I am only 22 yrs. old and have pretty bad bunions. The podiatrist recommended me to get surgery. I have heard horror stories about this experience and am very scared, even though I really need to get it done. Please inform me of what the weeks following this surgery are like.
2007-05-24 01:45:01 · 4 answers · asked by beachlover4 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I had my right foot done in 2003 and I had my left foot done this morning. Lemme tell ya, the pain sucks to go through, but it's sooooooo worth it in the end, because your feet won't hurt anymore. What my doctor does, is he breaks the big toe and reforms it and secures it with a screw to ensure that it stays straight, so all you're doing is healing a broken toe.
I can't imagine the horror stories you have heard. It's a very routine surgery. The only thing that could be "horrific" is the pain you will have when the numbing goes away. But that will happen with any bone you break. Plus, you get GREAT meds that knock you right out! lol.
The weeks following the surgery:
you have to keep your foot elevated about your heart for 48 hours to reduce swelling and to get your foot healing. You can get up to go pee, but that's about it. So make sure someone is there to get you food and whatever else you need.
When the pain goes away (i think it was less than a week when I could walk), you just wear a blue medical shoe (not sure of the correct name of it) around. But it does suck when you bump your toe on something! You'll have to visit your dr a couple of times after the surgery to make sure that everything is healing well and so we can change the dressings.
showering kinda sucks...I put 2 garbage bags on my foot and i wrap as many rubber bands around my leg to make sure no water seeps through. But I don't put too many rubber bands that my leg goes to sleep!
Oh, and since you'll be wearing only one shoe, make sure you don't mind throwing it away when you're done. I say that because when you are able to wear regular shoes again, you'll have one clean shoe and one dirty shoe!
You'll probably regret getting the surgery while you're going though the recovery, but I PROMISE that you'll be glad you did it when life goes back to normal. And also, I read alot of people saying you can't wear high heels (sorry, i'm not sure if you're male or female)...I have had the pin in my foot since 03 and I can wear high heels just fine! But it did get sore when I wore them right after surgery...just give it time and good luck!
2007-05-24 18:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by ivy627 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there's no question about it that this is a very painful surgery. You will not be able to walk for several weeks. And it will be painful when you do. to get back to normal is going to take a couple of months. If you do not have a lot of pain with the bunions you can always try wearing sandals or buying extra width shoes. I hope this helps you.
2007-05-24 09:53:51 · answer #2 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm 34 and to the point where I really need to get it done, but I don't want to have to take that much time off work and don't want to have to be off my feet that long! However, there have been some days (as recently as Tuesday) where I could hardly walk the one on my right foot is so bad! I'm curious to see what kind of answers you get. The really bad part for me is I work for orthopaedic surgeons and we have a podiatrist on staff...I just can't bring myself to do it (although the other day I was practically begging one of my residents to amputate my entire toe).
2007-05-24 08:58:42 · answer #3 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom had that done, It really didn't make that much of a difference in appearance to be honest. She said it was the worst pain ever and then had to stay off her feet for weeks. So in her opinion its not worth it. I guess everyones different though.
2007-05-24 08:49:50 · answer #4 · answered by muda f 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