mediamom

Hi all. Long time since I posted but wanted to just update everyone. I'm at week 6 since my double bunionectomy and yesterday I had my x-rays and things looked fine so doc removed the pins. I had two in my left foot and one in the right (less severe bunion in that foot). I expected it would be really painful, as the pins themselves were starting to really irritate me. I started getting sticking pain from them around week 4 - 5 so i was very happy they could come out. Doc really wanted them to stay in until 6 weeks though because he said that's about how long it takes for the bones to heal completely so I'm glad we waited.

Didn't have much trouble with the removal because doc said that the body sort of encapsulates the pin during recovery which means that the pins are sort of in a protective pocket and not hitting so much nerve and tissue. Of course this is my really rudimentary explanation but it's quite true. You can feel the tugging but not real pain. It felt great to have the pins out and to have all the bandages removed. So now I can finally soak my feet and wash them and lotion them. They look horrid so can't wait to do this. Also can finally be without bandages. Doc said that chances are I won't fit in shoes for the next week or so because of swelling. He said to try but not to get discouraged if my feet are too swollen and just to stick with my velcro shoes if need be. We'll see on that one. I go back to the doc in 8 weeks so basically I've been dismissed from post-op recovery and now I'm on my own and hope to make slow progress and see how much walking I can manage. Probably very little to start with but I feel good that I'm heading in the right direction.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Lesley