Lasoniamacaroni
07-13-2003, 09:01 PM
Hi! My name is Sonia and I have been reading this board for a while now trying to gather up info and calm my nerves since before my surgery. I would personally like to thank all of you for helping me out even though you didn't even know it.
I had my surgery done on my right foot on May 23rd. I am now 7 weeks post op. I was in a cast just below my knee for 6 WEEKS. It was absolutely horrible. No pain or anything, just hot and constricting. I picked a bad time of the year to get this done. Oh well, it's done and I can move on.
I have a question regarding swelling. When I look at my foot, it appears that there is still a mild bunion present. When I push in it feels like bone, but it may be swollen still. Has or does anyone else have experience with this????? It is so not an option to fix it again. The only other surgery I am going to have is on my other foot. I am going to ask my podiatrist on the 21st when I see him again. I would appreciate any input you have. I realize it can't be exactly perfect, but it kind of bothers me. I am scared shoes are going to rub just like before. THANK YOU
I had my surgery done on my right foot on May 23rd. I am now 7 weeks post op. I was in a cast just below my knee for 6 WEEKS. It was absolutely horrible. No pain or anything, just hot and constricting. I picked a bad time of the year to get this done. Oh well, it's done and I can move on.
I have a question regarding swelling. When I look at my foot, it appears that there is still a mild bunion present. When I push in it feels like bone, but it may be swollen still. Has or does anyone else have experience with this????? It is so not an option to fix it again. The only other surgery I am going to have is on my other foot. I am going to ask my podiatrist on the 21st when I see him again. I would appreciate any input you have. I realize it can't be exactly perfect, but it kind of bothers me. I am scared shoes are going to rub just like before. THANK YOU
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crutches
07-13-2003, 11:31 PM
Hi Sonia, sorry I can't answer your question because I'm not quite to the point you are at yet. But I'm wondering if you can answer a question (or two) for me. Sounds like you had similar surgery to mine. I had surgery for a severe bunion on the right foot on June 11 and I'm in a non weight bearing cast for 6 weeks (one more week to go). Really haven't had any pain either - just exhausting getting around on crutches and very limiting what I can do. Just can't wait to get the cast off. My foot looks narrow (have only seen it twice) and also quite swollen last time I saw it at 2 1/2 weeks post op. Looks like it has a little bump where the bunion was but the big toe is much straighter so I'm happy with that. My question is what is it like when you get the cast off. Can you walk at all on your foot right away - does it hurt or just feel different? Can you drive right away? Can you get a shoe on? I'm just trying to anticipate what to expect next week when the cast comes off. Can you fill me in. Good luck with your next surgery. I think I'll wait til January to get my left foot done, just want a break and get back to normal and also don't want it done close to Christmas. My left foot is not as bad and I've been told I'll walk on it right away. Thanks alot for your answers...
tigger84
07-14-2003, 10:49 AM
When I had my left foot done 7 years ago, I had quite a bit of swelling for a while especially at the end of a day after being on it a bit. So it is probably not anything to worry about but will get better in time. However, please feel free to let your podiatrist know as he could have an xray done to be sure that it is just swelling and not bone.
crankyc
07-14-2003, 02:09 PM
Hi, Sonia, I hear you regarding that hard cast, it was extremely hot and uncomfortable! I had bunionectomy & hammertoe correction 6/3, and planned it that way so I wouldn't have to worry about keeping the toes warm in the icy, snowy NYC winter months. I agree with you, I'm waiting until January, at least, before doing the left foot. There's always a downside, it seems, to whatever time of year you choose. Oh well...
Peace,
Chris
Peace,
Chris
Lasoniamacaroni
07-14-2003, 07:51 PM
Hey crutches!
Here are some answers to what you should expect. The day I got my cast off was amazing! I lost about 4 pounds and my foot felt like a cloud. It was sooooo light and airy. The downside is that since my muscles were so atrophied, I couldn't bend my ankle and it almost felt like my foot wasn't attached. My dr put me in an orthopedic shoe with LIGHT weight bearing for 2 weeks. I have one week left and hopefully I can actually walk out of the office. My advice to you is, DO NOT OVERDUE IT. I think I was so antsy to get my foot and leg working again that I put to much pressure on my foot too soon. I paid the price, I made an emergency visit on Friday. The pain was so bad that I thought I had given myself a stress fracture. The xrays showed everything was fine, but I had to take the weekend off for walking. Now, it's cool again. I think I just blew my cartilage and ligaments out of whack. My leg looks somewhat normal too. (only after a week) I swear it was as skinny as my arm when he first took it off. It's coming around.
As far as driving, I am still using my left foot. Not the best to do, but I honestly feel safer using that foot than my hurt one. I should be good to go next Monday.
I have tried putting on some of my regular shoes, but that isn't exactly working out. My foot is sooooo swollen, I am going to have to go up a size and width. I swear, I wonder if the swelling is ever going to stop. My favorite time of the day is first thing when I wake up because my foot looks normal. It gives me something to look forward in the far future.
I hope I have answered some questions and feel free to ask more.
bye
Here are some answers to what you should expect. The day I got my cast off was amazing! I lost about 4 pounds and my foot felt like a cloud. It was sooooo light and airy. The downside is that since my muscles were so atrophied, I couldn't bend my ankle and it almost felt like my foot wasn't attached. My dr put me in an orthopedic shoe with LIGHT weight bearing for 2 weeks. I have one week left and hopefully I can actually walk out of the office. My advice to you is, DO NOT OVERDUE IT. I think I was so antsy to get my foot and leg working again that I put to much pressure on my foot too soon. I paid the price, I made an emergency visit on Friday. The pain was so bad that I thought I had given myself a stress fracture. The xrays showed everything was fine, but I had to take the weekend off for walking. Now, it's cool again. I think I just blew my cartilage and ligaments out of whack. My leg looks somewhat normal too. (only after a week) I swear it was as skinny as my arm when he first took it off. It's coming around.
