Bunion surgery

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi! I had a surgery on Friday on my right foot. My big toe had a moderate bunion as well as my pinky toe (tailors bunion). Doctor had to break both bones.

My question is if anyone has some experience with this type of surgery? How long will it take before I can ditch the crutches and walk in orthopedic boot?

My pain has subsided from a 10 to a 3. I am anxious to be able to take care of myself again. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated!

Specializes in geriatrics, psych.
If I had decided not to have my surgery based on the experiences of a few people on message boards I would still be walking around with painful bunions on both feet. Everyone has a difference experience-don't judge the surgery and it's recovery on just one person's experience.

I'm not deciding over 1 person. I said that after hearing from others, not only on here, that I was thinking about putting it off and that the question I really had was is it all worth it? Is the pain better after the recovery period? I have talked to many people and reading here as well (which was the last thing I done) I have probably heard 20+ stories. The only thing is I had never asked the one question that I asked just now. Is it better after the recovery period?

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Angi/LPN (?RN)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I will eventually need to have both feet done, but I'm hoping to put it off for years if possible. I've heard various reports from friends, ranging from a few weeks of recovery to months.

Depends on how severe your bunions are and your tolerance for pain.

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I deliberately scheduled my bunion surgery for spring time (no worries about fitting into regular shoes), so recovery time would be spring and summer, just in case. It took about a month to put on sandals and it wasn't easy. Probably 2-3 months before I could wear sneakers. Very painful recovery period. I will not get the other one done until I cannot walk on it!

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I will eventually need to have both feet done, but I'm hoping to put it off for years if possible. I've heard various reports from friends, ranging from a few weeks of recovery to months.

Depends on how severe your bunions are and your tolerance for pain.

Just something to think about, as we get older recovery will be much harder, healing slowed. As well as the severity of the bunion will require a more complicated, and more involved surgery. My bunion was in a moderate state, yet it still required bone breaking and screws, actually my fifth toe as well(it also had a bunionette).

It has been 3 days post op, I haven't taken oxycodone since the second day. There is no more pain, just uncomfortable, swollen, and a little burning on the incision sites.

Honestly, if the end when I heal I no longer feel pain, I will for sure consider a second surgery for my left foot.

The worst part for me is the no walking, staying in bed rule. I'm a very active person naturally, and to have to be in bed for 98% of the day is quiet annoying. I am not very good with crutches, besides for the first week foot needs to be elevated most of the time anyway.

I remember having the same feeling about having a surgery. I have been putting it off for years. I'd see a doctor, schedule a procedure, and few days before I'd cancel it. Until It got so bad that I'd cry and limp from the very first few steps in the morning. I had ulcers between my toes from them rubbing on each other(extremely painful). In the end this truly is an individuals decision, but trust me, when the time comes(and it will) surgery will be a sweet relief.

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Oh my! I was thinking about having this done myself because my bunions are horrible, especially on my right foot. After hearing about the pain after surgery and how long recovery is, (not only here but from others I've known that had it done), then I'm not so sure I should do it any time soon. They are painful now and sometimes after I have a couple days work, of 12 hr shifts that have turned in to 16 hr shifts, I barely can walk. I'm just not sure it's worth it. What I would like to know is when the long recovery period is over is the pain gone or at least better than before?

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Angi/LPN (?RN)

Try toe separators, they help a lot with the pain. I even wore them with my shoes! It's a temporary relief though:(

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I used one when I broke my ankle. Fortunately I live in an apartment.

I had bunion surgery on both feet. I must have a high tolerance for pain because both were a breeze and I had mine done at separate times.

Pain is such a subjective thing isn't it! I'm glad you had a good experience with bunion surgery. How bad were they? What kind of surgery did you have? I'm sure the pain level is directly related to this factor. I had two toes broken and screws put in as well as a soft tissue cut out. I'm usually good with pain as well, but I guess i wasn't ready for this much of it. It didn't last too long, just one day, so it's not bad at all, as I know some people are in severe pain for days or even weeks.

Hope my recovery can be as easy as yours was!

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