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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To fucking HATE bunions

117 replies

Pinkglitterglue · 14/12/2021 22:21

NC

Not really an AIBU sorry just a rant AngryI have 2 bunions and I’m fed up of how painful they are. Has anyone ever had them operated on? How bad did they need to be and what was the operation process?

I’ve heard horror stories about the surgery and was adamant I would never want it but my feet are throbbing every day and I’m waking up during the night with the pain now

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Original poster
Pinkglitterglue · 14/12/2021 23:04

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

People love to tell horror stories about how awful bunion surgery is, it was in the 1950's but isn't any more. I see so many patients who wish they had had their bunions done when they were younger and it's now too late. They go on to develop crossed over toes, ulcers because they rub on everything and they can't walk any more. My mother and both siblings had theirs done and were fine, they look great now and they did not have a horrible recovery. The longer you leave it the worse it will become, athritis and worse deformity which can lead to a much more harder operation. If you get diabetes at some point they will cause all kinds of problems, ulceration, possible risk of amputation, osteomyelitis etc etc.
That’s exactly how mine are starting to go, the big toe is crossing under the other toes and I’ve tried separaters and orthotics but they’re still getting more and more crossed as time goes on ☹️ I’m guessing you’re a doctor or podiatrist (sorry if I’m wrong🤣) do you know if there’s any other good treatments available or is it orthotics/shoes and then straight to surgery? Thanks Smile
OP posts:
FangsForTheMemory · 14/12/2021 23:09

Get it done. I worked in a shoe shop in my teens and nearly every woman over 60 I saw had bunions. Some of them were horrendous, bleeding and everything. I've got really big wide feet but I swore to myself I'd never wear tight shoes and end up like that.

LeroyJenkinssss · 14/12/2021 23:13

Criteria for surgery is based on the deformity to a degree but more importantly that pain persists despite compliance with orthotics. It doesn’t have to be extremely bad to qualify as we don’t want complications to develop (such as ulcers etc). Severe deformities are also harder to correct and more likely to fail.

See your GP, use choose and book and see if there’s a foot & ankle consultant doing NHS clinics out of a private hospital (lots are during COVID). The waiting times for them aren’t as massive as in the NHS hospitals as they are still doing green lists.

explodingeyes · 14/12/2021 23:15

Mine & a friends have both got worse during pandemic. I have orthotics but spent months in bare feet etc with no arch support. My calf muscles are also tight which I think has caused it too. I'm trying yoga stretches to stop them getting worse. Mind would be deemed as mild but still painful

LeroyJenkinssss · 14/12/2021 23:15

If your big toe is starting to cross under your lesser toes I would imagine you’d definitely qualify for surgery. Note though that surgery is done for pain relief and to reduce risk of further problems, not for cosmetic reasons.

Whatwithonethingandanother · 14/12/2021 23:19

I had a large bunion on one foot and had it removed on the NHS via a private clinic. This was in 2016 - the GP referred me when I told her how painful it was. I had 6 weeks off work as couldn't drive during that time, the op was moderately painful but I'm so glad I had it done. The surgeon told me the majority of bunions are hereditary - my mum has them on both feet. If you are able to get the op I would really recommend it.

Original poster
Pinkglitterglue · 14/12/2021 23:29

It’s really interesting hearing how everyone has had positive experiences! It sounds like such a brutal surgery when you read about it online so it’s nice to know it’s not all bad! Does anyone know what the process for referral is? I previously had it Xrayed when I was in school and they said it was fine but I think it’s got worse. The bump isn’t huge but it hurts so much. Would I just go back to the gp and ask for a referral? I’ve paid for private podiatry appointments and they said to persevere with the orthotics but it’s hurting so much and I feel like it’s getting worse. I’m not actually too bothered about how ugly they look, I was a dancer when I was a child so my feet are ugly enough from years of spinning on my toes!

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saltinesandcoffeecups · 14/12/2021 23:38

The only question is do you want to be in pain for a couple of months or forever? From what you describe you’ll need it done sooner or later, why wait?

