If I am repeating myself for some of you, I apologize. I had bilateral bunion surgery in October, 2001. My bunions came back in less than a year-only worse. I had bunion surgery on my right foot in September, 2001. I had 5 pins and 5 screws put in. On February 9 I had bunion surgery on my left foot. At the same time I also had a neuroma and screw removed on my right foot. I crawled to the bathroom for about 10 days. My doctor says no weight on my left foot for 8 weeks. I just started to use crutches about a week ago. I really just use them to go to the bathroom and the computer and the rest of the time my feet are elevated. Last Monday I got a terrible pain like an electric shock in my right foot when I was up. My foot gave out from under me. I had my crutches so I didn't fall. I couldn't put any weight on my right foot that night. It seemed better the next day so I started using crutches again. I went last Thursday to get my stitches out and the dressing changed. I explained this pain to the orthopedic surgeon (foot specialist). He wasn't sure what it was but even though neuromas are rare between the first and second toe, that could be it. He said I just need the swelling to go down. I totally agreed. I am certainly not ready for foot surgery now. My husband and I left the doctor's office and stopped to get something to eat. My husband dropped me off at the door. A stranger was holding the door for me. Then my right foot had such a terrible sudden pain in it, I fell to the floor. I crawled to a chair nearby. I called the doctor from the restaurant and he still said there is nothing he could do. I made it home but the pain continued. I have no use of my feet. I called this morning and got an x-ray. I was prepared to be on crutches for 8 weeks, but I thought I'd have the use of my right foot. I asked the xray technician and she said she never saw so much hardware in her life in a foot. I laid around for 2 days on painkillers. I was able to stop them but it still really hurts. The orthopedic surgeon on call is suppposed to call later today. This is not good for my mental health. I think it is probably just the strain of having all my weight on 1 foot. I'll keep you posted.

Whoa, supermom! That sounds really scary. I hope this is only a temporary glitch and that your surgeon can help you get past it. Please keep us posted--and feel free to rant if you need to. Take care.

twobadfeet

Where are you, Super? I've been away from this board for a few days & am just now catching up. Did the x-rays show the bone structure is still OK? (Hope so).

Where are you, Super? I've been away from this board for a few days & am just now catching up. Did the x-rays show the bone structure is still OK? (Hope so).

Thanks for your interest and concern. Everything looks ok on the x-rays. I still can't put any weight on the "front" of my right foot and no weight at all on my left foot. The surgeon said that nothing is broken and that it could be another neuroma. I'm just guessing that it is based on the electric shock I feel up to my knee. I had my stitches in my left foot removed today. Both surgeons that I talk to just want to wait to diagnose the problem until after April 1 when I am able to put weight on my left foot. It does make perfect sense to me but it is so long to be on crutches and to be in pain. Oh well. I'll be an expert on HGTV and the Foodnetwork.

Thanks for your interest and concern. Everything looks ok on the x-rays. I still can't put any weight on the "front" of my right foot and no weight at all on my left foot. The surgeon said that nothing is broken and that it could be another neuroma. I'm just guessing that it is based on the electric shock I feel up to my knee. I had my stitches in my left foot removed today. Both surgeons that I talk to just want to wait to diagnose the problem until after April 1 when I am able to put weight on my left foot. It does make perfect sense to me but it is so long to be on crutches and to be in pain. Oh well. I'll be an expert on HGTV and the Foodnetwork.

Does it hurt when you squeeze the area between the big and second toe? Is this right on between the metatasal heads?

Does it hurt when you squeeze the area between the big and second toe? Is this right on between the metatasal heads?


It does hurt when I squeeze the are at the area between my first and second toes. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "Is this right on between the metatarsal heads." Thanks so much for your concern.

It does hurt when I squeeze the are at the area between my first and second toes. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "Is this right on between the metatarsal heads." Thanks so much for your concern.

