Hi - I am 4 weeks post op from a bunionectomy and chevron osteotomy. Just came from the Dr. today and he is happy the way my foot is healing. I don't see him again for 4 weeks. I have a rubbery toe spacer to keep in all the time except when showering. He told me I can start putting weight on it and wear the big boot when I am out. So just flat foot walking. It hurts!! I haven't used those muscles for so long it feels weird. I was so happy to get it wet today and put lotion on it and move the toe joint though. I'm going to keep my crutches a bit but start relying on my foot more.

Just wondering if anyone has any good tips or how long it will be before I feel normal again. I'm so happy I can start walking though. I thought I would need crutches for 2 more weeks. I start school again in one week so am hoping to ditch the crutches by them. Possibility? :D

Thanks - Lisa

Hey wildflower, welcome to the boards.

I don't have any advice for you except to make sure that you pay attention to your body. I was non-weight bearing for 7 weeks, and then I was allowed to start walking with the boot without crutches. If I was going somewhere short distance, like around the house, or maybe a quick trip to my in-laws, I would leave the crutches. But if we were going out to the grocery store or to the mall, I would either crutch it or I would get the wheelchair or motorized cart. But eventually I got stronger.

If this is the first time you have had work done on your foot, you will be surprised how many muscles are involved in walking and how quickly they atrophy when you don't use them. So be careful, take it slow, listen to your body, and use caution on the stairs. I remember one area that I had trouble with was getting out of the shower. My right foot is the one I had work on, and when I would stand on that foot alone, my balance was off. In fact, one time I got out of the shower right foot first, and pushed over too far one way and really got a good strain on the ankle muscles, it let me know right away it was too much.

You mentioned school, I assume you mean college. That would probably involve a lot of walking, so don't push yourself too far. You may find that in the morning you feel good, but later in the day your foot becomes tired and sore.

Hi Wildflower,

Congrats on being able to walk again! I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks last April after my bunionectomy and I remember being really scared to put weight on my foot at first. My doctor had me use the crutches for support at first and then told me that i had to be crutch free in two days.

I think you'll be able to walk again very soon. I think I ended up being crutch free after only half a day. I was just too scared at first to really put pressure on it. In the beginning it will feel really weird, but not painful. Like dbgoalie said, make sure you take it easy for the next few weeks because your foot is still healing and you don't want to risk any complications. Your leg muscle may feel sore at first but it really shouldn't be that bad. My muscles atrophied completely but I could still walk fine at first. It has taken a few months, though, to rebuild those muscles.

I hope your doctor suggested physical therapy for you. If not, I would ask him/her about it. It did wonders for me.

good luck!!

again congratulations on walking! just go for it, but take it easy at first. ditc the crutches as fast as you can and this will help the healing process.

Thanks for all the information. I have been trying to walk with just one crutch in the opposite hand of my bad foot. I also have taken a couple short walks throughout my apt w/nothing. I'm very slow and it feels so strange but in a good way. I took a shower w/both feet and that was great. I finally have no bunion wrap on......just a rubbery toe spacer.

I only have an 8am class 3x a week and a night class once a week for 3 hrs so that should be ok. I start nursing school in the fall and wanted to have my foot fixed for my new career!! :angel:

Thanks again. Lisa

I never had to go through non weight bearing but even so walking after surgery was very weird. When I got the bandages & wrapsoff it felt sooo good, like being set free. It's easy to feel so good that you wear yourself out. The healing takes time and I think it takes a lot of your body's energy, making you tire easier. So take it easy & don't overdo.
Marjorie