Anyone had a, wait for it, bunion operation?!

[JumpingJellyfish]

Yep, I'm only 29, but yep, I officially have a rather nasty bunion on my right big toe joint. After ignoring it for some time, I finally decided to see GP, who referred me to orthopaedic cons, who confirmed I need it operated on if I want to reduce the pain and start to be able to wear footwear that isn't loosely laced battered trainers again.

In my case the bunion at such a young age is due to having a right hip replacement , leg length differnce (and toe walking) and a susceptibiity due to the shape of my foot bones (thank Gran!)

Has anyone on here had a bunion operated on (by some small chance, before I find a forum for geriatrics)? I am a bit of a dab hand at joint surgery but have been informed that post-operative foot pain is much, much worse than post-operative hip pain- which scares me a little!

Thanks

yes.
Two done in one go under general anaesthetic when in my early 30s.
Very painful few weeks recovery.
worth it tho.
my feet were getting to be really deformed

ooh I have hideous bunions too on both feet and the only thing that stops me is the fact that I've heard that the pain post op is terrible. An old (bunion conversations are always with an older people!) secretary I know had the op and said the neuropathic pain after was excruciating, she had to put her feet in ice water as she felt like her feet were burning.
My mum keeps snipping out articles on new bunion removal methods and this one here looks kind of interesting as I really don't like the idea of being out of action for 6 weeks.
Glad to know I'm not the only person under 40 to suffer ugly feet (and I didn't even wear high heels 24/7 a la posh to get them!)
Woul love to hear some 'it didn't hurt that much stories'

Oooh thanks for replying mrsblanc!
How many weeks were you on crutches? I have two young DCs so may have to arrange for some help in the early couple of weeks from what the cons said.
How soon could you drive?

Glad it was worth it- my left will need doing at some point in the future as it's going that way too but I'm lucky at the moment I can just get away with doing one at a time...

My mum had this done a few months back and didn't make much of a fuss . She had 6 weeks off work, but wasn't really incapacitated for more than two.

I had mine done a few years ago - one done first then two weeks later the other one done.
Total on crutches about 4 weeks I think. The painkillers were FAB and gave me excuse to sleep for about a week after each op!

I was awake through my ops as got them done quicker. Am glad i have had them done as toes were awful and the doc cut away the arthritis that was already forming.

HTH!

oooh salvadory that op looks great. Shame it's not available on the NHS tho Not sure I can wait until the time it might become available here either.

I was told even with a "traditional" op officially I'd be out of action for 6 weeks, but that the pain would be much more bearable and most of the healing done after 3 weeks.

I have hammer toes too so they want to sort both probs in one op- 2 incisions- which I'm guessing will add to the pain

misshoolies thank you so much for your reply! That's made me feel much better about it! Has it worked well for you?

Ah. My mum had them done at the same time too! Really, she didn't find it too bad.

I had 3 children under 4 a the time, including a bf baby .

2 nights in hospital.

crutches for 4 weeks or so.
Hobbled for 6m
walked a bit funny for up to 2 years.

VERY painful. Several people told me they did 2 at once as I would probably not return for the second if I just got one done.

still say it is worth it.
good luck!

ps google mitchell osteotomy - that is what I had.

and I NEVER wore high heels prior to the op - but do now!

Yes!! 100%. Is so nice to wear flip flops and nice shoes without feeling embarrassed about the feet!

My youngest dd was about 2, so make sure you enlist people's help for the first week for your dcs. You aren't even meant to walk for the first few day (so going to the loo is quite challenging ) but have had no problems since.

The thing I thought was they arent going to get any better or correct themselves (they are a family trait) so the earlier I had them done, the better!

Wow mrsblanc- if you can do it so can I! Might chat to them about the second, seems like it would be hard to go back through it a second time- but worried how I'd fare with 2 sore feet!

I have never worn high heels and probably won't still be able to (due to inserts needed with leg length difference) but like the idea that my feet might actually fit into such shoes!

I don't walk normally anyhow so don't think I'd notice if I hobbled any more

Thank you for such positive stories- misshoolies you are quite right that they are only going to get worse- this is the only solution.