I am three weeks post op from having bunion surgery. Stitches were removed on Tuesday, pins in big toe will be removed next week and screw will be removed at 6 wks post op. My ankle is quite swollen and a bit sore. I don't know if it is because of the stress of having to walk on the side of my foot. My foot is also swollen. The surgeon didn't seem concerned, he said that swelling sometimes lasts up to six months. I am now back to work full-time and try to keep my foot elevated while at work. I elevate all evening after I get home from work. I am wondering whether anyone else has also had problems with swelling, especially around the ankle area. Also, I read somewhere that taking Ibuprofen can help with swelling and I am wondering whether I should start taking it.

Hi, I am also 3 weeks post op bunionectomy, but I have very little swelling. What there is is just around the big toe and a bit beyond (the forefoot, near the toe). I can just barely see a difference between the operated foot and the other one, in terms of swelling.

You should definitely take Ibuprofen. My doctor told me to take it from day one, not so much for pain as for the antiinflammatory effect. You need to take it continually, every 6 hours, to get the antiinflammatory effect. Take it with food if it upsets your stomach.

I took ibuprofen for only the first week after surgery, and I think it helped a lot. My surgeon told me I could continue to take it whenever I felt I had swelling, but I have not had to since then.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Squirrelmom. How much Ibuprofen do you take???

I was taking two 200 mg. tablets (the standard OTC dose) every 4 - 6 hours. Someone told me that was a LOT of ibuprofen, and it is...but if you take it for a limited time for a short term problem it should be fine. As long as your stomach can tolerate it. Be sure to take it with food so there's less chance of it irritating your stomach lining. See what effect that has after a few days--it needs to build up in your body for a day or two, I believe, before you notice a difference in the swelling.

Keep on elevating and icing the foot, too. That's helpful as well.

Good luck!

I'd just like to add...since every doctor is different, please be sure to check with yours to be SURE that he's okay with you taking ibuprofen. At 3 weeks post op I can't see how it could be a problem for anyone, but why take chances? Also, if he thinks ibuprofen is okay for you to take, he could write you a prescription for a higher-dose form of the medication, so you can take fewer pills at longer intervals--just as a convenience.

Thanks for your reply Squirrelmom. I started taking ibuprofen this afternoon after checking with the doctor. You seem to be having an excellent recovery from your surgery! In my case, the most bothersome aspect in my recovery thus far has been the "throbbing" that results from my foot getting swollen. I haven't worried too much about the ankle swelling as I have weak ankles anyway. I am also having to depend on family to drive me to work and back as the surgeon said that he would rather I wait another three weeks to drive. The "bunion" shoe that I was given also makes it difficult for me to walk on the side of my foot but it's something I have to deal with as I will be wearing it for another three weeks. This has been by far the most difficult thing I've had to go through but nonetheless, I plan on getting my left foot done at the end of August. I am hoping and praying that by next summer I'll be able to play in my garden and go on vacation, rather than have to stay inside recovering from another surgery!

After reading your post may I add that my Doctor prescribed a support hose for me because of extreme swelling.I have been wearing it now for 3 days and it has made a BIG difference. Maybe you could ask about it.
Sue :wave:

Hi Susieblueyes,

How long has it been since your surgery? And was it a bunionectomy? Do the support hose go over your foot? I ask because my big toe is sooo sensitive that I can't even stand to cover my foot at night!!

hi,
My surgery was June 14th.The hose covers my whole foot up to the knee.They do make ones with the toe cut out. I had bunions and hammertoe surgery. It does hurt to get on but it is worth it. It has cut the swelling down to half of what it was. My dr. says with the swelling the foot won't heal as fast and it prevents you from doing exercises. Hope this helps :)

Sue