How is walking/running now that you are postop? - Foot Problems Message Board

wmkcolors · 04-30-2008, 11:53 PM

Well, I am 4 months postop, from my bunionectomy, and, today, I went for a 3 mile walk, without any significant swelling afterwards. I went for a shorter walk this evening, to test my foot further. I've only been running a little thus far, though I'm swimming everyday, a good way to get back to daily exercise. I finally have 90 degree ROM, but my big toe will still ache and tingle some and the ball of my foot feels a little bruised. Minor arch pain too. I was wondering how other people are doing months postop, with their return to exercise, especially walking and running. Any swelling or pain still? How is your scar feeling? My scar is still a little sensitive, but I can now wear shoes that rub up against it, without further swelling. Hope everyone is feeling better.

lcweiden3132 · 05-01-2008, 07:05 AM

Hi wmcolors! My walking has been pretty good. Prior to the surgery I was walking 5 - 6 miles every other day. I am back to that now...I am 3 months post. I found some terrific stuff at the store called ScarGuard and thought I'd give it a try since I kind of hit a plateau with the Mederma. The Scar Guard works GREAT!! In a matter of three days my scar has shrunk externally and is not painful at all. (Internally is a whole different ball game.) Also, the color is not near as dark. The stuff smells like the Compound W for warts, and you put it on twice a day. I put a bandaid over it just to make sure it doesn't rub off. It goes on as a liquid and dries something similar to rubber glue if that makes any sense. I still have this big blob internally right over my joint and it makes bending my toe down near to impossible. But my bend up is just about as good as the other foot!

I still have minimal swelling after my walk or if I sit at my desk, like now. But, I can get into my walking sneakers (which are pretty much my regular size) with no problems....I even moved the laces back down to the regular holes on the shoe on the surgery foot. So, I think progress?

I do have some strange issues right now though. I've noticed over the last three nights that my foot aches and throbs and burns, just like it did before the surgery...I'm not sure why. It has woken me out deep sleep for about an hour or so. Also, about the only "real" swelling I have is in the ball of the big toe...it is huge, and not sure why. Doesn't really hurt though...it is just odd.

But, my walking is back to my regular distance and speed!

debbie g · 05-01-2008, 02:29 PM

congratulations wm! how wonderful to be back in the swing of things.

KB Team · 05-01-2008, 06:48 PM

I have been walking a couple of miles with my husband every evening. He had total knee replacement three months ago. I think he is doing better than me, I had a sesamoidectomy on Nov. 15, so 5 and half months out. I still have nerve pain due to scar tissue and a strange bubble in the ball of my big toe. I feel that I am slowly getting better, but this is the slowest surgery recovery that I have ever gone through. Some days not too bad, other days not so good. My husband and I used to dance at least three times a week. Now all I want to do is be normal. I find if I wear softshoe sandles, they do not bother my scar. It does feel better when I massage my scar so I do that often during the day. It sounds like we are all taking it one day a time. Good luck to all of you. KB

wmkcolors · 05-01-2008, 07:24 PM

I am walking fast now, though my foot will swell. ROM has improved to about 85% and there is less pinching, in my toe joint, though I've found, 4 months postop, that I'll be stiff in the morning. I go through my "foot routine" to loosen the scar tissue and toe joint. With walking, I've found the ball of my foot feels bruised. My doctor explained that one's foot, after years of having a bunionectomy, isn't used to walking on the ball of the foot. It takes time to "toughen" the area. I'm still trying to find a good, wide athletic running shoe, which I'll probably get online. Desensitization of the scar, to improve ROM and walking, is VERY important. Neuritis develops around the scar tissue. I don't think you can massage it too much.....massage deeply....often....That has improved my ROM the most.