Community discussion
Hello my fellow bunion sufferers. My bunionectomy on both sides of my right foot is scheduled for May 5. I am fighting the urge to cancel due to fear of the pain. But that would not be smart as it just keeps getting worse. I am a very active 72yo female with a strong support system. Post-operative care discussed: bandage to remain intact, surgical shoe or walking boot at all times including at home, weight-bearing as tolerated with limited ambulation for the first 2 weeks, elevation and ice.
Archived from Bunion Support Group. View the original discussion on Facebook (sign-in may be required).
The visible discussion was fully captured at the time of collection.
The pain is the least of your worries- it’s the never ending swelling and pain afterwards that is the problem for me!! 11 weeks post op and really struggling. If you’re not in a lot of pain with your bunion, maybe give it a lot of thought x
The pain after my lapiplasty was pretty much zero. I’m 7 weeks out, and I took one pain med after I woke up from surgery, and that was it. The pain isn’t the issue, it’s how hard being bedridden and housebound is. That being said, now that I’m walking in a regular shoe, I’d do it again.
I’m not sure what you should do. I’m 68 and was very active. I had a bunion for over 30 years and really did not have any pain until about a year ago. My pain got worse the next months. What made me decide was walking during a water aerobics class and I could feel the bones just were not right and painful. The pain wasn’t terrible right up to the day of surgery. But, I felt it was getting worse. The question always was/ how bad will it get.my problem also was the 2nd toe really “leaning” into my big toe. So had both of those procedures done 6 weeks ago. I can finally walk in my boot. I was non weight bearing for 4 weeks, very tough. But, I’ve made it to this point. As someone else said, the swelling is a big problem. But, I’m supposed to be able to be in normal shoes in 11 days. Long story short, it’s a hard decision, and it’s been tough. I guess when it starts impacting your quality of life it’s time. Best of luck in your decision!!
I would move to Hawaii and walk in sandals before committing
Pain should be your guide never aesthetics. Ive had 3 surgeries for what started out as a bunion on my foot that looked like yours. Im now recovering from a fusion & bone graft to correct a bad surgery. Dont use a podiatrist with their quick recovery promises.
Piece of cake
I almost didn't have mine done for the same reason. I figured a few months of pain was better than the rest of my life with pain. The pain from the surgery was only really bad for about two days when the nerve block wore off. It has been very manageable since. I have only needed ibuprofen now and again. I had a very severe bunion. My advice is to try to stay ahead of the pain. It will be there but much less if you do. Take your pain pills. That is what they are for. Best to you.
I would have the surgery. Mine wasn’t as bad as yours even and I’m just so glad I had it done. My foot doesn’t bother me at all…
Personally I did not find the pain too bad but I have had an ankle replacement and there is no comparison! The think I have found hard and annoying is it still swelling and being painful when I’ve been on my feet most of the day, I’m nine weeks post op so trying to get a fine balance 🤞🤦♀️
Do it the pain 2 week post op isn’t bad. Very tolerable.
I'll be 11 weeks post op on Friday,still not back in work and having to use a crutch to walk with when outside, the swelling and I'm getting pain when walking.
Anonymous member 584 you have my sympathy. My surgeon told me all would be good at 10 weeks. I’m struggling to walk more than 2,000 steps and my walk is so off balance that it’s hurting my lower back. Hope you recover soon xxx
I second this!
I third this!! I did my right in November and doing the left as soon as able!
I 2nd that! I'm walking barefoot. Feel like a kid again. I put on my new shoes when I leave the house. I've gained so much confidence that I'm better at balance period. The power of the mind. Mindset!
shoes and socks restrict movement
I’ve not yet had surgery, but a podiatrist did make it sound rather simple. Orthopedic said it is a long recovery and there can be issues. Sorry to hear you have gone through so much and hope you are feeling better.
Better to be aware of potential issues
Did I mention ouch 😓
I had no post Pain . The recovery and being patient to not overdue it is the hardest part for be this far. Hoping to get my boot off tomorrow at 10 weeks
It was the fracture that occurred across my foot during surgery that was more of an issue. But I’m a one off I think. Had the hardware and a bit more work on the toe joint 8 weeks ago I have my review 8 week review today. I’ve had an infection treated with antibiotics .. but finally looking a bit better
Trouble don’t last always
I’m 69 and had one operation on both feet together 18 months ago after putting it off listening to scare stories but it’s one of the best things I ever did. I was up and running within 6 weeks. I now go to the gym and walk daily for miles, weather permitting.
Your bunion looks so minor!!! Why don’t you just get Hoka shoes that have a wide toe box??
My. DPM is conservative and recommended we just shave it down some which is a 2 week recovery. Has anyone had this done?
I wish my bunions looked that good!
I never had pain after mine And was walking in 2 days .hope u have that kind of recovery
No no & no. Yours isn't that bad at all. You don't want to see mine.......I can still walk although at times balance issue. I'm proactive in figuring out what works. I started going barefoot. Greatest freedom I've felt since I was a kid. A few days ago, I splurged & bought myself comfy shoes that I feel stable in. Ironically they are 'New Balance' brand lol. I will never take a chance on losing the ability to walk.
