Advice requested regarding foot surgery

[shareasmile]

Hi folks! Does anyone have helpful advice for surviving corrective foot surgery? Mine is scheduled for next Tuesday. I have a "bunion" caused by hypermobility of the joint and arthritis in the last (distal) joint of the big toe, which I guess is unusual? As a result, I will have bone cut out and multiple screws put in. Getting nervous! Any tips for a smooth recovery?

[PMRpro]

Our local orthopaedic department is a specialist in "bunions" - people come from all over Italy to have them done! As far as I could gather when I shared rooms with bunion patients, ensuring you use your pain relief properly is crucial! Don't let pain get established - even if you THINK you don't need it, take the pain relief when due because that is how pain relief works best. Applies to everything actually - there is no virtue in suffering just to take less medication.

And do your activity post-op the way they say - as much as told to, not more. The basic recovery is 6 weeks - but that isn't full recovery, that takes much longer so don't get impatient. It all depends on the technique they use (all sorts of different ones) and how much bone and soft tissue is involved. My cousin (65) had a really bad bunion done a couple of years ago - the surgeon said it was just like the worst textbook pictures! - just after the end of the ski season and was back skiing the following season and as far as I know doesn't have any problems. Except she now can't get shoes easily because that foot is exceptionally narrow now the bunion is gone, the other foot still has one!

Good luck

[shareasmile in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro, many thanks for the advice! Since this is somewhat an elective surgery, I have been contemplating whether it really is necessary to risk a bad result. But then I resign myself to the fact that it will only get worse and the older I get, the bigger the risk. I will take your advice to heart and hope for the best.

I have the same concern about shoes! My left foot is not as bad but will continue to get worse, so eventually it will get its fair share of screws. I am hoping to rely on my multiple pairs of Skechers to still be a good fit no matter what!

[EOLHPC]

Hello shareasmile 👋👋👋👋

Am so glad PMRpro has given you a grrreat 🌟reply

I just want to wish you all the very best for your OP & recovery

I hope you'll let us know how things go

🍀🍀🍀🍀 coco

[shareasmile in reply to EOLHPC]

Thanks so much, Barnclown! I do have an advantage to keep my nerves calm. I used to work in surgery where I will have this done. So I will have my dear friends as my nurse and surgical tech during the operation! On the down side, I have assisted in these surgeries, so I know exactly how the procedure goes--OUCH! Bring on the anesthesia, please!

[PMRpro in reply to shareasmile]

Is that a plus?

[EOLHPC in reply to shareasmile]

👏👏👏👏🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍👍👍

[Freckle1000]

Hi,

My situation was different, (injury via car accident) but essentially I had four very dislocated toes on one foot and ended up with 9 skrews in it- along with much metal else where in the body. Sounds freaky but it really wasn't that bad - (and I'm squeamish about foot operations).

I'm with PRMpro - just make sure you do the physio and in the long term after healing - keep the foot and its joints mobile and well exercised - wear flexible shoes / go around in bare feet of socks when you can - and as a luxury - some flexibility massage - you shouldn't have a problem.

Not so long ago I actually got into an indignant argument with one of my old GP's as he claimed I still had two skrews in my foot. I was under the impression they'd all been taken out and I thought.....god.....not another idiot GP. Turns out I was the idiot. Didn't even realize I they were still in there.

[shareasmile in reply to Freckle1000]

Your comments gave me a good laugh! That is good news that the screws weren't irritating and you didn't even know they were there! The doctor said that I should be able to bear weight almost right away, so hopefully I will be back to work in short order!

[PMRpro in reply to shareasmile]

Um - being able to weight-bear and getting back to work are two rather different scenarios!!!!!

[shareasmile in reply to PMRpro]

Am I thinking too positively? About 75% of my work is at a desk. Fingers crossed!

[PMRpro in reply to shareasmile]

No, being positive is good as long as it doesn't get foolhardy - but don't try to force things! It's the other 25% that may be the problem, not to mention whether you need to keep the foot up a fair bit. Take it as it comes - and remember, day-surgery it may be, done without GA possibly, but it is still a major insult to your body!

[shareasmile in reply to PMRpro]

You make some excellent points! Don't want to rush things and suffer for it!

[GERY]

HI. I HAD A BUNION REMOVED & SECOND TOE SHORTENED. IT WAS NO BOTHER AT ALL, JUST HAD FOOT IN PLASTER FOR A WHILE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS

[shareasmile in reply to GERY]

Thank you, GERY! Good to hear that yours went so well!