Hallux Valgus (Bunions) :: Ice Your Foot To Reduce Swelling After Bunion And Hammertoe Surgery?
It is just over 3 weeks since I had bunion and hammertoe surgery. In the mornings the swelling is reduced a lot but after being out and about in the walker boot the bunion area (big toe and surrounds) and two hammer toes are quite swollen. I do keep my foot elevated for as much of the time as possible but have not tried ice yet. Does this have any permanent benefit and how does one do it without leaking water everywhere? Can I just buy bags of ice from supermarket and apply to ankles or is there a more effective technique? Also how long did most people use the walker boot for. My surgeon said about four weeks after the op to come out of it and move into trainers but opinions seem to differ and I don't see him for a few more weeks? Sorry to keep asking for advice but I live alone and don't get to see many people at moment.; I tend to worry a lot about all this as I hear horror stories on internet about things going wrong and swelling not going down?
View 8 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Pain Outside Of Foot After Flat Foot Surgery
I am 7 1/2 weeks post of from Flat Foot Surgery and the outside area of foot from where my incision ends from the double calcaneal osteotomy up to my little toe the soft tissue is halfway numb and very painful. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how long did it last.
I am not sure how long it takes the soft tissue to heal to a point where it does not hurt when you are not walking. Or is what I am feeling nerve pain. I started PT this week and am PWB. My doctor thinks I will be in a shoe in 3 weeks and I don't know at this rate how that could be possible. I am icing a majority of the day for sure after I do my PT exercises.
Foot / Ankle :: Nerve Pain In Heel/toe After Ankle Surgery
I had ankle surgery to repair my medial malleolus back on May 8. It was fairly routine--just 2 screws. I was in a cast for a week, then was put into a boot but told to treat it like a cast--NO weight bearing for 7 weeks, keep the boot on 24/7 unless in the bathtub. I followed directions religiously.
I did notice that when I pressed on certain areas of the foot, I would feel a sharp pain. This occurred in the heel (from the bottom), toes (again, from the bottom, primarily the foot pad below the pinky, second, and 4th toes). When I asked the doctor about this, he said (around week 5) that it was just because I hadn't been using the foot.
The problem persisted, and this week, week 7, I was cleared to start partial weight-bearing--walking in the boot while taking approximately 1/2 the weight off my foot via the crutches. I don't have ankle pain to speak of (or at least, not often and only if I overdo it), but I have terrible shooting pains in my heel and toes as I step. It's OK if I take most of the weight on the crutches, but as soon as I go to more than just a little weight on the boot, the pain starts.
This week I also started PT and the therapist told me this is nerve pain--not uncommon after surgery (don't know why the doctor couldn't have told me this, but OK). I couldn't get much of an idea from her how long this will persist or if there is anything I can do about it.
I'm doing my ankle and leg exercises (those are mostly non-weightbearing at this point) and they are going great. The ankle is clearly healing well. But I don't see how I can progress to full weight bearing (supposed to try that next week!) when much more than a little pressure on the foot results in this nerve pain!
Help! Does anyone have experience with this? Is there anything I can do to speed things along? I need to return to my second job (barefoot hoof trimming for horses--how I broke the ankle!) ASAP and I'm fearful this will slow my progress to a crawl! The doctor is useless.
Foot / Ankle :: Bunion Surgery Pain & Swelling In Ball Of Foot
I am 7 and a half weeks post op after a Lapidus & an Akin procedure. I was in cast until last week and have managed a tennis type shoe and a sandal on so far.
The swelling has been bad as expected with full weight bearing, but the real pain is in the ball of my foot and my big toe does not lie flat, but rather sits elevated. I think the ball of the foot under the big toe is swollen so that may be the cause? I can only walk for a few minutes properly before the pain becomes too much and I am limping and walking on the outside of my operated foot. I can usually cope with pain so know this must be fairly severe.
I am doing my toe bending exercises and think that already the range of motion is not too bad.
Foot / Ankle :: Ball Of Foot Sore After Metatarsal Surgery
After having surgery on both the 4th and 5th metatarsal with plates and screws holding everything I have pain on the ball of my foot. I haven't yet started walking, I've been in no weight bearing. It's been three weeks and a half since surgery and the bottom of my foot really hurts when pressed upon. After almost a month this doesn't seem normal. Should I be worried. I will ask the doctor about this on my next visit when he pulls out the k wire.
The ball of my foot hurts also when I do toe exercise such as curling in and out.
Each visit to the doctor he tells me not to walk and put put weight on my foot. I tell him each time that I can't if I wanted to as it hurts to barely try.
