Hi all.

I had a left bunionectomy (Chevron incision with two K wires) done April 27, 2007. So now I'm 16 weeks post surgery. Everything was going well, I was able to wear shoes, do my usual things. Last week I decided to try to run on the treadmill and do walking lunges again -- for the first time since before my surgery. I had been going to the gym, but avoiding those two activities.

Now my foot HURTS. It throbs and hurts.

I guess I shouldn't have done that, but I thought after four months it would be okay to try!

My question is, did I wreck something in my foot now? Or is it just a flare and warning for me to hold off on the running/lunges for awhile longer? Should I attempt the gym again this week (not running/lunges) but doing the elliptical and weights, etc., in order not to "baby it" or should I just let it rest for a week or so?

Thanks!

hi beauty of speed,

I've actually been having similar issues since i went running for the first time about two weeks ago. I had a lapidus bunionectomy and osteotomy on April 3rd and i felt some discomfort the weeks after surgery but it was pretty mild. I'm still going to physical therapy and my PT said it's probably due to the fact that my foot is still adjusting to the new bone structure. He suggested I get new running shoes (and use orthotics which I already have). Have you gone to physical therapy at all? He also said that my hip alignment was slightly off and that can cause of lot of foot/knee problems. I've been using other cardio machines to stay in shape and am going to take it easy with the running and am hoping that in a month or two I will be back to normal.

I think it's just a matter of time before your foot feels normal again because it has a lot of adjusting to do. I would suggest going to a PT if you haven't already and icing your foot after working out.

Amy

Ugh - sorry to hear that. I'm 6 months out from the same surgery, and have only tried jogging twice, and have gotten little twinges but no lasting pain. However, last weekend I went on an 8-mile hike, and I've been sore ever since. It feels like it's around the sesamoids, so I was wondering if it's common to get sesamoiditis after working a post-bunionectomy foot too hard (due to residual swelling, or changes in the foot structure still working themselves out, or whatever). Has anyone else experienced this and come out the other side? It would be great to hear from you!

i think it takes a year for the healing process. orthodics shold be a must. i cant see why jogging on the treadmill would do anything. i started easy. first, the bike then the elyptical and the treadmill last. maybe it is also the running shoes. i walk rather than ron on the treadmill. ithink its easier on the body. i also dont think hiking should cause a problem unless it was a really hard hike.

zardtoe - have you asked your dr about sesamoiditis?

I just did a little research online about it and feel like my symptoms are very similar to sesamoiditis symptoms. My foot was okay until I tried running and dancing. After the first run my foot seemed fine and then I tried to go running the following week and couldn't at all. My PT thinks it's just the fat pads on my feet because they need to redistribute. He told me to get new running sneakers and try running again. I guess it could be either or a combination of both so I'm just going to take it easy and use the bike or elliptical for another month or two.

amy

Dancergal,
Has your foot recovered from running? I had bunion surgery on June 20 and am wondering when I can run again.

hey everyone! Well, it's been 9 months since my surgery and I am running totally fine and even doing walking lunges with absolutely no pain.

So, hang on everyone, cause there's hope! It just takes a long time for the foot to heal, that's all.

~beautyofspeed~

good to hear that beauty. we all have to have patience.

Thank you for posting an update, it really does help us and gives us a lot of hope. Because right now, I still can't run roperly, although I am only 3 months post-op. How good is your toe flexibilty. Mine is still feels stiff when I walk!

I'm 5 weeks post op and it sounds like it takes a good 6 months to get back to running form. I get nervous, because I had this surgery done to improve my running, not to worsen it. Darklight, my foot is very stiff, though I'm in a walking boot for lengthy periods. I'm trying to move my toe more and will try PT. I need to hear other happy endings...

again you have to have patience. otherwise you can ruin your foot and never be able to run again. take it easy.

This is why I'm confused. One person just said to start moving it pronto. Are you saying to not move it much for awhile longer?

"Starting to move it" is VERY different than running. She's saying to be patient with the need to run. That's going to take a while. You do need to start stretching and bending it, though, to regain as much flexibility as possible. It's a scary thought at first but it is necessary. Try to focus on the baby step improvements. Stressing over what you may or may not be able to do months from now, does you no good NOW. You'll get back to the running. Just give it time.

