Hi all,
I will be 8 weeks post op this Wednesday from right foot bunionectomy. I'm getting pretty discouraged at this point. I've been in a shoe for about two weeks, but am still limping & in pain when I walk. There are times, although not many, that I can move around pretty good without pain &/or favoring my foot, but most of the time, I am still "GIMPY1"!! I really thought by now that I would/should be alot better. When I read here about those of who who've had double bunionectomies wearing heels already, I just couldn't even imagine. I'm in a shoe about 1 size larger than normal & that's it--there's no way I could wear anything else without being in alot of pain. I would like to think it's age & that you youngsters (I'm 41) just healed up faster, but my mom had two of these surgeries done last year & she can't believe I'm still limping about. Am I being unrealistic?? I see my doc tomorrow & will be asking him about this, but am curious as to how the rest of you were/are at about 8 weeks. I'm ready to be able to do things like shop, extensive house cleaning, etc. & am not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel at this point. I can drive now, but it doesn't do me alot of good if the destination will involve walking, cuz I still can't for any distance!!

Also, while I'm whining---I've found that I can make myself walk more normally (without limping) for a short distance, but then I have major pain throughout my foot that tells me to stop! I then go back to not putting all of my weight on it & limping again. I guess what I'm really wondering is, is everyone else walking normally at this point (8 weeks post-op)??

Sorry to ramble on & thanks for reading this far.

Gimpy1

I am 8 weeks post op as well and I still have limitations in walking (I am very slow - this is terrible as my usual pace is at a racewalk, now my mother can even walk faster than me; I still slightly favor the foot still, maybe out of habit that I am trying to get out of as I think that the foot will not heal well if you don't put a little weight on it) and it is especially difficult going down steep stairs. And my foot gets a little achy if I walk on it for a while. But it is getting very slightly better little by little.

I hope you are eating okay and getting enough calcium and protein to build up your bones and muscles, and doing some leg strengthening exercises and stretches to prevent atrophy and muscle weakness, as well as the rest of you (right now I am into yogilates, I really recommend that as there are many nonstanding exercises in it)

Hang in there, progress will be in inches not yards at this point, and sooner than you think, you will be skipping about in the spring!

Don't get discouraged!! Even though I wore heels last night, let me tell you....I sure wasn't walking very gracefully in them! The only time I walk even close to normal is when I am wearing my tennis shoes, and even then the incision area gets sore so I start slowing down in those too! The doctor has told me I can wear whatever type of shoes I want at this point...although I can't fit into any of my regular shoes yet. I have bought a few pair that are a size and a half larger than I normally wear! I probably shouldn't have worn heels last night. My feet are probably nowhere near being healed enough for the heels, and I am sure that's why I was so swollen last night and sore today! What procedure did your doctor do, I had the austin bunionectomy with permanent screws. (2 in each foot) I think it seems to take less time to heal when the screws are used versus the pins??? Please let us all know how your doctors appointment goes and what all he has to say! Take care of yourself and keep your chin up! I am still a long way from being completely healed too!! Mandy

Hi all,
I will be 8 weeks post op this Wednesday from right foot bunionectomy. I'm getting pretty discouraged at this point. I've been in a shoe for about two weeks, but am still limping & in pain when I walk. There are times, although not many, that I can move around pretty good without pain &/or favoring my foot, but most of the time, I am still "GIMPY1"!! I really thought by now that I would/should be alot better. When I read here about those of who who've had double bunionectomies wearing heels already, I just couldn't even imagine. I'm in a shoe about 1 size larger than normal & that's it--there's no way I could wear anything else without being in alot of pain. I would like to think it's age & that you youngsters (I'm 41) just healed up faster, but my mom had two of these surgeries done last year & she can't believe I'm still limping about. Am I being unrealistic?? I see my doc tomorrow & will be asking him about this, but am curious as to how the rest of you were/are at about 8 weeks. I'm ready to be able to do things like shop, extensive house cleaning, etc. & am not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel at this point. I can drive now, but it doesn't do me alot of good if the destination will involve walking, cuz I still can't for any distance!!

Also, while I'm whining---I've found that I can make myself walk more normally (without limping) for a short distance, but then I have major pain throughout my foot that tells me to stop! I then go back to not putting all of my weight on it & limping again. I guess what I'm really wondering is, is everyone else walking normally at this point (8 weeks post-op)??

Sorry to ramble on & thanks for reading this far.

