Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
There is another message board out here for Bunionectomy. I would check that one out. It looks like swelling is a long term thing. From 3 months up to a year. I am 3 weeks out and still have swelling and some pain. It got much better once the pins were removed. The swelling comes on when i am up for to long. Just need to elevate and ice it as much as you can. Still not back to work either. I am hoping for next week or after Thanksgiving. Hope all goes well for you.
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elin68
Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
I found alot of my questions were answered by looking at all the other posts on bunionectomies. I had a lapidus procedure a week ago...of course I still have swelling so I cant answer your question. However the other person that posted a reply to your question is quite consistent with what I've read. (up to a year) How long ago did you have your surgery? I had pain for a total of a day or two. I cant believe how little pain I've experienced and I think my doctor is surprised too. My threshold for pain is not high...it used to be but I dont think it is anymore. This surgery makes me think that maybe I still do have a high threshold.
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
Hi Elin - I had my second Lapidus bunionectomy Oct 8th (6 weeks ago today YEAH). My swelling right now isn't so bad (had my other foot done 2 years ago). Think the swelling this time is less than last time although my big toe and second toe (which was shortened) still swell when I have my foot down too much. When I first get up in the morning it looks good.
The first time around I found that the compression sock really helped a lot once I was out of the cam boot. I did get some residual swelling for over a year but I think some of that was because the internal pin was right at my instep and all my shoes seemed to go right across it. Also the numbness lasted for a long time.
Hope you are doing well. Come here any time to ask any questions or just to vent - love to have you around.
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
Hi, what type of a compression sock and when could you start using it. I am 3 weeks out and just in a surgical shoe. I have alot of pain and swelling later in the day and could really use some suggestions on what could help. I know it takes awhile from reading all these messages, but any help would be appreciated. I feel like i can't do much of anything at all. Getting very discouraged. Any suggetions? I had the osteotomy type bunionectomy so was able to bear weight on it.
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
To PamK - when do you go back to your doctor? That's the person I would ask or at least call the office and check with them. I didn't start using the compression sock until I was 8 weeks out but that's because I was in a cam boot until then and couldn't weight bear.
Good luck - things get better with time.
Mary
The Following User Says Thank You to RightFootMary For This Useful Post: Annie7679 (09-10-2011)
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
I will thanks. I just feel like there is something not quite right. After 3 1/2 weeks the swelling at night gets so bad. My foot gets tight and hot and is so uncomfortable. Even with pain meds. I am elevating and icing regularly and it just doesn't seem to be going as i thought it would. I just want to go to bed and fall asleep. I am suppose to go back to work next week and don't know how that is going to go. Just trying to take it one day at a time.
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
when you say your swelling/hotness gets bad at night do you mean in bed or before bed after a long day? I'm asking (it seems silly) but I feel pretty good throughout the day but when I go to bed and prop my foot up it hurts like mad for several hours and the pain meds barely touch it! I've always been a bit odd though
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
Later at night and when I first go to bed. I talked to my doctor and he said it has to do with bad circulation. He had me get a teds medium compression stocking (knee high) it helps quite a bit. I wear it during the day and take it off shortly after I go to bed. So there is still some pain then. He also wants me to start doing some therapy, leg lifts and stretches, ankle rolls and maybe ride a stationary bike a few minutes a day as tolerated. The bike made it throb so I am going with the stretches for now. He may want to do regular PT if I don't improve. How long ago did you have your surgery 2 1/2 weeks? I am discouraged and a little depressed over this. Never expected to be out of commission for so long. Are you back to work yet?
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
My surgery was Nov 12th. I go back to work this Friday. I work 12 hour shifts so I may try and just do 8 hours a day for a week or so. Did I read that you are 3.5 weeks post op and you're doing stationary bike? I'm going by memory cuz I'm too lazy to go back and check whilst I'm writing this
I have had 3 procedures done and 4 screws in my foot and was told I'm NWB for 6-8 weeks. Its odd to me that I've read several people who had lapidus and are partial weight bearing. Have a great day
The following user gives a hug of support to melissa1873: Annie7679 (09-10-2011)
13th day (nov.24)- still swelling, occasional pain during the day and some throbbing feeling at night. took off the splint coz it puts compression on my foot at night and i think it adds to the swelling because of compression. need to go back to work tomorrow, will go the doctor today and I decided to have the cast for protection, i do not know how inconvenient this will be but i will just go ahead and follow doctor's orders. i feel that it is improving as far as pain is concern. swelling aggravates if you are up or sitting down mostly during the day. more on my updates later on. thanks again for all the posts.....tes
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
I had the osteotomy type surgery and could weight bear with a surgical shoe after. I am doing better. They are having me wear compression socks during the day and a lighter one at night. It really helps with the pain as it keeps the swelling down. Can be a little uncomfortable at times but better each day. Your surgery was much more involved than mine. I just had bad circulation that caused the swelling and the increase in pain. Switched to a vicodin at night which nocks me out so I can at least sleep. Still icing and elevating as much as possible. Trying to get back to normal as much as I can. Keeping my mind busy helps. Good luck.
Re: post-op update bunionectomy surgery dtd 11/12/08
14th day - first day on cast and first day back to work. as it is, i am having a tough time with it, did not get much sleep. weighs 2lbs maybe. very hard to maneuver, my patience is running out and i feel that i can recuperate without this. the doctor gave me an option but you always think that doctors know better. so, i will see how long i can battle having it on.
