jean2003
03-03-2008, 04:41 PM
I had bunion surgery with 4 hammertoes on Jan. 8, 2008. My foot still swells. I try to keep it up and on ice as much as I can. I go back to the doctor Thursday and he said he will probably let me wear tennis shoes. I am now in a boot. I don't think I can get my foot in any of my shoes. I have been taking dancing lessons for a long time and I just wonder if I will be able to dance any time soon. If anyone dances please let me know. Thanks.
Sponsor
debbie g
03-03-2008, 05:04 PM
your foot will be swollen for some time. when you get into tennis shoes, that will help. if you can go for pt that may help, also. ask your dr about a compression sock. that really helped me. just listen to what the dr says and hopefully you will be dancing away!
jean2003
03-04-2008, 10:55 AM
Thanks for the reply. I have never heard of the sock, but I will ask my dr. Thursday when I see him. My foot did not swell until two weeks ago. I am 8 wks. now and I think the boot has a lot to do with the swelling. It seems so heavy to drag around walking only on my heel. I haven't put weight on my foot yet. I have read on the board about people putting weight on their foot much sooner. I don't know why I have to wait so long. I ice and keep my foot up as much as I can. Just can't wait to start to dance. The dr. said I could probably wear shoes starting Thursday, but I don't have any shoes that I can get on my foot.
wmkcolors
03-04-2008, 05:22 PM
I am 9 weeks postop and, though I'm wearing wide running shoes, after a 2-3 hours on my feet, my foot swells and aches. I still ice and elevate. I am a runner, and, from what I've read, it takes a few months, 4-6, to get back to normal. I'd think dancing would be similar. I finally found a runner who said she was running after 8+ months postop. I now feel I won't be running again until the summer, though I hope to get on the elliptical in a month. If you aren't in pain, when you walk, then, that's a good sign. How often are you on your feet now and how does it feel? It's still very soon after your surgery... All the best.
jean2003
03-04-2008, 11:08 PM
I am 9 weeks postop and, though I'm wearing wide running shoes, after a 2-3 hours on my feet, my foot swells and aches. I still ice and elevate. I am a runner, and, from what I've read, it takes a few months, 4-6, to get back to normal. I'd think dancing would be similar. I finally found a runner who said she was running after 8+ months postop. I now feel I won't be running again until the summer, though I hope to get on the elliptical in a month. If you aren't in pain, when you walk, then, that's a good sign. How often are you on your feet now and how does it feel? It's still very soon after your surgery... All the best.
Thanks,
I am not in pain when I walk, but I only walk on my heel. I am up and about a lot. I am used to being busy all the time. Just hate not being able to just jump up and do things. I have to find shoes that I can wear. None of mine will fit. Thanks for the reply.
Jean
Thanks,
I am not in pain when I walk, but I only walk on my heel. I am up and about a lot. I am used to being busy all the time. Just hate not being able to just jump up and do things. I have to find shoes that I can wear. None of mine will fit. Thanks for the reply.
Jean
dancergal19
03-05-2008, 12:41 PM
hi jean,
what type of surgery did you have? I have been dancing since I was 4 (mostly ballet, jazz and modern) and had bunion surgery last April. I had a base wedge osteotomy and hammertoe correction on two toes. I was on crutches for 6 weeks then a walking boot for 3 or 4 and then a surgical shoe for 2 weeks. I did about 3 months of physical therapy after I got out of the walking boot.
I only dance occasionally now and only do it for fun. I have had trouble with my range of motion in my big toe. Because of this I am not able to releve on my surgery foot as well as I am on my good foot. I'd say my range of motion is about 80-90%. Part of this is because I had a pretty invasive surgery and also because I wasn't very good about doing my PT exercises at home every day. I also have struggled with balancing on my surgery foot because all of the muscles in that leg became really week from non-weight bearing for 6 weeks.
