Ouch

[Eiram50]

Has anyone ever had bunions removed? If so, was it a quick recovery afterwards?

Marie

[Moomin8]

Morning 🙂 I'd be interested to listen into this one... can't offer any advise though. I have a good friend who had a second one done last year (first one done when she was much younger) and although recovery took a while - it was a good recovery and she is pleased with the results. Mind you, she is retired now so didn't have to worry about having time off work.

[helenlw7]

I had one done and a toe straightened about ten years ago. The op and recovery were fairly painless. I was off work for 9 weeks. However about 2 years later the whole thing happened again! This was nothing to do with the shoes I wore - from a child I always wore 'sensible' shoes! At the 6 week post op check up I asked the surgeon if it would return and the answer was that it can do. He did say there was a better op, but it was more painful for the patient and had a longer recovery time - 16 weeks I think. I expect that the reason I wasn't given the choice of op is that it also more expensive to do!

[meecoo]

I had it done over a year ago. Takesxa good 8 weeks to heal if k remember right?

Worth it if you're getting a lot of pain. I don't get pain there now. 😁

[AgedCrone]

Yes....I had 2 bunion operations, 6 months apart......around 2013/14. I live alone so couldn't contemplate to have both operated on together. But it is possible if you have help.

I had what is called a Scarfe Osteotomy.

Much trepidation beforehand listening to people telling me how painful it was going to be.

Well it WASN'T!

I had my right one done first & was back driving an automatic in about 6 weeks I think for short journeys......can't remember exactly! But I could Heel Walk without pain, I wore a loose trainer after the plaster was off in 3 weeks. I could walk to the local corner shop on my crutches to get a bit of fresh air, but mostly had food delivered,

Left one I drove within a week....but only an automatic.

First essential is to get something called a Limbo. It's a plastic sock like article you put over the plaster so that you can have a shower. Look on Amazon.

I can honestly say I was never really in pain. They both ached a bit, but nothing like as bad as pain I have had with RA. My worst problem was having to use crutches to go up & down stairs for the first few weeks ...not weight bearing on the operated on foot....I went up & down on my rear end! Had crutches stationed top & bottom of stairs!

Living alone, I co-opted my little kitchen trolley on wheels to transport everything around the house! I'd load it up & push it with the plastered foot & follow on my crutches! Try carrying a cup of tea in one hand & a crutch in the other- it's not on!!

I got some very strange looks at the supermarket when I got out of my car & put my crutches in the trolley to shop....but you just need something to balance on when you can't put weight on your whole foot...just the heel.

I also had a kettle ( & biscuits!) in my bedroom for my morning tea, as once I was downstairs I didn't go back up until bedtime as it was such a performance.

I went back after 6/8 months for the second one & I wouldn't have done that if it was as painful as people had said it would be. Bottom line it was very inconvenient, especially living alone....but in the end well worth it.

I'm retired, but I felt well enough to do a sitting down job, but not anything where I had to walk around or even stand all day for at least three months.

I had a few physio sessions....but I don't think they were really necessary.

Go for it, I'm very glad I did.

[Eiram50 in reply to AgedCrone]

Fantastic advice

Thank you all

[hatshepsut]

So glad AC had such a good experience. I had a bunion in big toe, and next toe bent over it ( hammer toe) I had the bunion removed and second toe straightened. It was fairly painful, but the real problem has been on going pain in my big toe and lower foot. My other foot has developed the same problem, but I won't have another operation because of the residual on going pain after the first procedure.

I'm not saying don't go ahead, but you do need to be aware that foot surgery is complex, there are many nerves in the foot, and there are risks of on going pain.

Good luck! M x

[Eiram50 in reply to hatshepsut]

Hi

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I had other foot surgery in July ( tendons cut and re attached, pins in toes and bone taken out at side of foot ) and this had not been successful- 4 toes didn't take and remain broken and also altered sensation at side of foot .

[AgedCrone in reply to hatshepsut]

I agree foot surgery is complex....I asked around everywhere until I got the name of a good foot surgeon from one of his patients, then asked my GP to refer me to him!

The older you get, the craftier you become!

[hatshepsut in reply to AgedCrone]

I did the same....my surgeon was supposed to be the best in this area......just didn't work out for me....but glad it did for you! M x

[Multijo]

I had both feet done about 8 years age. The surgeons protocol was to descharge u with tubes running thru your brandages. The tines ran to a little igloo type cooler and I could send lovely ice water streaming thru for pain relief. It was great and I never needed more than a Tylenol.

The result was also good and enabled me to eventually walk with much less pain.

One healed more quickly than the other. I was in such a rush to get back to work!! I should have been more patient.