Gimpy1
I second Sweetficus and Rileyroe. Don't get discouraged--you're almost there! My surgery was in late November, making me a little more than 3 months and I am here to tell you you're likely to feel much better in another month. Only in the last week has my gait started looking totally normal--especially when my foot is rested. The really good news is that at 3 months (not 5 or 6, as I was told), I'm waking up in the morning to minimal swelling and the pain from the stiffness diminishes greatly with each week that passes. This has nothing to do with age--I'm 55, so you don't have to be a youngster to recover well from this surgery. My bones healed almost immediately and the rest has been a matter of doing the exercises and breaking up the scar tissue. Because I still have scar tissue in there, my foot is not as flexible as it was and when I flex a lot I still have minor pain. I guess the bottom line is, as my doctor told me, the progress at this stage is measured week-by-week not day-by-day, and if you continue working at it hopefully you'll notice a real difference at about 3 months. If you need specifics about what you can do at this stage, just ask. Hang in there.

twobadfeet

I'm at 9 weeks, and I definitely limp along. The yard work I did over the weekend about did my poor foot in. It feels like a stone bruise over the entire bottom of my foot. Also the muscles & tendons in my foot & leg ache like I ran a marathon. I think it's just from dis-use. I think you will see progress each week.

Gimpy1,

You said you were scheduled to see your doctor today and planned to ask about your progress. How did it go? Did s/he give you any reason why you're having pain and difficulty walking, or did s/he feel it was normal for 2 months? Please let us know how it went.

twobadfeet

Hi Gimpy,
Don't get discouraged...I know how you feel. At 2 months I also felt I should have been further along...I was off work for 3 months and glad that I was able to take that much time.

Now...I noticed a BIG difference at 4 months!...That is when I was not paying so much attention to my foot..and really started feeling "normal" again. So...I know it is tough to hear, but, it just really takes time...and considering that all of our nerve endings are in our feet...and the fact that our entire body weight is on the feet!!...now, we can understand the importance and the length of time that it takes to truly heal.

You will be ready to skip come spring time...week by week it gets there..slowly but surely!!

Take CAre

HANG IN THERE!

You are not unusual! Everyone's recovery is a little different, depending on how extensive your surgery is. I am exactly 7 weeks post-op tomorrow and I definitely still favoring my good foot and walking with a slight limp. I cannot walk long distances either. Heels???????????????
Oh my goodness--no way! My doctor has not even "released" me for exercise/sports yet (I see him again at 9 weeks).

I've probably told you many times that I felt like my total recovery on my other foot was about 5-5.5 months and it included some physical therapy. I feel like maybe this foot is doing a tad better.

Some bunions are small and some are large and extensive and require more work (like mine: 3 incisions, 1 screw, a temporary pin on my other foot). My doc said my bunion was in the worst 10% so I expect my recovery to be slower than the small bunion group.

Try and get the image in your head that by summer you'll probably feel normal ...I'm sure you will!
Hang in there!
PMCW (Paula)
7 wks post-op right foot
left foot 5/03

THANKS everyone for your words of encouragement!!! It's really tempting during this long recovery process to start comparing yourself to everyone else, which I'm totally guilty of. In this case, I think it's especially because my mom had such an easier time of this. I talked to her last night & she said at 8 weeks, she was not in any pain unless she did alot.

Anyway, I had a doc appt today & he explained that he had to move my bone down & that's why I have more swelling & pain in the bottom of my foot. I only have one permanent screw in & I never got the impression that my bunion was exceptionally bad in any way. He did not seem concerned that I'm still having pain, but did say to listen to it & not to push it. I asked him if I should try to put more weight on it, so as not to limp, and I don't think he really gave me a straight answer, just explained why it was still hurting. He said not to run, jump or go barefoot, but other than that activity as I can tolerate.

I feel alot better today especially with all of your encouragement. It seems we all have our "meltdowns" at different points of this recovery & I guess this is just another one of mine. Thanks so much for all of your kind & caring words. Wishing all of you fellow bunionites a speedy recovery!
Gimpy1

Hang in there! I know sometimes it's hard, but try to focus on what you have accomplished. Remember those days of lying on the couch all day long b/c you couldn't even stand a minute without that intense throb?

I think for some it takes longer than for others, and I think it has a lot to do with how bad your bunions were and also the type of bunions you had.

My last post (almost 2 month update) was very positive because I was trying to focus on the positives. Although I am walking much more normally now, it still does hurt some. My toes are gaining lots more flexibility, but I still have a long way to go. And yes, I played tennis, but I can only dream about the day that I can actually run for a ball!