I had one fixed, and yes it hurt, but really not much worse than before the surgery. I was able to walk same day, was on painkillers and spent a week pretty much on the couch. After that it was about 3 more weeks of lessening pain. Wearing heels took about 3-4 months.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. Mine was nowhere near as bad as what you describe, why would you wait?

explodingeyes · 14/12/2021 23:39

If they are that painful I'd get onto GP now for referral. I'm hoping to keep mine at bay for a couple of years until it's much easier got me to be off work / not driving etc due to kids ages

saltinesandcoffeecups · 14/12/2021 23:40

IMHO, orthotics are a waste of time. All they do is prolong the inevitable. I can’t help on the process. I’m in the US so a different process.

HerRoyalNotness · 14/12/2021 23:47

My friend had it, her surgeon said you won’t thank me know but you will in about 8months. The recovery was horrific! She told me she’d be cursing in physio it hurt so much, her foot was swollen for months after. Best done when it starts to warm up as she could t wear a proper shoe

Original poster
Pinkglitterglue · 14/12/2021 23:48

Thanks for the advice 😚 I was worried I would look like a bit OTT at the GP’s because they’re not nearly as bad as some people’s (eg the photo posted earlier in the thread- that looks so sore😮) I’ll try and post a photo of my worst foot

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Original poster
Pinkglitterglue · 15/12/2021 00:14

Fully prepared to be told I’m being OTT/ unreasonable as I know it’s a tiny bump compared to some bunions! Honestly though it’s so painful anytime things touch or bump off it and it’s agony to walk on. I’m a shoe size 4 and giving it more space by wearing a size 5 didn’t help the pain either

Also excuse the black and white and the red lines over it- I have some patchy leftover fake fan and no amount of scrubbing is taking it off my feet🤣 had to draw over it

To fucking HATE bunions
OP posts:
Fontella · 15/12/2021 00:23

@Pinkglitterglue

Fully prepared to be told I’m being OTT/ unreasonable as I know it’s a tiny bump compared to some bunions! Honestly though it’s so painful anytime things touch or bump off it and it’s agony to walk on. I’m a shoe size 4 and giving it more space by wearing a size 5 didn’t help the pain either

Also excuse the black and white and the red lines over it- I have some patchy leftover fake fan and no amount of scrubbing is taking it off my feet🤣 had to draw over it

@Pinkglitterglue

That actually does look like a nasty bunion and the fact that it's painful is the main issue. You are certainly not being OTT/ unreasonable. Also it does look as if the big toe is going behind the your second toe and I would be concerned about that.

I have hereditary bunions (all my family have them including the males) but fortunately they are not painful at all. You have my sympathy.

uggmum · 15/12/2021 00:27

I had surgery to remove mine.

I had double bunion removal. Both feet done together. It was years ago and I think the procedure has improved since.

I had 2 weeks in hospital on bed rest. Feet bandaged and I wasn't allowed off the bed. Then both feet in plaster for 8 weeks. I could walk on the casts. Had special shoes and crutches.

Once the casts were off I had physio for a few weeks.

I have really straight feet 👣
It was painful but no issues once they had healed

Fontella · 15/12/2021 00:31

Never, ever thought I'd post a pic of my bunions but what the hell!

I am very fortunate in that I have no pain, and they have never got worse. They are just there, and to be honest they don't really affect any footwear either. I don't like how they look, but other than that, I have no problem with them (fingers crossed it stays that way) but my mum suffered terribly with her feet and I do sympathise so much with people who experience pain.

To fucking HATE bunions
Fontella · 15/12/2021 00:38

@user333334

10 months post-surgery
Looking fab!
Nat6999 · 15/12/2021 00:54

I've got really bad bunions & flat feet as well, I would love to have both sorted at the same time. I suffer from really bad back pain & my chiropractor told me that my back pain stems from the way I walk, my flat feet, knees turn in & my hips are very stiff, I have arthritis in all my joints. Are you in plaster after having them done & how long are you off your feet?

saltinesandcoffeecups · 15/12/2021 02:45

Are you in plaster after having them done & how long are you off your feet?

I had a soft wrap and a stupid looking post op shoe. I walked out of the surgery center. Weeks 1 and 2 were rough very little walking and painkillers. After that everything started to not hurt as much. After 2 weeks I was was walking a couple of blocks and driving. I think I was in a normal flat shoe after 4 weeks, and there was still pain.

