Bunion Surgery Recovery - Foot Problems Message Board

cderitz · 01-08-2007, 10:04 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm currently recovering from a chevron bunionectomy that I had on December 28th (11 days) ago. My work does not offer disability insurance so I'm back in the office today and am feeling awful. I have an external pin that is in my foot and won't come out until 4 weeks post op. I've still not seen my physician since the surgery as my first appointment is this wednesday to remove stitches.

At this point, I am regretting the surgery since I thought I'd feel a lot better by the time I had to go back to work. I know it will be better for me in the long run, and I'm young so I should bounce back relatively quickly...at least that's what I keep telling myself. I guess the whole point of being a "patient" is that you have to have "patience" right?

They've got me on crutches for at least 4 weeks to 6 weeks depending on how well I heal. I'm not in any type of cast right now which has helped for swelling purposes. I'm really looking forward to removing the pin, ditching the crutches and just getting into a walking cast at this point.

How was everyone doing when they were at this point? Similar to my situation? Better or Worse? Any reccommendations on how to take care of myself other than elevate my foot and rest as much as possible?

Good luck with all of you who are in recovery

debbie g · 01-08-2007, 03:37 PM

i was doing pretty bad at that point post op. hope you are icing your foot and resting whenever you can.

RightFootMary · 01-08-2007, 06:39 PM

Hi - I had a Lapidus bunionectomy on Oct 18th and by day 11 I was still "planted" on the couch with my foot elevated. I was also in a "half" cast that went up the back of my leg to just below my knee. I also had one external pin that came out of the top of my foot and that was removed at 6 weeks. That was when I was allowed to get it wet (yeah). I went back to work after 2 1/2 weeks. I was getting real discouraged with my progress (I was on crutches for 7 1/2 weeks). Then at 8 weeks everything suddenly got better quickly.

Don't push yourself too much. You will definitely know when you have overdone it. At 11 days I couldn't keep my foot down for more than 30 minutes without it starting to really swell and feel like a weight.

Good luck.

Mary

KathJack · 01-08-2007, 07:50 PM

I had a (double) bunionectomy in May. I felt like my recovery went very well (No cast or crutches, a bit of walking after a week, more and more after the second week), but I would have found it really hard to return to work in only eleven days. Aside from discomfort and the need for elevating the foot, I found that I was very tired-- I think the healing process takes energy. Yes, you obviously should rest and elevate as much as possible, as well as continue to ice during the day. (Do you have a fridge at work?) Can you take a few vacation days here and there? You will feel much better every week. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Polly59918 · 01-08-2007, 10:19 PM

I agree. 11 days is pretty quick to be back at work and expecting to feel really good. I think when I had my bunion surgery, at 11 days I could be up for a little while (like to get my kids off to school) and then had to ice my foot for an hour to ease the pain.

I promise it will get better. Each week will be just a bit bitter. It will just take patience! Keep those ice packs on your foot and elevate as much as possible.
Polly