For those of you who had only one foot done, I am wondering how you are feeling at 6 weeks. I have been walking for about 10 days in the aircast, as I had the surgery 6 weeks ago yesterday, but my foot is still sore and hurts, and I have severe sciatica in my good leg from sitting around for so long. My wound is raw and red, though no bleeding or oozing, of course. I thought I woud be much better by now. Is anyone else at the 6 week point, and in pain? I'm very dicouraged as I was told I could drive at 7 weeks, tho I am in this boot until after 8 weeks. Thanks so much.
Hi Joyce I am now just over 7 weeks post op following a skarf osteotomy on my left foot. It would seem that everyone that has bunion surgery has different aftercare from their surgeon. After my operation I had a half plaster cast covered in bandages and this was removed at 2 weeks. There were no stitches to be removed and my wound has healed beautifully. You would hardly notice that it is there. I was told to obtain a toe separator and to wear this all the time and that a splint might help as well. I was given advice only to heel walk until I saw him again at 7 weeks. Having had my appointment last week I had the go ahead to start walking and putting pressure on the forefoot and to drive and do what felt right. Needless to say after 7 weeks being reliant on others I ventured out on Saturday for the first time. I did spend some time in the car on my drive practicing to see if I could put enough pressure on to operate the clutch. Now having physio and the manual deep tissue massage she has done today has really helped loosen my foot up so that I can now heel toe walk a bit better. It seems a very long and slow process whatever advice you are given but have been swimming today and that was nice as non weight bearing. Wishing you well in your recovery.
Thank you so much, Jane. I probably walked a little soon, but certainly, only around the house. When I swam the other day, the foot hurt as I tried to "kick". When you drove your car, did you wear the boot or a sneaker, or trainer shoe? I can't wait to drive, and get myself out of the house. I can't even imagine " deep massage" as my foot is so sensitive to touch. I appreciate your reply. I am happy for you that you're doing so well.
I wore and am still wearing a strong bottomed trainer so that it stops my foot from bending too much. There is no pain when I press the clutch but feels slightly tight and uncomfortable You will know when you are ready to do it. Good luck
Thank you so much, Jane, for your reply. I think my foot is too swollen for my own shoes. May have to order a larger size till the swelling goes down. Take care.
I had not one but both feet done . I had my left foot done in February , I had 3 toes correction (3 pins in for 6 weeks)and bunion correction/removal .I read a lot before I did it and it made me more confused .Everybody had one peace in their story of my problem . So my recovery for left foot last 4 months , I had one cast for 2 weeks than post op visit , stitches removed and fiber glass cast for four weeks (cast cower my foot and up to knee) no weight on foot for 6 weeks. You right pain was there every day since cast was taken off , physical therapy twice a week and pain to get back nerves "alive" was also present , but I did it . Swelling was present constantly even after 4 months , I've been told it could last up to 6 months post surgery, and 4 months after I did my left foot I decide to finish what I started and have my life back , so did right foot in June , I'm still at phase 2 of recovering (which means fiber glass cast is on) and can not wait to get it off and start final procedure with physical therapy .
My left foot looked horrible after cast was taken off I was in shock , but now that picture is different . My foot has scars and will probably always have them but it looks way better without bunions
Also to mention I have two screws in my foot left there ,I guess will be only removed if they bother me , which I won't know until I start wear boots .
Over all I can say there is not 2 case the same when it's about this surgery .
I had friend who was back to work at week 3 after surgery and I was wearing cast double that time .
Good luck with your recovery and if it's gonna help I can share some photos of my surgery , but I have to warn you , it does not look pretty
I am Jenny, new to this group. I am having my first foot, bunion surgery at the beginning of 2017. I have done quite a bit of research myself, however, am open to suggestions, especially those who have had one foot done at a time.
I kindly thank you for your time and wish you all the best in your recovery!
Good luck on your surgery!!! I'm 8 weeks post op from a right bunion surgery. I had a screw placed in my big toe and two others to fuse another bone along with a pin that was removed 2 weeks ago. I just received the ok to start putting weight on it, gradually of course.
I'll be honest, the first 2 weeks were rough. Not pain wise, as I didn't have much pain at all, but realizing what exactly I had gotten myself into ... my independence was completely gone. I would recommend a knee scooter to get around as crutches are just a pain, mine has been a life saver! I spent a lot of time in my recliner with some needlepoint which helped pass the time.
I did plenty of research prior too but everyone heals differently. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery!!!