Hi

I had right bunionectomy Feb. 11, 2008. I am anxious to get back to working out especially running. I have found all the posts very helpful and was wondering if anyone has tried spinning classes since their surgery. If so, how long before I should attempt a class?

I had my bunionectomy on Dec. 27th, much earlier than yours and my doctor didn't want me to put much weight on it until now, 8+ weeks postop. He did say I could use a stationary bike at 7 weeks, but, as a runner, I must admit that is too much pressure on my foot right now, so, I'd be hesitant about spinning for awhile. I have been swimming laps....some....but walking for much more than an afternoon, running errands, is too much. I'd let your foot do the talking, so to speak, but it takes 8-12 weeks for bone to fully heal and then some. I'm slowly learning patience, through this healing process...and it's challenging.

I am now 5 weeks post op and have just started pt sessions. They said my range of motion is 0 degrees compared to 45 degrees with my left foot. Just wanted to get a feel for what to expect is there anyone that had 0 range of motion? Any suggestions to regain range?

for the range of motion thing, my Dr. has me hold the joint to stabilize it and then push down on the toe and then up. I am 5 weeks and 1 day post op and have probably 60 degrees range of motion, if I push on the toe.

Continuing on the range of motion, my doctor has me pushing the toe up and down to the point of mild discomfort but a whole lot of reps. I am up to 1000 for each toe. He had me start this 3 weeks after surgery when the stitches were out. I am now at 7 weeks and have 90 degrees which is probably fairly close to where I am going to end up. My understanding is that 60 degrees is the bare minimum for running and the more flexion there is, the easier it will be to run up stairs or hills.

Runnermac, when you started range of motion exercises, did your x-ray show complete fusion of the bone? Do you have internal wires, pins or screws? Thanks. How long were you NWB and PWB? At 11 weeks, I don't have complete fusion, so, I'm holding back on aggressive PT?

I am 5 week post op and the Dr has had me moving the joint since the bandages came off 2 weeks ago. I had a bunionectomy and 2 osteomoties and 3 screws holding things in place. And I will tell you when he showed me what he wanted me to do and how he sure wasn't gentle. But he did show me how he wanted me to support the joint to make sure I didn't mess things up.

I think every Dr has some different ideas of how they want you to do things. And every surgery is different. I had a surgery done on the other foot that was done by the same Dr at a different facility and I was to NWB for 6 weeks and 1 weeks PWB on crutches for a week and a week walking in the boot, and this time I was NWB for 4 1/2 weeks and he let me walk in the boot for a week and now in a shoe at 5 1/2 weeks. Go figure;)

Just like Scotty my doctor wasn't gentle! And also the same I was to support the joint and just move the toe from the joint outwards. I have a permanent screw (very small from the look of the x-ray) and when I started the ROM exercises I don't think the bone was fused yet, but I wasn't putting any pressure on that site. I am now almost 8 weeks and just had an x-ray taken on Monday and the doctor was pleased with how well things have fused. He still is aggressive with testing my ROM and emphasizes downward flexion as well as upward.
I was only NWB a few days and started heel walking in a surgical boot almost immediately. I have been in that the whole time though. I will be back in a regular shoe with orthotic next week. I did have two metatarsals shortened which is why my recovery is longer than less invasive surgeries.
I understand your concern at being at 11 weeks and non-fused, it seems like such a long time that my foot has been the center of my universe, I am anxious to have my real life back!

"I did have two metatarsals shortened which is why my recovery is longer than less invasive surgeries."

Mac sounds like our surgeries were very similar. On both feet he shortened the metatarsals and also moved the joint down. On the second foot he also cut a wedge out of my toe to fix a curve in the big toe. My Dr. kept me NWB much longer than yours especially on the 1st surgery. Just goes to show differing Dr and similar procedures = different recovery ideas.

Yeah, this is a good example of how there seems to be so many different approaches to bunion treatment. I was put in a wedge type boot that keeps pressure off the front of the foot so I was able to be PWB right away but had to wear the boot the whole recovery time.

Has anyone used a CPM boot for recovert of range of motion?