Well, here I am back at work on Postop day 5! I had an Austin bunionectomy on the right foot on February 20 and have had a fairly uneventful postop course so far. I haven't really had what I call "pain", just some aching, worse at times than others--especially the day after surgery. Took pain pills 3 times day of surgery (Thursday) and twice Friday, once Saturday, and none since. I have sat at work today and worked from my computer, getting up only rarely to get ice for my ice pack or to just move my leg; otherwise, I have propped my foot/leg up to the right of my computer. I feel so fortunate to have had such a good recovery so far. I am "walking" in this lovely postop shoe and putting my weight on it without the aid of crutches or walker (used crutches day of surgery to get in the house and the walker through Sunday; went to church and propped my foot up). I have to admit that my podiatrist has been wonderful, and I am happy with my progress so far. I was expecting much more pain and discomfort and dreaded putting weight on the foot but was pleasantly surprised! I really feel for all those who had such unpleasant postop scenarios and hope the best for all of you. I am looking forward to getting my foot wet (taking "an all-over bath") once my stitches come out in 9 more days. Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone that wrote. I will keep you all posted as to my progress!

PS: Please don't think I am bragging about being back at work--I am just thankful that my recovery has not been as awful as a lot of you have experienced.

CONGRATS!!!
you're getting around pretty fast. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and I just started walking. How is your swelling? I have about 2 more weeks b4 my pin in my big toe can be removed. I'm also counting the days until I can take a bath w/both feet in the tub!

CONGRATS!!!
you're getting around pretty fast. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and I just started walking. How is your swelling? I have about 2 more weeks b4 my pin in my big toe can be removed. I'm also counting the days until I can take a bath w/both feet in the tub!

It makes a difference that I had 2 screws put in instead of the pin (you can bear weight faster with the screws). The first podiatrist I went to talked about putting the pin in and then taking it out in several weeks. The second opinion podiatrist (the one that did my surgery) says he uses screws because you can withstand weight sooner and it is stronger sooner, lessening the chances of problems if you are on it. So, I guess that is why you are not able to walk on it until 3 weeks (which is what the first podiatrist told me). I didn't choose the second doctor because of the pin versus screw, though. He just answered my questions and seemed more sympathetic and knowledgable (read my posts under "need bunionectomy advice"). I am really surprised at how I seem to be doing so far; I had expected a lot more pain and problems walking and being up. I hope you get along as well. My swelling has been very minimal (more yesterday since I was back at work and up more than I had been). It did go down after getting home off of it. I didn't sleep with the ice pack, though, and seemed to do fine when I got up this morning. I am still using the ice packs today while my foot/leg are up. I have a small rolling table that my husband had made me for extra working room that works great with a pillow on it. I can move the leg as I need to while rolling in my desk chair. It helps that everyone here at work has been really helpful about picking up things and bringing me my work. I just hope you get along great and are walking on your own in no time at all! If you have any questions, I'll be glad to help if I can. Being informed is the best defense against problems! I spent a lot of time trying to be informed before this started and am still at it. Thanks for your well wishes! Best wishes to you!

Well, post op day 7 and three days of back working and still coming along. It is a hoot to see how I am propping my foot/leg up to the right of my computer on a little table with wheels! Whenever my chair rolls, so does my "leg on wheels". I'm trying not to overdo, but staying off of my foot is hard to do. I am walking without the aid of crutches or a walker (hobbling is more like it with having to walk "flat footed"), but I am tolerating it OK and am able to bear my full weight on the foot without pain. I am trying to be up no more than 15-20 minutes out of every hour. By the time I get home, I am ready to get a bath and crash, especially since taking a bath is a chore in itself trying to bathe without getting my foot wet. I do have an occasional burning sensation in the area of the stitches but most of the "aching" is actually on the opposite side of the foot (but then again the foot was black and blue when the bandages were changed on Monday). Overall, the pain is more of an ache and not all at unbearable. I only wish the same for all of those who have had such unbearable postop periods. I will keep you informed of my progress--not to brag about how I am doing but more to update anyone else looking for some positive feedback (like I was when I was trying to decide what to do). "So far, so good" has become my motto, and I only hope and pray that this continues. Here's a prayer that all of those who continue to have problems find their solution/relief soon!

[This message has been edited by webmom76 (edited 02-27-2003).]

