I had a bunionectomy and joint fusion 2 weeks ago, and will be in a non-weight bearing cast for a total of 6 weeks. I am very anxious to return to my previous level of activity....running, tennis, etc. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of flexibility, pain and endurance afterwards? I am tired already of sitting around getting flabby, and wow, has my calf muscle atrophied!

Hello

Well it has been almost 4 weeks since I have had the bunionectomy. I am not aloud to run on the tred mill for at least 3 weeks. My doctor recommended I didnt run because he it tends to make the foot swell more.
In 2 more weeks I am aloud to put weight on my foot but not any heavy exercises. In the mean time I do about 100 situps a day and lift weights for my arms 2 times a week. My leg also atrophied but but just flexing my foot everyday it made my leg go back to normal, well more so than before.

dutchpup,

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post-op bilateral bunionectomy, bilateral excision Morton's neuroma and bilateral gastroc recession. I was quizzing my doctor in the recovery room immediately following surgery about my return to exercise. (I'm a long distance runner and in pretty good shape, I ran a 50 mile race two weeks before my surgery.) I didn't have a hard cast, but was bandaged from the knee down, walking boots and crutches. He told me I could go to the fitness center and do "upper body work only" as soon as the Monday following surgery, but not to over do it. I did that every other day until my first post-op visit last Monday. He told me then that I can start using the recumbent cycle, as long as I don't put any pressure on my forefoot - heel and mid-foot only. I've done that maybe four times now, 20-25 minutes per session. I hope to be up-and-running "easy" by January 1 (I have four 100 mile races scheduled for 2004). I'm being careful to not over do it. When I get tired, I head for the couch where I probably spend the majority of my day.

My main problem, pre-surgery was that I couldn't run more than 10 miles or so without having severe forefoot pain. The pain was caused by several factors, mainly neuromas, which were caused by bunions, tight calf muscles and poor foot plant. I could have elected to stop running and could have avoided surgery altogether, but that's not me . . .

Good Luck

I had a bunion and nerve tumor removed from my foot on 5/20. Before you can get back to your favorite exercises, I recommend you focus first on foot exercises. Here are some I did at home and others that were done at physical therapy. I did pt 8 weeks after surgery. Highly recommend pt.

I went to physical therapy for a bunion and nerve turmor removal from right foot and for a heel spur in the left foot.
Exercises given to do at home:
1. contrast bath (to reduce swelling)
put foot in ice cold water (yes, it must have ice in it!) for 30 seconds. then put it in lukewarm water for 1 minute (not too hot or it will feel like frostbite)
repeat three times ending with the ice water. wrap tightly (not too tight) in ace bandage.
2. bend toe back and forward as far as you can while still not experiencing pain.
3. Use towel to pull foot toward you (place towel at the top of arch). Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Do 3 times per day.
4. Lean against wall with leg extended behind you (like a runner's warmup stance) and push down on heel. Hold for 30 sec and repeat 3 x on each foot.
What they did at therapy:
1. ionto treatments - consist of anti-inflamatory meds patched and electronically pulsed directly into the sore/swollen area. used for both bunion area and heel spur.
2. lots of streches. really pushed toe back and forward. cross-friction massage on scar to reduce tissue buildup.
3. ultrasound on scar only.
4. towel scrunches - place towel on board (or floor) and time for 2 minutes to scrunch toes on towel and try to bunch the towel up.

what is a cross friction massage for scar?

what is a cross friction massage for scar?
It is massaging the scar across the length of the scar and not down the length.

Sawbuck,

I am in pT after bunion surgery on 9-15-03. My PT has recommended all of the same things that you have listed. I have developed a heel spur in the last couple of weeks- actually I got it the first day I put weight on it. At what point did you decide to get surgery for your heal spur? My spur is on the same foot that was operated on. I'd like it better so that I can get my other foot operated on. The PT says I have to start putting weight on the front of my foot gradually to get weight off my hea. I'm trying.

Supermom, I had a bunion and a nerve tumor removed on my right foot. Although I do have heel spurs in both heels as xrays showed prior to surgery. The only heel that bothered me was my left foot. The left foot was bothering me because I was overcompensating with it due to my bunion. I am thinking about surgery now for the heel spur. Had one cortisone shot in it when I was out for the bunion surgery (yea, I didn't have to feel that pain!). Go back to the doctor in a couple weeks and we'll discuss my options. Been on anti-inflammatory's for a while to reduce the swelling of the tendon. My right heel spur is still quiet .... shhhh don't want it to be disturbed!