I think I started taking dance classes about 6 months after my surgery. It would still hurt in the beginning but now when I take classes there is no pain or swelling. I would suggest getting a bunion splint or soft toe separator to wear inside your ballet shoe. Or try using a sock or lyrical shoe. If you do ballet, I would order a size bigger than your used to in ballet shoes, because I went up a size due to swelling.
I struggled a lot after my surgery because I am also very active. I would say I was completely back to normal around 8-9 months post-op in terms of activities like dancing, running, etc. but my range of motion in my surgery foot will never be 100%.
Sorry for the long post, I hope this all made sense. Feel free to ask me questions. My advice to you would be to do your PT exercises as much as possible to improve your range of motion and take it easy in terms of exercise in the beginning. You'll get back to normal in a few months.
Amy :wave:
what type of surgery did you have? I have been dancing since I was 4 (mostly ballet, jazz and modern) and had bunion surgery last April. I had a base wedge osteotomy and hammertoe correction on two toes. I was on crutches for 6 weeks then a walking boot for 3 or 4 and then a surgical shoe for 2 weeks. I did about 3 months of physical therapy after I got out of the walking boot.
I only dance occasionally now and only do it for fun. I have had trouble with my range of motion in my big toe. Because of this I am not able to releve on my surgery foot as well as I am on my good foot. I'd say my range of motion is about 80-90%. Part of this is because I had a pretty invasive surgery and also because I wasn't very good about doing my PT exercises at home every day. I also have struggled with balancing on my surgery foot because all of the muscles in that leg became really week from non-weight bearing for 6 weeks.
I think I started taking dance classes about 6 months after my surgery. It would still hurt in the beginning but now when I take classes there is no pain or swelling. I would suggest getting a bunion splint or soft toe separator to wear inside your ballet shoe. Or try using a sock or lyrical shoe. If you do ballet, I would order a size bigger than your used to in ballet shoes, because I went up a size due to swelling.
I struggled a lot after my surgery because I am also very active. I would say I was completely back to normal around 8-9 months post-op in terms of activities like dancing, running, etc. but my range of motion in my surgery foot will never be 100%.
Sorry for the long post, I hope this all made sense. Feel free to ask me questions. My advice to you would be to do your PT exercises as much as possible to improve your range of motion and take it easy in terms of exercise in the beginning. You'll get back to normal in a few months.
Amy :wave:
wmkcolors
03-05-2008, 03:25 PM
Dito to everything Dancergal said... I am only 10 weeks postop and am just walking upright, full weight bearing, with some confidence, though my foot swells and aches fairly quickly. I am in PT and now know this will be a long haul, before I'm running and being as active as I generally am.... I am trying to now regain my strength and do regular foot exercises. What procedure did you have and how much pain are you in? Swelling? The foot "talks" and lets you know what your limitations are fairly quickly? Dancergal, did your foot ache and swell at 10 weeks, as you left your casts behind and started PT? I am swimming laps, but my foot aches after walking on it, with a wide shoe, even after an hour or so, running errands. I still ice and elevate, when resting.
dancergal19
03-06-2008, 11:10 AM
wmkcolors - yes, my foot was definitely still swelling at the 10 week mark. I had swelling up until about 6 or 7 months later, and still have residual swelling occasionally, but it's very minor. I think swimming laps is probably very good for your foot and leg and it's also good to continue icing. I would ice and elevate after any type of exercise. Not sure if it helps but it seemed to. I also have had arch pain and minor aches in the bunion area but I think that's fairly normal and also due to my foot adjusting to the orthotics that I wear now. Your foot definitely "talks" and will tell you when you're pushing yourself too hard and when you can push yourself a little harder.
