It's done! Under GA for 90 minutes. Told that the bone had not deteriorated, but there were pieces of other bone (not sure where from) floating around. Had local or nerve block in at the ankle, so still no sensation of pain, just a dead foot. I can move my toes though!
In such a sexy post op shoe! At least I can walk to the toilet and get to the kitchen to make a coffee! Just don't tell my husband!
Catch up soon (they closed the old thread down!) Keep me up to date with your progress. I will need in on Wednesday when the pain kicks in!
Wow so its all over and done with. Now just to master the recovery. Planty of books and movies.
I can't believe you are up and walking aroung to get coffee, thats so awesome. I guess the sexy post-op shoe helps with that. All the best with the recovery. keep us up to date.
Congrats on the completion of your surgery! Now the road to recovery lays before you!!
My only caution to you is not to overdo it when you can't feel the pain! I keep remembering the discharge nurse making me walk five or six steps from the wheelchair at the surgery center door to the waiting car. Now, three and a half months later (when i was told it would be a 4-6 week recovery), I'm still having a lot of problems. Is it because I was told to put weight on it an hour after surgery when my doctor said no weight-bearing activities for at least a week? I'll never know. But if you still have no pain due to a local nerve block... be careful! I'd hate for you to end up having complications because you couldn't feel the pain!
The nerve block wore off last night!! The post op shoe is a wedge which off loads the forefoot. From the sofa to the toilet or kitchen is now 5 or 6 'hops' and I do not put the affected foot to the floor. I figured that would be the best way to do it!
While I was in hospital there were 2 other girls there having bunionectomies. They were also discharged in a post op shoe, without crutches, on a weight bearing basis. We were all told to elevate the foot for 3 weeks, so that's what I will do.
My husband was at home with me yesterday and shouted at me if I stood up, so today before he left for work he made sure that I have all I need next to me. The only reason I need to get up now is to go to the toilet. Everything is downstairs (save my bed, so I come down while he is here and do not attempt the stairs without him!)
The pain last night was a little bit of an issue, so I took a stronger painkiller than the hospital gave me (they only gave paracetamol and brufen!) and slept really well until I tried to turn over in my sleep, using my bad foot!! I got comfortable again and then went back to sleep!
I will try very hard to 'baby' my foot and not do much at all. Thank you for your kind and caring advice. I do really appreciate it!
My foot is cold apart from my bug toe which feels warm to the touch. It doen't hurt and the bottom part still feels numb. Should I be worried about the temperature (infection?)
I know that my foot was inflamed and warm to the touch for awhile. It still gets inflamed from time to time (I've had along healing process) and a little warm to the touch. But it wasn't an infection. But I can't say that there's nothing wrong. Maybe some others will chime in.
When do you go back to the doctor for your first post-op?
It's not so warm today!! I am waiting to hear when I have to go back to the Doctor. I think it will be in about 10 days or so. I'm sure she said that she would take the stitches out at 14 days. I have to wait for the hospital to write with an appointment - crazy system!
My husband has just ordered me some crutches so hopefully they can helo me to do the few steps that I have to do to get to the toilet etc!
One thing, is it normal to keep on the same dressing/bandage for 14 days? I was discharged without a care plan or follow up information, so am just sitting here with my foot elevated!
I hope that you are all well and lookng forward to the weekend!
I had my first post-op one week after the surgery. I was told not to touch the bandage until then. It seemed weird to me, too, but I guess it helps to ensure that nothing "bad" gets near that incision. It was really cool when it was unwrapped and I got to see the wicked looking incision and stitches -- I had to take a picture of it with my cell phone!! Then it was wrapped again for another week. After the second week, my stitches weren't quite ready to come out, so it was wrapped again for one more week. Each time I was told, "DON'T UNWRAP THIS!"
I had to shower with one foot outside the tub. My husband was great. He put a cooler in the tub for me to sit on and we have a removable shower head. It wasn't the best shower in the world, but I could lean back and wash my hair and most of myself. It was gross thinking about my foot not getting washed for so long... but I trusted the doctor. Now there's just a little scar along the side of the ball of my foot.
I'm glad that your husband is getting you some crutches. I couldn't have survived without them. Of course, I HATE them now... but they really helped me to get around the house.
Juliet,
I'm sure you are glad its over with. Welcome to recovery land.
I just wanted to tell you that I had to leave the bandages on til I saw the doctor in 14 days. Since they had to fuse the big toe they had to put a screw in the top of my big toe. So my toe bled for a long time afterwards. My bandage was all bloody. And I had to go like that for 14 days. I finally put a sock on it.
Well, I went to the doctor on Tuesday the 20th. They removed the bandages and stitches. My foot was ugly looking. All purple, swollen and a big ugly scar. I know it will get better. It felt so good when she washed my foot off. My foot itched so bad. Then to my surprise they put me in a cast for the next 4 weeks. NON weight bearing. SO, I'm stuck in bed for 4 more weeks. I'm so sick of this bed.
