Anyone had a bunion removal under local anaesthetic?

[CrowsInMyGarden]

I've Had a bunion since age 12. I'm 63 now. It doesn't hurt. Had hammer toe due to the bunion for 10 years, again it doesn't hurt. For the past few months I've had a sore spot on the ball of my foot and for the last few weeks a very painful knee, both of which mean I cannot go for long walks. Had appt with podiatry surgeon who said the knee and pain in foot is due to bunion. Offered me an op under local anaesthetic but said if I lost weight it might improve. Have joined Slimming World as want to lose weight anyway. Can't decide whether to go for the op or not. Has anyone had a bunion sorted under local anaesthetic? The recovery is quite long, I'd have to sit with leg raised and only move to go to the loo for the first 2 weeks..... I have two old dogs who won't mind missing their walks if they have the door open to go in the garden so I may have to wait till it warms up a bit. Can't decide what to do.....

@BunionRecovery I’m 60. The size of the big toe joint makes it very difficult to balance on 1 leg on that foot so I fear could make me more unbalanced as I age. I will probably go for it. It’s just the thought of pain when I am currently not in any is a bit scary!

I have had keyhole surgery on both feet. Not sure if you've had the operation but happy to share my story, also for others. First foot was 3 years ago. GA, very little pain afterwards and a perfect result. Recovery was long but steady and I now have a perfect foot. Second foot, had the operation 3 months ago. Unfortunately, probably as I left it and didn't have the operation in good time, I also had a Merton Neuroma and the surgeon advised doing that at the same time. I was actually in a lot more pain this time for the first week - then not as much. However recovery this time doesn't seem as linear. I am doing ok but after a 5mile walk yesterday - probably my fault as done with Birkenstocks rather than trainers - my foot is hurting. Also still hurts when wearing trainers or any shoes really. The bone is still painful when pressed. I hope this will settle with time....so jury is out whether I am happy or not - but delighted with the other foot.

For me it wasn't really a choice as although the bunion didn't look overly large and the deformity was not that bad to look at, I got to a point with both feet where I couldn't wear any type of shoe that it would start hurting after a short time. I tried everything such as extra wide shoes, but the only shoes not hurting were open sandals eg flip flops in the end and Birkenstock clogs.

Good luck, it is a big decision. With keyhole I also have minimal scarring - just very small incision marks.

Hope no-one minds me resurrecting this thread.

Just wondered how you’re getting on @Chuffy22 @BunionRecovery @Travelban ?

Did you have the op, @CrowsInMyGarden?

I’m due to have my left foot done next week under GA, then then right foot in August.

@8books It is scheduled for 03 August. I have a few gigs I don't want to miss and then a week in Devon booked. From mid July my diary is clear until October so can have a good 6 weeks recovering. Hope yours goes ok. Please report back and let us know.

Hi there
I am doing well. Back to full mobility, running 5-8km, cycling etc. Second foot is still a bit stiff sometimes but it has only been 4 months. I am happy with how they look and feel. Not sure I will ever get back into heels, but I am moving out of trainers back towards shoes/boots again.

I had hereditary bunions that got really bad. They never hurt, but I had terrible pain under the ball of one foot, and the surgeon said that's actually the biggest sign you need to have them done. My first visit, he said, if you have bunions and they don't hurt, leave them. If you have bunions and they bother you, have them done at your leisure. If you have bunions and pain in the ball of your foot, get them done as soon as possible.

I had both done simultaneously under GA, the full deal, cutting the bunion, straightening and pinning the toes. My surgeon was an absolute monster about needing to stay off your feet almost entirely for six weeks, whether it's one foot or two, so I figured might as well do both. It was extremely tedious but not hugely painful. I had a great result and am so glad I did it. And this was about ten years ago, so the surgery has probably advanced since then.

My one piece of advice is to have as much physio as possible. Having someone manipulate the toes and promotes healing and flexibility and prevents scar tissue.

Hey, I don't mind at all
My right foot I had done 3 years ago and it's been perfect. I wss back in heels as well. Left foot I did 4 month ago, but I hsd a merton's neuroma removed too, so 2 operations in one. It's been a bit more lainful and longer recovery. I am now back in trainers and most flat shoes but it's still a bit swollen and stiff.

I agree about keeping it moving and/or physio. I have just been on holiday for 2 weeks and after walking around a lot I noticed that it hss improved quite a lot.

Feel free to ask me any questions

@Travelban did you have the surgery on the NHS? I'm In no pain but have a hammer toe now as well. My balance is slightly affected as the big toe is rotated and I can only wear fabric shoes or ugg type boots because my feet are so wide.

It's a very painful operation. I decided against advice from the surgeon to have them done one at a time and instead got them both done at once (GA). I'm glad I did as I probably wouldnt have gone back to get the second one done!

My auntie had a GA for bunion removal and said never again!

No privately both times sadly.

My first operarion wasn't painful at all but the foot took a long time to feel normal again. I would say 1 year or so. The second operation was way more oainful but that's probably because I also jad merton neuroma surgery done at the same time. Who knows. 4 months in and it's a lot better but still hurts with certain shoes or after a lot of walking sStill only wearing flat, very wide shoes as still hsve some swelling.

I only know one person who was up on their feet and running after a few weeks, for most people it is a long recovery. For me it hsd to be done because anything touching the bunion left me in pain after 10 minutes so I was only able to wear flip flops for about 5 months or Birkenstocks clogs. Any trainers even additional sizes or whide fit
were hurting and I didn'r want to live like that. The NHS were just orescribing neurofen creams and paracetanol so had to go private in the end...

Hello all - thank you for the feedback.

I had my op a week ago (I pushed it back a couple of weeks). I’m bed bound nearly all of the time (only up to go to the loo, as the pain when my foot isn’t elevated is high). Lots of painkillers (insisted on having Oramorph as well as Codeine), but it’s still pretty painful.

The op was under GA with a local block too that was amazing and lasted 36 hours. I wouldn’t have this procedure under a local!! I’d also only say to do it if there’s someone around to look after you regularly for the first couple of weeks.

I’m due to have the other one done in 5 months. Hoping to be recovered fully then by Xmas.

Good luck to anyone going through the op, and thank you again to those who shared their experiences.

My Mum had it and recovery was long. Not sure if it was local or general or if that even makes a difference.

I have one and occasionally get pain with certain shoes which then cramps my foot but as I'm a runner, I'll be having to be wheeled into surgery before I'd have it.

I keep meaning to go and buy some spacers again as I've found that's helpful for the pain in any shoes. Also I have some widening inserts you put in so it stretches it slightly. Both have helped in the past.

Had my right foot done on December 30th, all back to normal now. Left food being done in 3 months time. It was painful for a bit, more awkward than anything with the boot but I found I was mobile very quickly after the op.