Maya49
09-24-2003, 12:32 PM
Hello everyone,
I am 9 weeks post-op from bunion surgery and have read alot about toe exercises in the posts. What kind of exercises did you do?...would really like to do them and maybe that will help with the swelling and mobility? Anything that you can suggest or share with me will be most appreciated....Thanks!
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~~Maya~~
I am 9 weeks post-op from bunion surgery and have read alot about toe exercises in the posts. What kind of exercises did you do?...would really like to do them and maybe that will help with the swelling and mobility? Anything that you can suggest or share with me will be most appreciated....Thanks!
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~~Maya~~
Sponsor
crankyc
09-24-2003, 03:48 PM
Hi, Maya,
At about post-op week 6 the podiatric surgeon who did my surgery showed me an exercise to restore normal range of motion in the big toe. It worked so well for me that he didn't even need to send me to an outside physical therapist. Sitting in the examining chair with my leg outstretched, the Dr. pushed my big toe toward me, downward as far as it would go, practically at a 90-degree angle, and held it there. I let out a shriek and kicked with my other foot. If he was standing any closer there would have been an injury. (He would be singing soprano, if you catch my drift!) When he told me to do a set of 12, 3x a day, I didn't think it was possible at first. In the beginning I could only push the toe a little, but it really started loosening up after I tried it for about a week or so. Here's how it's done: Grab your big toe & gently push it downward, toward your ankle (not away from it). Hold it there for as long as you can (preferably for a count of 10), then release it. Do this exercise 11 more times. I started with one set a day, and most days I find I can only do 2 sets, but it still worked wonders. Just start slowly, and do as many as you can. If you really can't deal with it, find a physical therapist to work with you, because it's important to have as near-normal r.o.m. in the big toe as possible.
Chris
At about post-op week 6 the podiatric surgeon who did my surgery showed me an exercise to restore normal range of motion in the big toe. It worked so well for me that he didn't even need to send me to an outside physical therapist. Sitting in the examining chair with my leg outstretched, the Dr. pushed my big toe toward me, downward as far as it would go, practically at a 90-degree angle, and held it there. I let out a shriek and kicked with my other foot. If he was standing any closer there would have been an injury. (He would be singing soprano, if you catch my drift!) When he told me to do a set of 12, 3x a day, I didn't think it was possible at first. In the beginning I could only push the toe a little, but it really started loosening up after I tried it for about a week or so. Here's how it's done: Grab your big toe & gently push it downward, toward your ankle (not away from it). Hold it there for as long as you can (preferably for a count of 10), then release it. Do this exercise 11 more times. I started with one set a day, and most days I find I can only do 2 sets, but it still worked wonders. Just start slowly, and do as many as you can. If you really can't deal with it, find a physical therapist to work with you, because it's important to have as near-normal r.o.m. in the big toe as possible.
Chris
crutches
09-24-2003, 05:15 PM
Hi, I am over 3 months post op and have been going to physio for about 6 weeks now with not much progress. My toe won't bend down, but has flexibility bending up. My PT is concerned that he can't get the toe to have anymore flexibility. I went back to my podiatrist and he wasn't concerned, told me it's the sesamoid bones that are stopping the toe from bending down and to give it 6 months that it will loosen up eventually. Then he said at 6 months if it's no better he can give me a shot (cortisone I think) to loosen the joint up. Has anyone else heard of this or had the toe so stiff? It doesn't lay flat on the ground. Doesn't bother me at all when wearing shoes but barefoot I still have the golf ball feeling and it feels uncomfortable to walk without shoes (not painful though). The toe is still quite numb too. Any one else had this? I'm not
totally unhappy with my foot, it's much better than it was just wondering if this is normal.
totally unhappy with my foot, it's much better than it was just wondering if this is normal.
Maya49
09-24-2003, 06:40 PM
Hi cranky,
Thank you for that...I tried it..I hope I did it right...grabbed big toe and bended it toward me, held it for the count of 10..released and did about 10 more times? It was not painful, but toe does not really bend that far either and was not about test the waters beyond that...am I doing this right?
