Not happy with bunionectomy results- anyone else? - Foot Problems Message Board

maddiesmom · 09-26-2005, 05:51 AM

I had 2 bunionectomies this summer (one on each foot) and I also have flat feet. When my right foot was done the doctor unwrapped it, took the stitches out and x-rayed it. Things looked good so he told me to wear a sock, wear the walking cast at all times and come back in a month. In that month my bones moved to the point that my big toe is 'bent' again (almost exactly the same angle as it was when I had a bunion). The podiatrist says he's not sure why it happened. My theory is that flat feet don't provide a nice stable arch for the bones to heal and remain in their corrected position and so I would've needed a splint or some other form of support until the bones were 'set'. He didn't tell me one way or the other what he thought, just that sometimes 'these things happen'...

Fast forward to foot #2... I requested the foot be splinted. Even after my x-ray the podiatrist said it looked great and he didn't see a need for it to be splinted but I reminded him of foot #1 and said I would feel better if it was splinted. So, he showed me how to splint it and I did for several weeks.

Foot #2 looks far better than foot #1. I know there's little I can do now to fix foot #1. I'm concerned about a few things, though:

Because my toe is 'bent' again, isn't it possible/likely I'll get another bunion? Podiatrist says 'no' because I've got a permanent screw in my big toe. But if my toe moved with a screw in it post-surgery who's to say it couldn't move again? He insists I won't get another bunion but I'm not so sure.

Am I crazy or should people with flat feet have some sort of splint/support system while their feet are healing? The podiatrist acted like that was only done in certain situations but insisted my feet didn't require it. Is he crazy or am I? I just want to know if any of you have flat feet and were not splinted and have the same results I do? I see a MAJOR difference in my two feet and it makes me angry the first foot wasn't done properly. You know how it is: if you go through something like this you want it done right.

Anyways, just looking for any opinions here (other than the obvious which is my podiatrist is a moron)...

feetfirst · 09-26-2005, 02:20 PM

Hi, I am 6 months post op on right foot, and 4 months post op on left. I had an austin bunionectomy with 2 screws on both feet, PLUS the shortened my second metatarsal on both feet and fixed with a pin (due to ball of the foot pain, that the doctor said would be worse after bunionectomy if it wasn't shortened.

First foot - I have never been pain free yet. I have experienced pain under the second toe, and pain as I walk under the big toe (a completely different area than the bunion pain I had prior to surgery) With the second toe - I had to go back and get the pin removed, as it was sticking me. The pain is somewhat better - but still there. My foot is stiff 1st thing in the AM, and if I am on my feet any length of time it hurts. As far as the look of the foot - the big toe has drifted back some, but it looks 100% better than prior to surgery.

Second foot, not too bad. It is better pain was than prior to surgery, and I think this foot is going to be okay.

As for the first foot - the doctor claims he is stumped.. so now what? I can't say that I am happy that I went through with the surgery at this point. I am trying to give it a fair shot, and wait a year - as some say it can take that long.

Annette06 · 09-26-2005, 06:07 PM

Maddiesmom,
Hi there - I am 1 week and 3 days post op Chevron Bunionectomy on my RT foot (surgery 8/16) big toe and my tailors bunion also shaved and stitched. Absorbable pin in big toe as well as absorbable stitches. Had my post-op visit the Wed after (8/21) and they did xrays, removed the boot and bandage.
It looked beautiful!! I was so pleased. My doctor said 4 more weeks in the boot, begin ankle range of motion exercises when removed and seated and then after 10/20 he hopefully will put me in tennis shoes.

They did splint my foot prior to rewrapping it. It is a fairly easy white cloth splint that velcro's around my foot. Another strip goes down the outside the toe to keep it straight and in place. The ace bandage is then over half of that and the rest of the foot back into the boot. Now I am glad after reading your post that it was done. I might even ask about the benefits of continuing in the tennis shoes? I have been told since I also have flat feet that orthotics are a must after for the life of me to keep the bunions from reocurring.

My pain has been minimal. Only mid (underneath) foot pain the first 2 days. And now my toe tingles every once and a while and at the worst it feels as if someone is tugging at my toenails to pull them out - but it is bareable. I think it is healing around the screw.

Anyway, this is my first day back to work after a week - and I think it was too soon - I am exhausted. I think I may take this on off in addition after tomorrow and then maybe half days next then full time.

Good Luck,
Annette

joll43 · 09-26-2005, 08:38 PM

I have flat feet - big time. My double bunionectomies this year were pretty tough to get through, but I have to say, I'm completely pain-free and I love my new feet.

I've never even heard of splinting. I think the success of my bunionectomies is directly related to the conservative approach of my podiatrist and the fact that I was in full-on fiberglass casts on each foot and completely non-weightbearing for 8 weeks on the first foot, 6 weeks on the second. It HAS to heal.

I think that with toe separators/splints, etc. you can probably keep them at bay -- good luck!

Annette06 · 09-26-2005, 09:34 PM

WOW - you were off your feet 8 and 4 weeks - I am going to post a separate post to see what the differing times off were and if people were in a cast versus boot and for how long. I am thinking I am OK in the boot for 4 more weeks?!