Hi
Call me vain, but I am very concerned that I apparently won't be able to wear heels EVER if I have a fusion bunion operation. I'm not talking huge here, but the surgeon said anything over half an inch would not be possible. Is this really the case? At present I usually wear shoes with heels of 1 - 1 1/2 inches, so not huge by any means. I know this is trivial compared to some of the other discussions but, as I have little pain with my bunions and the op would only be to make is possible to wear 'ordinary' shoes rather than being confined to the limited availability and styles of extra extra wide, I am concerned. I don't want to be still struggling to find footwear!
Thanks for any thoughts.
Sally, I am three months post op. I have not been too concerned about high heels, however, I am really concerned that I won't ever get my cowboy boots on. My Dr said it could take as long as six months to a year to get back to normal. Be patient and do what the Dr tells you, do physical therapy and watch YouTube videos to rehab your foot.
I found a shoe from Bernie Mev, they are super cute and really comfortable. I will certainly be wearing them, lots of styles to choose from. But until I can get my fat foot in them I am wearing an athletic shoe. Surprising how well they go with just about everything (yes, they are solid black)
Be patient! This will all be behind us soon enough.
Take care
Hi. I am due to have fusion surgery in couple of weeks but it is for arthritis pain, not a bunion. Does anyone know if it is the same procedure. I too am a bit concerned about wearing heels.
Hi christine, yes it is the same operation i had my arthritous bones removed in both feet i am 5 weeks post op and recovering really well. I got told i can wear a one inch to two inch heel but i cant walk in high heels anyway haha its a long recovery mainly coz u cant do much but worth it in long run i am only 31
That's very interesting Michelle. Was your surgery to remove the bones a resection arthroplasty (known as floppy toe) rather than fashion. I have been given the choice of these and can't decide which is best for me.
Hiya yes mine was to remove my arthritous bone and put a screw in although i will admit the second day was the worst and i was thinking how can i walk on crutches but to be fair i found it easy and afta 3 weeks i could walk to local shop which is 5 mins away
I was told the same after having a bunionectomy 8 years ago because putting pressure on the large toe was too painful. Thereafter I couldn't wear certain clothing because they didn't look nice wearing flat shoes. June of this year I saw an orthopaedic surgeon who said my foot was deformed and did a Scarf and Akin Oateotomy operation cutting off the bunion which had previously been shaved, then sliced the bone along the side of my foot in half adding two screws holding it in place and a staple around the toe. The swelling will take until next February to go down and then hopefully I will be able to wear nicer shoes. One thing I did with each consultation before the operation was showing the specialist shoes I intended wearing afterwards with him agreeing on some highheels. Best of luck Sally.
Hi Sally I had this operation in 2007 on both feet at the same time. I am wearing high heels now - no trouble. If I remember rightly I didn't go back to high heels until probably about 18 months after my operation. I went to a wedding last month & wore really high heels all day & danced all evening in them at the reception. My feet were killing me by the end of the evening but they soon recovered the following day.
Hi Sally, I've said it before on this forum, but my opinion is that if you are not having pain, don't have the operation. I am three and a half months out, and wish I had never had it done. It is just such a long recovery. I was told this before I had it done, but hearing it and going thru it are two different things. My foot still hurts; my surgery was not very successful; my foot is always swollen, and I know I have about 9 more mos. of recovery. I would go back if I could, to my slight bunion pain and my very wide heels. I AM wearing heels, probably shouldn't be, but the toe pain is very bad. Take care. The uncertainly of my future is what bothers me the most. A lot of people (on this forum) have had much success. Guess I'm a very impatient woman. Best wishes.
Hi Sally, I was just curious how you're getting on. Are you able to wear high heals now? I have keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery scheduled on both my feet next month. I don't wear high heels every day but if I wear them it's mostly 3" not higher.
Hi goanna57 I was just wondering if you have recoversed your movement and got into the shoes again?.
hope all went well for you?
be great to have an update!,
Hi, On 1/04/15 I had big toe fussion opp ( with metal plate and screws) because of severe arthritis and strong pain in this joint. 5 hours after operation I was encouraged to get up and go to toilet- without cruches or any support. First 2 days it was painful but it gave me confidence.
After 2 days I walked out of hospital on my own legs-( with min pain) wearing special stiff sandal for one week. The only condition was staying IN BED for 23 3/4 hours with leg up ( 15 min a day for toilet etc) .
After 1 week- visit to my surgeon to check my wound and getting permission to wear birkenstocks and runners (roomier once) and changing bandage on my toe.
After 2 weeks- walking around shops and house. No pain at all, foot a bit swallen, but not a big deal. And driving (if comfortable) in rigid sole shoe
After 4 weeks- doing whatever I wish- but will go back to work after ok from Dr after 6 weeks ( phisical job with a lot of walking- going back to office would be earlier- 2 weeks after operation)
At the moment I can wear wide shoes with1-3 cm heel. In two weeks I am going to see dr.
Till this moment- no regrets, very happy camper: no arthitic pain, no post-op pain
I am one month post op and I am regretting this so much. I have so many pairs of heels that I just can't believe that I'll never be able to wear again. I am so swollen and the joint is so dang sore that I take motrin everyday. PT makes it worse. I don't think I'll be able to go back to work in three weeks, either. Boo. I need somebody to loan me some patience.
Mine is taking longer to heal. I had my surgery on July 17th in 2014 and I still can't wear heels. I am worried if I won't be able to wear heels.
Hi Yvette. I have just found this forum and fear I am too late. I had my big toe fused in December and my favorite and most comfortable boots are my vintage cowboy boots. Were you ever able to get yours on your feet? I am so depressed that I did this surgery that all I do is cry. Yes, the pain is gone in my joint but the pains in the other part of my foot, mainly under my big toe, is a worse trade off. Please let me know how you are doing!
Wait, you had fusions? And you can wear heels? But the bone on my fusion is rock solid straight and won't flex at all. Do I need to push it? I am so depressed and regret having the surgery. I am finding all these regrets and wish I had read them before surgery.
Hi Joyce. I am new on this forum and just had fusion two and a half months ago and so regret not finding this before I did it. All I do is cry. I can't wear one shoe in my closet much less my great boots. Are you any better now? Please let me know how you are doing. Thanks.
Are you doing any better? I am trying to find a glimmer of hope somewhere. I, too, am in the panic stage of regret. I can never wear any of my heels or boots. My surgeon did not tell me that would happen. I am freaking out! Let me know how you are doing now, if you can, please. Is it EVER reversible? Can it EVER go back to where it was?
Hi Sally, yes I wear high heels but my operation was 12 years ago now. My feet don't hurt at all now but it did take a long time before I could wear fashionable shoes again. I find that high heels are ok as long as I don't wear really pointed toes shoes - they have to be more rounded but the actual high heels aren't a problem.
Sally, I had the operation two weeks ago and am having very bad pains. Don't know whether this is from the operation or if it has triggered a relapse of my Multiple Sclerosis. How did you cope with the initial pain? Did the pain last long? I really am fed up already and reading replies from others it looks as though it's going to take longer to recover than I hoped. How long could you walk for early post-op. Sorry for all the questions, just trying to find out what lies ahead.
Sandra