Foot / Ankle :: Flatfoot Reconstruction Experience - 7 Weeks Post Op
I had my surgery 7 weeks ago and am finally in a boot and can walk again with the help of 1 crutch. I am driving and going to physical therapy 3x a week. The first 5 weeks were very hard not being able to put any weight on my foot. A knee scooter was a tremendous help. I was not In very much pain and got to go shopping and out to eat. Getting the cast off at 5 weeks was great. Hopefully the rest of my recouperation will be as easy.
View 3 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Microfracture And Brostrom Surgery Together?
I was diagnosed with small (<1cm) OCD of the tibial plafond and lax lateral ligaments. I am now facing a microfracture and a Brostrom is about a month. Has anyone had both procedures together and what was your experience?
View 2 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Second Metatarsal Overload Surgery
I've meet with several Dr's that have recommended shortening the second Metatarsal. I have done all the conservative approaches and have ran out of options. Cortisone injections, shoe inserts and anti inflammatory medicine and a lot of icing! This foot pain has been going on for many years but lately I haven't been getting any relief!
Can anyone tell me whether they have had much success with this type of surgery?
Foot / Ankle :: PTTD Surgery On Both Feet
I went for all the fun preop tests today in preparation for my second reconstruction happening in two weeks. I'm starting to go a little crazy realizing everything I still need to do before the surgery. ..finish prepping my house, rent the knee walker, finish Christmas shopping! Yikes! In some ways it's easier having an idea what to expect the second time around, but in other ways knowing what the next few months will be like makes it harder.
Those of you who have had the joy of having to have pttd surgery on both feet, how did foot number one hold up to crutches, etc? Any suggestions for a successful second recovery?
Foot / Ankle :: Getting Around After Flatfoot Reconstruction Surgery
I will be having Flatfoot Reconstruction Surgery in May and am trying to get a handle on the recovery. I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment, ground floor, but with 2 semi-steep steps leading inside.
I'd love to know anyone's experience with steps/stairs after this type of surgery. Also am looking for a recommendation for a good foam wedge for foot elevation...and actually anything else you might want to share. I'm a bit overwhelmed at how arduous the recovery may be.
Foot / Ankle :: Sleeping After Reconstruction Surgery
I think I saw this mentioned before, but do you have some helpful hints about sleeping after surgery? I'm a side sleeper with pillow between knees. It's about the only way I can sleep. Yea, it's probably not possible at the beginning. Also, did anyone put a "blanket support" at the footboard to hold the blankets and sheets off the foot?
View 9 RepliesFoot / Ankle Surgery :: Does The Weather Affect You?
I'm now about 4 1/2 - 5 months post op. Walking again, doing great. We've had a lot of storms lately. Today I was doing great, then all of a sudden my foot started hurting, having pangs of pain/zingers, I was grocery shopping and noticed a turn in the weather. By the time it started pouring rain I was in uncomfortable pain. I just wanted to finish, get home and put ice on my foot, and I haven't done that in quite a while now.
It was like I felt the break in my heel, just an all over pain in my foot.
If I said that I 'knew' where the screws where, I think this crew are the only ones who would understand that...
Foot / Ankle :: Pain After Bunion Surgery
I've been reading older messages regarding this topic because i have been having this problem since my surgery in September 2013! Doctor has no idea why i'm still in pain and my physio therapies don't get nowhere. So i'm a lot desperate! Can anyone help me, pls? Is it sesamoiditis? Is it tendonitis? Who has experienced any of these and can advise me what to do?
View 3 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Metatarsal Fusion Revision Surgery - Yes Or No?
I was diagnosed with a hyperflexible big toe via a weight bearing scan. Two years ago now, my surgeon fused the first and second metatarsals and removed a mild bunion in the hopes that this would sort out pain and swelling in that area. Swelling around the hardware (specifically the plate) lasted a while but has calmed down now. However, my big toe is completely stiff. My surgeon was surprised as he didn't expect so much scar tissue to form (I was 27 when I had the surgery and very active). This doesn't cause pain so much as discomfort on a regular basis and I've had to completely change what activities I do now (no running or long hikes without causing swelling and a stiff feeling). My second toe is also now significantly longer than the first (it wasn't before). This doesn't cause pain either but again discomfort when it takes the load for the big toe and it sometimes sets me off balance eg in yoga. I'm not sure if this is due to the length or simply that the big toe isn't taking weight anymore because it's so inflexible.
My surgeon recommended surgery to: shorten the second toe, remove the hardware, remove the scar tissue, AND loosen the fusion (if that's the correct term).
Due to the intense recovery period last time and general concerns about surgery risks including that I'll end up either worse off or with the same stiffness, I'm not sure whether this is a good idea. I feel I can "manage" with my foot, but it's certainly not in the best condition to return to the activities I want to do, and I'm only 29.
It's scheduled for the week after next but I'm not sure whether I should go ahead. Neither my GP nor my surgeon seems overly confident, I think there's no real answer but I'd love to know your opinions on whether this second surgery might end up better or worse.