Months 1-4 better… unless I did something stupid. Normal shoes/low heels at about 5 months.

I can’t wear a 3 inch heel for any length of time to this day or my foot hurts, but weirdly am fine with a 2 1/2 or 3 1/2. Admittedly don’t wear 3 1/2 inch very often, but it doesn’t hurt.

I know I’m some rando on the internet, but you really have nothing to lose by getting the surgery, if you’re in pain now at worst you’ll have more pain for a short amount of time but if you don’t have the surgery you will always have pain.

Blueuggboots · 15/12/2021 03:03

I had mine done 20 years ago. Mine was only on 1 foot and was painful and unsightly.
What I didn't realise was the reason I had a bunion is because I over-pronate when I walk (my foot rolls inwards which is the cause of my bunion). - had I known this before surgery, I would have corrected my over-pronation with insoles as the bunion has come back.
6 weeks non-weight bearing in a cast and 6 weeks out of cast but reduced weight bearing.

PupInAPram · 15/12/2021 03:07

@OneRuleForThem

Yes you are being totally unreasonable, everyone else loves having bunions on their feet? 🙄
Comes on clearly titled thread, drop's nasty response, satisfied with self at job well done. I'm so baffled by people like @OneRuleForThem who pop into threads just to spew negativity. What do they get out of it? I'm genuinely curious about their mental process.
Blueuggboots · 15/12/2021 03:11

This is 20 years post surgery.

To fucking HATE bunions
Original poster
Pinkglitterglue · 15/12/2021 18:27

@Fontella

Never, ever thought I'd post a pic of my bunions but what the hell!

I am very fortunate in that I have no pain, and they have never got worse. They are just there, and to be honest they don't really affect any footwear either. I don't like how they look, but other than that, I have no problem with them (fingers crossed it stays that way) but my mum suffered terribly with her feet and I do sympathise so much with people who experience pain.

I never thought I’d be posting a photo of it either🤣 sorry you’ve got it too but it’s great you’ve not got any pain, hopefully it stays that way!
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Fontella · 15/12/2021 18:46

I never thought I’d be posting a photo of it either🤣 sorry you’ve got it too but it’s great you’ve not got any pain, hopefully it stays that way!

@Pinkglitterglue
Loads of celebrities have got them too and I often wonder, why if you were loaded, wouldn't you have them done?

Iman for example suffers, as does Christina Hendrix, Amal Clooney, Oprah, Naomi Campbell, Tilda Swinton and loads more.

I came across an article recently - "50 celebrities with bunions" which I initially found a bit weird, but then I thought even the rich and famous have a problem that effects us mere mortals, and many of them choose not to have surgery.

I guess it comes down to the pain aspect. If they are painful then an individual, rich or famous or not, would be far more likely to opt for surgery than those who suffer little to no pain.

Original poster
Pinkglitterglue · 15/12/2021 20:48

@Fontella

I never thought I’d be posting a photo of it either🤣 sorry you’ve got it too but it’s great you’ve not got any pain, hopefully it stays that way!

@Pinkglitterglue
Loads of celebrities have got them too and I often wonder, why if you were loaded, wouldn't you have them done?

Iman for example suffers, as does Christina Hendrix, Amal Clooney, Oprah, Naomi Campbell, Tilda Swinton and loads more.

I came across an article recently - "50 celebrities with bunions" which I initially found a bit weird, but then I thought even the rich and famous have a problem that effects us mere mortals, and many of them choose not to have surgery.

I guess it comes down to the pain aspect. If they are painful then an individual, rich or famous or not, would be far more likely to opt for surgery than those who suffer little to no pain.

Yeah I agree! I always thought the same as you, if you can afford it why wouldn’t you just get it fixed?! But having said that, I would want to avoid surgery at all costs so I don’t blame them! They’re just so sore and uncomfortable. I think the NHS criteria for treatment is really strict and most cases don’t qualify Sad I definitely can’t afford for private treatment either! 😫 I wish there was something in between orthotics and surgery as even if I did qualify for it, I’d rather avoid time off work and don’t like the idea of surgery if I can avoid it, but the orthotics clearly aren’t working anymore. So annoying! 😫
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