Here I am on postop day 13 and going to have the stitches out today, after which I should be able to take an actual "all-over shower" (can't wait). I have done extremely well, considering what I had prepared myself for after all the posts here. I have had very little swelling (but still keep my foot elevated about 50% of the time). I get around well, putting weight on the foot well; the only problem is I look strange having to walk "flat footed" in this lovely postop shoe. I believe I may have been up and around sooner because, even though I also had the bone cut and some bone removed, I had two screws put in rather than a "pin" that holds things together. My podiatrist told me that the screws would make it more stable sooner and able to bear weight sooner. I can move my toe without a lot of pain, although I have to admit there is some discomfort, more at the end of the day, when I do move it a lot.

The bandage looks pretty bad by now (8 days later) but hope to get it changed today and then be able to change a light bandage myself from now on). Also can't wait until I am able to drive. I actually practiced one day this week and think it shouldn't be too long.

My hope would be that everyone would have such an uneventful first two weeks. My motto still stands: "So far, so good".

Well, here I am one day shy of three weeks postop and still doing extremely well. I am working full time (have been since postop day 5), having been driving to work this week (rode with my husband postop day 4 through day 14), and only elevating my foot/leg during breaks and lunch and a while after I get home. The swelling has been very minimal for the last week, and I have more movement in my toes/foot that I thought I would have. I started by working my big toe with my hand back and forth a few times a day and have gotten to where I can move my toes and foot on my own and do so a few times a day to get the movement back. I still have some bruising and soreness. Otherwise, I am coming along great. It is a slow process, though, and if you are used to being very active, it can be trying at times. I sure am glad I didn't have this later on in the year (spring or summer). It sure would have been hard to keep from being up and out in the nice weather. Here's a prayer for all those who continue to have problems, and I hope that things improve for all of you. My old motto still holds true: "so far, so good".

[This message has been edited by webmom76 (edited 03-12-2003).]

i glad that you are doing so well, webmom76. will the doctor have you go thru any form of physical therapy? my doctor hasn't mentioned anything to me about that. i am able to wiggle my toes a bit, although i can't bend them much - my foot is still bandaged up. i think the doc will change the dressing every week until the pin is removed. again, i am happy to hear that your are having a great recovery. take care!

Well, 4 weeks and 4 days postop and still coming along wonderfully. I called the podiatrist last Monday to see if I could take out the "build up" that he put in my postop shoe (it is cut out underneath the big toe back to almost my arch) because it was making the unoperated part of my foot sore near my arch (I was feeling my oats and thought, what the heck, I feel great). They had me come back in and he told me that I needed the "build up" to stay in and he added an arch support to keep my foot up more and to try to keep it from rubbing. I walk even more funny now! Other than that, no problems. I have two more weeks before I go back and am hoping I can start working into regular shoes. My foot is not really sore (except the one day I turned a trash can over on it!), and I only have swelling when I am up on it all day. I am able to sleep without the blankets being propped up off of my foot (first time this week). Again, I would encourage anyone contemplating this surgery to realize that this involves a long recovery time. Staying off of your foot as much as you can, even if you are doing well, is the key. I just never thought a "bunionectomy" was that big of a deal, but my podiatrist said anytime you cut into bone you are talking about a long recovery--not a minor procedure. My foot still gets "discolored" whenever I take the postop shoe off and take a bath (kind of mottled and purplish/red), and I am hoping that goes away with time. The area where the stitches were has healed (only reddish pink and mildly tender or "numb" feeling, like with any incision). The foot itself looks almost like my other one with only occasional swelling or achiness. I do hope that there are more people with positive results and that those who have had problems continue to improve. "So far, so good" and I am still hanging in there.

CONGRATS WEBMOM!

I am so happy to hear your surgery went so well. I was wondering how you were doing. I am 5 weeks post op on my left foot. I must say this surgery went just as well as my right foot did. I'm looking forward to going back to work on April 28th. I would have gone back sooner but I'm a Registered Dental Assistant and my job requires me to walk around alot.

<EmilyL>

Funny you should ask! I am six weeks postop (tomorrow). I went back to the podiatrist today, and he cleared me to "work my way back into regular shoes"! He told me to do it over the course of the next week. (I didn't tell him that I had been going without the postop shoe at home for about two weeks.) He did an x-ray to make sure the two screws were healed enough to do some "stretching" of the toe. He showed me how to loosen up my big toe and get some more movement out of it. It really hurt the first one or two times he bent it down and up, but the more he worked it, the less it hurt. He said to do that at least twice a day (I will probably have my husband help me with it) and that I should have good range of motion out of it. I had been moving my toes (but not to the extent that he did) and am pretty happy with the way that is progressing.

I am really glad that I have done so well and only hope everyone who had less than positive experiences could have had one like mine. Glad you are doing so well too. Wouldn't we make good "poster people" for bunionectomies?