The good news is my foot doesn't hurt much. Its only uncomfortable from the cast.
I hope everyone is feeling better and improving everyday.
So, why did they close our messageboard? I thought OH NO!!
Juliet hope your feeling better and I'm glad its over for you.
Keep us posted.
Take care,
Brenda
Hey Everyone.
I've started back working 8hour days and the hours are pretty crazy... Not to mention how my foot is coping. I've completely lost track of time now but i'm guessing I'm around 13weeks post-op. Scar is looking really good, people ask how my 'battle wound' is and it brings a smile to think others think it's pretty cool. In a way I'm glad to have the scar to show what I've been through. My heal where they bone grafted from has no pain or tenderness, no swelling - just not planning on letting it kids again anytime soon (It's still a little tender when accidently kicked by the little ones). My toe where the screw is, no problems there either. Toe is still numb in places but it will come around I'm sure. Working 8hour days started off being a challenge with wearing different shoes, not being able to elevate and ice and all that. But after the second shift, my foot is doing a lot better (still sore afterwards though but they did say it would be a long recovery i guess). The only thing that is worrying me at the moment is that my good foot has the exact same pain as my bad (operated) foot, JUST WORSE! And its freaking me out considering my working shifts are only going to increase and this is one of the reasons they decided to operate in the first place. I see my ortho surgeon on Wednesday so I'm going to plead and get him to check it out. First time i mentioned it he said to ignore it, second time he said it was just pain from compensating for the bad foot, but now its above and beyond so we shall see.
Juliet-
My bandages and all were only left on for 7days after the op. The bandages came off AND stitches were taken out on day 7. I too started thinking about how hygienic it was but they reassured me it was fine. Bet your looking forward to freeing your foot up a little? the crutches will help a lot. The whole hot toe thing - It lasts a couple of weeks on and off but then should slowly go. After a big day on my feet, I find its rather warm to touch but once you rest and ice, no problems.
Brenda -
Wow, the screw and non-weight bearing and all seems so close to what i had. Because they inserted a screw into the toe joint, they increase the time that you can't walk on it just to ensure that it has time to heal to the best of its ability. My surgeons wanted me in a full cast for 6weeks following the op but on day 7 when the stitches came out the doctor that had a look at my foot decided that he didn't want me in a cast. I was in the spaceboot instead. The only thing i can say... really follow that 6week guideline as much as you can! It's really hard I know, but trust me its worth it in the end. Any chance you get to go out of the house - take it, just use the crutches.
FrauFrau -
How is your foot going? Playing nice now?
Just got home from bowling with my team. We won 3 out of 4 points! I bowled above my average! Yay! Unfortunately... I'm hurting now! I've got my gel ice pack wrapped around the problem area while I watch "Monk."
I've also started teaching a new class at the gym to help get back into shape. Since I still can't do any impact (no running or step-aerobics yet), I designed a ball-based class (stability, medicine, and bosu) that I started this week. I had a great turn out and am sore (not the foot, abs and butt!). It feels great to be recovered enough to get back into the gym!!
Dancer -- I can't believe you are back to waitressing 8 hours at a time! That's amazing!! That's got to be a lot of stress on that poor foot of yours! I hope that your ortho takes you seriously and examines your other foot! If not, I would seriously consider going to a different doctor. I know that the last thing you probably want to do is have surgery on the other foot... but you also don't want to let it get too far gone!
Brenda -- Geez! A cast and non-weight bearing for 4 weeks?! That's crazy! Did you doctor say that he thought that was unusual? How have you been keeping yourself occupied? Keep us informed!!
Hello Everyone,
I got to go out today!!! It has been raining here but we really need the rain so I didn't mind.
Went to the book store to get some books on photography. I love photography and its about time to move to the next level in my photography skills. I figure since I have nothing better to do with my time why not improve a skill.
Went out to dinner tonight which was well deserved for me and my husband. I think we need to applaude those who are behind the scenes taking care of us. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have my husband. This whole ordeal has been stressful for him as well. I am so grateful to him for all that he does for me everyday.
I am very lucky.
Dancer,
I was starting to have that same pain in my other foot as well prior to my surgery. I don't know if its better since I haven't been walking too much. My doctor told me the same thing about it compensating for the injured foot. But, I think that is what persuaded him to do my surgery sooner. Otherwise I wasn't suppose to have surgery until April or May of this year. If I were you I would push the issue with your doctor. No one knows your body better than you do.
Good luck with that and keep us posted.
