topic Re: Question About Bunion Surgery in Wellness

Question About Bunion Surgery

NickNack — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:23:15 GMT

I have bunions on both feet. It has gotten to the point that my bunion hurts on my right foot when wearing any of my shoes. I have put off having surgery because I live alone and have a dog and a cat. I don't have anyone that could stay with me or help me after the surgery.

For anyone who has had the surgery, what is the recovery like? Would I be able to take care of myself and my pets alone? My sister could go to the grocery store for me, or I could have them delivered, but she couldn't stay with me.

I saw an orthopedic surgeon about this about five or six years ago. She told me I was a good candidate and to come back when I was ready for the surgery.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

ECBG — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:37:19 GMT

I don't (yet) know about bunion surgery, but do know people who have had caretakers.

You should have something like Visiting Healthcare Professionals or Angie's List (nurses assistants, or adult care givers) in your area.

I would call the doctor and ask for the post needs, then set up an appointment with enough time to set up care givers.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

NickNack — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:40:35 GMT

Thank you @ECBG . Yes, I would need to do that. I would need to be able to let my dog out first thing in the morning and right before I go to bed. I'm not sure about being able to have someone here at those times. It's possible I could ask a petsitter to come then though, but those are odd times.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

ECBG — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:46:43 GMT

@NickNack

Very welcome!

With so very many people working and living away from family, these "care/services" opened up and have found a giant niche! I found the best house cleaners that are more than I could have dreamed!

I don't clean on my two days off. I live.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

D Kay — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:26:29 GMT

Probably you should have surgery on one foot at the time so that you can bear weight on the opposite foot. You could at least get yourself into a wheelchair if you can stand on one foot.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

Kachina624 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:30:26 GMT

@NickNack I had surgery on the tendon in my foot right after I retired. I was living alone and used an insurance-paid wheelchair for about 3 months then graduated to a walker. I managed just fine with 2 dogs.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

geezerette — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:35:07 GMT

If you have surgery on one foot at a time, perhaps using crutches would allow you to do what is absolutely necessary for your pets while you recover.

Prepare whatever you can ahead of time, and with the help from your sister you may be able to manage just fine.

Check into what sort of recovery you should expect.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

Katcat1 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:35:47 GMT

@NickNack A friend of mine had Bunion surgery and never need any pain medication because there was no pain. Her doctor was at the University of Chicago hospital and he had learned this special type of surgery in Europe and was training students with it. I had the doctor remove a painful corn on the side of my toe and never needed any pain meds. I was shocked. I mean he cut into me and there was no pain. I am sure he is very old and no longer practicing but the surgical technique lives on with students he taught at the UofC hospital.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

SXMGirl — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:37:17 GMT

@NickNack Years ago, one of the teachers in my department had bunion surgery. She lived alone and had a small dog. She returned to work within a week and did very well. I am sure that things have changed in the past 20 years regarding bunion surgery, but I would definitely ask your doctor about options.

If you have dog walkers in your area, I would start making appointments if you would like to have your dog walked. There are lots of services out there, but you must be very careful. Again, ask your doctor for recommendations. I wish you well.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:37:49 GMT

@NickNack

I googled this for you....

In many cases, walking after bunion surgery means patients can get around but not run around. Patients are generally walking in a surgical shoe and usually keep weight on the heel or outer edge.

So NO Marathons for you, NO Sprints, just basic walking, you'll be fine but I would ask for help the first 2 days. I doubt they would actual do 2 feet, I would think one foot at a time but you need to ask all these questions from the professionals.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

pupwhipped — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:41:29 GMT

@NickNack, I will briefly reply but if you need more info I could really get going on it. Ha! I had bunion surgery on my right foot back in 2013 and did great! I think the thing you really have to find out about is exactly what the surgery will be for your situation and what the doctor's recovery protocol is like. My surgery was pretty basic with the bump being shaved and the bone being cut and realigned with the insertion of a pin, if I recall correctly. All this is in my layman's terms.The surgeon did not straighten my toe which I kinda wish he had but that's another story. I came home in a platform shoe that prevented me from bending my foot at all and I think I wore it maybe a month? I walked out of the hospital putting weight on my foot...just could not bend. The doctor highly encouraged me to stay in bed or on the couch with leg elevated for the first two weeks if possible, and that is what I did. I was a good patient and followed directions. He said so many people, especially women, felt okay after several days and then would push it and go out and be on their foot when they shouldn't. Anyway, I won't go on but can answer any questions you have. Now, as I mentioned earlier, your surgery could be quite different from mine so you need to know exactly what is going to be involved with your procedure. Also, before I had my surgery I read several horror stories and wanted to back right out. Ha! But I was to the point I had to have it done as the pain was so bad I could not walk. I had pain from shoes rubbing and pain that would come and go in the joint for many, many years. But then one day all of a sudden it crossed a line and I could not walk. I remember I met my husband at Lowe's and we were in the back of the store and BANG, I was done. I thought he was going to have to go get a wheelchair to get me out of there. At that point, I couldn't get the surgery done fast enough.

