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What is bunion surgery and recovery like?

Posted by tkrfail21 @tkrfail21, Jun 25 12:00pm

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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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 11 5:43am
In reply to @tkrfail21 "Knee replacement on the same leg as bunion won't allow me to use a knee scooter...." + (show)
Profile picture for tkrfail21 @tkrfail21

Knee replacement on the same leg as bunion won't allow me to use a knee scooter. Looking into mobility scooter to get around house. Hubby thinks that is over kill and won't need it.

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@tkrfail21

Has he had these procedures? Trust what you know to be true for your own body. I'm sure is is just trying to be helpful.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jul 12 7:40am

Hi tkr.

Sorry if this has been covered. I had bunionectomies (also called Hallus Valgus repair or correction) on both feet about 15 years ago. It is still one of the most rewarding surgeries I've had. And in my case I had the bunion removed and the first joint of the big toes fused. I hardly notice this.

Rehab is keeping weight off the foot for two weeks. Easier said than done. Post-op pain was minimal for me. Best thing, I could wear regular-width dress shoes, even the narrow, Italian variety.

And my feet just look better.

Hope that helps.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jul 12 7:46am
In reply to @nobend "@gently Recently had a second opinion and the MD said nothing could be done because there’s..." + (show)
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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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I'm sorry for what you are going through. I would ask your surgeon why he believes a second, corrective procedure could make things worse.

PT will be helpful, to varying degrees. I hope you find an answer.

All the best.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jul 12 7:49am
In reply to @babe2004 "I had a bunionectomy and double osteotomy on both feet 3 months apart. I had heard..." + (show)
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I had a bunionectomy and double osteotomy on both feet 3 months apart. I had heard from almost everyone how sorry they felt for me as that was the most painful surgery so I was expecting the worst. Other than the recovery time, it was a piece of cake. I had almost no pain, I only took the pain killers the first day or two. I followed my doctor’s orders exactly. No weight bearing the first two weeks, and then I wore the lovely boot for the next few weeks. I’m 5 years out and the scars are barely noticeable. I don’t consider myself a high pain tolerance person as I’ve had other surgeries that I felt for the first week or so, so I attribute this to my wonderful surgeon.

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Thanks babe.

I had the same experience as you. The biggest inconvenience was no weight bearing for two weeks. It is very important to do this however, as I learned the hard way. Fortunately it all worked out fine. It wouls have been perfect had I followed the "no weight bearing admonition".

Joe

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tkrfail21 | @tkrfail21 | 23 hours ago

Can I please hear from people with successful bunion lapiplasty. Had 2 cortisone shots in my foot which helped for a few weeks. Found a style of skechers that are extra wide. Bunion still hurts and burning soreness from toe to ankle. Even hurts at night in bed. My knee is finally doing better after 4 years and 5 surgeries but now I'm limping due to very sore foot. My sister in law said many of her friends regret the surgery due to continued pain. My biggest fear is having the surgery and still having pain.

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Stephanie | @misseygirl | 59 minutes ago

I had bunion surgery decades ago on my left foot. The post op pain was almost unbearable until they gave a heavy duty drug to me.
But I didn’t need it for very long.
I have a quite low pain threshold.
I was no weight bearing for some time - used crutches- then progressed to an air cast & could walk with that. I have had no problems since the surgery.
Now a bunion has started on my other foot decades later.
It is not big or painful yet. I am just wearing a toe spacer. I hope to avoid surgery altogether because of my age…77. Because it is small & not causing problems, I doubt surgery would be recommended at this time.

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