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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Bunion Surgery

33 replies

Zeldawildbreath · 15/03/2017 19:16

Has anyone had bunion surgery? I'm due to have it this week and very scared. I don't get pain from them but they are very noticeable, affect my confidence and will possibly affect me later in life. Not sure whether to go ahead. I'm in my 40s and had them all my life.

OP posts:

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Saltedcaramel2016 · 16/03/2017 14:38

Sorry I haven't had it but wanted to wish you luck. I am thinking about having it but haven't been referred on anything. My feet are awful!!!

My friends mum had it and she was fine after the initial recovery. I always notice that her feet look great in summer now!

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fluffiphlox · 16/03/2017 14:48

Good luck with everything. Come back and let us know how you got on.

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Mabelface · 16/03/2017 14:52

Ok, I've had this done on one foot. First and foremost, expect to be off your feet completely for a couple of weeks, it's actually pretty hardcore surgery. It's sore, so keep up with painkillers. Do everything you're told, including keeping the dressing dry. If you smoke, stop now, as that will slow the healing process. I was on crutches for 3 months, then a stick for a further 2. You'll be given a beautiful shoe to wear that ensures you keep the weight off it.

Now, I don't think I had the best outcome I could have had, and don't think my surgeon was the best. I need further surgery now, as whilst the bones have been pinned into the right place, my ligaments and tendons disagree so my toe is further under my second toe than it was before. I also have very limited movement in my big toe joint. I can only wear flat shoes which have good shock absorbtion. However, as well as the bunion, I had a small congenital abnormality in my toe joints, so that may well have affected my outcome. I was off work for 5 weeks, then on limited duties for a further15.

Best of luck, and don't be scared by my post, I was just shocked as I went in on a cancellation and wasn't prepared for the aftermath in any way.

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Unjudgemental · 16/03/2017 18:29

Thanks all.

I meant it's next week (not this week).

I tried calling the hospital today for abit more info. on the procedure, recovery and pain but have yet to hear back. I'm worried as I'm a single mum.

My son is nearly 11 and has recently started walking home from school and I've bulk cooked and frozen meals but now I'm worrying I'll be completely bed bound initially to even take something out the freezer to defrost and microwave it.

I do have a bit of help but it will be limited. My sister can stay for the first day or two and my sons dad said he will stay for a week (but him saying and doing are two different things). They don't live local but only half hour away. I've had a couple of mums from the school say to let them know if I need any help but I don't know them that well so would only ask if I really needed help.

Whilst my son was at the chiropodist last week I told the dr about the operation and he said he nearly always advises people against it. He knew someone who had one done and didnt want to go through it again with the other. However, when I showed him he said it was justified in my case as will more than likely cause problems later on.

Madlizzy - wow only off work for 5 weeks. I've been told I can't drive for at least 3 months and getting to work would mean a bus, 2 trains and a 15 min walk but my boss is happy for me to work from home once I'm ready. I don't smoke. Sorry to read you will need another operation. Can I ask when you had you surgery and if you only needed the 1 doing.

I'm worried it will be really bad that I won't want to go through with the other foot.

Thanks all. Will let you all know how it goes (if it goes ahead)

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samandcj · 17/03/2017 17:21

I had my bunion surgery yesterday (right foot only).
I have bunions on both feet but only the right one was symptomatic (it had caused hammer toes to form)
I am currently sitting with my foot elevated. The big toe is fine but the two hammer toes are very gory (wires sticking out). I am managing on paracetamol - but have been given codeine & Oromorph as a back up.
No crutches - I am just hobbling about - weight bearing on my heel. I have been told to do absolutely nothing for two weeks - to keep the swelling down. The nurse told me to be a "princess" for 2 weeks..... the more I rest........ the better the healing.
In 6 weeks they will pull the wires out!!!

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magimedi · 17/03/2017 17:25

I had it done about 40 years ago - I had an awful bunion on one foot at the age of 18/19 - could hardly walk with the pain.

I really don't remember much about the recovery - I think I was in hospital for a week to ten days (things were different then!) & then plaster & a black boot.

I have had no problems ever since & I can't even see a scar & am not 100% sure which foot it was!!!

Hope that cheers you up as to the eventual & ongoing outcome.

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Hotpinkangel19 · 17/03/2017 18:39

Following as I'm wanting this done x

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Unjudgemental · 17/03/2017 19:02

Thanks. Just noticed I changed my user name for original post (not that I post much). This is my first ever thread.

Both responses are positive so am feeling less scared.

Glad your operarion went well Samandcj. I'm worrying about the pain after so it's great you are managing on paracetamol but have something else just in case. Let us know how you doing.

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BernieKosar · 17/03/2017 19:16

DO you know exactly what surgery you're having? There's bunion surgery and then there's bunion surgery.