Hmm, this ended up being not so brief...typical for me. LOL!

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

Winkk — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:56:59 GMT

I had bunion surgery a long time ago so I'm sure they are being done differently now. But each person is different and the progression of the bunion is different so it's hard to say. Just make sure you have a good surgeon either orthopedic or a podiatrist. Good luck.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

busymom22 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:27:58 GMT

Look up Lapiplasty. It's a revolutionary new type of bunion surgery. I am planning on having this within a few years.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

millieshops — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:34:41 GMT

@NickNack I strongly recommend a discussion with the surgeon. That recommendation comes from my having one bunion that would be an easy surgery/recovery and one that would require much more surgery involving multiple cuts, screws, and months of limited weight on the foot. That one even the doctors don't really want to tackle. Right now I am agreeing because ugly as it is, my pain is not bad, but I do live where sandals work year round.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

NickNack — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:45:48 GMT

@D Kay wrote:
Probably you should have surgery on one foot at the time so that you can bear weight on the opposite foot. You could at least get yourself into a wheelchair if you can stand on one foot.

@D Kay Yes, I would only have it done on one foot at a time. My right foot is the one that hurts when I wear shoes. The left one is pretty bad, too, but not to that extent yet.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

NickNack — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:54:40 GMT

Thank you for this information @pupwhipped . I will definitely ask my surgeon my many questions.

Would you have been able to get up and let your dog out four times a day, put food out twice a day for the dog and scoop the litter box at least every other day?

That's what I really need to be able to do, as well as get food for myself. I would not plan on cooking, of course.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

NickNack — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:57:37 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@NickNack I had surgery on the tendon in my foot right after I retired. I was living alone and used an insurance-paid wheelchair for about 3 months then graduated to a walker. I managed just fine with 2 dogs.

That's really good to know @Kachina624 . Thank you for replying.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

Growing — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 21:26:18 GMT

I’ve had toe surgery twice but not bunion surgery. You will wear a surgical boot or shoe for 4-6 weeks probably and use a knee scooter that you rent ahead of time to keep the weight off your foot. That’s a two wheeled buggy that your knees and lower leg rest in with handles to steer. You’ll need a shower chair or stool to sit on in the shower and a plastic leg cast cover to cover your foot/leg. I had pain both times. I could not walk much at first, and there is swelling. It’s not awful, just difficult for a few days, to two weeks. You can pay someone to help you in your home, give you a shower if you need help, etc. Pay a dog walker for two weeks if you need to. Get your house clean and laundry done ahead of time and groceries bought. Order them for delivery as you said. My toe hurt for months afterwards but not as much as before the surgery! Your feet will feel so much better when you are done. Some people heel fast with no pain and others do not.

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

Dragonflyveb — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 22:03:40 GMT

Hi, NickNack,

I had bunion surgery several years ago and I'm sure things have changed quite a bit, but I learned a few things that might help.

First, get your pain meds filled the days before your surgery. If you have trouble with nausea after surgery, ask for a prescription beforehand. If you get constipated with pain meds, make sure you have a stool softener and fiber powder. Not a good idea to stop on your way home from surgery.

Second, invest in a shower boot. Much simpler than trying to duct tape a trash bag to your leg. Try Amazon.

Third, invest in an AirCast CryoCuff cooler on Amazon. It's about $100, but well worth it! It has a cooler with tubing that goes into a boot wrap for your foot. You fill up an insulated cooler with ice and water and then raise it above your foot to fill the boot. When you reached your time limit, lift your foot to refill the cooler. It stays cold all day, so that's one less trip to the freezer for more ice packs.

Stay off your foot as much as you possibly can. Combine your chores into one go-round--dog out and fed, scoop litter, use the bathroom, make a sandwich. Stock your freezer and pantry beforehand. Have your books or whatever next to your chair so you don't have to hunt for anything.

You will probably need a ride to the doc to get your stitches out after about a week.

My doc didn't offer me a temporary handicap sticker for driving, but once I asked, he got me one. Use the motorized carts if you have to get groceries.

I hope that what I learned will help you out, even a little.
dragonfly

Re: Question About Bunion Surgery

On It — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 22:10:57 GMT

@NickNack If you decide to have one foot at a time, I have seen people using a device that looks like a scooter instead of crutches. The knee of the injured foot is bent and rests on an elongated padded seat. The good leg is used to propel the person. It is almost the same action of someone trying to get a skateboard going except everyone I have seen using it is recovering from a procedure. It has handle bars to steer. If you are going to alternate feet, it might save the wear and tear on your shoulders and arms that using crutches can cause. Good luck with whatever you decide.