Anyone had a bunion op? What's the recovery like?

[naturelover]

I'd appreciate any shared experiences. I need this op but have two young children and would like to know how long you were out of action.

Many thanks

I have had both my bunions corrected. Really glad i had it done! The swelling wont go down completely for three months but think i was only on crutches for about two weeks. You wear a special shoe after that to help you walk but its not easy, so would be helpful if you can get someone to help you with you kids. All the best for your op!

link here to a recent thread on the subject of bunions:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/1112264-Bunions-can-anything-be-done-to-minimise-chances-of-dc-inheriting-and-or-developing-this-problem

Perhaps it contains some helpful information for you.

Good luck!

I had mine done 16 months ago and I am so pleased I did (only had the one).

After the op I was given something similar to an epidural so I was numb from the knee down for 24 hours, this was for pain relief but to be honest even after this had worn off the pain wasn't bad at all. I had to use crutches for 48 hours post op and although I was allowed to walk around, wearing special shoe, I had to make sure I rested with foot elevated as much as was possible. I had a check up after 1 week and a lighter dressing put on then a week later I was back in my own shoes (trainers) and could walk pretty much normally, although I didn't put weight directly on my op area. I wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks but that was no hardship for me.

All in all recovery wasn't a problem at all. The worst thing for me was having to endure the (now ex) MIL who insisted on calling in to interfere help out.

hi....i have had major bunion surgery 6 long years ago.Have had to have more ops to correct it.Depends if they are going to shave the bunion or do an osteotomy.

I had a Mitchells osteotomy which i would never ever ever ever recommend to anyone especially from a certain orthopaedic consultant. I think i was a guinea pig. Saying al that ,if the consultant hadnt done such a bad job...i wouldnt have had to have 2 further operations to alleveiate the extreme pain he left me in.
He should have pinned it but either didnt know what to do or just forgot and then put me in plaster.The bone didnt set for 12 months and was classed as non-union so i had to have it pinned and re-aligned
I was on morphine for at least a week and in agony for 2 years. Had to have corrective surgery as it completely changed the dynamics of my foot and gave me more pain than my original bunion.
If you are going to have it done the shaving is probably your best option but it is agonising and takes a while to recover.

VERY GOOD LUCK TO YOU
I WISH I HAD NEEVR HAD IT DONE AND IT HAS LEFT ME WITH A WEIRD NUMB FEELING LIKE A DENTAL INJECTION IN BIG TOE AND ONE NEXT TO IT.

Thanks everyone for your replies. The other thread is very helpful too.

alypaly you were very unlucky it seems. Thanks for explaining about the two types of procedure.

I was told by consultant that like any operation, there are risks attached. But I think I will have little choice but to go ahead. I have worn nothing but flat sensible shoes for years and right now my bunion is very painful. I know it will only get worse and worse with age.

Oh wow, I just posted my own thread on bunions before I saw this one. Really useful, thanks.

I had mine done on 10 December, mine wasn't strictly speaking a bunion, but arthritis in big toe joint (hallux rigidus), looked the same as a large bunion though!!
No pain whatsoever on leaving hospital, they put a nerve block in my ankle, which stopped pain for 12 hours. Discomfort afterwards easily controlled with Diclofenac and dyhydacodine which they prescribed. Given crutches (which I couldn't get on with) and a wierd looking shoe with velcro straps that makes me take all weight on heel.
Now six and a half weeks post 'op, xray last week showed bones not quite fused yet but getting there. Bunion completely gone, foot looks fab and have got an excellent range of movement in big toe. Internal stitches so scar barely noticable. Foot still slightly swollen and is inclined to swell more if I walk a lot. I would recommend the 'op as I am now pain free and can at last wear prettier shoes. Hellebore Hellebore1

Should have mentioned the procedure I had was called a Right Scarfe and Akin Osteotomy, commony known as 'big toe fusion'. Seemingly they remove all the excess bone and stuff and screw the toe back together with two screws. Bone then forms and fuses the joint. Marvelous what they can do now, my Gran was crippled with bunions for years 'cos this treatment wasn't available then. Hellebore1