I had both feet done February 19 and March 10...speedy recovery...Feet still swell from time to time and the burning is sometime unbearable.Therapy is a must!!!! It will get you back walking in no time. Keep feet elevated when you can and use ice packs for the swelling. I'm already back to work with just a little discomfort. Yes yes you will be able to dance 😃
I had big toe fusion 3 months ago. My protocol did not involve NWB & I wore a surgical sandal for 6 weeks, with weight permitted on my heel. At 6 weeks, my doc put me in sneakers & sent me on my way. Did my 1st hike at 10 weeks; 4 miles, moderate terrain. Felt ok during the hike, but there was soreness afterwards.
Hang in there beachy, as we all heal differently. You will get back to all your stuff.
Thank you so much for all the positive feedback! I had a Gt toe fusion on 23rd June, sutures out today and back in my sandal with weight bearing on the heel only for another 3 weeks! Can't imagine putting a sneaker/trainer on but I'm sure I will when the time comes! How much walking should I be doing now and should I rest with my feet up at other times to reduce the swelling?
I had big toe fusion on May 27th so 7 weeks post now. I had
my 2nd check up on Wednesday just gone. I was told by my
surgeon that I could start wearing shoes but to still take care
and not over do things. I did try a sandal yesterday but
couldn't wear it for long so went back to wearing my surgical
shoe. Today I have been out walking for sometime.....surgical shoe.....and my foot has swollen but is manageable.
I was told to still elevate.....I did ask if it's ok to rest on my
knees to do some much needed weeding in thd garden but amnot allowed just yet as it will mean using the toes to stand up
right again...... Back in 6 weeks for another check up.
Hi your 4 weeks in front of me, I'm getting the vision as to how it's going to be. I am walking on my heel wearing the surgical shoe in the garden etc so not far at all, the surgeon said not to do much but am I being lazy? Seems like you have done the right thing to go back to your shoe and walk a bit further. Did you have yours done in the UK?
Hi Patricia
My recent operation was revised surgery after a double bunion
op was not done correctly back in 2014. Only right foot this time
left will be done at a later date.
you are certainly not being lazy..... my surgeon told me to still
take things easy..... I can drive when I can safely do an
emergency stop.....will practice on my driveway .
I can't kneel down to do things like weeding in the garden as I'm
not allowed to put weight/use the toes to help me get back up
again....... I've to go back in 6 weeks time for another check up.
yes.....I am in the UK......South East.
Do take things easy.....I think I over did things after my first op
this time when I came home from hospital I was only allowed to
do essential walking....bathroom and back....so I put my PJs on
and apart from having a wash I stayed in PJs and in bed until my1st check up. I think it has really helped with my recovery.
up
Hi Misskh
thank you for your prompt reply! Poor you having to have both feet redone, mine was revised surgery too but unlike you mine was 9 years later and only one foot.
The surgeon was very honest at the beginning and reiterated on the last appointment that the healing would take some time so we really shouldn't be rushing our rehabilitation!
You have made me feel so much better about the resting and I will continue to do so. Until I had my stitches removed earlier this week I came downstairs every day having rested on my bed until about 2 then sat with my feet up! Now I am walking more outside but not every day then it's back to feet up when I get back indoors.
I hope your recovery continues to improve, if we invest this time sensibly we will get the just reward later ;'
.
Thank you...
I've been out again today..... Food shopping.... 1st time since
before my op. Hubby came with me and I drove there, it's only a
mile down the road but my main concern was not being able to
drive back if after walking around the shop the swelling became
to bad. Foot did ache a fair bit but I managed both ways ok.
Home to ice the foot. Not sure if I'm ready to make car journey's
regularly on my own and defiantly not ready for my daily walk I
took pre op......how I miss my walk..... but at least I'm giving my
foot the best chance of a full recovery. And yes my surgeon said
it was a long haul so I'm under no illustration.
ILLUSTRATION. ........predictive text.......I meant illusions.
Fabulous-I bet your delighted with yourself!
I too haven't been shopping but was hoping to give it a go this week. Now I've read what you did I will continue to leave the shopping in the capable hands of my husband until at least my 6 week appointment!
yes I'm like you, love to go for a walk. I did wear my Fitbit in the early days postop but it was too depressing to see the steps listed-anyway we have lots to look forward to and we will get back to it we just don't know when it will be!
Well done!
Hi Lynn ,
I've had a fusion and in agony after a year. What shoes are you running in ? Stiff soled , rocker sole or general trainers ?
