Thought I’d start my own discussion. I will have to come back and fill in details that I’ve already put on other threads, but today I’m starting to wonder how I’m doing compared to others on the ROM exercises given to me. I was told in my post op visit on March 1st, to start to wiggle my toes and start the big toe exercises. My ortho surgeon doesn’t seem to hand out the physical therapy to all his patients based on what the nurse has told me.
When I try and wiggle my toes now, they spasm a little while bending. And of course don’t bend that far... I also get spasms in my feet sometimes when I’m not doing any exercises. I’m taking magnesium and also doing mag oil spray .
I had felt good about the exercises, but today it really hurts when my hubby does them. I find it easier to have him do them, as I feel when I do I’m doing it wrong. I watched the videos and even had him watch him.
Im going to try and include some pics for anyone to see if they want.
Well it said file too big... grr! I’ll have to play around to figure that out!
Guess I’m just feeling like I’m not progressing as I should be. I couldn’t sleep again last night trying to get comfy. I was awake the whole night :-( I’m sure I should be exercising more often than the twice daily I do now.
At 18 days out.. I think?! I’m curious as to how my foot is doing compared to others.
Here or a few more pics... maybe!
Wow, guess there is no editing any of my posts. Eek!
Hi Dona. I have had a bunionectomy together with straightening of toes. The op was on 31st January and since then i have had my stitches and pins removed. However I am still wearing a shoe with just a heal (as not allowed to use my toes) . I have not been given any exercises to do but only told to rest the foot as much as possible. My big toe is quite turned upwards and seems to be resting on the other toe. Seems such a long process but hopefully next week I will go for an x-ray and perhaps start wearing normal shoes....... that apparently is another problem. Perhaps someone could suggest what shoes they bought as I will definitely need to buy new shoes because of the swelling.
Hi I had mine done on the 2 jan and I’m struggling with tingling pins and needles and swelling of ankle I cannot walk without it being painful ! On the ball of my foot ! Iv not been told to excercise ??? Still cannot sleep good and I put my foot up as much as I can x I honestly did not think it would be this bad xx I hope u go on ok xxxx
Hi Marie - you and I are exactly the same. Same date - everything.... You don’t live in Glasgow do you lol.
Hi Dona! Thx for sharing pix of your progress! I'm still trying to figure out how to post photos. Anywho, I believe the tingling and the periodic surprises of sharp pains are normal from what I learned from my Dr. Our nerves are trying to reconnect themselves. I was also concerned when I experienced those. Still do when I do toe curls.
I didn't realize you have 3 different incisions, but makes sense for the work your surgeon did. I would suggest massaging your essential oils onto the bottom of your feet, especially the ball area of your foot. Put EOs on your big toe too as that will really swell up when you do ROMs. Once your steri strips fall off and any scabbing falls off and wounds look completely closed, you can begin using EOs right on the incisions. BTW, which particular EOs are you using.
Meanwhile, cheers to healing for all of us here!!
Hi Jane. I live in Malta but am pleased that we can compare notes. I am doing no exercises amend so am feeling my ankle so heavy and stiff.
Hi Sandra , I had my done on 5th January and thinking the same
Will I ever get back into a size 5 shoe.
Just posted a new conversation on forum
Hi Marie - my toes are very stiff and I haven’t been instructed to do any exercise either but to keep black heel boot on and foot elevated as much as possible till ne t week.
I’m so looking forward to getting trainers on and exercising!,
Jane
Yes Jane we are both in the exact situation. I personally cannot see myself getting into trainers as yet. Like many who went through what we are going through, we might have to wear a different size of shoes which is really no big deal. Somehow I am feeling that the swelling is much worse than a week ago... in all fairness I have been overdoing it a bit. I am a bridge player and did play for 3 hours, mostly with my leg up but also so uncomfortable. Anyway am resting as much as possible and trying to get rid of the dryness I have on my foot. Hey I am 69 years so guess the healing is much slower 😀🤔
Hi,
I have tons of questions on my upcoming surgery? Am I just replying to one person?
It’s all fascinating & scary!
Ria! hope you conquered your Wednesday!!!
The photos have to be smaller than 2 mb, and I had to have my hubby show me how to do that!
not as many any sharp pains yesteday and today, hooray!
