HELP... need post-op suggestions - Foot Problems Message Board

badfeet51 · 03-09-2008, 04:26 PM

Having bilateral bunionectomy , also bunionectomy on side of little toe, great toe fusion, and finally 2 hammertoe corrections. The bad thing is I have already had foot surgery multiple times. I had a pin to break off in my toe when it was being removed once and also when one of my toes was fused using a screw it managed to unscrew itself and was working itself out of my foot. I originally started out with two Keller bunionectomies due to halux rigidus. Then, several years later all sorts of things started happening and so here I am again facing surgery. I really believe I have the best doctor on my case now. My mother went down this same road years ago as did both of my brothers. So halux ridigus is definitely a hereditary thing. My question is: I am middle aged and have been through this NWB recovery with pins and etc several times. Can any of you please give me some suggestions to make it less boring? Also, I am not really good on crutches so can anyone give me helpful hints on that? Anything to make my sofa/bed stay more comfortable, more convienent, and less boring? Tv and reading get old. You would never believe I am a nurse and I am here begging for self-help ideas. I remember the very first time I had foot work done and I was actually looking forward to a little resting on the sofa/bed and watching tv and reading. By day two I was ready to be tied.....Asking for help....please

RunnerMac · 03-09-2008, 04:46 PM

You're in a tough spot, there are no things that totally take away the boredom. I found this web site to be one of the best things to communicate with others shared experiences.
Other than that I got more cable channels and watched more old movies. I had friends bring over their favorite book. People volunteered to make me a dinner so I took them up on that and it provided something to look forward to. I exercised as much as possible from a prone position. I don't like talking on the phone much but that was a good outlet too.
Hope this surgery goes better than your past ones!

badfeet51 · 03-09-2008, 04:53 PM

You are so right about these boards Runner. I have already become semi-addicted to them even before the surgery. I am sure my laptop will be of considerable help to me. I am wondering if you have any good "icing" hints. It seems I remember the ice bags always leaking previously. Any good ice techniques?

RunnerMac · 03-09-2008, 05:03 PM

I would use an ice bag that the hospital gave me when I left (it was cool because it had straps on it to tie wherever I wanted) and that was good. I also would just double bag ice in two freezer strength baggies for the thinner layers, otherwise my foot didn't get cold enough. I would place the ice on top of my ankle as close to the bandages as I could. Behind the knee is a good option of you are bandaged quite high on your foot.

RunnerMac · 03-09-2008, 05:29 PM

One other thing that really helped me was to keep a journal of what happened to me each day and how I was feeling and dealing with my concerns. It helped to be able to look back and see how much progress I was making. I had a second surgery only three weeks after the first bunionectomy and I looked at my journal often to reassure myself that the second foot was coming along as well as the first one had.