5 Weeks PO, very irritated incision - Foot Problems Message Board

Stitcher317 · 07-29-2008, 07:27 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am now 5 weeks PO from a Keller Bunionectomy. My last PO visit was last week and Dr. says everything looks great. I am to start transitioning out of my surgical shoe and into a sneaker for 30 minutes a day and he wants me to start moving my toe back and forth each day as PT.

At this time (5 weeks) my incision is closed but extremely irritated. The skin around it on both sides feels like a terrible sunburn. No matter what I put on it the skin feels like it's on fire. Until today it was still red and slightly warm. My hubby (veterinarian) tells me that the subcutaneous sutures are disolving and that causes tissue inflamation underneath the skin and that is probably what I am feeling...Have any of you experienced this so long after your surgery? I just saw my Dr. last week and after telling me everything was great I thought I would tough it out and see what happens. I can't get into the sneaker yet but I am walking without my surgical shoe for short distances. He also told me to rub lotion with Vit e on the incision daily which I am doing. The incision is completely closed and not oozing. Swelling is way down and all the bruising has disappeared.

Today I felt much better but putting anything against the skin near my incision is tough, Just thought I would ask all of you veterans if you had any experience with this.

Thanks....

janewhite1 · 07-29-2008, 08:12 PM

It's possible you are having an allergic reaction to the vitamin E ointment or something else you've been putting on it.

Stitcher317 · 07-29-2008, 09:27 PM

Hi Jane,

The irritation started long before I started using anything on the skin . I've even used Neosporin Ointment and Cortisone Cream. Now I am wondering if I am allergic to the bandaging material the Dr. had me wrapped in. He removed the large wrap last week and now I only have a small "non sticky" type pad covering the incision. There is no way I can go without anything on it. It is just too sore for even a sock against the skin.

Guess it's time to check in with him. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your reply....

debbie g · 07-30-2008, 12:23 PM

i sure hope it is not some kind of infection. i dont know why it should be irritated so much. can you put some kind of tape on it when you wear shoes?

Stitcher317 · 07-30-2008, 01:38 PM

It's feeling a little better today. I stopped putting a "dressing" on it and just have a golf sock over my foot. I did call the Dr. and will see him tomorrow morning. I just want to be sure everything is A-OK. If I do have a skin inefection I think it's slight.

We're any of you able to put on a shoe 2 5-6 weeks? The swelling is almost gone, it's just the irritated skin that is bothering me. I can actually place my foot square on the carpet now...

HOORAY....that's progress...

Thanks everyone..