It's weird, for me, I seem to have spurts where I make progress. For example, just a few days ago, I was able to walk more normally instead of flat footed. And just a few days before that, I was able to walk around much more without having to rest.

I think too for people who work outside the home it's harder. I don't work outside the home and can take breaks whenever I need to.

All these little things (your bunion size, type of surgery, lifestyle, maybe age, etc.) make a huge difference so just focus on your accomplishments because I bet you really are getting better! :)

I'm so glad I read your posting...I'm at almost three weeks post-op, had right foot bunionectomy on March 5. I, too, am discouraged and growing more paranoid by the day. I'm convinced that I'm the "one in a million" who develop all those complications listed on the waiver form they make you sign.

I'm still in a shoe and also limping & in pain when I walk....I have still been using crutches. I find that I can move around without tremendous pain only very rarely....and I can't understand how the Dr. said that most people return to normal mobility shortly after the surgery. I still can't put my foot under blankets in bed, and I am still sleeping on my back with my foot up on a pillow.I cannot drive yet, and its frustrating me and those who have been chauffering me around. I am depressed and feeling regretful for doing this, it seems a lot worse than I expected. The throbbing when I get up from a seated or lying position is so intense, it brings tears to my eyes. How much longer before I feel MAJOR relief??

Have you or anyone experienced a redness/pain on the TOP of your foot, not near the incision (s)? The skin on top of my foot towards my middle toes has reddened and gotten "hot" and rough, almost like a bad sunburn? The area is about the size of a golf ball in diameter, and it almost has an itching sensation, but when you go to scratch it is extremely painful. This area has become more painful than the aching incision area, and is worsened when confined in the cam walker boot or the velcro shoe. The Dr. suspected "cellulitis" or a skin infection...has anyone heard of this? He put me on antibiotics for 7 days which did not improve the condition. He is now suggesting that I could be suffering from an allergic reaction to the internal, dissolving sutures??

Has anyone experienced this sensation, or something similar?

Hi from Gimpy1!!
Although I remember at three weeks having much of the same symptoms, pain you're describing, I did not have the red spot, etc that you've described. I did not have internal stitches, though, either. Definitely keep an eye on that & maybe you'll need a stronger antibiotic to kick it--you don't want to mess around with infection!!

I know what you're saying about being the one in thousands that could experience the bad things--that's the way I feel much of the time, too. All that I can say about the throbbing sensation when you put your foot down, not being able to walk w/o pain, etc. is that it will get better every day, then every week, then every month, etc. I am about 11 weeks (about) post op & although still far from 100%, I don't limp much anymore & am in a more bearable state of pain (when my foot does hurt). I, too, have felt that I should be feeling better at each stage of the game than I actually did, including now. I just went to the doc this week, in fact, & asked him about the pain I still experience sometimes & he really could give no explanation. He took X-rays to make sure the screw was still in place & since it was, he said to just try to "take it easy"...easier said than done.

Keep an eye on the redness & don't hesitate to keep asking the doctor about that. Please keep in touch with us on this board, too--it does help to know that others have been or are going through this same loooong recovery!!
Take care,
Gimpy1

HANG IN THERE!

You are not unusual! Everyone's recovery is a little different, depending on how extensive your surgery is. I am exactly 7 weeks post-op tomorrow and I definitely still favoring my good foot and walking with a slight limp. I cannot walk long distances either. Heels???????????????
Oh my goodness--no way! My doctor has not even "released" me for exercise/sports yet (I see him again at 9 weeks).

I've probably told you many times that I felt like my total recovery on my other foot was about 5-5.5 months and it included some physical therapy. I feel like maybe this foot is doing a tad better.

Some bunions are small and some are large and extensive and require more work (like mine: 3 incisions, 1 screw, a temporary pin on my other foot). My doc said my bunion was in the worst 10% so I expect my recovery to be slower than the small bunion group.

Try and get the image in your head that by summer you'll probably feel normal ...I'm sure you will!
Hang in there!
PMCW (Paula)
7 wks post-op right foot

left foot 5/03

I saw that you mentioned you had a temporary pin---I have one too after having a hmmertoe and bunionectomy 3 weeks ago. I have th pin removed next Wednesday and am thinking it will hurt allot. Why won't they give you a shot of something to numb it before removing it??? Plus, the toe w/the pin has many stitches and still hurts.