Take care.

congrats webmom76!!

wow, i'm so envious that you get to wear regular shoes. makes me hope that i can start wearing regular shoes sometime in the next 2 weeks (i'm only post-op day 33).

does your old bunion area look swollen or anything? i've noticed that mine still are (yes, after the pin was removed on friday, i "slipped" shoes onto my feet over the weekend....but only to look at then an notice the difference when i wear flip flops and open toed shoes. i didn't walk in them. yeah, i think i'm being a little neurotic.) anyhow, i noticed that it was a bit difficult for my left foot to get into my shoes and i realized that it's swollen around the old bunion area. i've tried not to put too much weight on my left foot and i elevate it when i can.....is this normal? i don't see my doctor until friday, so i have to wait to ask him. i don't think think this is something i sould page him about either - seems so minor.

thanks.

Hi Webmom

Now wouldn't that be funny positive bunionectomy poster girls..he, he. My right foot is 11 1/2 weeks post op and my big toe is still slightly stiff but I will continue my strectching exercises. The doctor said that the stiffness will go away in time. I have been wearing normal shoes on my right for about 4 weeks, at first I was paranoid that it was too soon but that feeling eventually passed. I just have to make sure that the shoes fit well and they don't leave a mark on my toe meaning if there is a mark the shoe is not fitting well. I wen't shopping for sandals the other day and was so happy to be able to buy flip flop slippers and didn't have to find something that hid the bunion it actually made me smile.

Webmom,
Glad to here you're progressing nicely. The thing I don't understand is that Friday will be 3 weeks post op, and I'm supposed to bring my own shoe with me, whereas, you're 6 weeks. I don't really have any pain, except for my calf muscle from trying to walk in the post op shoe. I really don't have any swelling in my foot, so I think my shoe should fit fine. I'm a little worried about trying to walk on the front of my foot though. I'm sure my podiatrist knows what he's doing, since he's been doing this for 30 years, and I had several excellent recommendations for him. I'll let you know how my shoe wearing goes.

Thanks for all the well wishes! I am back at work today in my regular tennis shoe. Actually, there is little to no swelling around my surgery site (top or side). Remember, I had an "encapsulated cyst" on the inside of the big toe (where the bunion was so prevalent) and had to have it removed and it was quite deep, so that portion is a little tender but not really swollen. I am doing my stretching of the toe, but I have to admit it is really stiff when I first start and then loosens up a little. I find that I am bending my toe a little in my shoe. There is a little "tingling" when I get to the "stopping point" or step down on the front, but all in all, I am really surprised. I drove with one foot (had been using the left foot for braking), and didn't have a problem this morning. I am only slightly limping and being careful about turning on my foot, but it is surprisingly stable. First time in shoes in 6 weeks! Although, like I said, I did cheat a little and go barefoot at home on carpet.

<shooter1971>:
I hear you about the sore calf muscles! The postop shoe is awful for that--and it was recurrent for me; off and on throughout. As for wearing shoes at 3 weeks, I can understand why you would be hesitate (I was a little at 6 weeks). Anyway, I am sure your podiatrist knows what he is doing. My podiatrist did an x-ray to make sure the screws were healed enough to manipulate with walking and the stretching before he "turned me loose". Sorry, I don't recall if you had/have a pin or screws, but I'm sure you will do fine. I also understand your hesitantcy about stepping down on the front of the foot--I do have a little tingling and shooting type feeling when I do, but I was told that would go away with time (just like with any broken/operated bone with pins or screws). Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Well, 3 weeks post op today, and I am wearing my own shoe. I had my doctor appointment this morning, and he said everything looked excellent. My x-rays looked a little odd with the pin in my bone, but the podiatrist said he couldn't even see a crack where he broke my bone. Wearing my own shoe feels alot better than the post op shoe, but I'm still a little hesitant to use the front of my foot, even though he told me to. The range of motion excercises are somewhat painful, but I guess that's to be expected for the first few days. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

<shooter1971>:
Great for you! Glad things are going well for you. I am 5 days in my own shoes and still hesitant about walking "normally". It takes some getting used to, huh? I went this weekend and got a pair of Birkenstock shoes and they feel great. As for the stretching (range of motion) exercises, I am still having quite a bit of discomfort when I do them (really stiff when I begin and then gets a little better but still having some problems). Any tips you can offer? What I have been doing is kind of "splinting" top and bottom of the toe/foot with both hands and then working front to back as far as I can (until it starts to hurt). I also notice a sharp tingling on the bottom of my big toe when I step on the front of my foot and the toe takes weight/pressure (not severe--just kind of startling at first). Any tips or suggestions would be terrific. Hope you continue to do well. Glad things are progressing for you!