wmkcolors
03-06-2008, 03:42 PM
Thanks Dancergal, you are always a source of encouragement and good info. I'd be lying if I said that this surgery has been a breeze. NOT!!! I'm at that "bluesy" period, where I'm shaky on my foot still and testing out FWB and hoping for the best. I keep thinking it shouldn't hurt this much at 10 weeks, but I'm trying to be patient. I used to be able to go to my gym, during crowded periods, but now I have to creep in at those lulls, when I don't have people rushing around me. I'm surprised at how nervous I've become by others whizzing past me as I struggle to strengthen my leg and spirit. When did you foot STOP aching long term? You may have already answered that question awhile back. I can hardly stand FWB past a few hours and am quickly off my foot and back to icing ASAP.
rileyroe
03-07-2008, 11:03 PM
I had bunion surgery about 4 years ago, and honestly it will take close to a year before you are at 100% again. You should wait to dance until you notice that your foot isn't swelling as much. It is a LONG recovery, but so worth it when it is behind you!
pohtr
03-08-2008, 08:00 PM
Surgery date: Jan 3 dbl bunionectomy (austin w. bone spur removal)
I was somewhat weight bearing from the beginning and heel walked til 1 week when the wraps came off and I was told to try to walk normally at least part of the time. The sandles, I was told where built for rocking on. Also I didn't need much ice by that time since not much swelling.
At 4 weeks I could wear sneakers and was told to let the toes bend as long as I didn't over due it. The "exercise" I do the most is when I'm sitting I put my feet up on the toes and stretch all my toes as if I were on tippy toes. I do this often and I'd say movement is back to about 80%.
At 7 weeks I was back on my horse for a very long ride (but had to keep the worst foot out of the stirrups most of the ride).
The only exercise I can think of that doesn't really hurt is bike riding (no gym anywhere near) and that doesn't hurt my feet at all.
I have had it really easy compared to almost everyone else on this forum but I can't imagine dancing or running for a long while yet, that just seems like a lot of pressure & pounding on the bottoms of our poor feet!
Marjorie
I was somewhat weight bearing from the beginning and heel walked til 1 week when the wraps came off and I was told to try to walk normally at least part of the time. The sandles, I was told where built for rocking on. Also I didn't need much ice by that time since not much swelling.
At 4 weeks I could wear sneakers and was told to let the toes bend as long as I didn't over due it. The "exercise" I do the most is when I'm sitting I put my feet up on the toes and stretch all my toes as if I were on tippy toes. I do this often and I'd say movement is back to about 80%.
At 7 weeks I was back on my horse for a very long ride (but had to keep the worst foot out of the stirrups most of the ride).
The only exercise I can think of that doesn't really hurt is bike riding (no gym anywhere near) and that doesn't hurt my feet at all.
I have had it really easy compared to almost everyone else on this forum but I can't imagine dancing or running for a long while yet, that just seems like a lot of pressure & pounding on the bottoms of our poor feet!
Marjorie
jean2003
03-09-2008, 10:35 PM
Amy, so sorry I didn't get to the computer to read the board sooner. I have been traveling. Thank you for your reply. I had 4 hammer toes and a bunion on my left foot. I asked the doctor before I had this done if I would be able to dance again and he told me yes. I do ballroom dancing. The shoes do have a heel. My doctor has not said anything about PT. I don't think he has his patients do it. I didn't know anything about PT until I started reading this board. I have been in a regular shoe for two days now. I walk funny. It seems as if I have a limp. My toes don't bend. My big toe just a little. My foot swells so it is hard to get my shoe on. I did get a tennis shoe on this morning, but took it off about noon, because my foot was starting to swell. Thanks for your information.
Jean
Jean
jean2003
03-09-2008, 10:48 PM
Dito to everything Dancergal said... I am only 10 weeks postop and am just walking upright, full weight bearing, with some confidence, though my foot swells and aches fairly quickly. I am in PT and now know this will be a long haul, before I'm running and being as active as I generally am.... I am trying to now regain my strength and do regular foot exercises. What procedure did you have and how much pain are you in? Swelling? The foot "talks" and lets you know what your limitations are fairly quickly? Dancergal, did your foot ache and swell at 10 weeks, as you left your casts behind and started PT? I am swimming laps, but my foot aches after walking on it, with a wide shoe, even after an hour or so, running errands. I still ice and elevate, when resting.