Thanks....
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~~Maya~~
Thank you for that...I tried it..I hope I did it right...grabbed big toe and bended it toward me, held it for the count of 10..released and did about 10 more times? It was not painful, but toe does not really bend that far either and was not about test the waters beyond that...am I doing this right?
Thanks....
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~~Maya~~
bigbadfeet
09-24-2003, 08:05 PM
Hi
I'm 16 days post op from an Austin Bunionectomy and my surgeon gave me the exercise to do on my one week follow up visit. It consists of pushing the toe downward (firmly but gently) for a count of 10 and then pulling it upward for a count of 10. Do this ten times, at least three times a day. He said I could do it all day if I felt like it...haha. I was told to hold on to the foot below the toe joint with the other hand ( ball of foot area) to stabilize and help to focus the stretch in the right place. I went back to the doctor today and he is very pleased with the mobility of my toe. I told him I'm trying to be a model patient. :-)
I'm 16 days post op from an Austin Bunionectomy and my surgeon gave me the exercise to do on my one week follow up visit. It consists of pushing the toe downward (firmly but gently) for a count of 10 and then pulling it upward for a count of 10. Do this ten times, at least three times a day. He said I could do it all day if I felt like it...haha. I was told to hold on to the foot below the toe joint with the other hand ( ball of foot area) to stabilize and help to focus the stretch in the right place. I went back to the doctor today and he is very pleased with the mobility of my toe. I told him I'm trying to be a model patient. :-)
pepsi
09-24-2003, 11:29 PM
that is the same exercize that my dr had me doing with the toe hold it but I had to do it 30 reps three the four time a day and it has made a big difference and got easier each day hold on to the base of the toe now I can do it with out my hands I think it was to break up the scar tissue too still have some swelling on the ball of my foot and am 10 weeks post-op and go back to work monday good luck
Maya49
09-25-2003, 12:15 AM
Thanks to you all for your suggestions on the toe exercies....I have started doing them already :)
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~~Maya~~
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~~Maya~~
wasup254
09-25-2003, 12:44 AM
I also had the austin bunionectomy on 4-11 and now I have the big toe looking at me, it is not laying flat and the doc said scar tissue and she wants me to go to PT. I am planning on getting the other foot done, I am scheduled for surgery on 10-2. She said there will be extra weight on the other foot and she wanted to wait to do the surgery, but I have to have it now or cannot do it as I am too busy at work till May of 2004. has anyone had the surgery on the second foot and the first one was having scar tissue issues?
Thanks
Thanks
crankyc
09-25-2003, 12:45 PM
Hi, Maya,
Regarding the toe-stretching exercises, bigbadfeet added something very helpful— holding the foot with the other hand to stabilize it. I discovered that holding the foot steady kept me from having any sudden, sharp pain as I did the exercises, and just generally made it easier. I told the Dr. that I was afraid I was going to break the toe off at the joint if I pushed too hard. He laughed & said it's just not possible. (If he didn't already break it the first time he did the exercise on me, it won't break when I do it!) So don't worry.
Chris
Regarding the toe-stretching exercises, bigbadfeet added something very helpful— holding the foot with the other hand to stabilize it. I discovered that holding the foot steady kept me from having any sudden, sharp pain as I did the exercises, and just generally made it easier. I told the Dr. that I was afraid I was going to break the toe off at the joint if I pushed too hard. He laughed & said it's just not possible. (If he didn't already break it the first time he did the exercise on me, it won't break when I do it!) So don't worry.
Chris
Maya49
09-25-2003, 06:52 PM
Thanks Cranky...
Ok, I started doing these exercises. Someone in here said to bend the forward, hold and then to do in reverse...so, I have been doing those..now, for my question: do you or did you get these kind of sharp tingling type pains where the fracture was?...In my mind I think that is the nerve endings healing..does that make any sense? Did you experience that kind of pain also?
