Hypochondriac808
07-23-2003, 07:52 AM
Today, I made my first visit to a podiatrist after progressive pain in my bunions on both feet. She recommended surgery and my pre-op appointment is 7/24/03. However, I am sceptical of the expertise of the podiatrist and am unsure of what sort of questions I should be asking besides her experience with bunions. Is it better to have surgery by a podiatrist of orthopedic surgeon? Which one has more knowledge and experience with bunions? How can I research foot doctors on the Internet?
Also, I need advice on the best surgical procedures for mild to moderate bunions? I saw a woman's feet after the procedure and her toes were spread too far apart and she had a huge scar on the top of the foot. I don't think my bunions look bad but they do hurt and I probably need surgery. I want to have surgery to relieve the pain but I also don't want a huge scar on the top of my foot especially since I keloid pretty bad. Is it possible to have the incision on the side of the foot?
If anyone can offer advice I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
Also, I need advice on the best surgical procedures for mild to moderate bunions? I saw a woman's feet after the procedure and her toes were spread too far apart and she had a huge scar on the top of the foot. I don't think my bunions look bad but they do hurt and I probably need surgery. I want to have surgery to relieve the pain but I also don't want a huge scar on the top of my foot especially since I keloid pretty bad. Is it possible to have the incision on the side of the foot?
If anyone can offer advice I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
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Eagle
07-23-2003, 11:09 PM
No experience yet, sorry, but good luck.
Fuchsia_Lay
07-23-2003, 11:16 PM
From my experience I would go with the podiatrist.
Ask to talk to patients - talk about their experiences
Doctors won't give out names; but will be happy to contact patients, get the OK and have them in turn call you. It sure worked for me.. I asked to speak to 3 patients before I went under the knife !
good luck
Ask to talk to patients - talk about their experiences
Doctors won't give out names; but will be happy to contact patients, get the OK and have them in turn call you. It sure worked for me.. I asked to speak to 3 patients before I went under the knife !
good luck
Hypochondriac808
07-24-2003, 01:19 AM
Thank you for your replies! If anyone else had a successful mild to moderate bunionectomy I would love to hear from you. Do you still experience pain? What kind of surgery did you have? My doctor recommended a titanium screw.
sawbuck44
07-24-2003, 05:11 PM
There are over 130 different types of bunion surgery. I had a bunion removed - don't know the technical name of it but it involved taking extra bone from the side and top of my toe and inserting a dissolvable pin. Surgery was done on 5/20 - had a foot cast for three weeks - was not able to do anything (but bathroom trips). Have been in a hard bottom surgical shoe since cast removal (at which time the stitches were removed). Go to physical therapy three times a week (for a month or more depending on progress). Twice at the gym and once in the pool. Cannot walk barefoot and was told by the doctor not to walk barefoot for at least 3 months. I had other complications though, heel spurs in both heels (but only hurts on left foot). Bunion was right foot - started driving in hard shoe in the fifth week after surgery. They found a morton's neuroma in my right foot which was removed at time of surgery. They also gave me a shot of cortisone in my left heel while I was undergoing surgery (painfree is the way to be :)! I could and would write a book. But get back to me if you have anymore questions. Good luck!
I forgot to mention that my scar is on top of my foot and is about 3 inches long. I have been using Mederma on it a few times a day. I do exercises that the therapists gave me every day. Also a "contrast" bath, which involves ice cold water (with ice!) for 30 seconds then lukewarm water for a minute. Alternate three times, then end with ice bath and immediately wrap with ace bandage. This all to reduce swelling.
I did go to a podiatrist. I'm still experiencing pain, but I believe it is more from the nerve tumor than the bunion surgery.
[This message has been edited by sawbuck44 (edited 07-24-2003).]
[This message has been edited by sawbuck44 (edited 07-24-2003).]
I forgot to mention that my scar is on top of my foot and is about 3 inches long. I have been using Mederma on it a few times a day. I do exercises that the therapists gave me every day. Also a "contrast" bath, which involves ice cold water (with ice!) for 30 seconds then lukewarm water for a minute. Alternate three times, then end with ice bath and immediately wrap with ace bandage. This all to reduce swelling.
I did go to a podiatrist. I'm still experiencing pain, but I believe it is more from the nerve tumor than the bunion surgery.
[This message has been edited by sawbuck44 (edited 07-24-2003).]
[This message has been edited by sawbuck44 (edited 07-24-2003).]
badbunionectomy
07-25-2003, 10:49 PM
I would not recomend surgery to anyone EVER. I had my surgery March 21 and am still not able to go physical therapy as the cut has not healed. I would have tolerated the pain of my bunion the rest of my life if I knew that it would be like this. I swore I would tell everyone. DO NOT DO IT!