Praying that you have a very successful and pain free surgery ❤️ I'm next so please let me know how it goes
I'm told by specialist the op I need is nwb for 6-8 weeks they will not do 2 at a time. What op did you have please
double bunionectomy
it is hard to know what the inside of her foot looks like without seeing an xray. I didn't think mine was that bad until the podiatrist showed me the xray and measured the angle of it. It was very severe.
It’s helping me in my situation to wear Altra Running Shoes which have a wide toe box- they have greatly improved me life. Regarding Hoka though, I think Hoka taper in the toe area don’t they? There is a wide shoe option but even that is a tapered pointy toe box isn’t it? Altra Running Shoes are wide toe box if you’re interested in trying them. Dr Perez has a video about wide toe box footwear that’s worthwhile: https://youtu.be/klBBgtOJtT0
the Hoka Bondi 9 is the best. I took the size up. I wear them everyday for my bunion and hammer toe. I have a delightful foot 😩
Oh I thought the Hoka brand shoes are all tapered in the toe area compared to Altra Running Shoes and Topo Athletic Footwear. In the Gait Happens video, Dr Perez advises about not selecting the size up in a search for toe space, but rather to get the wide toe box shoe instead. I just ordered the Altra Lone Peak, it’s being shipped at the moment so fingers crossed that they are good for me. Lone Peak is supposedly the widest in the toe area that Altra offers. It sounds like your situation might do well with the Altra Lone Peak too? Shoes really do make a difference don’t they! 🙂
they so do! I’ll take your advice and try the Altra shoes you’re recommending. The video was very informative and very true x
Wearing running shoes feels so good, I had to go shoeless at someone’s house yesterday- I am so happy to have my shoes on today! I hope you find a good pair of Altra Frankie. I read about peoples experiences with the different styles on a Facebook group. People share their experiences and it helps inform which model to get. I’m actually wearing mine without any insole at all to give my high volume feet more space which is a tip I saw on there. And regarding the video, there is so much great info from that team at Gait Happens, their videos have helped me a lot! Here’s that group where people share experiences with fit and wear of Altra shoes:
my DMP told me it would only come right back if he did that. After researching it, he is correct. I had to bite the bullet and have the correction surgery.
the outside of her foot doesn't necessarily indicate what is going on inside with her bones. As someone who waited until the pain was constant in shoes, I have a longer recovery due to the severity of my bunion that didn't seem so bad to me even though my second toe got messed up because of it. My DMP said I should have come in at least a decade ago.
I did it on 3 .19. 26 and the doctor gave me pills I never needed I never took the pill but every one is different also I'm in to fitness so I have been lifting upper body weights for my arms I could not sit still thank God I had not one day of pain so finally I will be taking off my sandel into a sneaker 👍 goodluck God bless ..don't cancel you will be fine
Hi I advice you to get it is not a fun surgery I had mines done 3 weeks ago.. the first 2 weeks are the worse yes pain/ swelling you will get some meds for pain.. icing it helps a lot and keeping your foot elevated… you can ice it behind you need.. because you can get the dressing wet.. best of luck 🤞
I've accounted for the same Jenn. My foot specialist /surgeon told me 11 years ago to have it done within a year or it would be too late. Well certainly I could. No one has any clue as to how bad mine are. I got my grandmother's feet. Her toes went almost completely sideways too. However, she as with all prior to these surgeries being available managed. She did awesome. Never stopped her. Never complained. Worked all day long in her yard til she passed in her 80's. I do believe in power of the mind. Just sharing my story on a positive note. Nope not surgery....🙃
I am curious why you wouldn't have surgery when it can be life changing? My mom use to soak her feet in hot water and empsom salt at night. She finally had surgery on her feet in her 50s. It changed her life. She was happier not living in pain constantly. She was so much more active etc. She had me when she was 40. I am the youngest of 9. So, not only did it change her life but mine as well for the better. I live with chronic pain from fibromyalgia and spinal issues. I need to keep active to keep the pain minimal from those issues. Not moving is not an option. These past few weeks of resting have not been kind to those but the hope I have to walk pain free to help those issues is huge. I firmly believe God still heals people but as my pastor told me, he gave us doctors for a reason. I understand where you are coming from and the body can, at times, heal itself but to me, there is nothing wrong with getting the help I need. Best to you on your journey.
I'm not willing to chance it for the horror stories that I've read in this group. I'm going with a gut feeling. They are so grotesque ugly just like my memaws. I've got severe scolious too. Surgeons encourage me to have surgery. I told my orthopedic doctor I refuse. Thankfully, he was candid & said he wouldn't either. I came to realize that I could / can work myself up to be so upset over it if I focus on it. Then I feel as though I'm falling apart. When I'm positive, open to all alternatives proactively, gain confidence in walking barefoot, stay active to keep my back & feet muscles strong. If I get lazy, I suffer with feet & back. 😌
I get where you are coming from. I won't let them do surgery on my back. I refuse to. I have found alternatives that work for me. I am glad you have alternatives that work for you. I have to wear shoes and am on my feet a lot. Best to you in your journey.
Community replies
45 in this archive