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~~Maya~~
Ok, I started doing these exercises. Someone in here said to bend the forward, hold and then to do in reverse...so, I have been doing those..now, for my question: do you or did you get these kind of sharp tingling type pains where the fracture was?...In my mind I think that is the nerve endings healing..does that make any sense? Did you experience that kind of pain also?
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~~Maya~~
Terrimisu
09-25-2003, 08:10 PM
Hello! I just had my bunion surgery on the 15th. I can wiggle the toe a very little bit on its own, but for the most part, I have to bend it the way all the others have said: with my hands. My doctor said that's okay, just to keep trying both ways, to bend the toe on its own and to use my hands to move the toe around. I tried to pick up a pencil with my toe and would have laughed if it didn't feel so *gross* on the inside. He said it will feel odd for a while because of all the swelling:With all that swelling, there's only so much room to move the toe anyway! But just keep trying, and eventually it will loosen up. Also, I found it's a lot easier to move the toe after I walk on the foot. (Note, my doctor wants me to walk on mine. Not everyone's does! Each case is different.) And it's MUCH easier when I'm nice and toasty warm. If my foot is cold, forget it. About the gross part: I might be just an oddball, but it just feels...icky...under the toe knuckle when I bend it. And it feels tight over the wound. This horrible fear keeps going through my head, like my foot is going to split open at the cut, so I wrap the foot in a nice thick, clean towel and hold it with one hand while I do the exercises with the other. 36 years old and I'm all grossed out. Blech.
Maya49
09-25-2003, 10:10 PM
Hi Terri,
Wow...you just had your surgery on the 15th?..and you are doing all that? I couldn't even do any kind of excercise at that stage because my foot was heavily wrapped in bandages for 5-6 weeks?....One thing I have learned from reading all of these posts..is just how different each persons experience and surgeries are...never will I think again..that a bunion surgery is the same for everyone, it certainly isn't.
Well, great for you on your success with the surgery...
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~~Maya~~
Wow...you just had your surgery on the 15th?..and you are doing all that? I couldn't even do any kind of excercise at that stage because my foot was heavily wrapped in bandages for 5-6 weeks?....One thing I have learned from reading all of these posts..is just how different each persons experience and surgeries are...never will I think again..that a bunion surgery is the same for everyone, it certainly isn't.
Well, great for you on your success with the surgery...
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~~Maya~~
crankyc
09-26-2003, 03:38 PM
Hi Maya,
In my case, only the 1st metatarsal bone was cut & straightened. The doctor actually didn't cut bones in the big toe itself, he worked on the tendons & ligaments around the toe, to pull it straight. So those big toe exercises really didn't affect the area where my bone was cut. For the first week or so after I started the exercises, the big toe joint would ache a bit when I finished. I was giving those newly-tightened tendons a real workout. However, if you're getting really severe, sharp pain when you do these exercises, stop! What my Dr. recommended for me might not be the best thing for you, especially if your procedure was different. You need a type of exercise that's tailored to you personally. Speak to a physical therapist, ASAP! We don't want you to injure yourself.
Chris
In my case, only the 1st metatarsal bone was cut & straightened. The doctor actually didn't cut bones in the big toe itself, he worked on the tendons & ligaments around the toe, to pull it straight. So those big toe exercises really didn't affect the area where my bone was cut. For the first week or so after I started the exercises, the big toe joint would ache a bit when I finished. I was giving those newly-tightened tendons a real workout. However, if you're getting really severe, sharp pain when you do these exercises, stop! What my Dr. recommended for me might not be the best thing for you, especially if your procedure was different. You need a type of exercise that's tailored to you personally. Speak to a physical therapist, ASAP! We don't want you to injure yourself.
