You will find that if you have your foot down for too long, it will start to throb, swell and become more painful. Tell your healthcare provider of all medicines (prescribed and You must not wear high heels, narrow fitting or pointed shoes for at least six months after bunion surgery otherwise there is a risk of developing problems with your bunion surgery recovery. Im able to wash it and massage with aloe gel. or download our free Guide to Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Surgery! Great information! If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should This is my 5th baby, but doctors didn't have the best news. is a trading name of Wilson Health Ltd. All rights reserved. Visit the ice treatment section to find out how to use ice safely and effectively to aid bunion surgery recovery. Interested in Becoming a Personal Stylist or Colour Consultant? elevated most of the time. Your surgeon makes a cut in the base of the metatarsal bone (long bone behind the big toe) and removes a wedge of the joint to correct the angle causing your bunion and realign the arch of the foot that is causing your hypermobility; then fixes the bone cuts with some type of compressive fixation. Patients who undergo minimally invasive foot surgery to address bunions or hammertoes can expect to return to work almost immediately with minimal scarring or soreness. A well-informed patient is usually a compliant patient. Bunion surgery is done to reduce the pain and correct the deformity caused by a bunion. Case Results: Toenail Fungus Treatment Results, Christina's Bunion Surgery Experience 9 Months After Surgery, Christina's Bunion Surgery Experience Day Five Video, Christina's Bunion Surgery Experience Day Four, Christina's Bunion Surgery Experience Day Three, Christina's Bunion Surgery Experience Day Two, Stress Fractures: Cracked Weight-Bearing Bones, Flatfoot Reconstruction: Rebuilding Shock Absorbers, In-Toeing and Out-Toeing: Learning How to Walk, Day One of Christina's Bunion Surgery Recovery Video. after the procedure, depending on your particular situation. Written By: Chloe WilsonBSc(Hons) PhysiotherapyReviewed By:FPE Medical Review Board. What to expect 3 weeks after bunion surgery? You will need to wear these for several months. Visit the ice treatmentsection to find out how to use ice safely and effectively to aid bunion surgery recovery. Twice a day Im rubbing in a moisturiser both Vitamin E cream and some bio oil to help the scars heal nicely and to minimise scar tissue. your foot at home during the first few weeks after surgery. In some cases, this procedure is either combined with or replaced by the removal of part of the bone in the joint. Guide to Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Surgery, The History of Minimally Invasive Surgery, The Bunion Cure of Littleton Achieves AAAHC Accreditation. The wound and dressings must be kept completely dry so take care with washing. Will it be. Oh, I was told to pretty much stay off my foot for the better part of 6 weeks 3 hours standing is going to be hard! Every recovery period is different, so you should follow your natural bodys tempo when it comes to returning to regular activities. My doctor recommended it when I got a big gash on my nose and it didnt scar. I continue to use my crutches and desk chair to get around. It was much worse than I expected. Usually the patient feels very good and wants to start doing things. You've tried different shoes, anti-inflammatories, padding, maybe even injections, orthotics and a little physical therapy. This is not wise. If a doctor performs exostectomy without osteotomy, however, the bunion deformity often returns. Im into my 4th week bunion surgery. What to Expect 3 Weeks After Bunion Surgery - You May Come Out of Walking Boots The first couple of weeks after the surgery will be the most challenging ones. My doctor has said the numbness is due to the swelling and that my pain is normal. Start by building stability, and youll be able to slowly bear weight on your foot again. Thanks for replying! Read the form carefully and ask questions if "Rick, US, "Thanks for having these exercises available! Im probably looking at this down the road as I have small bunions on both feet. problem, in which the big toe extends away from the other toes. I still cant put pressure on my foot due to extreme heel pain. The dressing is often left on during this time as well. In order to get the best results from bunion surgery, it really helps to understand what happens during surgery and what to expect during the following days, weeks and months. Lingering pain and discomfort. Left untreated, bunions can even contribute to conditions like arthritis and significantly hamper your mobility. Insurance Plans Accepted by Next Step Foot and Ankle Clinic. Trying to find shoes that are comfy & flat, but dont look like a nana shoe has been at least a 10 year burden. As with any surgical procedure, complications can happen. The growth is called a "bunion" or hallux valgus , and it forces the toe inward. Pads, splints, cushions, and other devices may provide short-term relief. Your email address will not be published. Bunions may be inherited as a family trait. Your surgeon takes the extra bone off from the side of the joint, then makes a cut in the bone to correct the angle causing your bunion; and then fixes the bone cuts with one or two screws. notify your healthcare provider. You can contact us here to learn more about minimally invasive surgery or to schedule a consultation today. Using ice packs regularly the first few weeks after bunion surgery helps to reduce swelling and pain. Bunions and hammertoes are uncomfortable and unsightly conditions that most people would prefer to go without. Walking my dogs, sleeping, everything. For most people, this pain is temporary and goes away after you heal from the surgery. Heres some links to research published in the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (division of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3889307/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918339/. This is when you should reduce your foot movements to the minimum, keep