what to expect 4 weeks after bunion surgery what to expect 4 weeks after bunion surgery

portions of bone, ligaments, and tendons of the affected foot based When you take a shower or bath, the foot must be kept covered to keep the stitches dry. I was on my foot way too much & then we offered to bring someone back to Melbourne this morning, so I didnt have my foot elevated in the car for two hours. Especially the first 3-4 days it is critical to keep her foot elevated to decrease swelling and pain. This helps to reduce the swelling and pain. Im not moving until I have a job on Thursday. Any time you are sitting down, you should have your foot elevated. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for caring for Aspirin or certain other pain medicines may increase the chance foot-pain-explored.com 2013-2023Updated 1st March 2023, Foot-Pain-Explored.com is a trading name of Wilson Health Ltd. All rights reserved. Great to compare notes with everyone I am in England. Bunions often form when the joint is stressed over a prolonged period. Patient can start some activities and exercises 4-6 weeks after surgery, and most patients can return to normal activities 6-10 weeks after surgery. Masks are required inside all of our care facilities. The top of my foot causes me pain and discomfort daily, I cant stand any bedding on top of my foot which throbs at night, it swells up, the underneath is numb and walking is painfulId have my bunion back in a heartbeat. All told, full recovery may take 1-5 weeks with the help of a protective shoe, but you will be able to walk out of surgery. This way, we can help you prevent further complications and ensure you have a safe recovery. crutches or a stick to help you get around your physical therapist Once the dressing are removed you can start to wear normal shoes. Im able to wash it and massage with aloe gel. Thanks for replying! For one, minimally invasive bunion surgery is an outpatient procedure. continued pain. This one is called a "bunionette" or "tailor's bunion." your surgery. As you heal from your surgery, talk with your doctor about . I went into this with a lot of hope and two weeks later the results exceeded my wildest dreams. Best of all, most of our patients are able to walk out of the operating room and drive themselves home after the surgery. Failure to do this will adversely affect your bunion surgery recovery time. I have really related to everything you have said. 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. "Rick, US, "Thanks for having these exercises available! In many cases, patients are weight-bearing within a few days of their surgery instead of bearing no weight for 7 - 9 weeks that comes with traditional bunion surgery. generally after midnight. Im back to working full time, though I notice that I do get tired more easily and have to take a break or two during the day (not something I normally do). disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) I was happy to find this blog with others stories. I can stand the bed covers weighing down on my toes, it's now no longer uncomfortable and I don't need to sleep with one foot out of the covers. The patient generally experiences swelling and pain when the foot is placed on the floor for any length of time. (local and general). Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic Can Help You Beat It for Good! 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. Required fields are marked *. You may receive a sedative before the procedure to help you relax. Medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are a good idea at this stage. You should also take all the prescribed medications and follow your doctors orders. This period is also the most important for bunion surgery recovery. To learn more about minimally invasive surgery for bunions, contact the experts at The Bunion Cure! after the procedure, depending on your particular situation. Because bunions tend to only get worse over time, the sooner you seek treatment for one, the better off youll be in the long run. I performed a few and they have helped tremendously with my foot pain. Fortunately, Abraham Woods, MD, can help. Bunion surgery isnt a very complex process, but some patients face struggles during the recovery period. This may involve adding a Vitamin D to your daily diet, and maintaining a well balanced diet for several weeks prior to . They are: osteotomy, exostectomy, and arthrodesis. What do Diabetics Need to Know about Foot Health? week or more after surgery. Your foot will be bandaged to hold the toes in the correct position with dressings in place to cover the wound and the stitches, or occasionally your foot may be in a cast. Like you I work in fashion & theatre. Its done, Platelets and stem cells work in unison together, they heal diseases and injuries in our bodies. The Tailor's bunion surgery most commonly involves making cuts in the bone, in order to heal those cuts you must have a proper supply of all of the nutrients necessary (e.g. I just didnt expect to be this uncomfortable. 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. Are You Suffering From Athletes Foot? (This means you wont have to go under, during the surgery.). 