Back to work – post bunion surgery: part 7
November 27, 2010 18 Comments
I’m back into the swing of work now. I went back just over a week ago (8 weeks after surgery). I live in London, UK and my journey involves a fairly lengthy commute from Essex into central London, taking the tube and/or train to get there.
I am fortunate in that I could fit my swollen foot into my Websters shoes (made with a wider fit), and I took my flat surgical shoe with me in my rucksack so I could put it on if my foot got too tight and uncomfortable during the day.
My first day at work was a Thursday, so I had two days at work, and then a recovery period at the weekend. I’ve also arranged to do four day weeks, using up annual leave, to take the strain off as well. When I get to work I can sit down all day so that makes it easier.
I still walk with a limp because of the big toe stiffness, but this is gradually getting better with toe exercises and by making myself push lightly off the toe when I walk, even though it is sore, because this is how it will become looser and more flexible with time.
My foot still gets swollen and sore, but it is manageable with paracetemol and ibuprofen. The wound is looking good, having fully healed up. My last stitch came out on the day that I went back to work. I now use Bio-Oil to rub into the scar to soften it and to deal with the few remaining patches of dry, hard skin from wearing the bandage for 6 weeks.
A couple of days ago I developed a sore ankle. I think this has happened because I am walking in a slightly awkward way in order to avoid the toe pain. I think this compensation has caused a strain on my tendons. Also my foot, ankle and leg lost muscle tone during the weeks of sitting and lying around (when I couldn’t do any weight bearing) and so walking again is hard at first because this muscle has to be developed again. I find it particularly tricky when walking on uneven surfaces, because the muscles in the foot and ankle not yet strong enough to do the job of supporting me, and so my tendons are probably trying to do the work instead, and have become a bit strained. I wear an ankle support to help me with this. It is pretty sore at the moment, so I’m hoping my weekend rest will calm it down a bit.
I still walk with a stick, but not because I really need to, but because I want to signal to my fellow passengers that I’m not steady on my feet and so not to bump into me or push me.
Today I got my foot into my Merrells which I haven’t worn since before the surgery. AND I stood on tip toe for the first time too! I was on tip toe and had my hand very lightly against the wall, more for balance than anything, but I could do it! I still have less upward movement in the big toe than I did before surgery, but this is improving little by little. I can also move the toe down, and scrunch it very slightly. So more movement is coming back. It’s not without pain. Yesterday I was waiting on a cold platform for the train and it really set off my pain. My big toe joint was throbbing most of the day. This morning it is quite comfortable and I haven’t taken any painkillers. Normally, on a work day, I will get up early and have my porridge, and then take the ibuprofen and paracetemol straight away after eating, so they have time to kick in before I have to walk to the station.
It’s been snowing in the UK, even thought it’s still only November. Thankfully I haven’t had any snow where I live but it has made me a bit worried about what footwear I will be able to get on should it snow. So I’ve been surfing the web in the search of a suitably roomy boot. I may have discovered one. I’ve ordered a pair of Karrimor Women’s Mount Mid L Weathertite Hiking Shoes. The comments on Amazon UK suggest they are a wider fit than normal, so fingers crossed. I’m still waiting for the delivery, and I’ll post the outcome!
Update 29th November 2010: Re: Karrimor Women’s Mount Mid L Weathertite Hiking Shoes. These boots were a great success!! I’ve worn them for a trial walk in the park, and they are so comfortable. I had two pairs of socks on, and they are warm and sturdy, and come up round my ankles giving good firm, support. They are manufactured a little on the wide side, but I think this might be because they expect you to wear thick socks with them. And in my case, they are perfect because my right foot is still swollen and wider and needs more room.
Hi, your post is very informative. I had a scarf and akin procedure on 18th November, so am nearly 3 weeks post op. My wound is still very sore, did you have that too? I find this more uncomfortable than the initial bone pain immediately post op. I find it very difficult to move the big toe up and down without doing it manually even though the surgeon says i should be doing exercises. Wen were you able to start moving the toe?
