Has anyone had a Scarf/Atkin Osteotomy (Hallux Valgus operation)? I'm post-op as from 24 June and wearing a surgical boot 24/7 (Stays on continuously) for six weeks. In that time I can't put weight-bearing on my foot. Can you please tell me how you felt once the boot was removed? Could you walk properly without pain?
I am day. 6 after a double bunion operation - is that what you call scarf/Atkins osteotomy? Anyway I also wear surgical boots/sandals but only wear them when I am walking. I haven't had bandages off yet but can feel that under them all the big toe is sitting in. Mini plaster?! It will be interesting when I go to have the stitches out in 8 more days to find out what is beneath the mound of bandages. I have been told I will then have a mini cast on, does anyone else know what is likely to happen? I am in Cumbria UK.
Hi, I had an operation in February, it has taken 6 months for me to be really happy with the result. I found myself limping for some time after the boot and plaster was removed. I went through various levels of recovery, many do, walking was an issue for some time, it was OK around the house but long walks were an issue, the toe joint ached and the muscles around it, plus underneath. This is becauses everything is re-aligned including muscles and other soft tissues around the toe and these take time to repair and stretch. It also takes a long time for the swelling/redness to go so you will need to continue to keep your foot elevated for several weeks and it will probably feel hot too. The good news was that driving was OK and although some pain was still there for ages it is not terrible and you do make gradual progress.
The bottom line, do not expect to be pain free instantly, it may be different for you but it took mine far longer to recover than I expected (My consultant warned me it could take 6 months and some take a year!)
Dear Goanna.
Are you sure yo have been told to wear the boot cointinuously throughout the day and night?
I had a special heel wedge shoe to wear as do almost all people who have this surgery and you only have to wear it during the day time and if you need to get up during the night. You should not need to wear it in bed and even in the daytime if you are resting with your foot elevated you are allowed to remove the shoe/boot.
If I was you I would be checking with the consultant about the length of time each day you must wear it.
You must wear it always when you are walkng around though as it keeps the weight of the forefoot off the ground and keeps the pressure off the foot also.
I think you have maybe misunderstood the advice/instruction.
Good Luck.
Gillian
Hi goannas! I am 5 days post o (9/7/2014) I have been keeping my feet elevated 90% of the time on cushions with no surgical shoes on. I put ithem on every time I walk anywhere to protect the surgery, I also wear them in bed as I am a wrestles sleeper & feel that they give me some protection incase I turn onto my side/tummy I am not back at the hospital until next Wednesday to have the bandages off not sure what instruction I will be given regarding the shoe etc. You are ahead of me so I will be interested in the advice you are given. Happy lazy day with your feet up.
Hi Jinny, a double bunion operation is called a bilateral bunionectomy. I had a bunionectomy on my left foot 8 years ago which caused nerve damage and deformity to my foot. You don't need to sleep in your boot but best keeping it on at all times before bedtime because it keeps your foot intact. Have you got a gel spacer between your large toe and the one next to it? Its best you wear it.
Jinny bunionectomy is different from Skarf/Akin Osteotomy.
Hi Tettin, thanks for your reply. I haven't been keeping my foot elevated which was the wrong thing to do but will start doing so as from tomorrow. My nurse helped me this morning while sitting on a bathboard having a shower making sure I could soak my foot in the bath which felt great. Had trouble getting out because there is no way I can put my foot to the floor without the surgical boot. Only 7 more visits from my nurse which worries me because I know its going to be extremely hard for me. Pity my bath and shower is all in one.
The specialist and nursing staff at the hospital told me to wear the boot at all times for 6 weeks including the time I'm in bed. I had 12 stitches after two bones were broken and seperated. Two screws and staple being inserted holding it together. Please see the following link..._____
I haven't been keeping my foot elevated at much as I should, which hasn't been good. The surgical boot has a wedge heel which keeps my toes pointing upwards. Pressure is on the heel only.
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I had the same op 7 weeks ago and sandal off a week ago, and am now able to get around pain free provided i do not do too much. I followed the doctor's advice to elevate my foot for the first 2 weeks only putting it down 5 min per hour, also elevate on pillows at night. BTW I agree with other people that it is strange to keep the boot/ sandal on at night. Every person is different and perhaps I have been lucky. Another thing I have done is to massage the foot and scar with BIo Oil and this may have helped . Good Luck and Good Healing !