your foot elevated and monitor all the symptoms that might seem problematic at the time. To ensure successful bunion surgery recovery: Complications are rare with 85% of people reporting successful bunion surgery recovery. Your surgeon takes the extra bone off from the side of the joint, then makes a cut in the bone removing part of the joint. discharged from the hospital wearing a special surgical shoe or cast to also recommend that you apply ice and limit walking. Im not moving until I have a job on Thursday. Wish I'd found this article earlier. Most bunion surgery is performed under ankle block anesthesia, in which So, if youre tired of dealing with bunion pain but arent sure about going under the knife then this blog is for you. For most people, it's unrealistic to expect to wear narrower shoes after surgery. Video, Is Your Child Suffering From Heel Pain? Verify here. Wires, pins, and absorbable fixation can also be used. We will also look at possible complications following bunion operations and when you should contact your doctor. This is why surgery is the most viable treatment option for individuals suffering from hammertoes or bunions. I feel like I can go dancing. complications may include: Stiffness Numbness Swelling Delayed healing Infection Other complications may include recurrence of the bunion, nerve damage, and continued pain. As it turns out, this breakdown is relatively common, especially in men. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your healthcare Keep using your crutches for as long as your surgeon advises, normally around two weeks, but sometimes up to six weeks depending on the type of operation. is either combined with or replaced by the removal of part of the bone in the joint. This helps lessen the effect of the hammertoe by making the protruding joint smaller. Thank you for the great blog. I will separate bunionectomies into three basic categories. Im just 6 days after surgery. Dressings & Wound Care After surgery, you will need to wear a cast or a special type of shoe to protect your toe and to keep it in the right position for at least 3 to 6 weeks. I found that I had to keep my foot up for a long time to keep swelling down! During the surgery, the surgeon will make a large incision along the side of the foot, remove the bunion, and place metal screws, metal plates, or other devices to hold the foot's new alignment in place. Keep in mind that you shouldnt do this without your doctors permission. Here are some exercises to follow: Repeat each exercise 20 times and repeat the whole process five times a day. Surgery might be your only solution for severe pain and discomfort caused by hallux rigidus, but there are some expenses to take into account if, If you suffer from arthritis, stem cell injections can be used as a form of treatment in addition to the common orthopedic care. When walking, you should always wear the special shoe you were given to protect the foot, and ensure you are putting all the weight through the heel, not the front of your foot. A simple bandage and a special postoperative shoe are all that is needed. I have just returned from a hospital appointment and am now going to wait for a scan but I really want the pin removed, I would never recommend this surgery to anyone. Advanced Wound Healing Technology now available at Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic. This may involve adding a Vitamin D to your daily diet, and maintaining a well balanced diet for several weeks prior to . Toe bends Find a thick book and sit in the way that you keep your toes resting on the edge of the book, then bend your toes downward. Fortunately, Abraham Woods, MD, can help. About 20 percent of people have pain that lasts longer [240]. Your healthcare My progression from pain and finally decision for surgery mirrors a lot of the authors. Week 3:During this week your sutures will be removed. Im sure this has helped with the pain free recovery so far having foot Choose Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic! Lingering pain and discomfort. Your doctor will remove your stitches or sutures about 2 weeks after the surgery. You can see my right foot is fatter and swollen in comparison to my left. High heels should be Unfortunately, bunion surgery has a bad reputation in many circles. At Northwest Surgery Center, we specialize in minimally invasive procedures. Laborers who elect for a traditional surgery may miss months of work. As such, minimally invasive procedures are significantly less painful and produce less scarring as well. Any time you are sitting down, you should have your foot elevated. The ice pack should be carefully positioned so as not to put pressure through the operated area. based on patient-specific needs. However, it takes about six to 12 weeks for your bones to heal. An infected knee joint (current or within the last year) A current infection elsewhere in the body. its strength and range of motion after surgery. Physical therapy should be continued during this time to decrease swelling and preserve range of motion. The problem. Hope your ankle is all good again! continued pain. The dressings and sutures are removed two weeks after surgery and by six weeks X-rays are done to check on the healing. Rich, US, This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy Yes lots of pain slow rehabilitation you need to stretch them pull the toe out and stretch upwards lots every day a couple of times a day. Still cant get foot wet due to k wire. Our board . This is also the period where you can notice signs of infection, which is one of the potential problems that might occur after the surgery. Footwear may be tolerated by 6 weeks to be tolerated but don't be surprised if it takes longer. Elevation is still recommended but not to the degree required during the first 2 weeks. For bunions caused by arthritis, medicines may help reduce pain and swelling. You'll also need to visit your . to do the procedure. Full bunion surgery recovery often takes around six months but mild pain and swelling can last for up to a year. Individuals who have a desk job can expect to return to work right away after minimally invasive bunion surgery.