Alison
Hi Alison, yes I did have a sore wound 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Also I couldn’t move my big toe up and down at all. When I got to 3 weeks, I had my bandage changed and was then told to do range of motion exercises (hold the toe with your fingers and move it up and down as much as you can tolerate). It remained very stiff for quite some time afterwards. I couldn’t really move my toe much at all (on its own) until the bandages came off about 6 weeks. I was a bit anxious about this, but it is working out fine now. I can move my toe up and down now (although my up movement is not as flexible as before the surgery) and can even “scrunch” the toe now that the swelling has gone down considerably. My surgery was on 25 Sept, so I would say it does take quite a while to get the movement back in your toe, so don’t worry about it, but DO keep doing the range of motion exercises as this will help you get the movement back. I hope it all goes really well, best wishes, Swirlingleaf (Julia)
I too found your post very informative, you answered a lot of my questions thankyou.I was beginning to think I was being a wimp but i am glad to know i`m not, ive realised it will take time. I had my op. 7 weeks ago and am still experiencing some pain especially if i have been on my feet too long although i try not to do too much as like you said, my toe is also very stiff and still quite numb in places, did you also have numbness and if so has the feeling come back? Thank you for the advice with regard to walking shoes as this has been a concern for me also.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl. Glad you found my post helpful. No, you’re not a wimp – it does take time to heal. I did get numbness in my big toe, in fact I still have a little bit of numbness down the side of it. The surgeon did warn me about this before the surgery, so I’m not surprise, and it doesn’t cause me any problems at all. I found the feeling has come back but so far not entirely. I know that the incision interferes with the nerves along the side of the foot so that is why you get numbness and pins & needles. Hope you find some good shoes too. This is a worry after surgery, but it does work itself out. Best of luck, Swirlingleaf (Julia)
Glad i stumbled on this!
I’m 6½ weeks post op, came back to work this week but just on shorter days for now. I only had bandages on for the first 2 weeks then my stitches out and back into trainers. I’m still in my trainers now and have been told i will be until mid January. My scar has healed nicely and in some parts it’s knitted back together so well you can’t even see it! I too have some numbness in my toe still, unsure if this will always be the case now or if it will eventually return to full feeling? My toe is still a little stiff and does still ache. I was severely hindered by all the snow we had recently and was housebound instead of getting out to walk even to the shop at the end of my street as i intended in order to get a little excercise to it! I too still walk with a limp and i can’t walk as fast as i could previously yet. My foot also still swells up and the frozen Brussell Sprouts are coming in really handy!! There is still some visible bruising, although it is fading but i’m sure there’s still lots more bruising inside that i can’t see – especially where the screws have been put in. I am quietly confident things will improve and when i go back for a check up in May 2011 i know if they’re happy and i am too then they’ll be booking me in for my right foot doing next!
It sounds like you’re doing amazingly well! Congratulations!
I saw that you were wondering how people cope with bilateral surgery. Well, I can tell you? It’s not too bad in some ways but really tough in others. I had a scarf osteotomy on my right foot and a chevron/akin on my left three weeks ago. The hospital didn’t provide me with the special boot because they had run out (?!!) so they lumped me with a cast shoe despite me having soft bandages like yours. I got worried they were damaging my feet so after a few attempts, I gave up and spent two and a half weeks mainly shuffling on my bottom to get to the bathroom etc. My mum came to London to care for me for a week and a half so that helped a lot. But since I’ve been on my own again I’ve been finding it tough to do things for myself without pain. Having said that, I would have expected a great deal more pain than I’ve had.
At two weeks the nurses took my bandages off and just put thin dressings on. They came off today and I’m feeling rather strange with my stitches sort of showing. Dissolvables, like yours. I’d rather have little sticky dressings back on but the nurse at the GP couldn’t find any. It’s enough to make me weep, no shoes, no dressings. Actually, I bought my own post surgery shoes which arrived yesterday and they make a big difference to essential walking.
I spend a lot of time with my feet up and just still do minimal walking. I think I’m getting along ok, I am just terrified that I’ve been on my feet too much, despite really limiting things.
All in all, I think that it’s not too bad. But I don’t feel like I was supported enough after-care wise so that’s given me more anxiety than I should have had. I’m very positive and hopeful and am looking forward to seeing how I’m doing in 3 more weeks time. Sorry for the super long comment!!