Good morning Jinny! Are set in your daily position with a hour by hour plan? This is my first day to be left alone until 8pm tonight. It was difficult to even carry a cup of tea into my little den although my lovely husband has left my lunch & snacks all prepared. Perhaps life is mot so bad after all. I may get use to this. It sounds like everybody has different experiences & doctors advice. My doctor didn't say much the physio just gave me surgical shoes with no instruction on how often & for how long I should wear them. I was only kept in for a few hours after OP. I'm just making it up as I go along but all seems ok so far. I hoping to receive more info on the 23rd July.
Hi
i had that operation on 27June on my right foot. I was issued a boot or shoe but did not wear it in bed as I didn't in hospital. I stayed overnight. I am wearing my boot and keeping off my foot until the six weeks have elapsed. I was told I would experience pain as my muscles etc would have got used to the heel weight baring shoe and with all the muscle wastage. So that's what I am expecting. How are you doing so far?
Hi. I had a scarf/akin osteotomy in April last year on right foot and the same on left foot in January this year. I was walking in a heel walking shoe two hours after surgery with crutches. The shoe was removed for sleeping. I was walking on it without the shoe after 5 weeks with no pain at all. Hope this helps
Lunch time now, glad to hear that your kind husband has left all your food out for you. A friend of mine said that she made her hot drinks in one of those plastic flask drinking mugs with a lid and then carried it to her station in a plastic bag over her crutch or shoulder?! I haven't tried it yet as I still have my kind husband around tending to my every need! However he is off to London for 4 days from Wed so then there will be fun and games! He is off to the supermarket today to get ready meals which I can pop in the microwave! No I didn't get much advice on leaving hosp in fact I have discovered more from people on this site! Have you already got your 2 wk appointment for stitches out etc? Did that come automatically or did you have to ring for it? Anti-clotting jab time.....aaahhhh! My husband does this cos I am such a wimp! I am getting the district nurse in when he is in London! Do you do your own? X
Yes Iv been watching the clock till lunchtime - I feel hungry all the time (think it's just boredom but need to careful of weight gain) just ate it watching Gino & Mel. Most of my information is from this site. I was given my out patient appointment before I left the hospital, I was so drowsy after the op, Im not sure what I was told so hoping for more info next week. Why are you having anti clotting jabs? Iv had no jabs - I mustn't be at risk from clots, no nurses have seen me - not sure if my GP knows Iv had this OP done. I'm sure you will be fine whilst your husband is away - do you have people to call in? I am managing to walk with just the shoes & no crutches. I don't live near family & friends so do feel a little isolated but feel like I have to make myself independent as well as nit over doing things. Enjoy your day x
Hi, isn't it strange how different Drs/hosp/areas/ etc are? Where are you?
I was given anti-clotting injections in the stomach in hosp and they said all foot operation patients had to have them for 2 wks after op as we are less active than other post ops and are therefore more prone to blood clots! So I was sent home with a big pkt of syringes! I only had the district nurse around as she had to show my husband how to give the injections and that was organised by the West Cumberland hosp [where I had the op...1:20hr from where we live!] I await my appointment for stitches out etc! Enjoy your lazy day! x
Yes it is strange Iv not heard of anyone else that has had blood thinners I'm 51, it might be that you are younger? The contraceptive pill can be a risk & Im no longer on it. I didn't have a surgical stocking either. It sounds like you've had good care & blood thinners won't harm so don't be worried. I had my Op at a private hospital in West Yorkshire. If you don't get you appointment for check up perhaps you need to ring them but you still have time to receive one in the post. This afternoon is hard, I just get settled then need a drink, loo or something else - I didn't realise how I have depended on my husband the last few days - Iv not moved too much but my feet are aching now - happy lazy days x
No, I'm not younger, if fact I'm 65 - yeek! (But VERY young at heart!) so don't think age is a factor in the anti-clotting, just different regions do things differently I guess. I'm fed up with these aching feet! At this time in the afternoon they are really bad and I resort to ibuprofen! I have been good too and spent most of the day with my feet up! Still, it's only day 6, it can only get better! Your husband will be home soon to spoil you! X
Good girl keeping your feet up "young at heart" Your right they do ache as the day goes on I'm sat here needing more painkillers but need to get up for water - it's too big of a job!! Haha! Can't wait for my servant to get home x
How was your night? I was crying out for painkillers by 4:30! With thoughts of 'why did I decide to do this?! My limbo bags arrived in the post today, yippee a shower! But how do you stand in the shower when you are meant to be on your heels only? Any bright ideas from anyone? X Jinny