I use turmeric, black pepper, mandarin red, geranium, frankincense, ginger, just to think of a view off the top of my head. I also have a blend from my Aromatherapist called sore no more. I still need to make up your blends and start those. This having do work sets me back when I go in, so I find myself behind on all of my “catching up”. Ha! I do need to remember to start putting them into the ball of my foot area. Usually they just go on The bottoms of my feet and on the side where my pinky toe is. The arnica has helped amazingly with the bruises. I will have to show another picture. What a difference in just a few days! Usually on the balls on my foot it’s very prickly, like pins poking when I touch it. It does help when I just slowly apply touch to them. I’m not sure if that’s my Raynauds or this surgery. I did put some Cica tape on some old keoloid scars and one strip on my left foot bunion scar. Thanks for that suggestion! someone else told me about using NET, but I’m not sure about that...
i got got bored and in a funk today (how much longer do I have, I’m not eating properly, I have no clothes, shoes, etc, lol) today and Started googling bunion stuff. I got myself all confused yet again on the exercises. It’s so crazy to me how many doctors prescribe different things for very similar surgeries. So I have a tendency to read what other people did and then wonder if I’m falling behind and I should do that too, or if I’m not doing enough to help this process and then I get myself all worked up LOL. I would suggest others to really try and get full directions from your doctor that you trust in.That can be very hard to do As some doctors don’t give any instructions.
Yesterday I didn’t do any ROM exercises. Today when I went to try it my toe was very stiff and I could hardly bend it. So I could only do a few and then I had had it. Hopefully I can pick it back up again regularly and get back into it. I did send a message to my nurse asking her to please confirm that I should be doing the exercises like that. I am also hoping she will tell me about a compression sock. Lately my foot does feel like it is being splayed out and all the bones are Spreading. It is very hard to explain that feeling. So I am wondering if a compression sock will help me to keep things aligned. And do I need to be doing that at this point? Hopefully she answers me.
hope you are well! I still have to think about shoes 
hi Marie! is your big toe resting on toe resting on your other toe after the surgery? Mine was starting to before the surgery but is straight now. I’d make sure that’s the process for you?
With my first two surgeries for bunions on my left foot by the same doctor I was given no instructions for exercise. I had an orthopedic surgeon this time to my right foot and at my post op appointment was told I could start wiggling my toes and doing the tow exercises. For me this is really important because I still have very painful times in my left foot. And my big toe on that foot is very stiff still. So this time around I want to make sure I can do all I can do to help it.
sounds like you had a little more than I did and exercises may not be appropriate for you quite yet. I would doublecheck for sure though. It sure gets frustrating and lonely sometimes and it’s very hard to explain the pains to someone who hasn’t been through it. This group has helped me a lot To see but I’m not the only one going through issues. Sometimes we just need some assurance :-)
I have been trying to figure out what shoes I will need as well. I’m not sure if we can mention friends on here or not. I haven’t tried any yet but I have a small list going from what I have read people recommend. It’s going to be very difficult with the swelling, and because I am on a knee scooter I don’t see myself shopping too much. And it’s very difficult to find shoes Without trying them on, especially now! I wish there was a bunion shoe swap site :-)
I have Found that my threshold for working is about five hours. I have a desk job but I do get up quite a bit I’ve noticed especially because I have to use the scooter so that gets very tiresome! I am working from home for the most part and even then after sitting with my foot propped after a while I have had it! Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to slow down, listen to our body and simply take it easy.
Are you both able to walk on your foot with the heel only ? Or are you total non-weight-bearing like me?
I know what you mean about the tingling and the pans in the ball of the foot. It is very painful. For me I find if I just lightly touch and push them just a little bit it eases them. I also use my ice machine which for me has been a lifesaver. And sometimes I use a heating pad as well. I have Raynauds so my feet are supersensitive to begin with Bio freeze has helped as well. :-)
hi karen!
sorry so late in responding! I follow a few other forums here and respond in those as well. Hopefully you have checked those out and got some good tips. I am very glad I found this site. I also joined a Facebook group called I survived a bunionectomy LOL. When is your surgery? And do you know what type you were having?
Hi all. Yes I can actually walk well on my heel. I am hoping to get rid of the shoe next Wednesday as I have an app with my surgeon. Cannot see it happening at the moment as my big toe is still turned upwards and resting on the other toe. Besides that I cannot move my middle toes as yet. Will definitely keep you all informed as what the doctor tells me next Wednesday. Have a lovely weekend and hope the weather is kind to you😀. The weather in Malta is pretty warm at around 22./24.
Hi - I’m the same as Marie but am finding now it’ easier to walk without the heel boot but am afraid to do that until given the all clear next Friday. That will be over six weeks. Still get twangs of pain which make me flinch but they are fleeting and getting less and less. I can move all my toes but they are still a bit stiff. I wasn’t given any exercises to do. Like Marie I’ll let you know what happpens next week. I’m glad I only have two feet lol!!
Jane