bunion op - how bad?

[DaddyCool]

dw is going in to get her bunion removed tomorrow. i've heard a few horror stories. she's a SAHM and will struggle with this if she's off her feet for any long period of time. the NHS pre-op was basically some 18 yr old nurse shoving a pamphlet at her.

bump - anyone? anyone had this done?

Was it giving her pain? Or is it mainly for cosmetic reasons that she's having it removed? No experience myself with the operation. But, have asked around as I have a bad bunion too. It's unsightly, and limits the type of shoes I wear (especially in summer), but doesn't hurt unless I wear the "wrong type" of shoes - ie, heels.

Friends have told me that it is too big an operation to recover from to have it only for vanity's sake. Hence, I have resigned myself to wearing flat shoes, and haven't looked into it further. Good luck to your dw, and sorry not to be of any practical help.

it's causing her pain and she's got the shoe problem. if it wasn't causing her pain, she wouldn't have it done.

i'm really worried. like i said, she's a SAHM and theres only so much time I can have off work. i also think it's going to cause her a hell of alot of pain.

can anyone else say otherwise?

think it used to be a big operation but now it is less invasive and the recovery time is a lot quicker.... there was a post on this years ago miht be worth a look... otherwise check this out....

HALLUX VALGUS is commonly known as a BUNION, and is a very common cause of FOOTPAIN. The condition is most commonly seen in females.

HALLUX VALGUS is a progressive condition and causes the foot to become wider with the big toe joint rubbing against the shoe. The big toe will deviate into the next toe and may eventually lead to deformity of the lesser toes.

X-Ray Can Bunions be corrected without Surgery?

There is no evidence in the medical literature to support the use of splints or foot supports to correct BUNIONS. Children with BUNIONS may experience a reduction in pain following the use of night splints; however the deformity will still progress and enlarge.

Patients may simply wear wider shoes to accommodate the painful BUNION. If changing the footwear is not acceptable then the patient may elect to have corrective surgery.

Surgery

Before embarking on the bunion surgery route, you should consider the following:

How much pain is the bunion causing?

Are you prepared to rest after the operation in order to obtain the best results and a speedy recovery?

Can you have time off work to recover?

The surgical correction is now very successful when performed by a surgeon who specialises in foot surgery. The operation can be performed using a LOCAL ANAESTHETIC (you will be awake) and is now a DAYCASE procedure (you will go home on the day of the operation).

Common Questions and Answers

Will I be in plaster after my operation?

NO. It is not normally necessary to have your foot in plaster after a bunion operation. Most BUNIONS are now treated by a Metatarsal Osteotomy, with tiny screws used to hold the bones in the corrected position. The use of screws inside the foot and the design of the operation used means that a plaster cast will not be necessary. Your foot will be wrapped in a bulky dressing and you will be given a special shoe to wear until your foot is healed.

Will I have stitches in my foot?

YES. It is common practice to use absorbable stitches to close the incision. These stitches do not need to be removed as they are absorbable.

Will my big toe be stiff after the operation?

NO. It is not necessary to fuse (stiffen) the big toe joint to correct the bunion.

Can I walk on my foot after the operation?

YES. You will walk into the hospital and walk out weight bearing on your heel. However, it is important that your rest for the first two weeks after your operation, and only take weight through your foot when necessary. REST AND ELEVATION OF THE FOOT IS ESSENTIAL.

How long will I be off work?

Most patients return to work at four to six weeks after the operation.

When can I drive?

You can normally drive after three weeks.

DC, no experience as such but I remember my music teacher at school having her bunions done and she was off sick for several weeks, then came back to school hobbling on casts and crutches. IIRC it was a "bigger" issue than recovering from, say, a broken leg, in terms of disruption. Please bear in mind though, this was about 20 years ago - things may have changed since then!

Have you googled it for more info?

thanks for that mancmum. it was very helpful.

Hmm, I've got a bad one on my right foot - it's sometimes painful but I'm really put off having the op as it sounds awful and the worst thing is the rest period. As a SAHM to 3 boys of 4 and under it would be impossible. Dh couldn't have all that time off..

What will you do DC?

oooh, definitely moved on then since my music teacher had it done, mancmum - that sounds much better.

My mum had it done 3 years ago and said she was in hospital for 2 days and off work for 6 weeks (in plaster) She said a lot will depend on how bad DW's foot is and how many pins will be needed etc... She said she wouldn't have it done again but her foot does look a lot better and isn't painful.
Are you flying anywhere soon?

DC if you or DW want to know anything else then feel free to ask, she said if either of you want a chat to give her a ring (01253 297705) - that's our Hotel number not our 'private' number for those thinking I'm asking for trouble .

this is a nightmare. i've got two days booked off after... that's it!! this has creeped up on us and we didn't realise how long the recovery period was. we're going to have to call in dw's mum i think.

no time is a good time. we'll just have to cope. ds is 2 and demands alot of chasing after. this is going to be horrible for her

That's not good DC have you not got anymore holidays to take from work?

not alot.

