To fucking HATE bunions

[Pinkglitterglue]

NC

Not really an AIBU sorry just a rant I 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

Shout out for the Clark’s unstructured range, recommended by my physio. I have these: www.clarks.co.uk/c/Un-Loop/p/20312837?cm_mmc=PPC_SHOP_SMART_GOOGLE--G_UK_PS_dA_SHOP_SMART_Womens_Shoes--Smart+-+Womens+Shoes-_-PLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eDd6Z2H9QIV2-3tCh3DwQCnEAQYASABEgJXWfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I absolutely love them. And they look quite Scandi on. I have bunions but also developed acute pain from working from home in my slippers since March 2020. I now where these shoes (wide fit) all day long. No more pain. My bunions look bad but (touch wood) no pain from them. I’m 58.

My link doesn’t seem to have worked. Here it is again: www.clarks.co.uk/c/Un-Loop/p/20312837?cm_mmc=PPC_SHOP_SMART_GOOGLE--G_UK_PS_dA_SHOP_SMART_Womens_Shoes--Smart+-+Womens+Shoes-_-PLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eDd6Z2H9QIV2-3tCh3DwQCnEAQYASABEgJXWfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I had both mine done one before my wedding and one after! I was awake for both surgeries as it was a quicker recovery time. It was a long recovery but I had mine done at the start of the summer holidays so had six weeks off work. I also drank lots of tonic water to help the cramps at night.

@GetOffYou how's your recovery? I'm watching as I do think I'll have to get mine done in a few years. I manage them now as the thought of 6 weeks not driving with two DC needing lifts places etc is a nightmare. DH can't do it all. I'm menopausal and think hormones are playing a part as well as too much time wearing slippers etc at home not my orthotics. I have those Clark's shoes.. loads of people who work all day on their feet do ! Eg nurses. So comfy

@Pinkglitterglue my friends 15yo DD had surgery on both feet in the last 18months (one at a time). The surgery was the ones with pins inserted is all I know. The girl is a dancer and has now been allowed to go “en pointe” in ballet so I’d say the surgery, especially at a young age like you, is well worth it.

I had both bunions treated a few years ago. I spent ages researching the op and was concerned about the recovery. So I had mine done at a place called the European Foot Institute based near Brighton. The surgeon comes over from abroad every month - think he is from Germany. It's a completely different procedure to the one the NHS offer. I can't explain it properly so you would need to research this but they don't cut the bone at all. You come out of the surgery same day and walking on both feet (sore, but certainly manageable) and the recovery was swift compared to my understanding of the alternative. The last time I posted about it on MN I was flamed for not being able to describe it properly or say exactly how much it was but it was covered on my private health insurance so I couldn't remember exactly. Anyway. Happy to say more if helpful to anyone. Best thing I ever did. I was back at Zumba a few months later and wearing heels for the first time in years.

I've just realised that the surgery I had is the one that @zurala is referring to in the daily Mail article. The surgeon i had was Dr Nowak but it sounds like the same procedure. And it worked a treat. Never regretted it or had any issues since. Considering going back to have my hammer toe treated!

@massiveblob
I’m doing ok.
Pain is becoming easier to manage daily, and am sleeping better now.
I hobble about (heel walk) on crutches only if I have to, but sit with it raised as much as possible.
I have borrowed a shower stool which makes showering easier.
I’m usually out with the dog for 2 good walks a day, so he’s feeling a bit neglected I think, (he is still getting one a day).
All in all, recovery is easier than I thought it would be, but it’s still very early days.

That's promising! I've seen people with far worse than mine on here!

That sounded like I was still walking the dog … I’m not! Friends and family are doing it

@onedayatatime73 Yes please do tell more about this alternative surgery. All the details you can remember about the surgery and recovery! Surely it can't be as easy as the DM article makes out.

I had my right bunion operated on at 24. They broke my toe joint and reset it. Never had a problem with it since. Perfectly straight.
My left bunion was operated on NHS in my mid fifties. Was just a scrape and bunion is now 3 times the size.
I now need to have a pin placed in joint.
Surgeons do not use the old method I had many years ago, even though it gave a far better result.
I really hate the thought of a pin in my joint so that I won't have any movement.
Just a complete and utter cock up!

[quote MrsFizziwig]@onedayatatime73 Yes please do tell more about this alternative surgery. All the details you can remember about the surgery and recovery! Surely it can't be as easy as the DM article makes out.[/quote]
I had this done in 2015 and have not had a single problem since. It was a while ago obviously so I can't remember all the detail but that's probably a good sign. It's not quite as simple as the DM says. You don't exactly come out tap dancing but you do come out walking. I had both feet done at the same time under sedation. When I came out both big toes had a tiny thin (but solid) wire in them. I couldn't see the wire as both toes were bandaged. I was able to walk / shuffle. Imagine a solid wire down the length of your big toe. So you can walk but not flex. I had one week off work but was able to shuffle around the house. That week I had my feet up mainly and cool packs. After that week I was able to shuffle the children to school and back and I returned to work (but had to go by cab). If WFH was a thing then it would have been so much easier. I was mobile but you wouldn't be able to do a job that meant standing on your feet all day. After 4 weeks the wires were removed and after that recovery was pretty quick. It remained swollen for a while (I was convinced it hadn't worked and the bunions were still there). So even though I was then fully mobile and able to wear trainers and walk around as normal, visually it wasn't the perfect result I had imagined, but it was just the swelling (which is what they had told me). I had the op in September. By Christmas i was in normal shoes and by the new year I was back at Zumba / aerobics. I have never had any issues. The only thing I have ever felt is if I wade through sea water there's a funny tingle sensation. Not painful just a tingly feeling. It has made such a difference to my confidence in summer to be able to wear nice shoes and flip flops! My private health care covered for it if that's of any help. Happy to answer any more questions.

@onedayatatime73 Thanks! That's very helpful indeed.

My uncle is a chiropodist and his favourite flavour of crisp is 'cheese and bunion'

@onedayatatime73 really interested in your experience. Im 47 with two young kids, and have really bad bunions on both feet so had read about Dr Nowak. Im in Ireland and the surgeon I had an assessment with said he wouldn't do both feet together and doesn't do the surgery Dr Nowak does. Can I ask how bad were your bunions? My are what Id class as severe (dr said hed seen worse) and throb constantly, so I need something done. Id rather both together as Im really fearful i won't go back for 2nd AND I can't have too much down time as Im on my own with kiddies. appreciate any guidance you can give

Hi. My right foot was really bad. My left foot not so severe. But I couldn’t wear nice shoes anymore. Yes - you come out “walking”. But it’s not easy. My children were small at the time and my partner was working full time. I shuffled them to school but I paid for taxis to go to work. It wasn’t fun but I’ve never looked back. I love wearing nice shoes or even just flip flops. No pain and no embarrassment. X