Hi, so I had a rt foot bunionectomy on May 12/17 - no idea which procedure but it was mild-moderate bunion and only needed two screws. Had it done via local - which I would totally do again!
The day of post-op was wonderful. I couldn't feel a thing. I was in great spirits and could walk around. I was a good girl though and did rest after getting some food into me. When the freezing came out, and the intial meds wore off ... well ... it was freakin painful. There were two occassions that I thought I was going to pass out in the bathroom from shock. Luckily, I was able to slink to the floor and regain my composure and then get up and back to bed. There was no sleep that night despite taking a T3. My doctor was amazing as he called me the next afternoon to see how I was doing!
Days 2-5: Doctor called on 2nd day post op as well to check in on me. As long as I keep my foot up, and ice it, it is fine. Don't get me wrong. It still hurt. Burning sensations, shooting pains, feeling of numbness, and just red hot pain. The moment I hobble, with crutches, to the bathroom, the foot feels like it is going to explode. I seriously have to grab it and hold it in the air. I cannot wait for this to stop! I took the T3's sparingly but caved in at night as the pain seemed to be worse when I tried to sleep. I manually moved my toes around and can move them, slightly, on their own. I have also been trying to do ankle circles. I am basically off the pain meds.
Today is day 6. First post-op appointment is tomorrow, May 18 to have the bandages changed - not sure if they remove them or just change them. It will be super interesting to see what the foot looks like. The part of my foot that is not under bandages and my ankle, is a mixture green, yellow and purple discolouration. The bandage is purple so not sure how much the skin is taking from that hue. I tried yesterday to put the walking shoe on and take a few steps. I paid for that. Guessing it is too soon for that - at least for me. I can get around on the crutches much better now but can't wait to get rid of them. I was hoping to be able to walk into the doctors office with the shoe thing and no crutches tomorrow but I don't think that is going to happen.
When have other's started to weightbear and walk with crutches?
When does the feeling of your 'foot exploding' stop?
Helpful tips from here on in with pain, swelling, mobility etc?
Hi Edie - to be honest you've a bit to go before you should be weight bearing - I'd follow advice from doctor but I wasn't weightbearing for six weeks on advice from hospital and then still on crutches and boot for longer than that. The exploding foot sensation goes gradually just keep foot elevated whenever you can. I had op end of January and still have swollen feet if on feet too long and get shooting pains. I'm still in trainers. It has been a much bigger operation than I thought and you have to be patient.....
Hi JaneG! Thank you so much for replying. I really wasn't sure if people frequent this forum. It is reassuring that others do! I hear what you are saying. I just feel so unstable on the crutches.
Admittedly, I did toss the crutches this morning and have used the shoe thing. I didn't do alot of walking but enough that I felt some independence.
And now, some pain.
I will take it easy for the rest of the night and definitely for tomorrow.
Was just there a few days back. I totally get it! Take the advice of elevate the foot, and ice it! I truly have done that. It makes it hard to sleep for sure (I am a stomach sleeper so I have had to make some adjustments), and take the meds as you see fit.
Thank you so much! My doctor said to take pain meds when I first notice tingling from the numbing coming out. I had surgery at 2:00 yesterday and he said block should last 2 days so I may go ahead and take meds in late morning.
Admittedly, I tossed the shoe the moment I hit the bed and used three pillows to elevate the foot. I iced right away. As soon as you feel the begining of any pain, I would ice immediately. I used - and still use gel packs. I iced the top of the ankle and also underneath the ankle, including the heal. I often have to move the ice pack to the toes as they get pretty hot as well.
If you run out of ice packs/gel packs/ frozen corn or peas work just as well!
I would totally listen to your doc's advice and not try to 'tough it out'. I did try to tough it out at day 2 but my body took over and convinced me otherwise! I am no longer taking meds other than ibruprofen. And, I am listening to my body.
I will sleep better tonight! Trying to cut out the Percocet! I find that ibuprofen is pretty effective! I have a hard time icing because I have a hard ace like bandage on. I should have taken a digestive aide right away if you know what i mean. I should be 10 pounds lighter tomorrow
thanks for for your support! As my mother always says, "this too shall pass"!
Julie when that tingling starts to occur don't delay with the pain meds! I know it's scary! I just keep telling myself tomorrow will be better etc. and I try to keep myself distracted. Even if it means reading all night or a movie if you can't get comfortable.
OH well that makes sense. I did cut out the T3's but I may need to take one tonight - will see how I feel once I lay down for the night. I did also accept some help from other sources that prevented constipation. I found it hard enough just to sit and try to pee ... the last thing I wanted was to sit and ... well ... strain! So humbly ... all of this hey?
Hi - I've found this forum to be great. It was such a relief to see everyone was going through the same and it wasn't just me!! I think the one thing to remember is it's a major op and will take time. Don't try to rush recovery - and if you need painkillers take them!!
I had my surgery on May 12th. I also had a hammer toe corrected and a pin left in for stabilization. I though I would be numb for 12 hours and to say the least I wasn't. My Dr did tell me as soon as I got my script filled to take one and I did but it don't help. When I got home I put my foot up and iced it but within 2 hours I had feeling back and let me tell you the throbbing was the worst. I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong. After crying (sounds so bad) and a lot of trial and error we figured out that I didn't have it elevated high enough, and during all this my husband is like take another pill lol. So once that crisis was avoided I slept a lot. My Dr did say that I could put weight on my foot, while in the boot, only to go to the restroom and I'm not going to lie the first 2 days I tried to hold it because it hurts every time you get up. By Sunday I was feeling a little better so I tried a bath and that went ok. I rested my right foot on the side of the tub while bathing and washing my hair I moved my foot to the shower wall and braced it. Then when I was done I made sure to dry The right side of my body first and did it while sitting on The side of the tub. I do recommend the first couple times you are doing this make sure someone is home that can help you just in case. Monday I went and saw the Dr and he removed my bandage and took xrays and omg you can't wear the boot for the fray and I only had to go 4 steps but I told my husband that I will not walk without the boot until the Dr says I can. It was painful. I also noticed that I have burning and my toes twitch and that is so painful because it isn't something you can make stop. Another thing I noticed was I was having server heart burn. The kind that makes you nauseas, stomach pain and burning in the back of the throat. I would love to know if anyone else has experienced this. I went to my Dr today to get the stiches out and he said no and I'm really frustrated, anyone else have this happen. But honestly for the first week elevation and ice are your best friend. I noticed sleeping in the recliner is better than the bed. Just put blankets or pillows under your foot and I iced mine non stop for the first 48 hours and every couple hours after that or when it would start to ache.
Hi JaneG, I am still numb for the most part. Pain has not set in yet. I've been taking one oxycodone every 4 hours since 10:45 est this morning (I'm in North Carolina). I guess I'm extremely lucky but still waiting for the numbing to come out. Was just going to google how long a numbing block usually stays in. My doctor did say and I confirmed with my husband that he said he put enough numbing meds in for two days but my surgery was over at 3pm Wednesday. I called dr office this morning to ask if I should go ahead and begin oxycodone and they suggested yes, so I did. I can feel a little more but no pain yet. Thank you for checking in on me. Will post again soon.
?!#%?! I know this will be a distant memory soon, and we'll be back on our feet!
And now, some pain.