Foot / Ankle :: Surgery For Glass Removal From Heel
Has anyone dealt with foreign object removal from their heel?
If so, has your heel been able to heal to 100%?
Are you dealing with any problematic scar tissue on your heel?
How long did it take to resolve for you?
I'm eager to get back to deadlifts and squats at the gym and hoping someone can share a positive recovery story.
Here's what happened:
July 5, 2015, I stepped on shard of glass - I was told by a doctor there was no glass in my heel - I was given a tetanus shot, antibiotics and sent on my way. I pushed through the discomfort for several weeks - finally I requested an x-ray, which showed glass in my heel.
August 5, 2015 - the first surgery - unsuccessful - about an hour into surgery in ER (under local anesthetic), the surgeon said he didn't feel comfortable continuing, as he couldn't quite locate the glass and didn't feel comfortable going deeper. He was able to refer me to an orthopedic surgeon.
August 10, 2015 - the second surgery - successful - the orthopedic surgeon said retrieving the glass was very difficult -he was "mucking around for a while" and "it was like finding a needle in a haystack."
I was given painkillers and antibiotics and instructions not to change the bandaging or take off the tensor bandage for the first 3 days. The first night was horrendous in terms of pain - my pain tolerance is pretty high - how I would describe the pain would be, an extreme burning sensation on the top of my foot (like my skin was being peeled off and then lit on fire) - I was going to go back into ER, but as soon as I got up, the rush of blood into my foot relieved the pain. So for that night, and basically the first 2-3 days, I just kept standing up every 1-2 hours to allow blood-flow into my foot. I ended up loosening the tensor bandage after two days.
August 20, 2015 - stitches removed - unfortunately I had an infection, so I was given a 7 day course of antibiotics.
Sept. 11, 2015 - follow-up appt. - incision still not 'together' and some leakage - I was told a minor infection was still present and given a 10 day course of antibiotics.
Currently...
I'm still on crutches - my heel is still tender and the skin is still somewhat open on the surface (was told it will heal from inside out) - I can't stand normally - I have some pins and needles under my foot near my toes - the skin around the heel is very tight and ankle mobility is reduced - ankle feels very weak (probably from not walking).
I'm now seeing the surgeon more consistently to have the healing monitored more closely.
I haven't been given a time-frame of when I'll be 'normal' and be able to resume my life before the injury.
As you can tell, I'm eager to get back to being mobile and living actively.
I'm just looking to hear from someone who has dealt with something similar, so I can keep positive and start thinking of time-frames for myself.
Foot / Ankle :: Can't Use Wheelchair After Broken Heel Surgery?
My uncle had surgery 1 week ago for braking both heels after falling of a roof and he's been in a lot of pain (we all know that) but he's been in bed all day, showering, doing #1/2 all in bed cause he says the doctor said he couldn't even use a wheelchair to go to the bathroom?? I mean is not a back injury/surgery why he's not allowed to even use a wheelchair? I know they advise him to sit/lay on bed with legs up but... can't sit down with legs up for a while? or use a wheelchair (with legs up) to go the bathroom/move around a bit?
View 3 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Popliteal Nerve Block For PTT Surgery?
I will be having PTT surgery(calcaneal osteotomy, lateral lengthening, gastroc recession, tendon transfer) next week and am wondering about your experience with the nerve blocks, in my case a popliteal nerve block. The research from my OS's office shows 13% have residual nerve pain following the block. Most of the posts here show that patients are very happy they had a nerve block for their surgery. Has anyone had residual pain from one?
View 14 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Right Big Toe Fused And Pinned With Bunion Surgery
I am having my right big toe fused and pinned with bunion surgery. The next toe will have a rod in it also. Has anyone had good results with this? Big toe goes way over across second toe but the pain is on the ball pads of my feet and the cords under the toes? I don't want to do something and have the same or more pain(scared). Sounds like long healing process. I dress up for work and have no idea what to wear afterwards. I am told I will never wear heals again maybe wedges no higher than 1 ". Need advice- is this surgery worth it? good results anyone? Shoe ideas for someone 5' 2" and pear shaped. Confused that the foot I already had done hurts on the ball pads also. Almost like a neuroma.
View 4 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Achilles Tendon Scar Removal Surgery
Very nervous about this surgery. I guess it's the not knowing. I am due to have surgery on Nov. 5. The doc said I could be off work between 2 weeks and 4 months. He doesn't know whether I will have a cast or back in the boot I've been wearing since the end of August. He also said he won't know how much if any weight bearing I will have after surgery. The amount of damage is unknown and no real reason to due MRI since the injured area is visible.
I do know I have no support at home as hubby will be at work and kids at school. Please advise