Can you get MIL to help out DC? How long is the waiting time for this op? I'm just wondering if it would be worth cancelling until you have sorted out a Mothers help to stay with you, it wouldn't cost too much and as DW will be at home you wont need someone to have sole charge of DS. They could help out around the house, I don't know if you can get one at short notice maybe?

Hi, I had a 'bilateral chevron osteotomy' (sp.??) which is basically having my bunions removed from both feet about 3 years ago.

I was only 22 when I had it done, and no, it definitely wasnt for cosmetic reason!!

I hate to say this DC but it DID hurt and I had to have plasters for 6 weeks and actually had a total of 10 weeks off work - but this was more because I had both feet done at the same time and therefore couldnt walk at all (had to use a wheelchair for 1 month).

For the first 4 weeks I would say your DW will definitely need some help around the house. Some people don't need to have a plaster cast after the op and this obviously speeds up the healing process.

I had to have stitches which meant these didn't heal properly til after the plasters were removed which is why my healing period was longer. My mum is a physio so she helped mobilise the joints after so make sure your DW does her exercises!!!

If I can help with any other questions then please just ask,

Hope it all goes ok, x

I am really fed up after reading this. I have a bunion on my left foot and like others have said I am limited to certain shoes. It only hurts sometimes but it is not too bad, it just looks ugly. However I did visit a chiropodist and showed the Dr and they said it wasn't too bad and they would recommend I left it.
What worries me is that it is supposed to be progressive, so does that mean I will def have to have the op one day? I work part time and I wouldn't want to take 6 weeks off work, plus my dh works away for 2 weeks at a time and wouldn't get paid for time off. plus I have 2 dss and a dog that needs walking every day. Maybe I will just stick with the bunion for a few years although I hate it. I am off on hols soon and can't wear any nice sandals as it looks so horrible. Daddycool please let us know how your DW gets on. I understand your problems and sympathise with you. Good luck to you both.

well.... she didn't go!! it was bloody cancelled. we got a phone call last night to say that the 'machine broke down' and that she's being thrown back to admin to arrange another appointment (probably a month or two i would imagine).

I'm covered under private with work but DW being the hippy she is won't take me up on the offer to have her covered as well so she'll have to put up with the NHS red tape.

Nevermind. Gives us a bit more time to prepare I guess but she had sorted everything out, baby dinners, food in the fridge she actually trusts me to cook, house was immaculate and then this!

DC - although annoying that the op has been cancelled, as you say it does give you more time to prepare etc.. If and when you get another date through (I had to wait over 6 months for mine) then, as I said before, please feel free to ask any q's that you or your DH may have.

Goldfish - I went to see my GP about mine and she referred me to a consultant. He said that they only ever perform the operation in severe cases because an operation on your feet obviously immobilises you for a prolonged period. It wasn't just the 10 weeks I had off work - my toes were not totally pain free until a good few months after. But this may just be the hospital I went to.

I appreciate your concern about it being progressive - could you not visit your GP about it and ask for a referral??

The consultant also told me I would have to have the same op done again in about 15 years time - the op is not a cure and thats why they wait until it is so severe to do it cos the bunion would prob come back.

I hope you have a lovely holiday - I used to just go bare foot everywhere on holiday pre op as had same prob that no sandals would fit.

xx

I had mine removed on the NHS by a podiatrist rather than and orthopaedic surgeon. This was 11 years ago and it was done under local anaesthetic as a day case. I had pins inserted in the joint and a heavy pressure dressing, no plaster. I was up and around about a week afterwards although it's essential to keep the foot elevated as much as possible. I think the surgical techniques used by podiatric surgeons are more up to date than those used by orthopods, as podiatrists obviously specialise in feet.

re-booked for 2nd August. I'm ok for that week but i've got serious work comittments the next week. i think dw is going to call her mum in.

Ah DC how annoying, just getting yourself physched up for it and then it didn't happen. I hope it all works out for you.

Sarjon, I think I wll ignore mine for a while as it doesn't hurt much, just looks ugly. If I can leave it for a while it would be easier when the kids are older, and thanks I will have a great holiday. We are off to Florida so it is not a dressing up holiday, my flat shoes will do nicely.

ANyone having Bunion Surgery in the near future? I am this coming Thursday. Had the Right foot done 7 years ago and it took me that long to get enough sick time together at my job to get the other one done. I was off work for 10 weeks the first time so I hope this one goes a little better and hope to be back to work in 8 weeks. I can relate to the bunion and hammer toe pain in the feet!!