In desperate need of advice surgeons and all physios seem clueless at aftercare
Ok I'm not sure, but sounds like this thread is from the UK. I am USA and after reading feel like my doctor is being very careful. Lol
I had big toe fusion on my right foot June 7th. (6 weeks) Still in a NWB cast for 2 more weeks. With no light at the end of the tunnel of being able to go into boot when I go see doctor in 2 weeks.
My x-ray 1 week ago showed a small area of the bone still not fused together. 
I haven't had much pain at all. My biggest complaint is at night. It's so hard to get comfortable with this cast that goes almost to my knee. My foot will start to swell and then Mt whole foot does this jerk thing over and over. It's almost like everything in my foot is trying to stretch out. Feels really weird with that big toe.
I was told to put ice on the back of my knee to prevent blood clots and keep swelling down. So at night I wrap one on pop a anti inflammatory and it seems to help.
I have read that Doctors say to only leave ice pack on for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Any one know why?
Hi
just wondering how you've been this last week. Are you able to walk further and for longer and what type of shoe are you able to wear?
i have my X-ray next week and hope all is well but dread the thought of putting anything other than this surgical shoe on my foot!
Hi Patricia
I Have been progressing.... Had a lovely day out yesterday with
a fair few steps taken. When I go out I wear a pair of my old
training shoes.... I've rearranged the lace on the right foot so
that it doesn't pull tight on my foot.....still take 1 crutch with me
as I feel a bit more secure having something to help me along
the way.
I drove to the local supermarket today....managed well.
I also go out with a friend a 2 days a week but as we walk quite
a bit she drives.
I do like to soak my feet in warm water with Epsom salts added
a few times a week.
sonetimes I can feel the metatarsal bones underfoot...will ask
the surgeon about that.
But on the whole the foot is looking much better.
Back to wearing my Fitbit but not pushing myself and haven't
done any of my pre op walks as of yet.
Hope your x-rays go well.... you'll be fine. Do let me know.
Are you in the UK?
Hi
can't speak for anyone else but I'm in the UK...
fortunately I didnt have a cast on..... I had small bootie type
casts last time....drove me mad.
I never iced behind my knee so can't help with that but if my
foot felt uncomfortable due to swelling I did ice underfoot and
ontop of it.
My foot would jerk I think it's the nerves protesting....All quite
normal though.
I had bunion surgery with fusion of the big toe and pins in the second and third toe 5 weeks ago. The orthopedic foot surgeon also put a pin in the second and third toe. The third toe pin "slipped" within a week, so he removed it. The second toe pin stayed in for 3 weeks, but I have no feeling in that toe, so there's nerve damage, which may or may not be permanent. The thing that worries me the most is that because of the fusion, I may not walk normally again. My surgeon did not discuss the procedure with me regarding the pros & cons, options, etc. My foot is still very swollen and uncomfortable and the toes are crooked. The best advice I can give anyone contemplating this surgery, is choose your surgeon very, very carefully and choose one with at least 20 years experience!
I had bunionectomy with big toe fusion on June 24. The surgeon also put pins in the second and third toes, one of which "slipped" immediately and the other cause nerve damage, thus I have no feeling in the second toe, which may or may not ever return. My surgeon never explained anything to me or warn me of the long, slow recovery period. My foot is still very swollen and I think I'll hae to be walking on my heel only, in this post surgery shoe for months to come. I was very active before this operation and wonder when (and if) I'll ever be able to return to my previous activities. I would advise anyone contemplating this surgery to choose your orthopedic foot surgeon or podiatrist very, very carefully and only trust someone with over 20 years experience. If I decide to have my right foot done, I would never return to the doctor that did my left foot. I think a podiatrist with many years of experience is who I will trust next time around. Good luck to you.
I also had a severe bunionectomy with fusion of the big toe 5 weeks ago. I have the same concerns about fusion as you have and think it should be done only as a last resort. My surgeon never fully explained it to me, or the pros & cons, etc. If I had understood better, I would have not let him do it. (Choose a surgeon you trust who has many years of experience and make him answer all your questions and address all your concerns. My surgeon was the worst.)
I had bunion surgery with toe fusion 5 weeks ago and I have the same concerns you have. If I had understood the procedure and if I had a better surgeon, with more experience, to explain it to me, I would never have had my toe fused. Good luck to you!
Hi Jenny. Wow you have had a hard time! I am with you on not having bunion surgery! I had mine done about 8 years ago and have been in more pain then before the surgery. I sure hope this bone fusion works. My second toe some how is dislocated. My doctor thinks it was caused from previous Dr. Shooting cortisone into a nerve.
She doesn't want to fix it right now. I think after I am all better from the toe fusion, she is going to try bracing it back in place. Kind of like how they take care of crooked teeth.
I wish you nothing but best wishes on your recovery.