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. This is to allow the wound to heal properly and the toes to heal in the correct position. Usually, the pain and swelling will last for about six weeks after the surgery, but it should slowly improve over time. What is the Difference between Custom Orthotics and Arch Supports? Some possible procedure. Bunions may be inherited as a family trait. Will it be painful? The stitches will Physician to Physician Newsletters Library. The only problems I have are almost slipping, my ankle gets weak and starts hurting from carrying the boot all day at school and work, and when I do stand without my boot and walk it feels very weird and I almost fall because it has been so long since I have walked without it. However, an exostectomy alone doesn't treat the underlying cause of a bunion. and alleviating bunion pain for good, surgery really is the only way to ensure long-term relief. For the first two weeks following your . exercise regularly, to encourage faster recovery. I'm currently stuck in the ICU after an emergency surgery to get my gallbladder out, & had my first scan while in the Emergency Room. use a cane or walker following surgery. Rich, US, This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy This is the most common type of bunionectomy performed in younger patient with severe deformities and hypermobility (super flexible feet). health information. It is important to keep the dressing clean and dry. There are so many ways to fixate and stabilize the fusion that your hardware may include screws, plates, staples, wires, pins, and even absorbable fixation can also be used. Finally, an arthrodesis involves the replacement of the deformed joint with plates and screws to ensure a more normal alignment. What to Expect After the Procedure After traditional foot surgery, you can expect to leave the clinic with a surgical boot, crutches, or even a knee scooter. Lower risk of post-operative infection. You will have some pain after breast surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction). Ive stopped taking painkillers during the day, and only sometimes take them overnight. So, if youre tired of dealing with bunion pain but arent sure about going under the knife then this blog is for you. Located in Littleton, Colorado and in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. A bunion is an enlargement of the bone or tissue around a joint at the base of the big toe or at the base of the little toe. If you have an automatic car where you operate the pedals with your unaffected foot, you can usually start driving after a couple of weeks. Once your dressings are removed, you can slowly start getting back to wearing shoes. Wires, pins, and absorbable fixation can also be used. As a very independent person, I hate having to ask for favours and rely on others to help me. Your doctor will remove your stitches or sutures about 2 weeks after the surgery. protect your foot. of bleeding. Other factors may influence the choice of a procedure used: You may need bunion surgery if you have severe foot pain that happens even when walking or wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Hope your ankle is all good again! Tried a few stretches, already feels good. Absolute contraindications to undergoing knee replacement surgery include: 10. Swimming or any activity that will get your bandages wet. For most people, this pain is temporary and goes away after you heal from the surgery. Im lucky that my son is on is Learners Permit and so is getting in a few hours of practice driving me to the shops and post office and transporting his sister to her gymnastics and dance lessons. Some shoes don't fit because the foot shape has changed. Also 4 weeks post op bunion surgery and hammer toe surgery. I have a job interview tomorrow and will be on my feet for 3 hours (Im a chef). Some of these complications might include infection, nerve damage, recurrence of the bunion, distortion of bone healing, or overcorrection of the bunion, which leads to extending the big toe from the others. Continued elevation is recommended during this time. You can now gradually increase your activity levels and most people return to sports between 3-6 months after bunion surgery. In some cases, this procedure is either combined with or replaced by the removal of part of the bone in the joint. What Conditions can Orthotics Help Alleviate? avoided for at least 6 months after surgery. I have been fanatical in elevation. If surgery was on your left foot, you can usually start driving if you drive an automatic car at this point, if advised by your consultant. Some medications such as aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding so always talk to your doctor about medications and follow their advice. What are the risks of bunion surgery? I have a good trainer with a wide fitting from a Danish company called Woden In addition to a complete medical history, your healthcare provider While choosing surgery is always a risk, a minimally invasive technique is the least disruptive. There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. If these treatments don't help, your healthcare provider may suggest surgery. These procedures require large incisions along the feet to correctly realign the muscles and joints. Follow the doctor's instructions to avoid complications or delays in your surgery. I have to go back to work soon, I am an educator. Twice a day I'm rubbing in a moisturiser - both Vitamin E cream and some bio oil to help the scars heal nicely and to minimise scar tissue. Toe pulls Keep pulling your toe up using your hand and hold it in that position for 3 seconds, then relax. This may cause a brief stinging The usual recovery period after bunion surgery is 6 weeks to 6 months. What to expect 3 weeks after bunion surgery? Verify here. Once These are nice