Post-Op Bunionette Question - Foot Problems Message Board

Erin3394 · 03-20-2009, 08:22 AM

I'm one day post-op from surgery for a tailor's bunion. Now that the local has worn off, I'm having a good deal of pain, but I guess that is to be expected. In addition to elevating the foot, they told me to ice for 10 minutes every 30 minutes for the first 24 hours. Is it OK to keep the ice on all the time instead? The ice and elevation seem to help more with the pain than the pain meds, so unless there's a specific reason, I want to keep icing. Is it Ok to do this?
Thanks!

wakkochic17 · 03-20-2009, 01:06 PM

do you mean beyond 24 hours or beyond 10 minutes at a time? I kept icing my foot for 2 weeks, did it less and less each day though as I felt better. I usually keep the ice on about 15-20 minutes at a time.

Janesfoot · 03-20-2009, 01:06 PM

I had bunionette and bunion surgery on my right foot last May. I kept the ice on my ankle most of the first week. I later learned from my doctor that it usually isn't recommended, but I don't know why. It didn't seem to negatively affect me at all, and it provided relief. My foot had very little swelling, though it is hard to know if that was because of the ice, or just the way my body reacted to the surgery. Good luck, you are on the road to recovery. You will feel much better in a couple of weeks.

Erin3394 · 03-20-2009, 08:39 PM

I meant icing it for longer than 10 minutes at a time. I'm actually surprised at how much pain I'm in. The surgeon made it sound like this would be no big deal at all. Technically I'm supposed to be able to walk on it, but that's a joke. Any time I bring the foot down from an elevated position, the throbbing is horrible. I haven't been able to sleep very much. The pain medicine seems to "take the edge off," but it's not really giving me true relief. Keeping the foot up and on ice seem to help more than anything.

Sorry to vent - tired and frustrated I guess!

Janesfoot · 03-21-2009, 06:06 AM

I did ice for much longer than 10 minutes at a time. More like an hour at a time with an hour off. The third day was the worse for me. I called the doctor, I was in so much pain. Any anesthesia/block is long gone. "Walking" at this point will be using your heel for balance. You aren't expected to be on your feet except to go to the bathroom and up for meals.
You will learn which sofas and chairs are the most comfortable. Some people have used rolling chairs to scoot around on. Don't over-do. I did after the stitches came out and had to go nwb for a week. The bunionette surgery side of my foot took longer to heal than the bunion side (osteotomy and temporary pins on either side). I'm doing well now with no limitations, but it takes time. You will begin to feel better, but the first week is tough.