON THE 13TH FEBRUARY. YOU’LL INSPIRING
All the best to you, Sunflower for Feb. 13!
I just found out from a friend who had both her feet done (separately), that she was given a fossa block when she left the hospital – I think for 24 hours. She said she experienced very little pain in this way.
Good luck with your op. It is not as bad as you would imagine it will be. I had no pain at all until plasters came off and then I had discomfort on my ankles.
i’m waiting for bunion surgery. i live alone and i’m worried about coping afterwards. very frightened of operation, will be having general anaesthetic.
I had my bunion surgery a week ago today. I’m feeling alright but my toes keep twitching. Has anyone else ever had this happen? My foot really isn’t in pain its just more of an annoying feeling than anything. My doctor told me 6 weeks before I’m able to do anything and at 20 years old, its not an easy task. Does anyone have any advice? Also, I’m trying to do some light flexing/rotating of my foot to keep some strength up and I can only move my foot from side to side a few times but I can’t move it up or down? Any specific reason why? It’s starting to make me a little nervous and i don’t really know what to think. Any advice would be awesome right now!
Shayna: I had my right foot done and today is week 6. My toe kept twitching as well and I would freak out every time it did it. Its just nerves from where you arent using it. It will pass! I was told no cardio or working out till week 6 as well but once I started feeling better I did a lot of upper body and ab workouts sitting down. Keep in mind your foot may start to swell a little and that is normal according to my Dr. I just did what I could until it would swell and then I quit. I did light yoga and did mostly sitting stuff nothing on my feet. I like you could not just sit still and I think that is the hardest part of the whole thing! I was worried about gaining weight and I actually lost weight! Just cut out carbs and upped my protein (protein shakes, eggs and cottage cheese, english muffin w/peanut butter). My ankle got super weak as well and I had trouble moving it up and down the 2nd week after getting to put any weight on it. Keep working it, it will come back. Mine still shakes sometimes when I hold it up. I lost the muscle in my calf and it was all jiggly so expect that next. No worries it comes back as soon as you start walking on it. Just be patient. It will all be worth it before you know it! This blog was great and got me thru a lot. Hope you have a good and speedy recovery!
Had 2 neuromas removed and bunion surgery on the right foot, the same day on December 7th. It still hurts to drive and my foot is still swollen. It is tender to the touch and am still in a walking boot. If I wear sneakers and try to walk I pay for it at night when the pain kicks in. I did the surgery with the hopes I could jog/walk again 3 miles a day. I havent had such luck and hope that I can make a full recovery. I was told it could take 8 – 10 weeks to get into a normal shoe and do limited/normal activities. Hasanyone recovered fully and is able to function better after the surgery? Thanks, Erika (Florida)
I still can’t get into shoes, I am wearing extra wide fit that open low, had surgery on 7th Dec. My feet are still swollen and stiff. I walk slowly but am increasing the distance each day. I use ice packs after I have been walking and I find they do help. It is very hard to be patient, when recovery takes a long time but I was told that it could take 6- 12 months for the swelling to go completely.
Everyone on this blog seems to have had similar issues which is very reassuring.
I had bunion surgery dec 30th. Took longer than he initially told me it woukd take to walk. He said I’d be walking by week2 and it took me almost till week 4 to walk w/out crutches. I still have swelling when I walk or do a lot. I am now in tennis shoes but I had to go up a size just to get my swollen foot to fit and keep laces loose. I am still having issues walking on the side of my foot, esp when barefoot and afraid I am going to hurt my ankle. Any suggestions from anyone that had this issue? Just be patient and take it day by day. I know its hard. I was a runner and am a personal trainer part time so its been hard to not do things I used to do but I know it will all be back to normal soon. My Dr. Said it could take up to a year as well for swelling. Good luck and happy recovery!