I had a Scarf Akin Osteotomy and was completely uninformed about the recovery time. I did very little for the first two weeks except for toilet and bed. Had to keep my foot up the whole time, then very limited movement for 6 weeks. I did go back to work after that, but really struggled to get a shoe on.
I'd say full recovery took 2 years but although I have a better aligned foot now, it hurts as much as it ever did and has seriously knocked my fitness and ability to walk any serious distance. I also can't run any more as it just gets too painful.

I know others though who've had different types of bunion surgery and made a much better recovery.

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Unjudgemental · 17/03/2017 19:38

Bernie - no but will ask them - left a message yesterday but not heard back. I was told 3 months recovery per foot and that they can't do both together.

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Almostfifty · 17/03/2017 21:51

I had both feet done at once (thought I'd refuse to have the second one done so bit the bullet).

I was sat on my backside for six weeks, but totally back to normal after that. Obviously I wasn't able to run a marathon (or walk it either) but I could do most household stuff and drive after that.

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Mabelface · 18/03/2017 20:03

It's 3 years since I had it done now. I only lived up the road from work then, so it was easy for me to get there. I did actually hire a wheelchair and that got used for a good month to enable me to get out and about (that was an eye opener in itself!).

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KellyElly · 18/03/2017 20:04

My mum had it, did one foot only, couldn't take the pain of having the second one done x

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Footle · 18/03/2017 20:25

BernieKosar, your story is no comfort to the OP but it is to me. My surgery was quite a few years ago and I didn't make a very good recovery either. I think it was Scarf Akins too. But I couldn't have done nothing about the original pain.

Oh the joy of finding shoes for mismatched feet.

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Foldedtshirt · 18/03/2017 20:50

Why would you have it done if they don't hurt?!

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Footle · 19/03/2017 09:03

Good question! "Possible problems in the future" hm.

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Foldedtshirt · 19/03/2017 09:16

Hmm, I think because of the logistical problems now of being immobile for so long, I'd definitely postpone

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DevelopingDetritus · 19/03/2017 09:26

I've mostly learnt to live with my bunions now. Fortunately they don't hurt. Was going to have it done, then fell pregnant and didn't bother looking into it again. I personally wouldn't have it done now unless they started to become painful.

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Almostfifty · 19/03/2017 13:13

I had a Scarf Akin Osteotomy too, I agree it took quite a while to be totally comfortable walking again, but it was so worth it.

I was down to wearing one pair of shoes before I had them done and was in constant pain. Now, fifteen years down the line my feet are still straight and I can still wear any shoes I want to, including heels if I'm going out.

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samandcj · 21/03/2017 06:48

Update for OP.
I am now day 5 post operation,. First couple of days I needed help (didn't want to put my foot on the floor, didn't want to move). Day 3 started to be more confident moving about. I am now at the stage of forcing myself to sit with my foot elevated in between pottering about doing jobs. Not taking any medication at all.
Apart from walking my 3 dogs and sorting my garden out, I can do pretty much everything. Going to have my first shower today.
Im not sure what my surgery was called. My big toe was broken in 2 places and pinned. Plus toes 2 and 3 were broken and fused. It looks pretty gory .
The hospital kept stressing the elevation required to prevent swelling and aid healing (for the first 2 weeks)
Good luck with yours

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Unjudgemental · 21/03/2017 19:13

Thank you all.

Sounds like your doing really well Samandcj so reassuring for me (if my recovery goes as smoothly as yours). Keep us updated. I did speak to one of the nurses yesterday and she was going to find name of procedure and recovery and has noted that I'm very nervous and said the anaesthetist can help with that.

I've had lots of offers of help now from friends if I need it. My operation is Friday and I will let you all know how it goes.

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Almostfifty · 22/03/2017 17:06

samandcj I would stop doing anything and sit down! The physios told me feet ops were the only time they recommended you don't move much at all, because the more blood flow you get to your feet in the early days, the quicker and easier you heal. The first two weeks should be spent sitting down as much as possible.

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BernieKosar · 23/03/2017 20:23

Good luck tomorrow Unjudge, hope all goes well!

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snotato · 23/03/2017 20:39

I had both mine done at separate times.best thing I've ever done.
It's a bit awkward getting around for the first couple of weeks,but I wasn't in any pain,the scarring is barely visable now,I can actually wear flip flops and not be embarrassed about it.so glad I had them done.

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Unjudgemental · 25/03/2017 01:26

Thanks all for your messages. Just to update on the operation. All went well. Pain is bearable (so far). I usually have a low pain threshold but have been fine. Am having a night on the couch tonight though as not sure i can manage stairs just yet. My foot is bandaged and I've been given a boot to walk in. I've been told to elevate foot when lying down but to walk as much as possible.

Not sure on the name of this particular operation but I have 2 pins and 2 screws. Providing there are no problems and pain doesn't become severe this has not put me off having the second one done.