As far as driving, I am still using my left foot. Not the best to do, but I honestly feel safer using that foot than my hurt one. I should be good to go next Monday.
I have tried putting on some of my regular shoes, but that isn't exactly working out. My foot is sooooo swollen, I am going to have to go up a size and width. I swear, I wonder if the swelling is ever going to stop. My favorite time of the day is first thing when I wake up because my foot looks normal. It gives me something to look forward in the far future.
I hope I have answered some questions and feel free to ask more.
bye
crutches
07-15-2003, 01:34 PM
Sonia, thanks so much for your reply. You've been very helpful. I know what you mean about the swelling. My toes sticking out of the cast almost look normal in the morning. By evening they are so swollen that I swear the cast is digging into my foot and it's very uncomfortable. I hope once the cast is off the swelling won't hurt so much at the end of the day. I've been off work for the last 5 weeks and am not scheduled to go back until 16 days after the cast is off. I've mainly been off cause it's my right foot and I can't drive and had no way to get there. I hope I can drive again (45 minute drive to work) by 16 days. What do you think, am I pushing it? Thanks again for all the input. I love this board.
tigger84
07-15-2003, 02:18 PM
crankyc,
Is the foot you had done on 6/3 going to be strong enough for you to have the other foot done in the winter? I can't imagine that soon as I have had bunionectomy and hammertoe surgery on both feet and the first time on my left 7 years ago I was very soar for a while. I was too soar to even think about going through it anytime soon on my right foot. Both times the doctor said mine was very extensive. So I guess that makes a difference.
Only you will know how you feel and if you are ready by winter.
I was just curious. Good luck to you.
Is the foot you had done on 6/3 going to be strong enough for you to have the other foot done in the winter? I can't imagine that soon as I have had bunionectomy and hammertoe surgery on both feet and the first time on my left 7 years ago I was very soar for a while. I was too soar to even think about going through it anytime soon on my right foot. Both times the doctor said mine was very extensive. So I guess that makes a difference.
Only you will know how you feel and if you are ready by winter.
I was just curious. Good luck to you.
crankyc
07-15-2003, 03:16 PM
Hi, tigger84,
Since I was finally finished with the hard casts (after 6/26) I've been in a removable walking cast/boot with velcro straps. This is designed to allow "partial weight-bearing" and keeps pressure off the front of the foot where the repairs were made. I'll have a much better idea of when the left foot can be done as soon as Dr. allows me to put normal weight on the right one (this week or next, I hope). That will really tell the tale. This coming winter is my most optimistic estimate, for sure! It wouldn't surprise me if I will have to wait longer. This whole thing has been a waiting game, anyway, so I guess I should be used to that by now. I will certainly not rush into it!
Chris
Since I was finally finished with the hard casts (after 6/26) I've been in a removable walking cast/boot with velcro straps. This is designed to allow "partial weight-bearing" and keeps pressure off the front of the foot where the repairs were made. I'll have a much better idea of when the left foot can be done as soon as Dr. allows me to put normal weight on the right one (this week or next, I hope). That will really tell the tale. This coming winter is my most optimistic estimate, for sure! It wouldn't surprise me if I will have to wait longer. This whole thing has been a waiting game, anyway, so I guess I should be used to that by now. I will certainly not rush into it!
Chris
Lasoniamacaroni
07-15-2003, 07:58 PM
Crutches,
I would say you should be okay to drive by the 16th day. My doc is making me bear light weight for 14 days and then I should be able to walk out of the office crutch free. He told me to bring comfortable shoes YAY!!!!! I plan on driving with my right foot at that time. I am not saying you will not have pain when you first get the cast off, but the bones are healed. The trouble is getting your foot stretched out. Your ligaments, cartilage, and tendons are going to go bonkers, but it gets back in shape very quickly. JUST DON'T OVERDO IT!!!
I would say you should be okay to drive by the 16th day. My doc is making me bear light weight for 14 days and then I should be able to walk out of the office crutch free. He told me to bring comfortable shoes YAY!!!!! I plan on driving with my right foot at that time. I am not saying you will not have pain when you first get the cast off, but the bones are healed. The trouble is getting your foot stretched out. Your ligaments, cartilage, and tendons are going to go bonkers, but it gets back in shape very quickly. JUST DON'T OVERDO IT!!!
crutches
07-15-2003, 08:48 PM
Thanks Sonia (and everyone else) for your input. It really helps to hear everyone elses experiences and have an idea what to expect. Good luck on your recovery and keep us posted!
ATrainergrl83
07-22-2003, 01:29 AM
Hey everyone. I am about 3 weeks post-op and I can relate to everything you guys are going through. I wasn't put in a cast, but for 2 weeks I had on a bandage. I've been non- weight bearing for this entire time and I can definately relate to the swelling. I suggest keeping your foot up as much as possible. It's an annoying thing to do but it really help the "full" feeling in your big toe.
I was surprised to read about the different treatments required after surgery. I'll be on crutches until post- op week 6 but I couldn't imagine being in a cast for that long. I was wondering what type of procedures everyone had.
I was surprised to read about the different treatments required after surgery. I'll be on crutches until post- op week 6 but I couldn't imagine being in a cast for that long. I was wondering what type of procedures everyone had.