Hi Jenny, I had both feet done 2 weeks ago and read so many horrror stories... my best advice would be rest rest rest! I had my feet elevated constantly and had no pain whatsoever!! Good luck!
Sorry about the pain initially but sounds like the first 2 weeks are the toughest. I will definitely look into a knee scooter....wonder if insurance will cover it.....do you happen to know?
Any research, sites in pariticular or aritcles you recommend?
Also, any recs for the initial first two weeks.....my boyfriend will be taking care of me, although I prefer to stay as independent as possible.
I do NOT, however, want to cause any delay in recovery so plan to follow doc's instructions explicidly!
Thanks Jenny! The surgeon who did mine whould have preferred to do one at a time but was happy to do 2 as long as I promised to be extra careful!!
In terms of the bathroom, I get into the bath, get my feet elevated and then fill the bath up around me, I then put my heel walking shoes back on before attempting to get out!
Other advice - elevate even throughout the night, I had my feet up on 2 pillows for the first 2 weeks and day by day I could feel the swelling going down and the bandages becoming slightly looser which.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know but I've been lucky enough to have it fairly easy so far. If you think of anything else get in touch!
I'm not too certain about the insurance covering the knee scooter, I think they would be covered under durable medical equiptment. I was lucky enough to borrow one from a neighbor. That little thing is amazing and the basket comes in very handy
Most of the research didn't really pertain to the type of surgery I had, but just reading through everyone elses experience gave me a better idea of what to expect.
I hear you on the independent thing! As nice as it is to have someone around to help, I'd just assume do it myself. My advice for those first few weeks would be to have everything you need near you. Phone, pain meds, charger, water bottle, books, blankets, etc. Prior to the surgery, I set up a table in the living room thinking I would be more comfortable on the couch. Well, turns out, I hate crutches more than I thought so I spent all of my time on the bed with tons of pillows. Definitely get a shower chair or something that you can rest on.
Hope all goes well and Happy Holidays to you as well!!
Hi jenny, i had my scarf bunionectomy done 4 weeks ago on both feet and i have to say wow time is long. I had to take pain meds for 4 days only, the level of pain after 4 days was very bearable. If i hit my toe it really hurts though. Goes to show there is a trauma in there.
Dr said i could walk on heels np. Not a lot of swelling if you keep your feet up and let the other kind people in your life help you.
At 4 weeks i can cook, i vacuumed yesterday, i can wash dishes (kneeling up in a chair) and can get around on the floor on my arse lol (i.e for cleaning the toy mess my toddler makes haha)
Good luck, keep control of your mood i think its what can make your recovery good or a pain in the ass.
I've had a left scarf and akin oestomoy (not sure that's how it's spelt) done on the 15th of December so I'm now 7 days post op, I feel as though I've been very lucky! I stoped taking medication after day 4 as I wernt in any pain at all after that sleeping was fine it's more of the struggling to get around on one foot is more of the issue! My surgeon gave me a surgical shoe no crutches or cast and told me I'm on fully weight bearing from day 1 of the operation! I was so scared... but it has done me the world of good I'm walking on my foot with a little limp and swelling is right down already, I haven't Evan had my follow up appointment for a bandage change which is on the 29th of this month and I'm hoping I'll defiantly be back to "normal" after 3-4 weeks! Not Evan the slightest pain but I'm still sticking to the 23 hour a day foot elevation x
I am at 6 weeks air cast was not suggested l wear my own running shoes. Which r very wide but i walk more on outside of foot which isnt good. Still have swelling which goes down with after i elevate and ice it. Its like learning to walk again. I find support stockings help with the swelling as well
Good luck with your surgery, I'm 6 weeks post op. I had Chevron Osteotomy/bunionectomy, and sesamoidectomy. Pain was worst the first two weeks, after that, it was annoying but bearable. Some days are better than others. Elevation and ice are definitely key.
Knee Scooter was and still is a life saver. Crutches are the worst and made me feel really uneasy. I'm not sure if insurance covers it, but make sure you have it before or by the time you go in. I found mine on Offer Up for only $50, way cheaper than renting it.
If you're going into a walking boot, make sure you get an air cast/ cam walker of somekind. It has much better support than the standard boot. Shower chair would have been extremely helpful.
I had my surgery on 12/30. I purchased a used knee scooter from someone for $100, I live in the US. Due to my rheumatoid arthritis I don't have the strength to use crutches.
So far I found elevating my foot and icing frequently has helped a lot.
If you have facebook check out I Survived a bunionectomy. You will have more response back on info you might need. I do like this site for info doctors have given to their patients. My doctor provided little info on what to do after po.