Junior Member

Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-10-2003 12:58 PM            

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I am 5 days Post OP from my bunionectomy. I had the "normal" bunion and the tailors bunion taken care of on my right foot. The pain seems pretty manageable now, but I feel just totally WORN OUT from the crutches (at least that's what I assume it's from). The podiatrist who did the surgery ordered a non-weight-bearing gait for a month after the surgery. Is this a normal time frame for those of you who had this done? It seems rather lengthy. Those who did do the crutches thing, do you have any advice? I'm not in the best shape physically/muscularly...will I just get used to this crap?

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Member

Posts: 40
From:Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-10-2003 02:01 PM            

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Hey, I'm post-op day 11, and i felt the same way about crutches. Underarms, my hands, everything was hurting the first few days, its beem 11 days, and now the only thing that hurts, is when I wake up, and start walking my hands hurts, the palms, right below the big finger. It sucks, but i dont have any other choice, and i actually had the same surgery as u i had right foot, bunion, and the tailor's bunion... I get the stiches out this thurs, but i have 2 outside pins, which will stay for 2 more weeks..

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Junior Member

Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-10-2003 02:10 PM            

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Thank God...I feel better. A lot to get used to, as i'm sure everyone who had the surgery knows, with just one foot. My surgery left me w/ 2 screws in my foot somewhere...i'll find out tomorrow more @ the doc. Can't wait until this stupid wrap is off so my foot can breathe. Thanks for your quick reply...best of luck

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Senior Member

Posts: 132
From:CA, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 06-10-2003 04:18 PM            

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oh sammi and jen!

do either of you have before (maybe after) pics of your tailor's bunion? i want to know how bad mine are in comparison. i had told my doc that i wanted it all fixed....but he only thought i should work on the major bunions. i can't find any pre-op or post-op pics of tailor's bunions anywhere on the internet.

thanks a bunch.

hope you two are doing well with your recoveries.

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Junior Member

Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-10-2003 04:58 PM            

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shoot...no i don't. I know my tailor's bunions weren't that bad, but my podiatrist said, "better to do 'em all at once instead of having to go thru the crap again later with the tailor's bunions" I'm screw/pin free on those ones. I'd talk to him about it and tell him your concerns. It doesn't make the procedure that much longer either. he told me it takes about an hour for the big toe bunion and a 1/2 hour for the tailor. Mom confirmed that...i was only in for an hour and 45 min.

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Member

Posts: 40
From:Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-11-2003 03:18 PM            

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Hey thelittleprincess, I dont either, i wanted to take pics before the surgery, but i didnt have any film in the camera, so i didnt, but mine wasnt bad, when i saw it on the X-rays, u could see that its not in a straight line as it supposed to be, so i asked if i could get it fixed as well, and i did.
I wish I did take some pictures.....

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Member

Posts: 24
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-11-2003 08:37 PM            

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I am almost 5 wks. post-op and I've been off crutches for a week. For me, they were worse than the pain after surgery. At least the pain went away after a few days but 4 weeks on crutches was horrible. Like you guys mentioned, the hands and underarms hurt the most. I was always tired, no matter how much rest I got. Going up or down the stairs was horrible. That took all my energy out of me. It didn't matter that I was in tip-top shape before the surgery, these crutches wore me out! Actually, that is the only thing I dred when I will go to have my other foot done. I had this aweful thought in my mind that I would fall backwards everytime I went up the stairs!
So, you're not alone out there...but thank God it's over and the time did actually go by pretty fast.
I'm now in physical therapy twice a week. Hang in there, it's worth it!!! NO MORE BUNION, I LOVE IT !!!

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Senior Member

Posts: 132
From:CA, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 06-12-2003 12:36 PM            

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hi workaholic!

so great that you are doing well. i'm on crutches for the second time around - and it hurts more now than the first time - i feel like i'm bruised under the arms. i got a great hint from a couple of people - wrap small towels around the rubber "pads" where your arms go over. i'm gonna try that and see if it helps.

again, congrats on a great recovery!

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Member

Posts: 56
From:Brooklyn, NY, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-12-2003 03:43 PM            

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Hi, everyone, cranky's back! Replying especially to Jen, Sammi, Workaholic & little princess regarding crutches: The physical therapist at the hospital where I had surgery on right foot June 3 didn't think my left foot was stable enough for me to use crutches safely, so I'm using a walker. Talk about a workout! You should see my shoulders and biceps after 9 days of this!
Ciao for now,
cranky c.

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Junior Member

Posts: 15
From:Houston, Texas USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-02-2003 07:17 PM            

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Where have I been to not know about this board? I had bunion surgery March 10 on my right foot and am having my left foot done tomorrow. Both of my toes are (were) really bad. I am 53 and had both bunion and tailor bunion removed..bone cut..wire that stays with removable pin. The first time I was in a cast for 6 weeks no weight at all. I hated crutches and was going back to work (teaching) after two weeks. I found this thing called a rollabout and it saved my life. It like a scooter. You put your surgery foot (knee) on this knee pad and then you use your good foot to push around. The best part is you have hands.

