I am on my 4 th day of recovery from surgery. I have been elevating my foot basically all day. I was told that after two weeks I would be put in a boot and the stitches would be taken out. How long do I elevate for? I'm a lil confused about this and everything I've read. When I put my foot down it feels like there is a 1000lbs of pressure. Is this normal? Will it limit with time? Should I wait to stop feeling this pain before I stop elevating? I need help doctors won't call back. Starting to get annoyed. Other than that the pain is tolerable and I'm trying not to take that much of the pain meds. Don't want to get addicted them. Anyone know any info please tell.
Hi Joseph,
I am due to have my surgery in 3 weeks. I was told that I would need to keep my foot elevated for 55 minutes of every hour for the first two weeks. After that it would be a further 4 weeks of wearing the boot and limited movement - I was told I can't suddenly rush back onto the tube to get to work, but to work from home for a couple of weeks and begin to walk a little. They say the least you do in the first 6 weeks the better.
I hope this helps even if it's just advice from my surgeon rather than my experience following surgery.
I am following all the comments on this forum with interest. I am having the fusion surgery in a week and have had no information on recovery from my surgeon. I will however take all pain meds available rather that suffer.
Hi Joseph , you will need to keep your foot elevated for 90% of your time for the whole 14 days. It does hurt but it will get better. After 2 weeks the stitches should come out and you will wear the boot/ shoe but you will still need to elevate as much as you can.
i am just 6 weeks post op and just yesterday got to take the shoe off and wear my own. My foot is still swollen and stiff but it gets better with each week.
Hi Joseph - I am due to have surgery on the 16 October but after reading all of the comments on this web site - I am going for a second opinion - and think I will put up with the life pain than the opp. The last person is right about elevation keeping your feet above your heart very regularly every hour and apparently a full recovery will take up to 12 months - it's a mess when you get get the right after care or support - feel for you - regards your feet feeling like exploding with pressure you need to take your pain killers mate - I suffer with gout and that's horrible pain - but at least the meds might allow your mind to rest easier... Question what recovery time tables were you given ? Do you play sport ? I have only had 1 good comment about this in the last 2 weeks - your pain will subside it's ashamed that your expectations were not managed ? But are you confident although in pain that you have done the right thing then maybe that's half the battle - recover well and soon
HI Irlam, have you an opportunity to go the minimally invasive surgery route? I'm finding the recovery fromm this much easier than the traditional surgery ( which I had on my first bunion)
Joseph, Have no fear, you are doing the right thing and its normal to feel your foot will explode. I don’t think you need worry about it too much, its ok if you do put your foot down and walk around the house but when you do sit keep the foot high. It took several weeks for my foot to calm down so you need to be patient. Swelling/redness may continue for months. It did with me. I was surprised at the instant relief by raising the foot really high, say 45degrees or more above the horizontal for a few seconds. It lets the blood drain instantly. Overall it sounds like you are doing the right thing but don’t worry, your foot is unlikely to actually explode if you do have it down occasionally. At one point I walked too much an regretted this and do not advise it, ie do not push yourself, but no damage was done. Good luck, Kevin
Irlam, I understand your hesitation. Ive had both feet done, it took me 3 months before I could go to the Gym and do stuff that involved bending the foot at all and it was really 5 months before I could do classes without worrying. Im now at 8 Months and do not regret having it done, far from it, I see no point in putting up with pain or having unecessary restrictions on walking/running/cycling unless there is no choice. In summary, my experience was positive though there was a moment about 6 weeks after the operation when I wondered if it would recover properly. Good luck with your decision.
well peeps i am new to this dont no wot i am doing lol i am having my op on the 5th haw long will it be befir i can go back to work ??
Hi Amanda,
I am six weeks post op on Tuesday, how much walking are you allowed to do now in your own shoes.
I am walking as much as I can, very slowly though and making sure I walk properly and not on the side of my foot. It does swell after too much, then it's back to the elevation.
Do you work if so have they gave you a rough idea when you can go back and sorry to bug you with questions did they xray your foot
Hi, no worries, yes I do work and have been back just doing mornings since I was 2 weeks post op. My foot was xrayed before I could go back to my shoes. Very wide shoes though as it is still quite swollen, and flat shoes only with a wide toe box so that the toes aren't squashed.
Im a support worker but been told i cant start back until after my six weeks and then i went for a check up three wks ago and nurse said i wont b bak for a few more weeks yet. I am thinking about taking my reebox classic trainers on mon the outsides of my feet look good but dont no how insides are heeling
Hi
5 weeks since chevron bunionectomy. I had significant swelling too - so much so that my foot split (about an inch long split) beside my incision from being too swollen.
I have a pin for another week and haven't been able to weight-bear or wear shoes (even socks don't fit yet due to swelling).
Anyone else have issues with foot turning puple when not elevated? Franken-foot!
I think it depends what you do. I have been working from home ever since the surgerry ( well maybe a day off) just little bits on the computer. I think the issue is travelling to work and standing
aouch!!! you poor thing...
Hi Joseph.
Just read your contribution to this forum. I've been a contributor since January/February 2014 following hallux valgus correction and 2nd hammertoe correction on my left foot in November 2013.
You need to read the document Bunions ( Hallux Valgus) and 2nd Lesser toe correction' surgery on the website of the Royal National Orthopoaedic Hospital. It gives excellent advice etc.
My surgery has been very successful But you must be aware that the recovery period is extremely slow and cannot be rushed. The pressure you refer to is absolutely normal and this is why it is so very importnat that you elevate your foot as much as possible. Failure to do this will delay the healing process and this will draw out the recovery time. My surgeon warned me that a total of 12 months is the time is can take for the foot to heal completely BUT only if the elevation and rest are adhered to. As soon as your foot goes down you will get throbbing and intense swelling. So, you have been warned.
I returned hoem on 2nd October 2014 following having hallux valgus correction surgery on my right foot and so I am beginning the recuperation process all over again. That said, I have previously followed all my surgeon's advice and instruction to the letter and am therefore in a very good position with a ver good outcome to the surgery on my left foot last year.
I intend to follow the advice again as it has obviously been extremely beneficial to my recovery last time.
I get so angry when I read of people who have undergone this surgery/procedure and who are hell bent on getting back into normal shoe, getting back to the gym, getting back to work without allowing nature to take it's course and the healing to happen. It cannot be hurried. Our feet are very complex and take a great deal of load from the rest of our bodies and I don't think we fully appreciate just how hard they work. We take our feet so much for granted. But we need to respect them and the job they do for us.
So, continue to elevate for at least a month after surgery, continue to keep off the feet for anything other than essential things and for goodness sake when the time for the bandages to be removed, don't try to force your feet into shoes if they tell you they're not ready for it. The swelling takes many months to reduce.
Take paracetamol if you have pain and Ibuprofen.
Good luck and do take care.
Gillian
What kind of medication did they give and what was the dosage and amount? Im worried that they will only give me enough for the first two-four days and it seems like everyone who has survived the first two weeks still has pain?
Has anyone felt like theyve had gout attacks but it is really your bunion?
Gosh...poor you what treatment if any did you have for
the split?