and wide so there is no pressure through the foot, and often have a special wedge under the heel to help you not to put any weight through the front of your foot during the initial phase of bunion surgery recovery. Your healthcare provider will advise you as to your postoperative You may also be prescribed antibiotics to help reduce the risk of infection. We also used electrical stimulation in our office to help speed recovery. Week 4:During this week the patient its a little more freedom and is usually able to go to the store for short periods of time and gradually increase the time on the foot. Hope this is healpful to someone. My toe and second digits are stiff but healing feels so much better. You may be asked to fast for 8 hours before the procedure, My left foot is not nearly as bad, so it I dont see me doing this again in the foreseeable future. For bunions caused by arthritis, medicines may help reduce pain and swelling. Its the incision site that hurts the most even water dropping on it in the shower stings. And thats completely understandable! Looking for a San Antonio or South Texas Podiatrist, Pediatric Podiatrist, Foot Doctor, or DPM Near You? also recommend that you apply ice and limit walking. New!!! My foot is now properly elevated, iced & i realised how stupidly much I have done the last 3 days. Choose Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic Video, Patient Recovery Experience with Charcot Foot Treatment, Patient Testimonial: Pain Free After Nerve Decompression Surgery. using intravenous medicine. My foot doctor had me keep my foot elevated above my heart for 4.5 months all the time, not just half the time to drain away the fluid that stops the healing, he said, and it has healed outstandingly well. High heels should be Every bunion surgery is slightly different so the recovery process can vary slightly, always follow the advice of your doctor. If you try and do too much too soon, or start wearing inappropriate shoes too quickly, problems may arise. Im on my 4th week trying to gain motion in my big toe the feeling feels good but werid im getting there. . Right now I have been able to stand without the boot and walk around fine in the boot but he wants me to put a sock and shoe on every morning the second I wake up to keep down the swelling throughout the day but if it starts hurting after 30 minutes to put the Ace bandage and boot back on for the rest of the day. with platform heals and very comfy. FYI Theres a silicone gel product sold under the name Kelokote (and possibly Scarcote) that works to reduce scars. Please see these procedures for more information. My doctor recommended it when I got a big gash on my nose and it didnt scar. ? If you have a sedentary job where you can keep your foot elevated, you may be able to return at around six weeks if your bunion surgery recovery is going well. Stitches are removed after 7 to 21 days. Thats because traditional, or open-foot, bunion surgery is not a patient-friendly procedure. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your healthcare You may undergo blood The entire process (prep and all) lasts around 2 hours, and only local anesthesia is used. "Jennifer, UK, "I have suffered these symptoms for over a year, seen two doctors and a physio. Im almost 3 weeks post OP and I said the exact same thing about my other foot, not use to this feeling. After this, you can gradually increase how much weight you put through your foot and how far you walk as part of the bunion surgery recovery process. The surgery may also result in overcorrection of the Video, Is Your Child Suffering From Heel Pain? site, Swelling in lower leg of the affected foot. Icing your foot and toe can reduce inflammation and you might remain slightly swollen for a few weeks. However, they will not act to reduce or remove the bunion. to learn more about minimally invasive surgery or to schedule a consultation today. The skin over the bunion will be cleansed with an antiseptic Laborers who elect for a traditional surgery may miss months of work. The circulation and sensation of the foot will be monitored. If a doctor performs exostectomy without osteotomy, however, the bunion deformity often returns. The dressing is often left on during this time as well. My doc said we want to keep it elevated to avoid swelling, because that swelling is fluid and fluid stops the red blood cells getting to the site to heal it, or something like that Im not a doctor but it was definitely about draining away the fluid hindering the healing. Hello How long it takes depends on the amount of soft tissue and bone affected. What to Expect. In most cases, dressings are removed two to three weeks after the surgery, but in case of any complication, this can last longer. 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. I feel like I have a new lease on life. After your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Peroneal Tendon Dislocation: Sliding in the Ankle Stabilizers, Physical Therapy: The Key to Complete Healing, QuadraStep System Pre-fabricated Foot Orthotics. You can place a waterproof plastic bag over the dressing and tape it with waterproof tape when bathing or stick to strip washes. Visit the ice treatment section to find out how to use ice safely and effectively to aid bunion surgery recovery. medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. complications may include: Stiffness Numbness Swelling Delayed healing Infection Other complications may include recurrence of the bunion, nerve damage, and continued pain.