pain and swelling 9 weeks post op. been back at work 3 weeks. finding it difficult.

Foot care
1

Had extensive surgery to my foot, had to get back to work as new job. Luckily have 2 weeks off at Xmas. Am having severe pain in my foot where I had weils osteotomy and tendon release. Bunion area not so bad. Also lots of pain in my calf and back of knee have had previous partial knee replacement. I have 3hr daily commute on train then tube my boss us great letting me work later to avoid commuter rush hr. Still using crutch outside because of this commute.

What are others experiences at this time? I have high threshold to pain and am very positive glass half full person, but I must admit to feeling slightly down with it all. I was better last week than this week. Am putting it down to increased activity, the long commute and less opportunity to elevate. I am not on much pain relief and do not want to go on strong meds again as I dont get on with them.

This forum has been great so any advice encouragement would be appreciated.

2

Hi Sheila. I will be 8 weeks post op on Tuesday. I had two crutches and a heel weight bearing shoes until last Tuesday. I then had an X-ray and check up with the surgeon who said that it is healing well and to now 'get back to normal'. So the last few days have been exciting, a little painful and strange!! I went back to work 2 weeks ago and was getting taxis in initially - luckily for me it's a short commute.after the appointment I have been getting trains / buses in this week. I was told to use one crutch for the next week then get rid of them so that I don't rely on it / get a limp!! To be honest with you I'm a little worried about getting the train without the crutch as it has meant I can sit down! But I understand that my muscles need to get used to standing and walking around again. I've made sure I wear supportive trainers so so far it's quite comfortable and my swelling has been surprisingly minimal at the end of the day.

At at the appointment I was told not to elevate my foot any time I'm sat down (as I was doing previously) and only elevate if it is swollen. So I am not elevating my foot (even at night) and the swelling goes down by the morning. I was then given physio and exercises to carry out 3 times a day to strengthen my calf and glutes (my left leg has lost a lot of muscle!) and to increase the flexibility of my foot. I was also told it can be useful to go to a swimming pool and walk along the bottom to help your muscles re stretch / relax and help the toes too. 

I do think at this stage walking again is obviously going to be painful, and regaining the muscles in our legs will take some time. Have you been seen by a physio? 

I know its a little disheartening getting freedom to walk again (and not be house bound) but then feel pain - I was thinking this week I'm in more pain now than I was previously, but it is an intrusive operation and there is still further to go and time for your body to recover. The pain now will be worth it in the end - definitely worth reminding yourself of the benefits - for me I can see the results clearly my foot is soooo much thinner than it ever was so I know finding shoes will be easier.

I hope it all goes well for you. 

3

On Monday its three weeks since my op and I am in so much pain. At the moment I see no  improvement at all. It's really getting me down.  The pain is across the joint  of the toe,  did you have that.   I can't  find a comfortable position to put the foot in, elevated or not.  You start to worry has something gone wrong. 

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Thank you bex your reply makes me feel more normal. I understand the reasons for not using crutch but tube commute can be horrendous without a seat and I am so afraid of someone standing on my foot. Even with a crutch people don't always give u a seat.

For my last op I was living in the north and driving to work hardly ever used crutches and recovered more quickly don't remember feeling like this. I do remember someone treading on my foot at about 3 months though and I also remember it took a full 12 months to fully recover.

I have Physio on 23rd. I have been working long hrs so on the go from 6 am till 8 pm. I have much more swelling now than earlier on. I also may need further surgery as they did not do Akins at the time of the op so toe is still curved in .disappointed with that. I was so delighted with my first op. Is difficult to see final result as foot is so much more swollen than it was at 6 weeks.

I was having bad day yesterday when I wrote my message today after good nights sleep feel much better. I was wearing a different boot which forced me to use my foot so this prob increased pain. I think using the crutch has weakened my glutes and hamstrings which is why my knee hurts again. I have been using fit flop boots since the op which are very supportive but also don't encourage bending of my toes. I know this is a process and I very much appreciate u sharing your experience with me.

