1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles
Profile picture for tkrfail21

What is bunion surgery and recovery like?

Posted by tkrfail21 @tkrfail21, 5 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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

Profile picture for babs10
babs10 | @babs10 | 4 days ago

I had both bunions removed by my podiatrist in a surgical center (at differen times). I had to stay off my foot, keep it elevated, moved to a boot, moved to a running shoe and then to my regular shoes after about 5 months. I am so glad I did it - this was in 2008 and I've maintained just fine. It was well worth it.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for tkrfail21
tkrfail21 | @tkrfail21 | 4 days ago
In reply to @babs10 "I had both bunions removed by my podiatrist in a surgical center (at differen times). I..." + (show)
Profile picture for babs10 @babs10

I had both bunions removed by my podiatrist in a surgical center (at differen times). I had to stay off my foot, keep it elevated, moved to a boot, moved to a running shoe and then to my regular shoes after about 5 months. I am so glad I did it - this was in 2008 and I've maintained just fine. It was well worth it.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much for encouraging infoSent from my Galaxy

REPLY
Profile picture for dotsk8
dotsk8 | @dotsk8 | 4 days ago

My surgery was very successful. The first few days would have been more difficult with out pain meds, but overall it is quite manageable. I am now pain free after many tests of wearing flipflops and suffering night sensitivity.

REPLY
Profile picture for dotsk8
dotsk8 | @dotsk8 | 4 days ago

My surgery was very successful. The first 2 days would have been more difficult without pain meds, but overall it is quite manageable. I am now pain free after many years of wearing flipflops and suffering night sensitivity.
Getting the right surgeon is critical. I was patient # 5,3xx!

REPLY
Profile picture for tkrfail21
tkrfail21 | @tkrfail21 | 4 days ago

I'd love to stop wearing sandals.

REPLY
Profile picture for gently
gently | @gently | 4 days ago
In reply to @harborside24 "@gently Your response is making me hopeful. I fear I will need to have it done,..." + (show)
Profile picture for harborside24 @harborside24

@gently Your response is making me hopeful. I fear I will need to have it done, too. Did your sister have lapiplasty? How soon could she drive?

Jump to this post

@harborside24, she didn't have lapiplasty. She didn't feel comfortable trying to drive for 6 weeks. They say you can as soon as you are able to use your foot to brake, about 4 weeks.
I'm delaying any serious thought about it.
Wishing you luck.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for harborside24
harborside24 | @harborside24 | 4 days ago
In reply to @gently "@harborside24, she didn't have lapiplasty. She didn't feel comfortable trying to drive for 6 weeks. They..." + (show)
Profile picture for gently @gently

@harborside24, she didn't have lapiplasty. She didn't feel comfortable trying to drive for 6 weeks. They say you can as soon as you are able to use your foot to brake, about 4 weeks.
I'm delaying any serious thought about it.
Wishing you luck.

Jump to this post

@gently Best of luck to you as well.

REPLY
Profile picture for jnb
jnb | @jnb | 3 days ago
In reply to @tkrfail21 "@misseygirl Thanks so much for the fedback. I'!m 75. My mother and brother both have a..." + (show)
Profile picture for tkrfail21 @tkrfail21

@misseygirl
Thanks so much for the fedback. I'!m 75. My mother and brother both have a bunion on only 1 foot like me. I too have low pain threshold. Drugs don't seem to help. Only make me sick. But, cannot walk without nerve pain so I've got to have surgery.

Jump to this post

@tkrfail21 Be prepared for a year or two when only a few shoe styles may be comfortable and also for a potential change in shoe size. It took me that long until my feet were no longer super-sensitive to shoes. Sandals with cut-outs in the bunion area and woven, stretchy huaraches are good in the summer, as are roomy woolen clogs with added sheepskin innersoles in the winter. Think shoes with roomy, blunt toe boxes. Wearing a silicone toe separator ring may help to straighten your toes because it will prevent one toe from slipping under its neighbor.

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for babs10
babs10 | @babs10 | 3 days ago
In reply to @jnb "@tkrfail21 Be prepared for a year or two when only a few shoe styles may be..." + (show)
Profile picture for jnb @jnb

@tkrfail21 Be prepared for a year or two when only a few shoe styles may be comfortable and also for a potential change in shoe size. It took me that long until my feet were no longer super-sensitive to shoes. Sandals with cut-outs in the bunion area and woven, stretchy huaraches are good in the summer, as are roomy woolen clogs with added sheepskin innersoles in the winter. Think shoes with roomy, blunt toe boxes. Wearing a silicone toe separator ring may help to straighten your toes because it will prevent one toe from slipping under its neighbor.

Jump to this post

@jnb That wasn't my experience at all - and why would it be? We are all different! 🙂

Your post reminded me of something though - after I had my bunion operations, I had to have my 2nd (longer) toe operated on to remove a joint b/c, once my toes were straight, I developed hammer toe which was very painful. That operation was no big deal and what a relief.

REPLY
Profile picture for tkrfail21
tkrfail21 | @tkrfail21 | 3 days ago
In reply to @jnb "@tkrfail21 Be prepared for a year or two when only a few shoe styles may be..." + (show)
Profile picture for jnb @jnb

@tkrfail21 Be prepared for a year or two when only a few shoe styles may be comfortable and also for a potential change in shoe size. It took me that long until my feet were no longer super-sensitive to shoes. Sandals with cut-outs in the bunion area and woven, stretchy huaraches are good in the summer, as are roomy woolen clogs with added sheepskin innersoles in the winter. Think shoes with roomy, blunt toe boxes. Wearing a silicone toe separator ring may help to straighten your toes because it will prevent one toe from slipping under its neighbor.

Jump to this post

@jnb
I just bought skechers larger and in extra wide

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.