How long until feet are normal after bunionectomy? - Foot Problems Message Board

bubbles1967 · 12-30-2006, 08:22 AM

I know most people that have had bunionectomies with good results are probably long gone, but does anyone know how long until there is no more pain and you can go for long walks after having bunionectomy?
I had bunionectomy (right foot) and cheilectomy (left foot) on Nov 3.
Thanks

misfish90 · 12-30-2006, 10:50 PM

I'm 3-1/2 mos out from my bunionectomy (osteotomy w/cheilectomy.) I can't say that I'm totally pain free yet, but my foot isn't keeping me from doing most things except really strenuous exercise like jumping & running. And I probably could do those too (within reason) but I'm not really athletic so I haven't felt like pushing it. As for walking, I've been able to go for long walks since about week 9-10. I just have to go a little slower.

I think once you are over the initial hurdle of getting the bones healed (about 8 weeks) it is just a matter of letting your feet tell you what they will tolerate. I've been told that full recovery can take anywhere from 6 mos to a year.

All in all, I estimate I'm 70% of the way towards a full recovery. Some days are better than others but I rarely have really bad days. I just can't take the foot for granted yet.

Happy New Year!!!

RightFootMary · 12-31-2006, 12:17 PM

I agree with Misfish. I'm 10 weeks (Oct 18th) from bunionectomy with first metatarsal fusion and every day is a little better. I really can't say I'm in any pain but my foot definitely tells me when I've done too much (pins and needles feeling from the swelling). It's amazing how quickly things moved along after the 8 week mark. At 7 1/2 weeks I was barely hobbling in a rocker boot and then at 8 weeks I was able to "squeeze" into a new sneaker. Now I'm walking with almost no limp. I go back to the dr on Thursday and I'm hoping he will say I can go back to exercising (walking a treadmill) slowly at first. I know I've put on a little weight while I was laid up (and the holidays didn't help) and I would like to start taking it off.

Every week should get better. Just go slow - and your foot will dictate what you can and can't do.

Good luck.
Mary

BunionLovah · 01-04-2007, 07:49 AM

I had an Austin bunionectomy and cheilectomy on my left foot on Nov. 30. The first 2-3 weeks were awful. I regretted it. But I feel really good now-- I have noticed a lot of improvement in the last week since I began wearing running shoes rather than the surgical boot. My foot is more of a nuisance now than a source of pain. Yesterday when I was walking around the office I had a few people comment to me that I was barely limping. My calf muscle still gets very sore.

I'm planning to take my dog for a walk for the first time since the surgery this evening (poor doggie-- 5 weeks with no walks!) so we'll see how that goes. I feel like I could walk maybe a half mile, but I don't know. I've been exercising in the gym and I haven't been able to return to my previous activities of the elliptical machine or the stairmaster-- I've gone on them a little but it seems like it's too much for my foot. Recumbent bike works best.

It seems like everyone has a very individual recovery time. Since you had both feet operated on, it seems that would be harder to recover from-- one of your feet is always under stress when you're standing, whereas since I just had one foot done, I've been able to put all my weight on my good foot whenever I need to.

I still don't have very good range of motion in the toe and I'm starting physical therapy today-- I'm kind of dreading that, I'm afraid it will hurt!