Hi everyone I really need some advice.
Had bunion surgery 12 days ago on my left foot.... Not a huge amount of pain as I have the foot elevated most of the time. I finished anti inflammatories a week ago and have just finished my course of solpadol.
I have tried to walk around but the amount of pressure in my foot is absolutely unbearable so I have to sit down straight away. It feels as if my foot could explode. The pressure is only in my foot and not in calf. There's no throbbing or discharge or redness but the sensation on my foot when I stand is crazy. I don't have a fever either.
I'm wondering if this is normal. Have follow up with consultant Tomor and I'm
Glad because I can't continue on like this. Being bed ridden is driving me slowly insane. I feel as if I'm going backwards in my progress
Hi Ali
Poor you! It's early days though and you may be trying to do too much? Try to get your feet really high up (way above heart level - I lie on the bed with my feet almost at right angles up the wall) if I just sit with my feet 'up' on a stool it really isn't much better than having them on the floor. Are you icing still? That helps enormously - I have two wine cooler sleeves to put round my feet. Also it seems very early to stop anti-inflamatories. I'm at 7 weeks and although I've stopped all other painkillers my specialist still wants me to take Ibruprofen.
We just have to be gentle with ourselves, know that recovery is a long, long process, be patient and accept (in fact insist on) help from whoever is around. Believe me - even at 7 weeks, I still get ridiculously tired very easily and have learnt not to push myself too much.
Hope you feel better soon
Regards
Linda
Linda how do you work the icing really ? I'm afraid I'll wet the bandage. What could u use? I haven't got wine coolers.
Do u think I have a possible infection?
When you say that you are walking - do you mean on the surgical shoes? As I have been told no weight bearing for at least 6 weeks (7 for me as doctor on holiday). 12 days post op is very early. I'm 4 weeks & im only now feeling like I an getting there. I still keep my feet elevated most of the time. I understand your frustration as patience is my worst virtue, but Iv been using Bobs method of PIE (patience, ice & elevation). Most of us have chosen to have this surgery it's not essential so we must persevere with this long tediest recovery which is relatively short in a life time & then we will achieve pretty pain free feet whit whoo!! Your experience sounds normal Ali. Just keep up with the PIE x
I had something similar though perhaps not as bad as yours. I remember that sensation of my foot will explode any second now. My foot was red and swollen, I found instant relief by raising the foot very high, like 45 degrees angle when lying down so the foot is well above the body, this encourages the blood to move. I felt frustrated and contacted the consultant and was re-assured by the 'this is normal' reply. Of course yours may be a different issue. My foot improved over time and I am OK now. Good luck
Do hope when you say walking that,you mean with surgical shoes??? If not no wonder you're in pain. Sitting with foot elevated on stool was fine - for 2 weeks with only necessary walking,then foot up every time I sat down. Off all tablets after 10 days but this was after MIS. Seven weeks in is still early days so chin up and keep,going.
Oops apologies - you are 12 days post op not 7 weeks (read another reply)! As the other reply said patience is the word,of the day. The frustration will pass but perhaps you are expecting too much after such a short time - bones need time to heal. Believe me it will be worth it when you will be able to wear nice shoes again with NO PAIN and your foot will look normal again. Be patient and think of,the outcome to spur you on. Good luck.
Thank you all so much
I was freaking myself out by thinking there was something amiss with my foot but I guess it's all part of the process
Not sure how to ice
Hi Ali....from what I understand the pressure is caused by the rush of blood flow to the foot and is normal. Often the foot/leg also turns a dark red/purple...again having to do with the flow. Many have mentioned that their foot feels like it will explode. I found that if I ignored the sensation and started to walk it improved the circulation and the sensation eased after a minute or two. It's good however that you will be checked out to ensure all is ok. Oh, and I often did air leg pumps or air bicycle before getting up after being elevated to get the blood starting to circulate first...it often helped making that initial rush somewhat less intense. Good luck ! 
PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE! Ali!
What you describe is completely normal.You need to understand this. 12 days is no time at all and, just for good measure you need t know that the pessure you describe will cntinue for several weeks longer. So, for the next 6 weeks at least, you're going t have to resign yourself to the fact that this is how it's going to be. So, on that note, try to become more patient and let the healing process go at it's speed and nottry to force it to happen just because it suits you.
Why are you bedridden?
You've had your feet operated on not a leg amputated.
Get yourself ensconced in a suitable armchair and a decent footstool with a couple of folded pillows to give extra height on which to elevate your foot. Get the tv controls at hand, plenty of reading material at hand, your mobe 'phone and house/landline 'phone handy and SIT!
Tough if you get bored.
You signed the consent for to have this surgery.
