I am getting ready to have pins removed this coming Thursday. I had a double bunionectomy in May and one of my pins has moved. So my doctor is taking one out of each foot. He said I'd be back to work on Monday.

I was just wondering will I be able to walk okay a day or so after the surgery?

I know it's not as bad as the bunionectomy, just wondering how it compares. Thanks. Debbie:angel:

Hi, Debbie~ I have no idea about what to expect from a pin removal (I wonder if needing to have pins removed happens more or less often than needing to have screws removed?), but I wanted to say hi and wish you well. How did you find out that your pin had moved? I went to a vacation place in Green Lake Wisconsin with seven other women this weekend where I enjoyed two three mile walks. That was very satisfying. I occasionally have twinges of pain, but far less than before my surgeries. Hope things are going well for you with work, etc. Are you still using your new exercise equipment in the garage? Let us know how the removal and recovery go. Cheers, Kathy

Oops~ Sorry Debbie, I read your double bunionectomy update post AFTER I read and responded to this entry.

Kathy,
Thanks for responding. I have been using the elliptical in the garage. It is easier to do that than the treadmill. The pain in the joint between foot and toe hurts pretty bad. If I'm not careful and I lift my heel up too much on the elliptical, I feel it the next couple of days. My left foot is basically back to normal.

I was surprised when my doctor said he was going to take both pins out. He said they were basically there to serve as a stint until the bone healed and after that they serve no function. They are left in as long as they don't bother you.

I said pins. What's the difference in pins and screws? Now I'm not sure which ones I have. It's a good possibility that I have screws. I might have used the wrong word. I did a search and I think mine are screws. I'll ask again when I go for surgery. Thanks and have a great day.

Pins are straight thingies a couple of inches long. Mine were removed from the toes of both feet with hardly any pain at all. Then, a little over two weeks ago, I had the screws removed...two in one foot, three in the other. They look exactly like screws from Home Depot or whatever. It was a bit more uncomfortable as the doc had to make incisions by where each big fat bunion was, but no where near the pain of the initial surgeries and afterwards. With the pins, they are just pulled out. No big deal. My pins were in my hammertoes; I believe with bunionectomies they have to use screws.

Marianne

Marianne,

Thanks. My sister-in-law said she had her pin taken out and went bowling that night. My doctor said I would be able to go to work next Monday which leads me to believe I won't be able to do too much over the weekend. All he said is that it is not as bad as the original surgery. Well, if they don't have to break my bones then, of course, it can't be as bad as the bunionectomies.

I'm pretty sure I have screws. In fact, my husband said the doctor said screws not pins.

I was just trying to figure out how much I can or can't do this weekend. I guess I'll know in a couple of days.

Have a great day!!:angel:

Hi, Debbie~ Just wondering how your screw removal went and if you are able to do much this weekend. Hope that the answers to both are positive or that if you can't get around, you are at least able to enjoy some pain-free relaxing.

Hi Kathy,

Screw removal went great. Surgery was done at 9:30 and I was home by noon (we live about 45 minutes away). I told the anesthesiologist about how sick as was after the bunionectomy. He said the name of two drugs he was going to try to control the nausea. I didn't get sick. I slept part of the afternoon and was walking Thursday night. My husband went to orthopedist yesterday morning and I went with him. I was supposed to stay off my feet for 48 hours, but my feet really haven't bothered me. In fact, with the pins removed, I no longer have any pain when I'm walking. Needless to say, I'm thrilled with the results.

My dear hubby needs knee surgery in two weeks. Hopefully after that the rest of the year will be back to normal. Again, thanks for asking. Have a great weekend. Debbie