If possible, avoid getting a bunionectomy - Foot Problems Message Board

wmkcolors · 06-22-2008, 04:44 PM

I am almost 6 months postop, after an akin/austin bunionectomy. On hindsight, I would have never gotten this operation. I was worried about it beforehand....came to this board....read about the postop difficulties....few successes.....and now I'm sorry I followed through with the bunionectomy. I now wish someone would have stressed that you might get yourself into a chronic pain situation, postop, and create even more problems with your feet. Seek out 2-3 opinions. I feel like I have to be honest and forthright, so, noone else suffers. If you are in alot of pain, preop, then, it might be worth it, but if the pain is infrequent....DON'T get the operation!!!!! It's not worth the risk or the long drawn out recovery. No one tells it blantantly like it really is....... Recovery is long. It's painful. And you aren't really painfree afterwards for a very long time, if at all.

RunnerMac · 06-22-2008, 08:13 PM

With respect to those who have had difficulties, I have to offer hope to others who are concerned. I am 5 months post op this week and having very few problems. On occasion I have had a bit of stiffness in the joint that is quickly taken care of with just a bit of massage. 3 weeks after the first bunionectomy I had my opposite foot done and have had no problems with that one at all. I have full range of motion in both great toes and have been running long distance for 4 weeks with no setbacks.
I would agree that this is not anything to take lightly and I would wait until the pain or structure of your foot is such that you are looking at bigger problems. I had no choice in the matter, my great toe was pushed over to the point that I dislocated my 2 and 3 toes and I could no longer run.
So look at the options, get a least two opinions - perhaps a podiatrist and a orthopedic surgeon - and make an informed decision.

WMK I'm sorry to hear that you have had difficulties after it seemed like you were making good progress.

chic43 · 06-22-2008, 08:21 PM

Thanks for posting your thoughts wmcolors. I've come to feel that when I've posted an honest/negative response to another's posting to try to bring some reality to the situation, that there is always someone posting how bad it wasn't for them and I felt that I was being made to feel as I was scaring people off. So, thank you. I agree that if you aren't having continual bad pain you should really really think about doing this surgery. Unfortunately, I had gotten to a point where the pain was bad and continual to the point that even the weight of my bedsheets and blankets would cause my foot to throb. I had had one cortisone shot, the last one prior to surgery, that only lasted two weeks. So, I figured that I only had one more option...surgery.

I really wish that doctors would just give you the facts....even if they are scary...to let you know what you are in for. Seems they only give you the facts of the good outcomes...never the bad. But giving the bad outcomes helps you in your own decision process. Not knowing the bad then gives you an outcome seen through rose colored glasses. And it turns into one frustration after another when you aren't keeping up with everyone else or if your surgery is unsuccessful, or you end up having more.

As for getting opinons...I got three...two orthopedics, one podiatrist....all said surgery was my best option...all said by the 5 to 6 week mark I would be up and running so to speak. It wasn't that way at all.

I'm right there with you wmcolors........I completely understand.

emmie54 · 06-22-2008, 09:00 PM

I haven't had your surgery, but have had three others :={ I think it is important for people trying to make an informed decision to hear good AND bad outcomes. Otherwise the decision is not truly an informed one. If you've had a less than successful outcome you are doing people a service by saying so. IMHO!

jean2003 · 06-23-2008, 07:15 AM

I agree, Unless the pain is very bad, unable to bear it any longer than find a good doctor and do something. If the pain goes away sometime and not so bad leave it alone. I have to say I had never read any board and talked to anyone about the surgery, but my pod, he assured me that my foot would be better in a couple of months. The doctor told me if I had the hammertoe surgery done with bunion surgery that they would be nice and straight. Wrong. One is messed up and my toes do not look good enough to wear open toe shoes. If I had known more and had only the bunion done, I would have been fine. I think that anytime you mess with your feet that you are taking a risk, because I had one of the best doctors in my area. I am 5 1/2 months. Still can't wear all of my shoes, just the one that are very comfortable.