Double bunionectomy this Thursday! - Foot Problems Message Board

Misheli · 04-28-2008, 12:17 PM

Hi everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a few months now, and I thought I was armed with enough information; but now that the time is here, I'm freaking out

I suppose that happens to everyone as their surgery date draws closer. Just looking for a little reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.

I'll be having a distal osteotomy done on both feet at the same time. My doctor said I would immediately be able to bear weight, so based on my readings here, I asked him if I was having the chevron procedure. He said that mine is similar to the chevron... Can anyone tell me the difference between these two?

I have some crutches from previous knee surgeries. Even though you can bear weight, do you feel more stable with some type of device? Would a walker be better? I bought some great gel packs for icing as I plan to do it often. How many days should this be done on a regular basis? Are there any other words of advice to follow the first few weeks that will speed up my healing?

Finally, I love working out. I'm currently into step aerobics with a lot of lunging so I doubt I'll be doing that anytime soon

My doc says that I can ride the stationary bike around 3 weeks out as long as I don't put pressure on the front of the foot. This makes me nervous, but it seems like the only cardio I'm gonna get for awhile. In terms of strength training, I picked up a few Pilates tapes (floor work.) Would anyone recommend this? If you have any other ideas for staying in shape, please share. Swimming perhaps?

Thanks so much for listening... I'm sure I'll be posting a lot after Thursday asking more questions. Hope y'all don't get sick of me

janewhite1 · 04-28-2008, 12:35 PM

Hey, welcome to the board. Best of luck with your surgery.

As far as exercise, for the first few days, as long as the swelling and pain are bad, you don't want to do any exercise harder than moving yourself around the house, because raising your heart rate will worsen the swelling.

Swimming will be out until your incision closes. Ask your doc how long.

Once you are feeling generally ok, that pilates tape would probably be great.

I became a weight-training addict during the long, tedious months of gimping around before I had my ankle surgery. If you move directly from one exercise to the next, rather than resting between sets, it's aerobic. And, my arms and shoulders look pretty nice now. Not huge. Just nice and firm.

debbie g · 04-28-2008, 01:03 PM

good luck on your surgeries. i started out with the bike and sat and worked my upper body.

lcweiden3132 · 04-28-2008, 01:11 PM

Good luck with your surgery! I had a friend who did both feet at the same time and it was 5 weeks before she was in shoes and walking....so, I think it may be some time before you are doing aerobics. I only had one foot done and it was 7 weeks before I could actually get a shoe on my foot (the scar was what was hurting the most.) I did icing 24/7 for about the first week...feet elevated, only got up to go potty. I didn't use crutches - I live in a townhome with three flights of stairs. I scooted on my bottom when I wanted to get around. This was the best arm/core/upper body workout I've ever done!!

See how it goes....everyone heals differently. I would like you to know that my friend told me 5 weeks to feel better, my doctor said I would be great by 6 weeks...I'm 3 months and still having issues with slight swelling, odd/random pain in the toe, stiffness in the toe, pain in the scar. So, I would try to pace myself if I were you and go by what feels comfortable for *you*.

As for what to do during the "waiting" phase....movies, books...I crocheted LOTS of baby blankets during this phase....about 8....and rest, lots of rest.

geggar · 04-28-2008, 08:21 PM

The traditional Chevron osteotomy was a v shaped cut in the bone with equal wings on top and bottom, moved over and no fixation. Scrubbed in with an orthopod in residency who did one of these and cringed after he told me he wasn't going to pin it or anything and let them walk on it. Was thinking that I hoped he had a good lawyer and to not mention in the op report that I was anywhere near that room. You are probably having an Austin bunionectomy which can have a longer top wing so either a screw or pin can be used to fixate it.