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
In response to Melissa, I had my surgery on 11-11 and had a lapidus along with a TMT fusion so it sounds like you and I are in a similar place. I have three screws and the doctor explained that part of the reason for the non weight bearing was because the screws don't have the strength to carry the body weight and they would eventually break if they were walked on. That is why the protocol is nwb so healing can occur and the bone can form and carry the weight. Melissa and Tess, I don't envy you having to go back to work. I am able to do some work from home and still feel best on my back with my leg up. I am still tired from my trip to the doctor on Monday. My swelling is down, but I am certainly not 100% comfortable, but managed the day only with Tylenol mostly for pain around the incisions, but I did wake up at 1:00 am, so Pam how many mgs of Vicoden do you take to sleep, one 5-500 mg certainly did not work for me. Regarding the exercise, I was told I could move my ankle a very little bit when I took a shower, the one time I am allowed out of the boot so I won't be riding a bike anytime soon, but I am jealous of Pam. I am getting some exercise using the roll-about. It certainly helps to read your posts.
Re: post-op update bunionectomy surgery dtd 11/12/08
Melissa, Pam, Bec - i think all of us have almost similar procedure (with screws) and have almost same surgery dates. mine has 2 screws on left foot and none of you are casted and it sounds like you are doing okay with just surgical boots. doctor says no weight bearing and yet this cast is weighing on my left foot, what an irony. i wanna break free...thanks for being there...tes
Re: post-op update bunionectomy surgery dtd 11/12/08
Hi All,
Your surgeries were worse off then mine. I just have the one screw in my foot and am now 4 weeks post surgery. I have had issues with pain and swelling and still do. I did not expect this to be so draining on both my body and my mind. I am getting around ok and working from home. Thanks for that option as I don't think i would have been able to go back to work yet. I have a long drive and the building is huge so walking long distances may not help the swelling. The biking also put too much pressure on my foot. So just back to ankle rolls and flexes. I also ended up with some post surgical depression. What a drag. They said because of the pain and swelling and not being able to do what I thought i was going to (not prepared for this outcome) that it happens to people. Of course it had to be me. I take one 5-500 Vicodin at bedtime and then another 4-6 hours later if I need it. I also am trying to just use tylenol during the day as i need to stay awake. My stomach is not tolerating meds to well either. I can't wait for all of this to be behind me (us). I certainly hope it's worth it. Take care and we will talk to you later.
Re: post-op update bunionectomy surgery dtd 11/12/08
Quote:
Originally Posted by PamK84
Hi All,
Your surgeries were worse off then mine. I just have the one screw in my foot and am now 4 weeks post surgery. I have had issues with pain and swelling and still do. I did not expect this to be so draining on both my body and my mind. I am getting around ok and working from home. Thanks for that option as I don't think i would have been able to go back to work yet. I have a long drive and the building is huge so walking long distances may not help the swelling. The biking also put too much pressure on my foot. So just back to ankle rolls and flexes. I also ended up with some post surgical depression. What a drag. They said because of the pain and swelling and not being able to do what I thought i was going to (not prepared for this outcome) that it happens to people. Of course it had to be me. I take one 5-500 Vicodin at bedtime and then another 4-6 hours later if I need it. I also am trying to just use tylenol during the day as i need to stay awake. My stomach is not tolerating meds to well either. I can't wait for all of this to be behind me (us). I certainly hope it's worth it. Take care and we will talk to you later.
hello, I jut had the lapidus buniectomy and after reading your quote, I am scared. Its been a week today and I havood, there not yet any pain nor took the vicoden. This tues, I went for post-op visit and the dr stated the foot looks good, there is still some swelling. Hopefully,I am ok. She still advised me to use this EBI water cooler to cool the foot. I have this heavy wrapped up foot till the knee. Is this for all cases. Why did a friend of mine just has this in August and she stated she had 2 screws and they only wrapped her foot and she went to work after a week of course w/ crutches
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease?
It sure is nice keeping in touch with others that had similiar surgeries around the same date. I am going back to work tomorrow (friday the 28th). I work 12 hour shifts and am scheduled to work fri/sat/sun. I'm not sure I will do the whole 12 hour shifts though. I had a second post op appt a couple days ago. My foot is super swollen, red, blue and all other colors of the rainbow. Doc says it looks good/normal. He says I need to elevate and ice more thoug. It doesnt hurt during the day hardly at all so I never think to do it! When I do PT and move my toes and ankle it seems I can feel the metal in my foot. I do feel blessed to have this removable boot. It is very heavy but at least I can wash my leg and foot! Everything is so much harder than I expected it to be. I am in pretty good shape so I figured I would just be like super woman and do my thing! But the crutches slow me way down and I sweat like mad so easily! I sweat after brushing my teeth! Its amazing to me how hard things are. It usually took me 40 min to get ready for work but tomorrow morning I set the clock for an hour and 15 min to get ready. Two weeks down and hopefully only 4 to go until I can start puting weight on my foot. Oh, and I fell down a few stairs cuz I was using the crutches to go up them and I slipped...so now I use my butt and slide up and down the stairs! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! As for me, I ate wayyyyyyyyy to much -
Re: Lapidus bunionectomy, when does post-op swelling begin to decrease? 