I had the Austin procedure done, pins in 4 toes. My foot looks somewhat normal in the morning, but swells as the day goes on. I just started putting weight on it Friday. The hardest thing is trying to find shoes that my foot will fit in. I don't have pain in my foot, just feels as if the top is burning. I am worried because I can't bend my toes. I go back to doctor in three weeks.
Jean
I had the Austin procedure done, pins in 4 toes. My foot looks somewhat normal in the morning, but swells as the day goes on. I just started putting weight on it Friday. The hardest thing is trying to find shoes that my foot will fit in. I don't have pain in my foot, just feels as if the top is burning. I am worried because I can't bend my toes. I go back to doctor in three weeks.
Jean
debbie g
03-10-2008, 05:44 PM
its good you are tring to get into shoes. i would call the dr and ask him if can manipulate the toes because they are so stiff. i always woory about scar tissue.
dancergal19
03-10-2008, 11:09 PM
hi jean,
Since I am pretty much 95% back to normal I don't read these boards as much as I used to. I just wanted to give you a little more info in case it helps. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think that you were ever NWB? If so, I'm guessing that's why your Dr isn't sending you to a physical therapist. I would still strongly suggest asking him about giving you a prescription for PT, especially if you want to dance again. I say this because you're going to need to rebuild certain leg and foot muscles and also because you need to improve your range of motion in your toes. I don't know if this is the case with you, but my 2nd toe, which I had the hammertoe correction, I cannot bend my toe because the joints or bones were fused together. Even if this didn't happen with your surgery, you will still probably need help getting rid of scar tissue and improving your range of motion in your foot and toes. But don't worry, although I can't bend my second toe, I can still releve on my foot and wear high heels!
Also, there isn't a whole lot you can do about the swelling, at least in my opinion. A sock will help but it's only temporary. And since in ballroom dancing you wear a heel, you'll have to wait even longer before you can put those shoes back on (my Dr told me I wasn't allowed to wear heels until my foot stopped swelling completely). I ended up wearing heels occasionally but don't wear them on a regular basis like i used to. Keep icing and elevating!
good luck!
amy
Since I am pretty much 95% back to normal I don't read these boards as much as I used to. I just wanted to give you a little more info in case it helps. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think that you were ever NWB? If so, I'm guessing that's why your Dr isn't sending you to a physical therapist. I would still strongly suggest asking him about giving you a prescription for PT, especially if you want to dance again. I say this because you're going to need to rebuild certain leg and foot muscles and also because you need to improve your range of motion in your toes. I don't know if this is the case with you, but my 2nd toe, which I had the hammertoe correction, I cannot bend my toe because the joints or bones were fused together. Even if this didn't happen with your surgery, you will still probably need help getting rid of scar tissue and improving your range of motion in your foot and toes. But don't worry, although I can't bend my second toe, I can still releve on my foot and wear high heels!
Also, there isn't a whole lot you can do about the swelling, at least in my opinion. A sock will help but it's only temporary. And since in ballroom dancing you wear a heel, you'll have to wait even longer before you can put those shoes back on (my Dr told me I wasn't allowed to wear heels until my foot stopped swelling completely). I ended up wearing heels occasionally but don't wear them on a regular basis like i used to. Keep icing and elevating!
good luck!
amy
jean2003
03-14-2008, 11:56 AM
hi jean,
Since I am pretty much 95% back to normal I don't read these boards as much as I used to. I just wanted to give you a little more info in case it helps. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think that you were ever NWB? If so, I'm guessing that's why your Dr isn't sending you to a physical therapist. I would still strongly suggest asking him about giving you a prescription for PT, especially if you want to dance again. I say this because you're going to need to rebuild certain leg and foot muscles and also because you need to improve your range of motion in your toes. I don't know if this is the case with you, but my 2nd toe, which I had the hammertoe correction, I cannot bend my toe because the joints or bones were fused together. Even if this didn't happen with your surgery, you will still probably need help getting rid of scar tissue and improving your range of motion in your foot and toes. But don't worry, although I can't bend my second toe, I can still releve on my foot and wear high heels!
