Shower chair, cane, walker? - Foot Problems Message Board

itsanewme · 04-29-2008, 04:56 AM

After bunion/osteo will I be able to use a shower chair to shower? cane/walker instead of crutches?
I cannot see myself not being able to have a real shower!
And those darn crutches? I dont think so! I can get a cane and walker - think doc will let me use them?

janewhite1 · 04-29-2008, 05:09 AM

Well, it's certainly possible to use a walker to take all the weight off of one leg. Have someone show you how. It's not easy or fast, but it doesn't require as much strength and coordination as crutches.

Shower chair: Just keep the incision dry. When I was in my surg. splint, I showered on a chair with my leg wrapped in plastic and sitting on a folded towel on the bathroom counter. (My husband is good at solving problems. I said, "I want to get clean." That's what he came up with.)

Titchou · 04-29-2008, 05:26 AM

There is a rubber foot thingy called a cast cover. That's what you need to get. My doc gave me one on day of surgery. You can buy them at most large drug stores. I took a bath every night for 2 weeks after both foot surgeries. No problems.

lcweiden3132 · 04-29-2008, 06:13 AM

After three days of no showers, I taped a couple of bags around my foot and put my stool in the shower. My husband helped carry me into the shower and I sat on the stool. It was LOVELY!

As for crutches, I found them to complicated to use...plus I have LOTS of stairs in my home so they wouldn't have worked. I ended up scooting around on my bottom or having my husband help me around. I'm just not coordinated to use the crutches!

emmie54 · 04-29-2008, 09:25 PM

You may also consider renting a wheelchair. At least your hands are free to do things like fixing something to eat, blowdrying your hair, doing laundry, not to mention carrying things is impossible with crutches. I pushed it with my good foot and my hands were completely free. I even vacuumed.