[This message has been edited by webmom76 (edited 04-07-2003).]

Webmom,
Well, I made it through the weekend wearing my own shoes with only minor discomfort. It does take some getting used to, because I still want to walk on the outside of my foot. My podiatrist stressed the fact that I need to take baby steps at first, and to make sure I push off my big toe when I walk. It does feel weird to do this, kind of like my toe is asleep, but not much pain. I don't really have any tips on the range of motion excercises, except to just keep doing them, and hopefully the stiffness will go away. I have a splint between my toes, to push my big toe outward, and this feels somewhat uncomfortable, I need to have this splint in there day and night for 3 weeks. I'm sure it just takes time before the stiffness goes away (I'm not the most patient person in the world). I'll let you know if I discover any secrets to the stretching.

Well, post op week 4, and all is well. I have been wearing my own shoe for 1 week now. I had one bad day where I had quite a bit of pain and some swelling (must have over done it). I keep doing the range of motion excercises, but still have a lot of stiffness. I guess it just takes time. All in all I would say I have had a very good recovery. I will keep updating my progress.

[This message has been edited by shooter1971 (edited 04-11-2003).]

Shooter

Good to hear your still doing well. I'm also happy to hear that those of us who have had good experiences with bunionectomies are posting there positive recoveries.

Emily,

That's exactly why I'm posting here, to give other's who are contemplating having this surgery some hope. I think the most important thing in this process is to get a referal to a good Podiatrist. Also, it is critical to follow your Dr.'s instructions after surgery. It is a very slow recovery ( a minimum of 8 weeks), so you need to have patience.

I hear ya Shooter. When I was first told I needed surgery everyone told me I would regret it and it would be the most painful thing I would experience. Other than the down time I haven't had any pain or discomfort. I have two friends who had the procedure done a couple of years back and they had such positive feed back so I used the same podiatrist they used. I wanted to post here to let others know there is some positive outcomes out there. Like you said it is critical to follow post op instructions and have great patience. I just wish that everyone had positive outcomes like we did.

Emily

Hi everyone! Sorry, I've been "unplugged" for a while. Just checking in to let everyone know how goes it in the land of my postop saga. Ten weeks postop tomorrow--gee feels like an eternity! I am in regular shoes (most all kinds with only slight "rubbing" from a couple pair). I am working/walking/running/functioning almost normally. Still have a LOT of sensitivity at the surgical sites (both the incision of the bunionectomy and where the cyst was removed), but not unbearable. It has taken a couple of weeks to get used to NOT walking more on the side rather than the whole foot, but it's coming along great now. I am still maneuvering my toe in the exercises he gave me, but I have to tell you that it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. I do them at least once a day (sometimes twice), and it is still really painful when I first start and then "loosens up" some but I can't tell that it stays "loose". I can move my toe back and forth on my own (without using my hands) but it is still stiff and doesn't bend too far. I am noticing some "shifting" toward the next toe and wondered if anyone else has noticed this and what can I do about it? I noticed a couple of people say they use a "sling" or "brace" but I wasn't told anything about it on my postop visits. All in all, I have been pleasantly surprised with the postop recovery and don't have any of the painful problems that some have had. Looking at it now, at ten weeks, I guess my progress is in the normal to good range. Like I said, it sure seems longer than that! Gee, how we depend on our feet! Hope all is well with everyone else. Hang in there!

Hi Webmom

Good for you and your great recovery. I was told to use a toe spacer for 6 months. As for the stiffness I still have it even though I do the stretching exercises twice daily. I guess we just have to be patient and keep up the stretching exercises and hope it works.
I will be returning to surgery May 9 to remove the pin from my right foot (done 1/6/03). It turns out my body is rejecting it and is trying to push it out.
Though I'm afraid to have surgery again to remove the pin I still don't regret having the surgery. All in all the bunionectomies are doing great it's just my body for some reason doesn't like having the pin there.
The doctor says the pin has served it's purpose and it's okay to remove and not replace it with a new one.

Emily

Webmom,

Glad to hear you are progressing nicely. I will agree with you on the stiffness part. I am just about 7 weeks post op and have been wearing my own shoes for about 4 weeks now. I still have a noticeable limp, but it feels better everyday. I have a toe spacer to keep my big toe straight, and my podiatrist told me too keep this in until post op week 8. He told me research showed wearing the spacer longer than 8 weeks didn't really help any. It seems like everyone gets different advice from their doctor, because I am supposed to do the excercises atleast 8 times a day. My podiatrist also told me to make sure I pushed off my big toe when I walked. He said it would be uncomfortable for a while, but it would help with the stiffness.