Basically, is this right below the base of the toes or an inch or so below the base of the toes?

supermom,

I'm sorry to be so long in responding to your post. I've reread it several times and I've tried to stifle my natural reaction, but I have to tell you this situation sounds really bad to me. I'm getting very concerned about whether you're seeing the right doctor(s). (I'm sorry, but I can't remember whether you're with the same doctor who did your original double bunionectomy?) My orthopedic surgeon told me categorically that bunions don't return "unless they're botched." That's a direct quote. Also, I'm no doctor, but 5 screws and 5 pins sounds like overkill to me, and I can't help but wonder whether the x-ray technician wasn't trying to tell you something when she said she's never seen so much hardware in a foot in her life. You've had to endure several surgeries, protracted recoveries and now, a second neuroma...?

Do you have faith in the doctor(s) you're seeing? You've been dealing with this since October 2001 and you still don't have the use of your feet? I sure don't want to cause you any more worry, but if this is the same doctor(s) who did your original work, I'm thinking it may be time for a second opinion. You said you're seeing two surgeons. Are they working together/in the same practice? Have you seen someone unrelated to these two doctors?

My heart goes out to you. Please tell me you're working with someone you have faith in. And keep us posted on your progress.

twobadfeet

Thank you very much for your concern. I may not have told you the whole story. I have given my whole story in bits and pieces over the past year and I figure people may be bored with the details. My first surgery (bilateral bunionectomy) was performed by a podiatrist in October, 2001. My bunions were back within a year. I went to three doctors in the Pittsburgh area approximately 1 year after that first surgery. I went to an orthopedic surgeon who is a foot specialist and he said my feet were worse than before the surgery. He wanted to fuse the bunion joints in both feet. I was afraid of having these joints fused. I went to a local orthopedic surgeon locally and he said he would not attempt this "redo" but he would recommend an orthopedic surgeon who would. I went to this third orthopedic surgeon who is a foot specialist. He is rated one of the top 25 orthopedic surgeons in the country by US News and World Reports. He told me I had no choice but to have more surgery. He said my original surgery was not nearly powerful enough because I am very doublejointed. After I had my right foot done this past September I decided to pursue a lawsuit against my first doctor-a podiatrist. I am still working with lawyers on this. My first doctor is dragging her feet (HA HA!) in turning over my medical records. I don't even know if I have a case yet. The reason that I mentioned 2 doctors is that because the surgeon that did my surgery is about 1 and 1/2 hours from my house. It is impossible for me to drive myself at this point. My husband has to take a day off work to get me there. When I went last week the surgeon removed some of the stitches. He said some of them were not ready to come out. I went to the local orthopedic surgeon this week and he removed the rest of the stitches. I am trying to work with these 2 orthopedic surgeons to have feet that work.

supermom,

You're right, I didn't have the whole story since I've only been on the board since November 2003 and hadn't fully pieced it together. Sadly, this situation is even worse than I thought. You've confirmed my impression about your first doctor, the podiatrist though. I'm no lawyer either, but it sounds like an actionable case to me; I hope that works out, both for you and to save others from going through what you've enndured.

I can relate to the difficulty you have in getting to the orthopedic surgeon. Mine is 2 hours away (in good weather) and we had a tough time juggling my husband's schedule so he could drive me to my appointments. I feel it's worth it, though, to get the best quality medical care available, as I'm sure you'd agree.

Anyway, I'm glad you're fully aware of that you received (shall we say?) compromised care and are pursuing some redress. I was worried because sometimes we cling to our faith in our doctors when they no longer deserve it, which can keep us from getting the quality medical care we deserve. Good luck on your continued recovery, and I hope the suit works out as well.

twobadfeet

I am now four weeks post op and things have settled down. My left foot which had the bunionectomy on February 9 is doing very well. I can "crutch" around the house and it doesn't swell. I am now in a New Balance shoe for my right foot and that seems to feel better than the post-op shoe. I have some pain in my right foot but nothing like I had 2 weeks ago. I put mimimal weight on the front of my right foot. I will probably start driving this week. I go back on April 1 with the hopes of the surgeon letting me put weight on my left foot. That should take some of the pressure off of my left foot. Good luck to all those recovering.