It was just two days ago that I came out of bunionectomy surgery quite elated with the good drugs and numbing still very present in my system, however, when they wore off a few hours later I have been hard pressed to enjoy any relief from the stabbing, swelling and burning sensations. I'm glad to hear that this swelling and stabbing is normal and am sorry for the discomfort that all of you are suffering. This blog has given me some comfort knowing that I am not alone or just weak! Now I have a couple of questions. I hesitate to call the doctors after hours number (surgery was Friday/office closed) when I don't think it's an emergency; except for lavatory trips I am down with foot elevated but the compression from ace bandage and boot make the pain more unbearable. Am I doing any damage by not wearing them?
You must wear the boot when walking Vanessa to allow the bone to heal! If it's any help I was in bloody agony for two days after the pain block wore off, but after the two days it really did ease off and I stopped spin killers after the third day . Hang on in there it gets easier. Keep your foot elevated to ease the swelling even at night in bed I slept with foot on two pillows.
Thank you for the encouragement Carol, there's NO walking at this point, I navigate long distances with an office chair and I hop on the good foot with a cane for support through the short ones.
Hello, Vanessa,
I am 3wks into post op and I know about that excruciating pain after the first few days is normal. My Dr said that loosing to boot and icing it would help with the swelling. I also had my neighbour help loosen the bandage. Also, I was taking arnica tablets which made a difference as well. I do know the pain does get better. I am still having pain and discomfort, but not like before. The uncomfortable boot always makes me feel uncomfortable. Good luck to you. Wishing you a quick recovery.
Vanessa, the sensations you are feeling are normal thru this process. The first three days were the most painful for me, though the pain meds helped greatly. I'm 4 weeks post op and am still feelling strange sensations in my foot. Ice and elevation is the most important thing I can tell you to do. When bandage feels tight, loosening it will help. My foot felt like I had a tennis ball under the arch and a golf ball between big toe and second toe. This has eased off tremendously. I had a surgical shoe to wear constantly for the first 4 weeks with no weight bearing, but since last thurs. I was given the boot to walk in. I don't wear the boot when I'm in my chair, just when I have to get up. It gets better! Slowly! You will do fine. Just remember to ice, elevate, and relax!
I don't think you need the boot if you are awake and not walking but you should wear it to protect your foot so that includes sleeping with the boot on and definitely having it on when walking or even moving around on the chair as you described. The pain will ease but it can take good few weeks and that unfortunatelly is normal. I would be talking to a GP and asking for better pain managment.
Good luck Vanessa, hope you feel better soon
Hi Vanessa,
I am 15 days post op and on the second day after the nerve block wore off I was in a lot of pain and taking the maximum dose of pain killers. On the third day the pain was not as bad and for the next few days I only took occasional paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
The pain is not too bad now,mainly tingling and some throbbing. I understand is part of the healing process.
I am able to walk round the house wearing a heel weight bearing boot and crutches but spend most of my time sitting on couch with leg elevated.
I am due to have stitches out on Tuesday. Hope things improve for you
Hi Vanessa, you are so right that this blog is comforting while you are going through this experience. I am post op day 10, and I have to say 2 things help tremendously: Elevate that foot all the time. You should only be up to go to the bathroom, and no weight bearing on it. Use crutches or have someone rent you a knee scooter. My second saving grace was icing it constantly. We rented a medical cod therapy unit. It looks like a small cooler. You add a half bag of ice, a little water, and turn it on. It has a timer and a universal cuff that will fit for various body parts; ie shoulder, foot, knee. We put a plastic bag between my foot and the cuff to keep the bandage dry and did 30 min icings every hour for the first 4 days. Saw the surgeon 2 days ago and he recommended to keep on with the cold therapy. I had complete left foot reconstruction; bunionectomy, tendon transfer, 3 pins, and 5 screws put in. I have no pain tolerance and am a complete whoose when it comes to pain. This has all been working for me and I am comfortable. Seriously, check out a knee scooter, keep that foot elevated, and try the cold therapy or just ice packs. I will keep you in my prayers Vanessa. Hang in there. It will get a little better each day.
Also keep on this blog Vanessa, the people on here are very kind, have great advice, and genuinely care. The first few days post op, I just wrote in here, and the kind encouragement from people on here got me through the worst few days. Praying for pain relief for you
Molly, thank you so much, I will do all of that. My doctor said that he didn't recommend crutches/scooter and that I should be fine with just the boot, I feel like such a wimp but it's great to get the "permission to hurt and use aides"! Very encouraging and I wish you a speedy recovery also!
Thanks Vanessa! And just think of all the cute shoes you'll be able to wear this summer. Hang in there. You're not a wimp. I had 2 babies, and this was worse than labor. But you will be able to walk better when you are healed😊
Oh Vanessa. I remember the dark days! I did not walk on my foot WHATSOEVER for three weeks (bunion and two other toes shortened - scarf, akin and weil's osteotomies). I am not saying that not walking was the right or proper thing to do. My block did not work and I was screaming in the recovery room. Apparently this fires off info to the brain telling it you cannot use the foot at all and I believe that led to a delay in walking on it. Hopping is a no-no. Jumping and flicking your foot at the same time is not good. The office chair is great. I used one until I got a wheelchair from a charity shop. Stay off it if it hurts and book a physio appointment as soon as the sutures are out. You will be fine. I sound so wise now but believe me I was in such a miserable mood after the surgery - day three was my worst. Keep tapping into this site. Lots of honest and normal people on here.
I am feeling better today. I saw my doctor today and was able to get some stronger pain pills and Motrin for the swelling. I've slept some and have permission to keep the boot off unless I'm walking on it and that won't be happening for awhile. I still feel like my pain threshold isn't what I'd like it to be but I'm trying to forgive myself for that, it is what it is! I also think that it is important to have a good support system in place before the surgery; if you are being cared for by someone who is admittedly NOT a caregiver then it lays a bad foundation for the initial recovery process.
Hi Vanessa
The pain which stops you from sleeping would wear down even a super woman
No need to have any expectations just listen to your passion and respond with the best management possible
I am 11 weeks pay surgery and back on morphine
I mended without it for few weeks and I read not sleeping
I ended an emotional mess
My Gp put me back on strong meds only at night and sometimes on the afternoon and I am fine again
The specialist told me today to expect significant pain for at least another 3 months
Please be patient and kind to yourself
It will get better but it takes time
And yes you ate right a kind and gentle helper/care giver makes a big difference
But we do not always have that much control over our lives
All the best
Oops It wad meant to be listen to your pain not passion lol
Sorry for weird words chosen by auto correct
Not a good idea to type without glasses
Smile...my passion is to dance so I had to smile when I read that, as I am forced to turn a bind eye/deaf ear on "my passion" for the time being. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I hope that you begin to see a huge change as you bring the pain back under control and sleep, you are so right, sleep is crucial!
You will so dance again Vanessa, just not tomorrow
In the meantime, tell your surgoeon that when it is his turn he can do it without aids.
I used crutches and wheel chair for the first two weeks and then crutches only for as long as I felt I needed them. Your job is to make it as easy and as comfortable for yourself as possible with aids, meds and help from others.
It amounts to being your own best friend. In other words do what your best friend would advise you to do.
I love dancing too. Irish dancing! Heavy work on the ball of the foot. I have decided to give it up for a year while this foot and soon (no date yet) the other foot recovers. I really miss it. 
I tell myself it will be worth it.
Hi how are you now ? The first couple of days were pretty much the same now a 6 days on my main pain is the burning you describe in the soles of my feet.