What is bunion surgery and recovery like?

Posted by tkrfail21 @tkrfail21, 6 days ago

I have inherited the tendency to have a bunion only on one foot. The bunion itself does not hurt, but it is apparently pinching nerves, running up the surface of my foot toward my ankle. I have sharp pains even at night when i'm sleeping. Can anyone share and shed some light on what bunion surgery and recovery is like? I have heard the whole process can be incredibly painful.

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@nobend 1st arthroscopic, 2nd tkr, 3rd manipulation, 4th revision to remove scar tissue (not the apparatus), 5th to remove 12 large sutures showing through my skin and painful. Knee is still stiff, bend 110, but doesn't hurt. Pes anserine bursae inflammation just below my knee was the initial problem. Because not addressed the pain was excruciating preventing me from bending my knee. Hence the scar tissue. I still occasionally have to get cortisone shots in the bursae. I blame the first surgeon who would not listen to me.

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@tkrfail21
Unbelievable journey for you. You’re right about PT routes some do not see you as a whole patient.

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@nobend
I read the post about five knee surgeries, but can't find whoever wrote it.
You can regain rom with physical therapy even years after surgery. First though, you might have the knee reimaged to be sure that there weren't surgical errors, hardware failure or scar tissue adhesions.
It is possible that you'd need revision surgery. Sometimes patients are even given the wrong size implant, or imprecise placement.
Did you have good range of motion at any time after the surgery.

I

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@gently
Recently had a second opinion and the MD said nothing could be done because there’s a possibility if he even changed out some parts and used a different manufacturer that I could be left worse off then what I am.
It’s exhausting because I believe I can do better but had to ask for PT.
It makes me wonder if they’re concerned with going against a colleague.

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nobend, the second opinion seems to indicate that the problems is with the implant. I wonder the reason he would use a different manufacturer. Do you think there may have been a recall on some of the parts used?
Many doctors are litigation adverse because of the cost in time, and, as you suggest, he may be protecting a colleague. It's best to get a second from a different network. It can work better to avoid getting the referral from the operating physician. Insurance can make 2nt and 3rd objective opinions expensive.
But you want a specialist in revision knee surgery to render the opinion.
I'd be wondering if this orthopedic surgeon knows that because the problem is with the mechanics of the implant, PT wouldn't be effective at extending ROM.
There have been recalls on knee replacement implant parts over the last few years.https://gravesmclain.com/metal-hip-implant/stryker-orthopaedics-recall/
Do you know which device was used in your surgery?

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