I have been frustrated because although I don't have much swelling, I thought I would be perfect by now. It looks good, but I want to be pain free. I still do not have complete movement in the toe and it aches after I've been on it a lot. Therapy helps! I wear tennis shoes most of the time.
I hope my surgery goes well tomorrow, but am nervous again. I can't believe I will be in bed with my foot up all over again. I should stay off it more since I'll have about 6 weeks before school starts again. Glad to know this board is here and good luck to everyone.

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Junior Member

Posts: 7
From:Canada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-03-2003 11:18 AM            

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I had bunion surgery on both feet on may 29th....was up and walking on the sides of my feet 11 days after surgery...not sure if that was ok or not...got next to none info from the Doctor...have been in casts , will have pins removed on july 7th....left foot doesn't feel right at all....I work with the elderly in there homes...was wondering if asking the Doctor for a note to be off work for 12 weeks in total was a crazy thing to ask for?

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Member

Posts: 56
From:Brooklyn, NY, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-03-2003 11:24 AM            

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Hello, paininthefoot! I am close in age to you (52) and had a Lapidus bunionectomy plus hammertoe correction (2nd toe) right foot June 3. The procedure involves cutting and repositioning 1st metatarsal with 2 permanent titanium screws. Major construction work, and non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks. My feet are (were?) a matched set, with severe structural bunions and high degree of hypermobility (unstable feet), so I need to have the left foot done, as well. I ended up with the walker instead of crutches due to the unstable left foot. The hanging around and lack of mobility is much worse than the surgery, so I plan to allow quite a bit of time before going through all this again! That "rollabout" is something to look into, for sure. Thanx!
Chris

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Junior Member

Posts: 15
From:Houston, Texas USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-04-2003 12:11 PM            

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CrankyC and all other bunion friends,
I just had my surgery yesterday on my left foot. It sounds like we had the same job. Both of my bunions were terrible. I also had the tailor bunions removed. I have a wire that will stay in my toe with a pin holding it straight. The pin will come out. They gave me a shot in my right toe joint to help with the movement and break up some of the tissue. It was great since I was under anesthetic and didn't feel a thing. I'm glad both feet are done. I hope this recovery goes as well. I will be in a cast for six weeks. My roll-a-bout is the best!! I'll be in bed for a few days with my foot up and ice.

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Member

Posts: 66
From:Little Rock, Arkansas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-04-2003 02:45 PM            

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Had bunion and hammertoe on left foot 7 years ago.

I had bunion and hammertoe on right foot June 9. An orthopedic surgeon did mine. He said he did a lot work and that this was not his normal procedure. I was a very severe case. I have 2 pins for support of the big toe and a pin in my second toe. They are all removal pins. I do not have a cast but am well wrapped and walk in a boot on the heel only with the aid of a walker.

Anyone have an idea about how long it will be before I would be able to drive?

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Junior Member

Posts: 15
From:Houston, Texas USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-06-2003 10:51 AM            

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Hi Tigger! I had major bunion surgery on my right foot March 10. I had a cast for 6 weeks and it was so frustrating getting people to take me places. After 4 weeks, I decided to try to drive with my left foot. I practiced with my husband and when I felt very comfortable I did it on my own. It was like letting a bird out of a cage. I felt much better. I just had my left bunion removed July 3. At least driving won't be the issue this time. Good Luck and be careful!

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Member

Posts: 66
From:Little Rock, Arkansas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-06-2003 01:36 PM            

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Thanks Paininthefoot!

My pins will come out 2 weeks from this coming tuesday on July 22. Guess I will know more then as to when I can drive. The doctor had told me before that some people drive with their left foot and I was concerned about that. Asked the doctor when I was last in to see him on July 3 and he said whenever I can walk comfortably and would feel comfortable that I can brake.

So can you drive with your right foot now since you had your left foot done?

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Member

Posts: 66
From:Little Rock, Arkansas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-06-2003 01:46 PM            

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I have been on the walker like crutches but not for the same reason. When I was in the hospital and would go to PT they first tried me on crutches and they scared me when trying to do the steps so then we went to a walker I felt much safer and that is what I went home with. The walker does give you a good workout. Especially the first couple of weeks I would just get exhausted. The third week was a little better. I am coming on to my 4th week and don't get quite so tired now. But I also learned to not do so much at one time.

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Member

Posts: 66
From:Little Rock, Arkansas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-06-2003 01:48 PM            

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I meant to say I have been on the walker like crankyc. I walk only on the heel of the foot. That within itself is very tiring.

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Junior Member

Posts: 15
From:Houston, Texas USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-06-2003 04:01 PM            

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Tigger, you may have read that I use a roll-a-bout. It's like a scooter that you put your injured foot on this knee pad and scoot with the other foot. I had a lot of trouble on crutches. I haven't driven yet since it's only been a few days since I had my left toe done. I think I will drive at the end of this week. I still do not have complete movement in my right toe. It is getting better and I do try to exercise my toe and go to PT. I still wear tennis shoes for comfort.

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Member

Posts: 66
From:Little Rock, Arkansas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-08-2003 11:00 AM            

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Thanks for your info

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Member

Posts: 23
From:Bellevue, WA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 09-15-2003 11:49 AM            

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paininthefoot - I am considering this roll-a-about thing. Can you tell me does it work well on carpet like in the house? If not - what did you use at home? Esp if the tires are dirty and you don't want to track them around the house. Did you get crutches for around the house?

thanks!

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