Bunions!

[shareasmile]

Anyone here have their bunion(s) removed? If so, what was your experience? Was it worth it? Any advice to offer from your experience? I see a doctor next month about the surgery. Not sure yet if it is wise/worth it to have it done.

[weathervane]

Hi there

My neighbour had both feet done a year apart. She wasnt able to weight bear for alot of weeks but after that she worked hard walking and doing exercises and she feels great. She is in her late 60 and is otherwise well and is really pleased she did it. I hope this is of a bit of help to you and i wish you All the best whatever you decide to do 😀

[shareasmile in reply to weathervane]

Thank you WV! I am 53 and if I have them removed, I want to do it while I am still on the younger side. =) I am leaning toward the surgery, but dread the post pain!

[Hidden]

I had fairly radical bunion surgery, not sure if 'radical' is quite the right word but anyway there was a long recovery time and I have a long metal plate going half-way up my foot.

I didn't find it that painful but I got very, very fed up with the plaster followed by the big 'sandal' thing they give you and all the caution required, it seemed to go on forever. However, just at the point where I felt I couldn't stand it a moment longer - healed & good to go! It has been a huge success. My foot just seems a better shape all round and initially (before PsA) quite a few aches and pains disappeared. I think having a large, sub-luxed (nearly out of socket) bunion had affected my posture quite a lot.

It's not a picnic, far from it, but with a good surgeon it can work really well. And this was 6 years ago incidentally, I've never had any problems since ..... apart from PsA-related ones.

[shareasmile]

Everyone that I have talked to has been happy with the result. I thought I could live out my life with these ugly feet, but my big toes are starting to turn in and I get shooting pains in them from time to time. I believe it might be time. =/

[shareasmile]

I am probably more nervous about it, because I used to assist in surgery. I've seen the surgery first hand and know what happens during the procedure. Thinking about going through that freaks me out a bit!

[barbieg]

I had my bunions done about 15 yrs ago. Both done by local anesthetic. I wasn't in plaster so I can't comment on how they do the operation today. I had pins put it but unfortunately the first foot I had done wasn't a success as my toe has gone over again. That's because the pins worked there way out in the first 2 weeks and had to be removed. The second foot was fine and still looks brilliant today with a very straight toe. I was just very unlucky with the first one. I had no pain and was in a boot for about a month, but then in my own sandals. I would only suggest that you do your research on the surgeons and how they do the operation, but I would say it is well worth doing. I'm an absolute wimp but would highly recommend it. Good luck.

[gradyjackjacob]

I had my bunion removed last year and the only problem i had was that i could,nt drive for six weeks,i,m hoping to have the other foot done soon.

[meecoo]

I had a bunion removed last Nov.

The actual operation was fine. No pain.

If you are getting a lot of pain from your bunion then I would recommend you getting it done! It takes a good 6 weeks to recover. You need support from someone at home. The more you rest it after, the quicker you will heal!

I found not taking my Meds for ra the hardest part as joints got bad.

As long as you have some support, strong painkillers, then you will be fine! My foot is so much better now. Glad I had it done. X

[shareasmile in reply to meecoo]

How long did you have to go without your RA meds?

[meecoo in reply to shareasmile]

I had to stop my enbrel injections 2 weeks before op and 2 weeks after I think.

I continued with leflunomide but that didn't really help alone.

It was really difficult actually! But worth it now

My foot is so much better. Less pain.

[oldtimer]

Not the same operation, but when I had surgery on my foot, I was surprised by how little pain I had compared with having painful swollen arthritis joints!

[meecoo in reply to oldtimer]

I would agree with this. The pain form ra is worse than Nothing else.

[Onslow315]

Hi- I had bunion surgery in 2006. One foot in Jan, other one in Oct. Doctor would not do both at same time. I had great results. Had surgeries on the Fridays and was back to work on the Tuesdays. My mother in law had hers done a few years ago and is very pleased. I think the horror stories are from old procedures. The surgery has come a long way. Here is tip for you- bags of frozen peas!!! Use them as ice packs. They work great. Keep several so you can rotate them. Another tip. When you are icing, put a pack under your knee as you have your leg elevated. This really helped control my swelling.

Wishing you the best

[Diddydriver]

I have found these posts very interesting. My daughter (aged 39 ) is due to have her bunions done in 2 weeks time (first one then when healed the other one done ) her feet have been painful for a number of years and she only takes a size 2 shoe, so getting shoes to fit has been a big problem. She has the added bonus ( if you can call it that ) that she doesn't have RA. It has been helpful to me to read posts of others who have had the op. Xx