Hi everyone...I had my bunion removed 2 weeks ago today...I was in so much pain...the meds weren't working...my foot felt like it was swelling up so bad...finally the Dr. said I could take my Advil http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I got my stitches yesterday...it is ugly http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif He has me wearing a "toe alignment splint" Has anyone's big toe seemed like it's moved over some? It's way over then other way...away from the other toes...I can't bend it at all...it hurts...and I have to go back to work in 6 more weeks...am I gonna be ready? Does this get better? I don't think I want the other foot done http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Thanks for any replys.

Hello,
It does get better, give it time as you are only 2 weeks post-op. I had my surgery on 7/23, so I am now almost 9 weeks post-op. I just got back into a gym shoe a couple of days ago...can't say that it is all that comfortable as my foot is still swollen. I also noticed at 2 weeks that my big toe was much straighter than it is now...it actualy looks more normal now. I guess the one thing that I have learned thru this process is that it is a long recovery. I have not gone back to work yet..if I didn't have the "time" to take off work I would have been back at 7-8 weeks..but, since I do have it..needless to say I will take it so when I do go back I am more comfortable. Hang in there...patience is really the key here. And since you have to be back to work in 6 weeks..you will be fine to do so.


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~~Maya~~

Hang in there...be patient..I think it will get better. Everyone's recovery is so different; I have learned that. I would say my recovery was in the middle(not quick, but not too extended). I am 4.5 months post-op and my foot finally feels just about normal and I can credit physical therapy with that. I would highly recommend it as it helps with scar tissue. I didn't start until after 3 months post-op but you can start it as soon as your stitches are out. I remember my biggest complaint was the tremendous pressure from the swelling. It wasn't a "sharp" pain, just tremendous swelling. I needed my foot propped up ALOT but today it feels great!! It will happen! Be patient!

Hang in there Doe I went threw the same thing my foot was swollen and all black and blue Ugly but it did get better I kept putting lotion on my foot too that helps a lot the peeling and ect then the dr said vitamin E so I got some Vitamin E cream and that really helped the scar I go back to work next Monday 29th had my 10 week check up was in a non wieght splint for 7 weeks and then a walking shoe for one and then my own shoe the swelling went down a lot week 8-9 I notices a lot and now only the top of my foot is swollen alittle were the screw and wire are keep you chin up and do as the Dr says I had toe exersizes I did from week two on and that makes a big different no PT just my exersices Good luck and be paitent it will get better and keep it elevated and iced that will help the pain too

Thanks everyone. I'm just so worried because I'm putting the weight on the other side of my foot...which makes me feel like I'll never be able to walk on it normal again. It's oozing alot and I have to keep some gauze on it. My big toe is leaning way to the left and feels so awkward and even when I take this "toe alignment splint" thing off...to shower or whatever...it stays there. I am trying to toe exercises he mentioned...it really hurts but I do try. Thanks for support and anymore advice anyone has.

DoeZ0763-- I was surfing last night on bunion sites and saw a few pictures of what you're describing with your toe. It was called hallux varus-- meaning the big toe now leans far out away from the other toes. Depending on how far it goes and whether it stays that way it could mean your doctor over-corrected the bunion. Supposedly most doctors over-correct just slightly on purpose so that when you start wearing shoes they will press the toe just that little bit back into place and it will look like a normal foot. If it's really far and stays there, your doctor may have made a mistake and you should ask about it. Hopefully he/she is honest. I'm amazed at how many people have stories about their doctor avoiding giving a straight answer! Hope the toe settles down on its own, but don't be afraid to get a second opinion, if only to have peace of mind!

OMG!!! After reading your post...I'm so nervous that my foot is totally messed up now. I'm gonna keep an eye on it and ask the Dr. when I go back in 2 weeks. Now that the stitches our out...I get a better look at it...I'm hoping that once I take a nice hot bubble bath it will relax it a bit so I can start some toe exercises. I get a little bit of weight on it...but I'm putting it to the other side...like I'm walking on the outer part of my foot now. That's not good...need to work on that. But thanks again.

Hi Doe,,
In my opinion, it is normal to walk on the outside of the foot for at least the first month. I also found myself walking that way and was afraid that I would strain the foot, but eventually you slowly but surely begin to plant your foot normally. Then at first it feels like you have a marble under your foot,,but that goes away also. Be patient, I am 9 weeks postop and still have a bit of the marble feeling, but have resumed my gym workouts and been on the tennis court hitting a couple of times.
Also, regarding your concern about the foot looking funny shaped, I have to laugh, because when the bandages were first removed from mine, my first impression was that it looked like a cats paw!!! But as you walk more and more, the foot resumes its "normal" shape, and now mine doesn't look that way anymore. Best wishes with your recovery...

Thanks so much for those encouraging words. I was really getting myself worried cuz I am walking on the outer part of my foot...Can you bend your big toe at all? I'm still doing the toe exercises and it's not bending much. I'll keep at it. You said you were 9 weeks and you're out playing tennis? So then you basically walk like you used to? And how far apart is your big toe from the others? Thanks again for your words http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Re: the big toe looking like it's too far over...of course I haven't seen yours but I can tell you that my foot looked a bit funny at first and there was a fair amount of space between the big and 2nd toe. I even wore that toe cushion to keep space between them but now it has drifted over a bit and it looks normal. I wouldn't worry for at least 8-10 weeks.

There was definitely a space between my big and second toe that I was worried would stay. But, once into sneakers and after a week or so they look normal again. I did not have my big toe out to the left though. If you can find any of my older posts, I have tons of info on physical therapy. I am a big advocate for it and started 6 weeks after surgery.