Hi Karen, Hope you are continuing to get on well. Not sure about the numbness question. My consultant said that there may be some residual numbness after the op, so I took that to mean that it might be permanent. But it’s only very slight and not really a problem at all. The snow has been a real problem hasn’t it. It’s such a pain as we don’t normally get much snow in London. I’m not sure exactly where you are, I’m guessing you are in the UK. My foot still swells a bit sometimes too, and I’m nearly three months post op now. I elevate if i have to, and get the frozen peas out, but it’s not required very much these days! You are so brave to even consider getting the other foot done! I’m lucky, I only had a bunion on my right foot, my left foot is fine so I don’t have to make the decision about whether to get the other one done. Hope you have a happy Christmas and get to rest over the festive period
– Swirlingleaf (Julia)
Hello Sinclair27! Thanks for the congrats! So you had bilateral surgery – wow! Impressed! I’m amazed you had to get your own boot though. That’s rough. It’s better to do what’s best for your feet though, rather than struggling through. I didn’t feel that I have had very good support in the follow up period either. Just a couple of follow up appointments which were mainly for wound care and bandage changing, but very little advice on how much to walk and what exercises to do. I’ve had considerable amount of ankle pain since returning to work. I think I must be walking in a slightly funny way and it must be aggravating my tendons. Also, I guess your foot/feet get weak if they are not moving around so you need to build them up again. I hope you get to rest and elevate during the festive period – happy Christmas
– Swirlingleaf (Julia)
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So glad I found all your comments. I am 7 weeks post second bunion/hammertoe operation, hav ing had the first one done in August 2010. This second one is behaving slightly differently in so far as the discomfort (no, pain is the word I am looking for !) is worse. By this time with the first one I was back at my job as a shop worker (only 1 day per week as I am a pensioner) and remaining on my feet all day with little problem. However, I can’t see myself getting back to work in the near future because my foot swells a lot, and I am unable to stand on it for long. Trying to restart walking around the block this week, but I’m almost in tears when I get back home. Must persevere though….. Have stopped taking Ibuprofen but think I might take some just so that I can continue with the walking. Lovely to read everyones comments as sometimes you think you are on your own in this, and then realise that we all have the same problems. Glad I only have two feet as I don’t think I could face having this done a third time !!!
Hi Jenny, I hope you are feeling a bit better now and your walking is more comfortable. I find it interesting that you have had two bunion ops and that you’ve had different experiences with each one. I have had one, and fortunately, my other foot is fine so I won’t have to go through it again. It is a long haul to get yourself back to walking comfortably. Fingers crossed that the ibuprofen will help you as it gets better, Swirlingleaf (Julia)
Hi everyone – again, after writing almost 4 weeks ago, I have been (today) to see the Physiotherapist at my hospital. Despite having done all the suggested exercises the range of movement and discomfort seemed to change little, so they suggested I visit them in their department. They gave me some more simple (but rather challenging) exercises which I hope will improve things. One little suggestion I might make to anyone who might be interested is, instead of using frozen peas or the like as an icepack, I had the bright idea of putting my foot inside the Vacuvin Rapid Ice sleeve which we keep in the freezer to chill white wine. It works brilliantly and can be washed easily afterwards. I found it more comfortable to use a sock on the foot at the same time to prevent any burning. My husband also massages my foot with a Novosonic machine which certainly feels as if it doing some good. I live in hope that soon I will be able to walk “normally” especially as I am on holiday from Friday next week and look forward to some Winter sun. I think I need it after this “longhaul” !! Good luck to all fellow post-ops……..
Very informative.
http://bunionsurgery.wordpress.com
Hi Jenny, good tip about the Vacuvin Rapid Ice sleeve.
Very Interesting thanks for sharing.
I am exactly 6 weeks post bilateral and agree with a few of you who said the post operative care was poor. I was not given any information about exercises after my 2 week bandage change appointment. I just went for my 6 week appointment and the doctor said “I hope you’ve been doing your exercises as they’re very important” Obviously I told her it was the first I’d heard of it! The Dr then gave me approximately 90 seconds of her time and promptly sent me on my way saying “no running”
I have no idea how far the toe should go back and forward normally but currently mines about 30 degrees. Does this sound about right? What should I be aiming for?
Thanks for all the info and hope everyone is well and truly running by now!
Yes I think that sounds about right. I got a bit anxious about the movement in my toe after my surgery, but it does seem to work itself out if you keep it moving. Don’t force it. I’m sorry your post-op advice was poor. I don’t know why they don’t just produce a leaflet to give to you afterwards, then they won’t have to keep saying it (or not saying it!). Good luck with the exercises Sunny!
Hiya everyone I am post 7 weeks bilateral surgery I too was not given any instructions to exercise after 2 weeks. Just been back to see my consultant and took me off the surgical shoes, had to go straight to the shoe shop took an hour to find shoes that I could get on changed from a size 4 to 6 amazingly. I am going back to work in 2 weeks very scared has I have to drive there (30 miles away) and I am on my feet all day working in a warehouse and still walking like a duck in flippers very slowly. Going to physio session next week hope to improve with excercise.
Hi Kay! You’re brave doing bilateral surgery. I hope it’s going well. Good that you found a pair of shoes to fit you. Take it steady, you’ll get there. When I had my surgery, I wondered if I’d ever get my foot into a shoe every again, but of course you do, in time. It’s over a year ago for me now, and I’m walking along as if nothing every happened – apart from having a stiffer toe than I had before. Best of luck, and take it easy before you go back to work. Julia.