If anyone could give me any advice on how to handle the challenges of being off both feet for such a long time, I would love to hear! Is a wheelechair helpful at first? Have any of you used a ice water bath. It has tubes that circle around your cast with ice water running through it! Supose to be better than ice packs. Any suggestions for right before the surgery or right after that helped you through it better?
How in the heck do you get around the first few weeks How do you exercise over the long recup time?with both feet out of commission?
Thanks, Ireland

Hi Ireland!
I am not sure what type of surgery you are having, but I had both feet operated on in February. I had neuromas removed, and a bunionectomy on one foot. I was able to be up and around (for a limited time) after 4 days, but it sounds like your surgery will be a little more complex. As far as excercising goes, I was able to swim once my incisions healed. I have some post-bunionectomy problems, so I have not been able to do "weight-bearing" excercises, but hopefully my new doctor can help me with that!
Good luck to you! I hope all goes well with your surgery.
Ami

I am almost 5 weeks post op from my bilateral bunionectomy on 8/28/03. Bones were cut on both my feet but only the left foot needed a screw to hold it together. I had ace wrap until my 2nd post op at 4 weeks. For the first 4 days, I relied on my husband to carry me to the bathroom. I have been getting around the house with my hands, butt and heels since the 4th day after surgery. A step stool helps me getting on and off the toilet and the sofa where I sleep temporarily. I also equipped the shower with a hand held hose, a plastic chair (higher than the step stool) so I can take showers. I sit on the step stool with my feet elevated on the chair to keep them dry. I also cover my feet with plastic bags just in case of any splash. A yardstick is also helpful to reach light switches on the wall. A wheelchair will help only if your place is accessible to it. I have an office chair with wheels to move around on the tile floor in the kitchen. That gives me more freedom to get food, reach the sink and do simple cooking. Of course I depend on my family to help with other things: driving, laundry, shopping, cooking, doing dishes etc. I borrow a wheelchair from a friend to use for post op visits to the doctor’s office and restaurant. I also borrow a walker to help with my walking when I am ready to walk. I am patiently taking it one day at a time. I am sure the day will come when I get back to normal again.

As for exercise, I lift my feet up and down in the sitting or lying down position. These simple movements won’t burn many calories but at least help in reducing the chance of developing blood clots due to non-mobility.

My surgery on the right is for a Metatarsus Varus, so the Dr. is cutting a kind of pie section out of the Metetarsus bone and move the bones together use a screw(I think the surgery is called a"Gerro"). This is a no weight situation for six to eight weeks at least! My left foot is just getting the "Atkin" procedure at the big toe joint and reduction of the bunion. I've read some on this board are talking about scooting around on their bottom with hands and heels to get around, but if it is suppose to be no weight bearing at all is this ok? And for that matter how do you get down on to the floor from the bed or couch to scoot? Or back up again??
When can you get out after surgery?
Thanks

I am using that machine that runs cold water through your cast. It's awesome. My husband just has to change the water and put ice about 3 times a day if I cool my foot all day. So the only down side is you have to buy bags of ice. My fridge does not remake ice fast enough. But well worth it. No mess no hassle. I sleep with it on!

Cinderella,
Thanks for the info on the ice tub. The more I know about all of this stuff the better I feel.
Thanks again,
Ireland

Ireland 101:

I had bilateral bunion surgery and hammertoes on 9/16 and it's been 3 weeks today. I'm supposedly half way through the recovery period, according to my orthopedic surgeon. The stitches came out at 10 days post-op and the bandages were changed then. The two pins in the hammertoes will stay in for a while - I'm not sure how long - until the bones knit. I was told to stay in bed, except for going to the bathroom, for the first 72 hours, which I did. I have black surgical shoes with velcro fasteners across the tops which are actually quite comfortable. My husband and a friend had to carry me in the house upon returning home from surgery and I went up the stairs to our bedroom on my bottom and scooted over to the bed and crawled in. My husband did not have to carry me to the bathroom and the walker and surgical shoes and careful stepping got me there and back to bed. The first 5 days, I used a walker and no wheelchair. A wheelchair wasn't necessary but using an office chair on wheels is a good idea and you might consider it, depending on your situation. I have not used one, however. I was afraid I'd slip or move too fast and have my feet slammed into something. The next visit to the doc is Friday and I will have my feet 'cleaned' and bandages changed. It will feel good to have my feet 'washed'! The pins won't come out until the toe bones knit. I'm a bit skittish about that part - a bit scared about their removal, actually, but I'll be glad when they come out. Do use your Rx pain meds. I went off them after the 2nd day and that was stupid! You can't do that as it's too painful and, this was the first time I'd ever finished any pain Rx as I used ALL of my Percocet! Don't be stupid - take the meds. I'm still taking Ibuprofen - this is not a pain-free surgery but each day is better than the last. I'm SO looking forward to wearing shoes comfortably again - even sandals - and keeping my eye on that goal is getting me through this period of healing. Try to remember how unhappy your feet were prior to surgery and you won't regret it. Good luck to you!

UNBELIEVABLY EXCELLENT RESULTS!!

This past Friday was 3 1/2 weeks post-surgery for bunionectomies and hammertoes. I had my 2nd check-up and bandages were removed and the two pins taken out of the corrected hammertoes. My doc (fine orthodpedic surgeon and sports doc)looked at the feet and said that I could now go home and PUT ON MY OWN SHOES! They had to be flat, with open toes. I had not been able to wear most of the shoes I'd had and had many pairs in a discard bag for charity. I dug into that bag, found 7 pairs and put one on - felt great! It was to rain Saturday and so, Saturaday night, I put on a pair with closed toes, flat, but open heels. My shoes that I'd been wearing for the better part of a year all had square toe boxes so this worked out well. I have not yet put on sports shoes.I am back pretty much to normal - still have fading surgical scars and some swelling (two ex-hammertoes look like little sausages but going down), but I am able to go and walk everywhere! Now, how unusual is THIS? I can tell you that I had several groups of dear friends who prayed for my recovery and it is documented that patients who are prayed for recover faster than those who are not. That is the only explanation I can give - my doc was quite amazed and pleased, I can tell you! It's one for the books. However, he is the best doc in the area and that certainly counted big-time. I hope all of you on this board will be encouraged - follow all your doc's advice, as I did - and your results should be good, too. One thing that has helped keep friction down while toes are still a bit swollen is putting some vaseline on a Q-tip, between each toe. Other than that, I haven't done anything else.

Love to all - Marie

marie - that is amazing! I hope I have as good as results as you did!! so right now at 3 1/2 weeks no more pain or swelling?
did you have both feet done?
Did you do a lot of physical therapy exercises? I'm wondering if those actually help in the healing or not.