Has anyone had the bunion op?!

[Primadonnagirl]

Told today I need to have it in both feet sooner rather than later...need to know how bad it is, how long the bed rest/ crutches lasted etc..Not worried about the op it's just the practicalities of the recovery I need to know about.DH not v sympathetic so need to understand level of support I'll need

Hi, namesake! No advice but marking my place. GL x

I have not had it - was advised against it 30 years ago

However, I have a couple of older friends who have had it done and thought it a good thing, and do not seem to have a protracted recovery period.

Will wait to hear further details.............

I had it done a few years ago. I was up and about on crutches/one crutch within 2 weeks and I wasn't in that much pain. The worst pain post surgery was the feeling of the wound 'knitting' back together.

Unfortunately for me though it just replaced one problem with another. i now have a lot of pain, swelling and discomfort in a different part of my foot as a result of the op. I'm still restricted with footwear, just in a different way. Where before it was avoiding shoes that were open or cut across the bunion, now I can't wear anything that's not squidgy under foot, ie. crepe soles or padded insoles. It's one of those things that can be a godsend for some and unsuccessful for others. They are quite clear about that before performing the op.

I was told I can have further surgery to sort it out but was trying to get pregnant at the time so couldn't commit to having surgery or x-rays. Now I have a 7 week old so could be some time before I can contemplate being off my feet.

I had both feet done (one at a time) a few years back. There's dozens of different operations depending on what's needed, all with different recovery periods, but I was 6 weeks in plaster/heelwalking each time, driving after 8/9 weeks, and probably the best part of 6 months before I could say I was properly over it.

Pain totally manageable with ibuprofen/paracetamol, felt rubbish for a few days after each general anaesthetic, but day surgery both times.

No bed rest as such, just lots of keeping my feet up. I bought a cast cover for showering, and a plastic stool from IKEA to sit on in the shower, and went up and down the stairs on my bum.

My DC were older, so took on the majority of household stuff, I couldn't have managed it with toddlers.

I'm left with an inch long scar between my first and second toes, and two inch scars along the side of my feet (where the bunions were), none of which re terribly noticeable and are hidden by the Birkies. I've been told never ever to wear heels, and I still have very wide feet, so shoe shopping is still a bit tricky. I wore cheap plimsolls for the first couple of months post surgery as bending my feet to get into eg trainers was hard.

Omg...just sounds awful to me...can't face the thought of it..I live in a flat with no lift access so doc said I would need to stay somewhere else for first two weeks...Im also a keen runner but it sounds like it would be a long time before I could do that....maybe I can cope with the soreness, blisters and corns instead!!!

I'm a podiatrist, you need to ask the surgeon what the outcome will be ie will you be able to run when it's healed and the name of the procedure.

It is best to have one foot done at a time, that way you have one to weight bear on for using crutches.

yes. Bilateral Mitchell osteotomy 15 year ago.
Bloody sore.
Partially successful
would i do it again? No

and I was told the reason for doing both feet together was otherwise I would never come back for the second foot

Two women at work have both had it done and both have had problems. I would be apprehensive, but I suppose it depends on how bad your bunions are and how much they interfere with your life.

I had my left one scarfed at 21 (I used to do ballet). The scarfing means they remove the bunion and also add screws and pins. I actually had it done under a local (??? I had a cold and they said they wouldn't do general so it was local or nothing). Pain for c36 hours free was quite bad but volterol (diclaphenac) helped. I didn't have a cast an was on crutches for maybe 8 weeks I think. Have got my right one done as no pain. Not keen on having it done either as it was painful afterwards and crutches were a bit of a faff. My left foot is grand now though and I do wear heels etc. the only thing I can't do it push ups (!!) because I can't quite make a 90 degree angle between my toes and foot.

Nope .thats it decided its not for me. I'm not in pain..more sore and uncomfortable and prone to blisters and corns etc...I can put up with that!! thanks for all your help though...kind of suspected it wouldn't me a magic cure !

I had both feet done at the same time. It was years ago and I think it is a slightly different procedure these days.

I was in hospital for 14 days on strict bed rest. I was not allowed to weight bear at all. I then had both feet in plaster for 8 weeks.

I do have lovely straight feet but I find buying shoes really difficult and I struggle to wear heels.

I can honestly say though, that it was very painful. At the time I had it done it was listed as the 2nd most painful op that you could have.

I`m so glad I found this thread!

Over the past couple of years I`ve wondered about having a bunion op as I often have trouble finding comfortable shoes.

It appears that surgery is not for the faint-hearted [shocked] I had absolutely no idea that recovery would take so long.

Ive decided to learn to love my bunions as it looks as though were going to be together for a long time