Well, I am 4 months postop, from my bunionectomy, and, today, I went for a 3 mile walk, without any significant swelling afterwards. I went for a shorter walk this evening, to test my foot further. I've only been running a little thus far, though I'm swimming everyday, a good way to get back to daily exercise. I finally have 90 degree ROM, but my big toe will still ache and tingle some and the ball of my foot feels a little bruised. Minor arch pain too. I was wondering how other people are doing months postop, with their return to exercise, especially walking and running. Any swelling or pain still? How is your scar feeling? My scar is still a little sensitive, but I can now wear shoes that rub up against it, without further swelling. Hope everyone is feeling better.

Hi wmcolors! My walking has been pretty good. Prior to the surgery I was walking 5 - 6 miles every other day. I am back to that now...I am 3 months post. I found some terrific stuff at the store called ScarGuard and thought I'd give it a try since I kind of hit a plateau with the Mederma. The Scar Guard works GREAT!! In a matter of three days my scar has shrunk externally and is not painful at all. (Internally is a whole different ball game.) Also, the color is not near as dark. The stuff smells like the Compound W for warts, and you put it on twice a day. I put a bandaid over it just to make sure it doesn't rub off. It goes on as a liquid and dries something similar to rubber glue if that makes any sense. I still have this big blob internally right over my joint and it makes bending my toe down near to impossible. But my bend up is just about as good as the other foot!

I still have minimal swelling after my walk or if I sit at my desk, like now. But, I can get into my walking sneakers (which are pretty much my regular size) with no problems....I even moved the laces back down to the regular holes on the shoe on the surgery foot. So, I think progress?

I do have some strange issues right now though. I've noticed over the last three nights that my foot aches and throbs and burns, just like it did before the surgery...I'm not sure why. It has woken me out deep sleep for about an hour or so. Also, about the only "real" swelling I have is in the ball of the big toe...it is huge, and not sure why. Doesn't really hurt though...it is just odd.

But, my walking is back to my regular distance and speed!

congratulations wm! how wonderful to be back in the swing of things.

I have been walking a couple of miles with my husband every evening. He had total knee replacement three months ago. I think he is doing better than me, I had a sesamoidectomy on Nov. 15, so 5 and half months out. I still have nerve pain due to scar tissue and a strange bubble in the ball of my big toe. I feel that I am slowly getting better, but this is the slowest surgery recovery that I have ever gone through. Some days not too bad, other days not so good. My husband and I used to dance at least three times a week. Now all I want to do is be normal. I find if I wear softshoe sandles, they do not bother my scar. It does feel better when I massage my scar so I do that often during the day. It sounds like we are all taking it one day a time. Good luck to all of you. KB

I am walking fast now, though my foot will swell. ROM has improved to about 85% and there is less pinching, in my toe joint, though I've found, 4 months postop, that I'll be stiff in the morning. I go through my "foot routine" to loosen the scar tissue and toe joint. With walking, I've found the ball of my foot feels bruised. My doctor explained that one's foot, after years of having a bunionectomy, isn't used to walking on the ball of the foot. It takes time to "toughen" the area. I'm still trying to find a good, wide athletic running shoe, which I'll probably get online. Desensitization of the scar, to improve ROM and walking, is VERY important. Neuritis develops around the scar tissue. I don't think you can massage it too much.....massage deeply....often....That has improved my ROM the most.

That is so helpful to know, wmk. The ball of my foot aches so badly by the end of the day, even though I don't have any pain by the ex-bunion. My doc also told me that the ball of my foot is bearing most of my weight because I haven't stretched my tendons enough to make my toe hit the ground when I walk.

I found some terrific stuff at the store called ScarGuard and thought I'd give it a try since I kind of hit a plateau with the Mederma. The Scar Guard works GREAT!!

Also, about the only "real" swelling I have is in the ball of the big toe...it is huge,


I had mentioned scardguard on the board awhile back because I was looking up the mederma you mentioned and what I discovered was that this scarguard was supposed to work like a charm ..glad to hear someone actually tried it.. I am not ready yet to deal with my scar but very soon

I am only 7 weeks post but I have the same "fat" ball of my big toe. When I asked my doc he said that it is because my foot has been in the bandages and I still am in a small wrap that comes off next week but when I walk on the toe because it is so fat it feels like a bubble :D

Sounds like you have made some great progress though and it is very encouraging to hear as I am about 5 weeks behind you. :bouncing:

Where did you guys find ScarGuard? Is it something I can pick up at the local pharmacy?

I found it at Publix, our grocery. I think you might be able to do a search online and see where it is sold. I had never seen it there before...in fact I was just at that Publix two weeks ago and it wasn't there. Maybe it is a new thing they are carrying?

Where did you guys find ScarGuard? Is it something I can pick up at the local pharmacy?

Just google it.. you can order it online for sure.. not sure what stores sell it. I am also using something called tendon rescue to help my tendons heal --and I ordered something else for pain and inflammation called Inflame Away its supposed to lubricate cell membranes, promote comfortable joint flexibility and provide cushioning properties. It has gotten some high marks from sports organizations for pain relief and joint stiffness .. you can google it and find more about it as well. I am just trying anything to help me heal and progress faster. I have not gotten the inflame away yet but will report back on that. Just started Tendon rescue yesterday so too soon to tell.

Thank you both for the info. I'll start looking for it.

Well, I feel like I'm past the most difficult part of my postop period. I've been speed walking the last few days, without significant swelling. I have 90 degree ROM, which will make running up hills easy. I still don't feel comfortable running, until I can find a good wide width running shoe. In the fall, I'll probably have my bunionette, by my little toe removed. At 15 weeks postop, from my bunionectomy, it was touch and go, filled with alot of anxiety about my recovery. This is the first time, when I'm not panicking about my foot, because it recovers from any twinges and aches quickly. So, anyone only 2-3 months out, give it time....it will heal.... PT is very important, as is deep massaging of the scar tissue, to regain ROM, to get back to walking, esp. running. I've been in alot of pain, over the last few weeks.....Wish I could say it's a breeze.... Glad it's Spring!!!