Chris
gypsy704
09-26-2003, 05:40 PM
I had a chevron bunionectomy on my right foot on 9/12 (2 weeks ago)I have one screw and a disoluble pin in my toe. It surprised me on my 3day postop visit he had me start exercising it.(moving it up and down 1 set a day,but I have increase to 3sets/day) Boy did it hurt! Everyday it's getting a little easier. He let me start driving again at 1 week postop and one and a half weeks after surgery he said I could start wearing my atheletic shoes anytime I felt up to it. I definitly am not "up" to it and probably won't be for a while. I still have a lot of swelling which is usually worse in the evening because I won't sit still.I agree everyone's surgery experience is definitly unique...
Maya49
09-26-2003, 06:38 PM
Hi Cranky,
I think I maybe mis-spoke about the pain I was feeling...let's see if I can better communicate here.. :)
The pain, tingling kind of thing doesn't happen after the toe exercises...they can come at any time. Just wondering from others if they experienced this also?..I am now 9 weeks post-op.
Thanks...
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~~Maya~~
I think I maybe mis-spoke about the pain I was feeling...let's see if I can better communicate here.. :)
The pain, tingling kind of thing doesn't happen after the toe exercises...they can come at any time. Just wondering from others if they experienced this also?..I am now 9 weeks post-op.
Thanks...
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~~Maya~~
mefoot
09-26-2003, 11:37 PM
Was told to expect pains like that for about the first year. As Dr. described it you will feel great and then out of the blue get zingers in the joint. I am about 11 weeks post op and do get it every now and then. I also did the stretching excercises and have great mobility in joint. I still find myself doing the excercises every day.
Maya49
09-26-2003, 11:45 PM
Mefoot,
Thank you...ok, now I know that it is normal to get those. I luv these boards...get a lot of info and it helps to relieve some of those anxieties.
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~~Maya~~
Thank you...ok, now I know that it is normal to get those. I luv these boards...get a lot of info and it helps to relieve some of those anxieties.
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~~Maya~~
crankyc
09-28-2003, 05:49 PM
Hi Maya,
Sorry it took so long to reply! Normal life keeps me pretty busy at times. I guess I'm a bit paranoid that I'll give someone bad advice and they'll hurt themselves. I'm glad you explained about your pain. I was actually getting these weird "electrical shock" sensations when I started walking after I was out of the removable walking boot (week 7 or so). They gradually disappeared over the following 3 weeks. The doctor said it was the nerves waking up & regenerating themselves, and I could get the feelings at any time, even up to a year. It seems this whole thing requires a lot of patience, that's for sure.
Be well,
Chris
Sorry it took so long to reply! Normal life keeps me pretty busy at times. I guess I'm a bit paranoid that I'll give someone bad advice and they'll hurt themselves. I'm glad you explained about your pain. I was actually getting these weird "electrical shock" sensations when I started walking after I was out of the removable walking boot (week 7 or so). They gradually disappeared over the following 3 weeks. The doctor said it was the nerves waking up & regenerating themselves, and I could get the feelings at any time, even up to a year. It seems this whole thing requires a lot of patience, that's for sure.
Be well,
Chris
Maya49
09-28-2003, 07:00 PM
Hi chris,
Thanks for your reply. Yea..those "electric shock tingling" sensations..that is a good description. And before I had this surgery I truly did not realize the amount of time and patience this takes....whew!!...dang!! Somedays I get very impatient with it...I just want to put on my shoes and just walk like regular folks.... :)
I think I am going back to work in a couple of weeks...must figure out what shoes I can wear. I may just wear this black velcro boot for awhile..it is the most comfortable for now.
Take care....
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~~Maya~~
Thanks for your reply. Yea..those "electric shock tingling" sensations..that is a good description. And before I had this surgery I truly did not realize the amount of time and patience this takes....whew!!...dang!! Somedays I get very impatient with it...I just want to put on my shoes and just walk like regular folks.... :)
I think I am going back to work in a couple of weeks...must figure out what shoes I can wear. I may just wear this black velcro boot for awhile..it is the most comfortable for now.
Take care....
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~~Maya~~