What's after the walking boot? - Foot Problems Message Board

maddiesmom · 07-15-2005, 10:46 AM

Hi all,
I'm 5 weeks post Austin bunionectomy and tailor's bunionectomy with osteotomy and have been walking in my walking cast like normal again. I've got no pain and very little swelling if at all and I tend to go all day with my 2 girls. So, I'm feeling great!

Next week I get this walking boot/cast off and then what? Will I be told to go to a regular shoe?

Also, I talked to my pod. about PT and he said it wasn't necessary. Many of you have been encouraged to do PT, am I right? I will ask him more about this next week but just wanted to see what you all thought.

rollargirl · 07-15-2005, 03:34 PM

Maddiesmom--What you go into next depends on how your foot is healing. My doc thought I'd go straight into a tennis shoe but he had to nix that and I've been in the blue surgical shoe now for almost five weeks. Hopefully next week a tennis shoe. I haven't had PT and my first surgery was fine and I have good range of motion on my toe so it wasn't necessary. I'm not so sure that will be the case for the second foot.

skigirl · 07-15-2005, 10:36 PM

Well, I'm only 3 1/2 weeks post op (austin bunionectomy with two permanant screws and wedge osteotomy) but my podiatrist is only having me do the toe exercises on my own. You should have seen my face when only after a week he grabs my toe and starts moving it way forward and back. It wasn't too painful but scared me to death!

I'm way timid in doing it myself so I know I'm probably not doing it enough or hard enough. I should've tried it myself while I was in the office with him so I know how hard to move the toe.

My podiatrist said he would take x-rays at the 6 week appointment and see if I can try to get in a size larger tennis shoe (after wearing the walking boot and surgical shoe). I'm crossing my fingers!

joll43 · 07-16-2005, 07:39 AM

Yeah, they never tell you about moving that toe. My pod's office is pretty small, so when he did it the first time, I'm sure the people in the waiting room were considerably freaked out!

feetfirst · 07-16-2005, 11:35 AM

Keep exercising that toe, it is very important!!

After 6 full weeks, I was told to move into a tennis shoe. I went shopping before my surgery and found a comfortable pair (new balance). At 6 weeks - they were TIGHT, but I was okay in them for a few hours. Your swelling may continue up to 6 months, but I think the tennis shoe helps control it somewhat. If I am not in the tennis shoe, my foot will swell much more.