Also, there isn't a whole lot you can do about the swelling, at least in my opinion. A sock will help but it's only temporary. And since in ballroom dancing you wear a heel, you'll have to wait even longer before you can put those shoes back on (my Dr told me I wasn't allowed to wear heels until my foot stopped swelling completely). I ended up wearing heels occasionally but don't wear them on a regular basis like i used to. Keep icing and elevating!
good luck!
amy
Amy, thanks for the reply. I now wear tennis shoes and my foot does not swell during the day, but at night, when I take the shoes off and take a shower, my ankle and foot starts to swell. I do not know why.I sleep with my foot elevated and it is fine in the morning. I do think my toes are fused. Just my guess because I try and try to bend them. I see my doctor in another week and I will ask about PT. I want to start dancing again so bad and wear nice shoes.
Jean
Since I am pretty much 95% back to normal I don't read these boards as much as I used to. I just wanted to give you a little more info in case it helps. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think that you were ever NWB? If so, I'm guessing that's why your Dr isn't sending you to a physical therapist. I would still strongly suggest asking him about giving you a prescription for PT, especially if you want to dance again. I say this because you're going to need to rebuild certain leg and foot muscles and also because you need to improve your range of motion in your toes. I don't know if this is the case with you, but my 2nd toe, which I had the hammertoe correction, I cannot bend my toe because the joints or bones were fused together. Even if this didn't happen with your surgery, you will still probably need help getting rid of scar tissue and improving your range of motion in your foot and toes. But don't worry, although I can't bend my second toe, I can still releve on my foot and wear high heels!
Also, there isn't a whole lot you can do about the swelling, at least in my opinion. A sock will help but it's only temporary. And since in ballroom dancing you wear a heel, you'll have to wait even longer before you can put those shoes back on (my Dr told me I wasn't allowed to wear heels until my foot stopped swelling completely). I ended up wearing heels occasionally but don't wear them on a regular basis like i used to. Keep icing and elevating!
good luck!
amy
Amy, thanks for the reply. I now wear tennis shoes and my foot does not swell during the day, but at night, when I take the shoes off and take a shower, my ankle and foot starts to swell. I do not know why.I sleep with my foot elevated and it is fine in the morning. I do think my toes are fused. Just my guess because I try and try to bend them. I see my doctor in another week and I will ask about PT. I want to start dancing again so bad and wear nice shoes.
Jean
dancing feet
03-28-2008, 11:05 PM
Jean, I bought a pair of slides by Ryka. they are great! After I had my surgery, I found it difficult to bend my foot to get it into a shoe because of the swelling. I bought these Ryka slides (wide width) and I was able to slip my foot right in. It also has a rubber sole which lessens the impact. I also have another closed shoe by Ryka (wide width) and am now able to get my foot into those. They are extremely comfortable. You might want to give them a try. I would suggest starting with the slide. Good luck.
wmkcolors
03-30-2008, 03:25 AM
I've found in wider shoe that isn't rubbing up against the incision, to irritate it have helped me. You want to try some wider pair, so, you can start to walk more evenly and regain range of motion. That said, I wasn't even in any "normal" shoes until about 8 weeks and even then I sometimes went back to the cast/soft shoe or boot. My foot has become so weak, in 3 months. I am now in any wide shoe I can find and am learning to walk evenly. Crocs are great, for around the house and light errands and a gel arch support helps relieve the tension in my arch, which developped due to lack of motion. There is a website, FootSmart that has alot of wide width shoes and orthotics. I think you are pretty much in a wider shoe for at least 6 months.