I will start again today. Feeling xmassy as put my tree up yesterday. Good luck with yr recovery.

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Hi Anita

3 weeks is another turning point as you start to become aware of more feeling in your toes. I recall feeling a sensation like I had a tight band around base of toe. That sensation has gone now so can only assume it was things knitting together and lack if movement. It is also common to get really sharp stab u g pains like electric shocks as the nerves heal.

Even now at 9 weeks as u can see there are good and bad days , but mostly good. Make sure u elevate as much as possible and do nice things to take yr mind off yr foot

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Thankyou for your help. It's when you  don't know what to expect that you also feel that something has gone wrong.. I'm back tomorrow to have this temp cast off and fibre type cast back on.  I'm still having to take pills every. Four hours for the pain,  that hardly takes the edge off it. I'm keeping foot up and resting. It's all I can do.  It's a fibre glass type of cast that's going on again and that's the one that really was painful. Can only hope this time it's better. 

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It can only get better

going back to work especially with that commute will take some getting used to

but you are on the road to progress - so get ready to welcome new year in

good luck 

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Hi Sheila

I'm also 9 weeks, October 10t double bunionecotomy,

and still suffer pain in both feet. I'm fortunate that I

don't have to go out to work and just over doing things at home is enough to set my feet off. They both swell

and I can still only wear my surgical shoes when going out as the few times I've tried to wear my normal ones

it's left me near to tears with the pain.

The bunion area is still tender to touch and every now

and then I still get those shock feelings and a strange

feeling of my feet being in a vice.

To cap it all off the bunion on the right foot still looks

as though it's there....disappointed doesn't even come close to how I'm feeling at the moment.

9

Hi

I know how u feel but I guess the not guaranteed to go right. I wish I had asked more questions tho I think the reason mine is not right is that they omitted a procedure.

They have written confirming they will do the skins if I want it but it is more time off work or use all my holidays. Plus I don't want another procedure too soon.

It is helpful to know your recovery III n terms if pain us similar to mine. Poor you having to recover from both feet.

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Sorry pressed send too soon. What have yr drs said abt the foot u nit happy with?

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I've not seen my Dr since he referred me for surgery. I had my

consultation with the surgeon and it was him I saw at my 2

follow up appointments, first at 2 weeks for a cast change

second at 6 weeks to have casts removed. He told me to buy

some toe spacers and I should return to pre op doings. My feet

looked ok when the casts were first removed, slightly swollen

but nicely rounded where the bunion had been if you understand,the only time I had an x-ray taken was at the first consultation, I

think I would have felt better in myself if I'd have had one taken

during my last visit.

I probably haven't rested as much as I should have and can only hope that in not doing so I've somehow hindered my healing.

I have made an appointment to see a Dr at my local surgery and

will ask if I can go see the podiatrist at the local hospital and

have a chat about my feet as they seem to be boney underneath the big toe area and uncomfortable when standing or walking

after a while. They also at times feel as though I've grazed the

skin making it feel tender across the top and sides of my feet.

I'm adamant that if bones could swell mine have!

The other thing I find odd is when I asked the surgeon about pins

he said he didn't need to use them, does this mean he didn't

screw the bunion in place, why it never occurred to me to ask

more questions I really have no idea.

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Very unusual not to have xrays at 6 weeks. I did and I have to say I thgt the difference in angle was minimal and I was concerned. I am hoping only the skins needs doing.

I agree I feel as if my bones have swollen but know this is not possible. I think the curve in my toe makes it look as if bunion has not been done fingers crossed. And the tissue swelling is distorting things.

Is good u r getting a review I am wondering if I should ask for a second opinion but I think what has been done so far is good.

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Hopefully i will get the review and be able to chat about orthotics

my feet don't have much of an arch and tend to be a bit on the

flat side.

Looking on other forums most people who have had bunion ops

have lovely straight toes mine still bend outwards.

I'm in the UK We don't seem to get as many follow up

appointments as some other countries.

Maybe all will settle down, I'm not looking for perfect feet just

ones that fit into shoes and are pain free.