Frau Frau,
Wow!! Look at the bowling pro. Good for you!!! Sorry that you are hurting though. But it sounds like you are recovering well. Keep up the good work. My doctor told me prior to my surgery of what he was planning. I knew that I was going to be in bed for 2 weeks but I was caught by surprise by the cast and another 4 weeks non weightbearing. I'm going to do PT and have orthodics when the cast comes off. So, I have a ways to go yet. My one concern is I'm suppose to go back to work full duty on March 15th. I work in the medical field as a phlebotomist. I hope I'm able to work 8 hours on my feet by then. My job has been accommodating but their patience have run out.
Jet,
I hope you are healing well. I know the first week or so is tough. Keep us posted on your progress.
When do the stitches come out? What is the next step after that for you? Take care.
Does anyone know why they closed the last thread we had?
Thanks for the updates! I guess the other thread got closed down at 100 messages, so that was why I started this one up
Good to hear that you're all getting on so well.
Brenda - great that you got to go out! It's raining here too (not that's too different for this time of year in the UK) They have just said that it is going to be the wettest and coldest winter for at least the past 10 years!
I've still not heard from the hospital with an appointment to have the stitches taken out. The doctor did say 14 days post op, so about another week I think. Did any of you use any scar healing products on the wound? My GP has given me a note for 4 weeks off work, so at the moment I am due to go back on 6th February. I know it is still a way off, but I will have to wait and see. As a family lawyer I have to be up and about quite a bit and my office is on several levels and will not really allow for elevation (and certainly no icing!) I also have to be mobile to go to Court and I have been told no driving until the end of February at the earliest. I will have to wait it out. If I am stir crazy by then I may have to go back to work!
Above all, after reading posts from all of you, I know that I must rest rest and rest and not do too much too soon!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Catch up soon
Juliet
Last edited by Jet13; 01-31-2009 at 01:36 AM.
Reason: Wrong date!
Went to physical therapy tonight. She pushed me pretty hard. My foot was starting to hurt a bit by the end. I just finished icing it and hopefully the pain will stay away.
I was told not to drive... with my right foot!! However... I had to get myself to work, so I taught myself how to drive with my left foot! It was weird at first, but it worked. Have any of you given that a try?
Brenda -- I just wanted to mention how right you are! I couldn't have survived the post-op days if it hadn't been for my husband! he did so much to help me out and keep our house running. I always knew that I was lucky to have such a great man in my life... this experience reaffirmed it for me!
Hey guys.. How are we all going? From what i've read everyone seems to be having a good recovery which is great to hear.
I think moogie was waitressing?
I'm working 8hours a day within the health system. Sort of funny really. It's been good to get back to work and finally be up and walking with minimal pain.
I went in for my 3month checkup yesterday and they dampened my spirits a little and i'm not real sure what to do or think at the moment. Eager to hear what you guys think... would be greatly appreciated . I had an xray done before the appointment and it shows that the screw in my toe joint and sesamoid bone has moved a couple of mm and is grinding against other bones, so now they want to take the screw out (possibly the bone too). It scares me to think that they are have said i need to go back into surgery but they think i will make an even better recovery so at the same time i think its the right thing to do. They don't want to leave it in for more than a month but with work and studies, i wont be able to get time off until late April so either way it has to last. I also see another specialist in March to assess my good foot (the one that i mentioned was developing pain) as to whether i need to get it operated on too. Like i said I'm not sure how to take it all at the moment. Any thoughts?
Things were going pretty well and I wasn't having any pain. I hadn't taken any pain medication in quite a while. Then all of a sudden it started hurting again. My big toe bone started aching and now I'm back to taking pain meds again. My foot is also itching SO BAD!! I can't wait to get this cast off. Only 3 more weeks til it comes off. In my good foot the sesamoid pain is increasing. It's kinda freaking me out. I won't worry about til I'm back to walking on both feet and wearing two normal shoes.
Dancer,
My doctor also told me that the screw would need to come out too.
But he said it was a minor procedure. As far a your sesamoid moving thats not good. Any idea of why it is moving? Remind me what they did to you again? Did you have a bone graft or was that someone else? Why are you seeing a specialist for the other foot? Are you just getting a second opinion?
Frau Frau, Juliet how are you both doing? Hope you are doing well and we hear from you both soon.
Take Care,
Brenda
Last edited by Caligirlbrenda; 01-30-2009 at 10:55 PM.
Reason: spelling error
I got crutches this week - I had to buy them as our health service here does not provide them unless a physiotherapist assesses you and teaches you to walk with them. As the physio had left for the day when they were about to discharge me following the op, I had a choice. Either stay in over night to see the physio next day or go home! I wanted my own bed.
Well crutches are fun and help me in getting from a to b in the home. I've still not been out.
Fraufrau mentioned driving with her left foot - I have a manual car (most are manual in the UK) and driving with one foot is simply impossible. My insurance company will not cover me to drive until I am signed fit to do so. Therefore if I do drive, without insurance, I would be breaking the law!