Emily,

Sorry to hear about your set back. I hope your surgery goes well, with a quick recovery.

Hi,

I am 3 weeks post op this Friday, I still have the stitches and the stiffness to apparent and i also have numbness, the numbness is evident when I touch the area, as it will tingle, the foot and the big toe are swollen and it looks ugly. I go see the doc Friday, she did not wish to remove the stitches as there was too much swellling last Friday, but now the stitches look really imbedded, anyone have the stitches three weeks post op? I cannot see where she will find the loop of the stitch to cut it and pull it out....anyone have stitches and swelling and difficulty with removal?

The numbness, has anyone had this? it goes all the way to the mid foot region, not just the incision area, I had screw placed....

Thanks

Hi Wasup

I had the numbness for about 4 to 5 weeks on each foot after surgery. As for the stitches I had them removed 2 weeks after surgery. I'm sure they wouldn't leave them in a little longer if they weren't sure they could get them out.

I hope you feel better soon and they take those sutures out.

I was wondering if you can lead me in the right direction on researching a Good and Experienced podiatrist in the san diego area. If you know of any please refer. Also, are there different types of bunionectomy surgeries? WHich one is highly recommended? ( I noticed some people get screws and pin.Is one better then the other?
I really need this procedure done as soon as possible on both feet due that I have been referred for the surgery because of the pain and discomfort. Only thing im worried about is the aftermath.Will I be able to run and play basketball again without feeling any discomfort or pain? Will there be any scarring?( i always had a complex in regards to my feet due to the bunions so I want my feet to look as normal as possible without scarring. Please help and advise.

tatitanya,

i'm from san diego. just had bunionectomy on left foot on 02/27/03. i was referred to my podiatrist by my friend's mom who is a nurse in the poway area. my doc was great. i will be having my right foot done in a few weeks. you can see pics of my surgery at photos.yahoo.com/thelittleprincess0303
i don't think we are allowed to put referrals here....so i'll try to post it on my photo page. good luck.

Any older people with circulation problems and diabetes, which slows healing and also needs some exercise every day, had bunionectomies?

I'm used to having to use a crutch around the house and leaning on my grocery cart like a walker, suppose I could rent a wheel chair, but afraid of the other problems.

I am post op three weeks. I went to the doctor 2 days ago to have a pin removed from my second toe. He could not remove it. He said we needed to wait another week and it would be easier to remove! Has anyone ever had this happen and how long do they usually leave in the pins. This is the kind with the ball on the end. Thanks

hi!

i had removable pins in both my feet. i was warned by someone who had the surgery years ago that removal of the pin is painful - but when my left pin was removed, it didn't hurt at all - the doctor did have to "work" it out though. so i did feel a little tugging. was also warned by the doc that my foot would swell up after the removal, and yes, it did. but when i had my right pin removed, it just slipped right out b/c it was just ready to be removed. and it did not even swell up more (foot is still a bit swollen since the surgery) hope that helps you out.

Had removable pins in my foot-one of them stung, one of them didn't really feel it and the last one really hurt and continued to hurt for a while. Now where the last pin that got pulled out was is very soar and I get throbbing pains. As a matter of fact, from time to time I throb in various places. I have a lot of swelling and am taking ibuprofen. Overall am doing quite well.

Thanks so much to all of you for giving us such previews. We must not have any diabetics who've had this done, and in case we do get some, I'll tell a bit about how that would be different, already have peripheral neuropathy, tingling and numbness that gets more and more painful at the end of the day and can't move my toes w/out using my hand, except to bend them downward a little bit.

I've been going to the podiatrist about five weeks now for a diabetic ulcer at the bunion site, soaking twice a day and putting ointment on the sore, which is small is was deep. It's partly impaired circulation and partly that shoes caused a bad callous, he's been cutting away just a little bit at a time every week.
It's amazing, I don't even feel it. It's imperative to try to stay off of it, so I'm getting used to those motorized grocery carts, so thankful they have them now. My grandmother didn't have any options with her bunions, which looked worse than mine. I wear toe wraps, reinforced with tape and sometimes a bra extender for more stiffness on the 2nd toe, hooks covered by tape.

At first he said he wouldn't dream of doing surgery on me with diabetes that bad, and I'm retirement age, but now that he knows me better, he may want to, said he'd use screws, and they are permanent. I'm so glad you explained about those.

Hope everyone continues to do well and thanks again.