carolcrone
02-16-2004, 05:37 PM
I went to the doc today, an unscheduled visit, because I'd been having so much pain 8 weeks after my bunionectomy. According to him, the intense big toe joint pain, the sprained ankle feel, and the enlarged bruise at the base of my little toe are all caused by swelling of the foot. Fortunately x-rays showed that the ankle is OK, the big toe joint is still aligned, and no bunion is coming back. When my foot starts swelling (lately this starts happening mid-morning), the big toe joint is so swollen on the bottom that when I walk (or hobble), my weight is thrown outside onto that poor little toe joint, causing my ankle tendons to stress. Has anybody else had this problem & what did you do about it? It seems bending my toe with the exercises he gave me just makes the swelling worse, but I'm afraid it will totally seize up if I quit exercising it. I'm going to try the bextra he gave me to reduce swelling. I already keep the foot up & iced when I'm not at work. Also I now have to wear a toe splint when I'm sleeping, as the big toe has leaned back over again. He also said barefoot walking, even to the bathroom is out, as is wearing my birkenstocks. Lace up shoes are the only ones I can wear (why didn't he tell me this 3 weeks ago!).
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Lasoniamacaroni
02-16-2004, 06:54 PM
Hi! I had everything you just mentioned to a tee. I would check with your doctor first, but I did my alphabets with my foot. This will help get the ankle back into shape. This was a lifesaver. I was literally dragging my foot because my ankle was so swollen and didn't move. It is a horrible feeling. Are you planning on going to physical therapy. I thought it was a waste of time myself until I went and saw the results. It's amazing what those dumb little exercises they have you do does for mobility and swelling. Good luck and keep me posted.
twobadfeet
02-16-2004, 09:53 PM
Um--I hate to sound dumb, but how do you do your alphabets with your foot? I'm open to anything at this point that will strengthen my toes and ankle.
twobadfeet
twobadfeet
Lasoniamacaroni
02-17-2004, 09:18 AM
You pretend you are writing each letter out with your foot, as if you had ink on your toes.
twobadfeet
02-17-2004, 12:10 PM
You pretend you are writing each letter out with your foot, as if you had ink on your toes.
O.k., I tried it--ouch! I assume I was supposed to draw the letters with my toe on the floor. Is it supposed to hurt? Does it hurt you? Did your doctor tell you specifically what it will do for you? (Whenever I have to do something painful or difficult, I get through it be reminding myself that I'm doing something good for my body; it helps to focus on the good that will come from it.) Thanks.
twobadfeet
O.k., I tried it--ouch! I assume I was supposed to draw the letters with my toe on the floor. Is it supposed to hurt? Does it hurt you? Did your doctor tell you specifically what it will do for you? (Whenever I have to do something painful or difficult, I get through it be reminding myself that I'm doing something good for my body; it helps to focus on the good that will come from it.) Thanks.
twobadfeet
EMG
02-17-2004, 01:57 PM
I haven't had my surgery yet, but I did the foot alphbet when I had a sprained ankle. With my foot proped up, just write in the air, 'cursive', like one continuos word.
carolcrone
02-17-2004, 02:48 PM
OK, I had to laugh when I read this suggestion, but it does make my ankle feel better. I tried it without my shoe on (the shoe is too cumbersome to get good write-in-the-air motion). People in the office think I'm crazy. Now if this swelling would just go down.
twobadfeet
02-17-2004, 03:38 PM
It's a lot less painful in the air than on the floor--thanks! I guess it pays to check our our assumptions.
twobadfeet
twobadfeet
Lasoniamacaroni
02-17-2004, 09:28 PM
You draw in the air. It is supposed to loosen up the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your ankle.
carolcrone
02-18-2004, 12:59 PM
Just wanted to say that I've only been taking the Bextra 2 days & already the swelling isn't so bad. I'm wearing my own New Balance shoe today instead of the big men's shoe. It's only a little tight. Before, I couldn't even get it on. Getting ready to strip it off, massage with Mederma, do toe bending exercises & alphabet writing. Heck, maybe I'll even go for a walk down Main St!