I can't wait to get my stitches out on Friday and also have a look at my foot. although I have removed the bandage (because it got loose) and rebandaged, I have not moved the dressing over the scar (I can't as it is solid!) I do wonder what it is like under there and really want to give my foot a good wash (and have a normal shower instead of sitting really awkwardly in the tub!)
It is supposed to get really cold here this weekend and lots of snow. I plan to stay in and keep warm! I've got someone coming to my house to do my nails (real luxury!) and some landscapers coming in next week to fell several trees and refency my garden. So all in all, I plan to keep occupied, but remain NWB for the next week!
I hope you are all well and continue to heal and progress well, without setbacks.
Dancer: I was so sad for you when I read your last post! I can't believe that you are going to have to go back in for surgery on the same foot... and possibly have something done on the other foot! I can't imagine what you are thinking and going through! Let us know what you find out from the other specialist that you go to. In the long run, I guess we have to make sure we take care of our feet... but that's got to be so disheartening thinking about having surgery again so soon.
Brenda: I'm sorry that pain set in again!! My pain has come and gone for so long, I'm not even that surprised when it hurts anymore. I hope that the next 3 weeks fly by for you so that cast comes off and you get more mobility back!
Juliet: Eww! Cold and snow! Yuck! I'm glad that you are able to keep busy while at home on "bed rest" -- it makes a huge difference in keeping your spirits up. I started getting a little depressed after being stuck at home for several days. It'll help having things going on around you!! Keep warm!!
My Update:
This has been a busy week for me. I've been back to teaching classes at the gym since the start of the new year -- nothing impact, just spin (indoor cycling) and a ball class (strength & toning using stability, medicine, and bosu balls). Well, this week things fell apart at the gym with two of the instructors. I ended up picking up several extra classes and teaching 7 classes this week (on top of working full time at school). On Tuesday, I taught 3 classes. Needless to say, on Wednesday my foot was hurting a good bit. My physical therapist gave me kind of a look when I told her Wednesday evening. I'm still not able to do any impact, mainly just spinning and toning classes... but it's been 4 months! It seems like I should be able to do more and not hurt.
I go back to the doctor on the 9th. At that time, I'm probably going to have a CT scan to see if something more is going on. I've been scared thinking that I will have something major going on and have to have surgery again. So I'm totally sympathizing with Dancer right now!
Brenda -
So sorry to hear you are going through the pain again. Just when you think its good it comes back and bites you in the butt but then it gets real good again. Keep up the rest
FrauFrau -
I can't believe you are doing so much on your foot! no doubt it would hurt after the amount of activity your doing but gee you have come a long way. What's this about a CT to see if something more is going on with your foot? I hope it goes well.
Wow juliet, stitches out on friday. Excited?
The procedure i went through for my foot... I have a tricortical calcaneal bone graft (from my heel) into my toe joint and a screw put it through the fractured sesamoid. It was all going well but the screw and sesamoid bone has moved a little and now the joint is grinding due to the screw. So they want me back into surgery. I knew that it would have to come out when i started back at the sports and all but noone was expecting the screw to move. No idea why it has happened though. I have next to no pain compared to before the operation but they still want me back in for another surgery to remove the screw.
As for seeing the specialist about the good foot, I am booked into see some specialists that worked with my orthopaedic surgeon here. They flew up last year to operate on my foot and now they are flying up again. My ortho up here wants their opinion too, the only thing is that i don't see them until March - AGES AWAY!!! So until then i'm pretty much just waiting in the air. Still not sure what to think about it.
I am supposed to ring my ortho surgeon if the pain gets aby worse or i notice a difference.... well, when i saw him last week he was bending my toe joint to test flexibility and find pain point and all... well the day after that i couldn't walk on it. It's a lot better now then what it was but it is sore. Just not sure whether to ring him as he said he wants it out within a month of any change in pain levels big bummer!
Hey everyone! I just joined! I've been reading posts for a few weeks now. I've had a stress fracture in my sesamoid since June. I wore the boot for 5 months. I've been doing bone stimulator for 4 months. MRI showed dead bone. The podiatrist says it's time to remove it. I think I should get a second opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon. My podiatrist says he only does 2 of these per year. That does not give me too much confidence. I also have some med problems that could complicate my healing. I have an autoimmune disease like Lupus. Also have Raynaud's where I have no blood flow to hands and feet when I get cold. I think I should postpone until warmer season. Anyone else have similar issues? I just don't think I'll heal well without proper blood flow to my toes. I have 3 and 6 year old boys. I need to be able to chase then around and play. Any advice would be great. Good luck to everyone!!!!!
yet), I designed a ball-based class (stability, medicine, and bosu) that I started this week. I had a great turn out and am sore (not the foot, abs and butt!). It feels great to be recovered enough to get back into the gym!!