Finally, read the following document on the website of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital - ' A PATIENT'S GUIDE TO BUNIONS (HALLUX VALGUS) AND LESSER TOE DEFORMITIES'
Rome wasn't built in a day.
Gillian
A reality check is just what I need!!
I'm a teacher due to go back to work in three weeks so I'm quite concerned.
I absolutely have to be back. Is there any way that I can make this more manageable for my return ?
Hi Ali
Re Ice
I use wine cooling sleeves because they stay in place when legs are up the wall. (I know people are saying to use a footstool but to actually drain all the fluids from the foot you need to elevate your foot REALLY AS HIGH AS IS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE so that gravity can take over. Using a foot stool long term is also quite damaging to the spine)
You can use sports ice packs or bags of frozen veg but have to find a way of keeping them in place. (Tie them on?) Always have a sock on or wrap ice packs in a tea towel - don't put on bare skin!
Glad you are a little bit reassured. Now just take all the good advice on here regarding patience, patience and more patience. And ask for help!!
We need it and deserve it for these few weeks on our lives!!! xXx
Got my stitches out today and doc was very pleased with my progress .... Said it's healing beautifully!!! Said the pressure sensation was completely normal and to elevate as much as possible.
Since I came home I have developed a fever and have a flu feeling ! Any idea what could have caused this?
Ali, are you using an ice pack or cold pack on your foot, to reduce swelling? I couldn't spend much time on my feet after my bunion surgery. I think they said no more than 10-15 minutes per hour. That's not much. I remember the more I was on it, the more swollen it was. I'm 7 weeks in, but there is still swelling. I have a screw in the top of my foot, which causes more swelling, I think. I'm having it removed Sept. 30th. Hang in there. My physical therapist says that the foot and ankle are the slowest to heal. I know it's depressing and frustrating. This was my first surgery ever and I was not a happy camper. Look for Arnica that you can dissolve under your tongue. That helps with swelling and bruising.
Hi,
I've just had bunion surgery yesterday and am at home now in bed. Foot feels like it will burst and feels very numb and tingly and painful (if that makes sense). Am trying to keep it elevated as instructed but does anyone have any good tips on how best to raise the end of your bed really high. I've put 2 pillows under the mattress but it doesn't seem to be high enough.
Also wondering if it's too early to apply ice pack on my dressing yet?
Totally understand ali your frustration about immobility, I'm only day 1 and already wondering how I'm going to cope. But like everybody has said...patience. Hope you carry on with good improvements and it slowly gets easier for you.
Hi. I have just had bunion surgery two weeks ago. I have been resting. Only getting off sofa for toilet breaks. I am due to get dressings off and stitches out tomorrow. So far so good I think. Can I ask now that you are 3 months in if the "foot exploding" feeling when you walk is subsiding. Also I keep having sharp pains intermittently in the area. I take it that will be the nerves fusing together again. I had pins put in. I am experiencing a bit of numbness now and again. I take it that is normal. I have been elevating and icing and doing what I was advised. But the "foot explosion" feeling is unbearable. Just hoping it passes with time. I work 12 hour shifts although won't be at work for at least the next 4 months.
Hi, I can reassure you that the "foot exploding" feeling does go. I'm just over 3 months now and am walking quite well and able to weight bear on most of my foot now. Still have moments of pain that shoots through the joint of my big toe sometimes especially if I do too much walking. The skin all around my toe has been extremely tender and sensitive but that is slowly easing.
Your doing the right thing in keeping the foot elevated and iced....keep it elevated as much as you possibly can, it really will help with the swelling and the healing.
I only have a little swelling now usually at the end of the day. One thing to be careful of is when they say for you to start wearing normal shoes again. I'm still only wearing very wide soft slip ons.
Stay positive it will get better.
Thanks for that. Feeling reassured. 😊
Hi it will take time a slow process I went through the same thing .I had surgery 8 weeks ago but still have numbness in big toe.The pain will so subside and the pressure is coming from the foot it just the prodecure irs self it will eventually go away just takes time I wish u the best.
I feel a little funny replying to a 3-year-old post, but boy, all of your questions and answers have really reassured me. I was doing great for the first five days post-surgery. I had a simple procedure without screws and left in a walking sandal, but was told to mostly stay off my feet. I was nearly off the prescription pain meds. Then yesterday i did a little more than usual. I helped fix dinner, which took about 20 minutes, sat down to eat with my family for another 20 minutes, and when I was through, it felt as if I had a block of concrete hanging from my foot. There was burning, throbbing pain, and for the first time, I could feel the incision, as well as a horrible pressure. I wondered if I had torn something, maybe causing a hematoma. The pain is still bad today, every time I get up, but I am so glad to have heard that others have had the same experience and it is temporary. I'm back to ice. elevation, and pain meds almost full time. I have learned my lesson. Thanks to those of you who have shared your experiences.