It’s been 6 weeks since my bunion surgery and I’m so so excited that I can finally drive again! I think that has been one of the hardest things about the recovery from my recent bunion surgery. Having to ask others for help and being only able to go out and do things at the convenience of others (my 16-year-old son has his learners permit so he’s been driving me around the most, but he’s only available after school) has been trying for me to say the least. Independence is a big thing for me, having it taken away was hard.
Before and After Bunion surgery
I’ve just had my 2nd lot of x-rays and my surgeon is very happy. He says everything is looking good, bones are healing well and I can get back into most things (except high impact exercise such as running, and no weight training where there is more excessive force through my foot such as squats with weights, no standing on one foot on the ball of my foot – but two feet is fine). You can also see how my 4th toe is way less curled under as he released the tendon on that toe to straighten it out.
Some of the things that are making me happiest are that I can wear any flat shoes I like (to a slight heel) and also be barefoot!
I love being barefoot in the warmer months when I’m at home – in fact my surgeon says it’s great as it will force me to bend my big toe upwards and increase its flexibility again and stretch it out (as having worn the post-operative shoe now for 6 weeks which doesn’t bend at all, it’s really stiff and sore when I bend it upwards).
These Fitflop sneakers are quite wide and roomy so have plenty of space for my more swollen foot. Happy to be back into a pair of shoes!
As we’re coming into summer, I’m glad that I’ll also be able to wear my sandals again too, something that has been tricky with an orthotic to consider. My foot is looking much better too as the scars heal and the swelling gradually subsides.
My foot is still swollen, so not all my shoes and sandals fit at present, so I’m still limited in my shoe choices, and I know it’ll be another 4-5 months until the swelling subsides completely, but I can deal with that and I’m continuing to elevate my foot when seated as much as possible to reduce swelling.
The leopard print pattern in my sock has imprinted on my foot! 2 weeks (left) and 6 weeks post surgery – swelling has reduced significantly. When I stop wearing the spacer (about 4 more weeks) my 2nd toe should drift a little closer to my first toe and not look gappy.
I’m still not keen on having the bedding over my foot, pressing down on my toes, but it’s getting a little more comfortable than it was. If it was winter, I’d probably have invested in a cat igloo to put my foot into at night and the bedding on top, but because the nights are warming up I’m Ok having it out of under the doona (that’s a duvet or a quilt in other parts of the world). The incision site on the side of my foot is the most painful part of my foot, so I’m continuing to massage twice daily to reduce the sensitivity and help the healing.
There is more pain in my lower back from sitting around so much and limping these past 6 weeks with uneven height shoes/post-op boot, more than pain in my foot. So happy to be back moving again and going back to the gym again.
I’ve always had narrow feet and my surgeon told me that my foot bones are about 30% finer than most peoples, so that explains why my feet are narrow (and no I now can’t officially I can’t blame any excess weight on big bones).
There is still another 6 weeks before I can do high impact and heavy weight-bearing exercise on my feet, and it will be some time too before my toes bend like they did before – but I’m well on the road to recovery.
What to Wear After a Foot Operation When You Have to Wear a Post-Operative Shoe or Moonboot
I’m enjoying this series and appreciate your honesty about the surgery and recovery period. I recommend this site to you and your readers:
https://naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/tagged/bunions
So happy for you.
Thanks for sharing your experience recovering from bunion surgery. I’m about 3 months post-op. and get frustrated from the slow recovery. I still can’t wear regular shoes although my doc said I could. Just too painful from the swelling. But hearing your story gives me hope that it will heal and I will get to wear real shoes once again. At least it is spring and sandal weather is right around the corner.
I’m 6 months or so now – and my swelling hasn’t gone down completely yet – it takes a lot of time (in fact my dr said it takes up to a year to really heal). The more physical therapy you do, the faster you’ll get better too they say!
Thank you for writing this. I’m 46 male, 6 weeks post op, tomorrow I get the cast off for a boot. Hopping on crutches ain’t what it used to be. My low back is much more painful than my foot. I got a knee scooter but still had back issues, although much better than crutches. I had no pain with my foot at all. I had throbbing when I put it down in the first two weeks but nothing since. I’d tell everyone having this surgery get, a medical stool to sit on in the shower, a removable shower head with a hose, a cast cover from CVS, and a bio-bidet Elite 3. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for getting it all together before surgery. It’s hard to see light at the end of the tunnel with the low back pain. I’m hoping after being able to let my foot down and bear some weight will relieve tension on my back and sciatica pain. Here’s to recovery!
Yes I go sciatica too! The joy of having your foot up for a few weeks ends up messing with your lower back! Get back into core strengthening exercises to get over it!
Hi I’m 7 weeks post op and my foot is still very swollen looks red and is hot to touch. I’m unsure if this is normal, as I had my other foot done last year and I don’t remember so much pain this much afterwards and it definitely wasnt this swollen or red hot to touch.
Any ideas anyone.?
Jan
Possibly an infection? I’d check with your DR!
Hi
I’ve been reading yhese updates. They have helped me a lot.
I’m only 2 days post surgery, I had it on the 4th. So still a little on the painful. My doctor didn’t really tell me much after care, but gave me a pamphlet. Only I’m staying at my mam’s whilst i recover, and my paper is in my house. So reading this has helped me know what to do. I’m trying to behave myself so it heals quicker x
Hi Emma,
I am 5 weeks and 5 days post surgery, my foot is red hot to touch and burning sensation all the time. Mine was fine on 4th October 2019, still very sore and swell up when I walk around the house using crutches. Not sure if heat sensation is normal at this stage.
I would be speaking to your doctor about a burning sensation!
I am so happy to have found all these posts! I am having my surgery two days after Christmas and the reality of what that means is setting in. I work from home in mostly athletic pants and cotton stretch pants and not a single pair will fit over the moonboot…
Did you prepare meals ahead of your surgery to have handy and not be on your feet too much?
Any and all tips for pre-op prep and post-op care is welcome!
I didn’t but I’m sure it would be a good thing to do!
Hi Imogen,
Can i ask, I’m 6 weeks post op in a few days, how did it feel walking on the foot again? Such a weird question but do you just take the boot off and walk, did you have to walk in a special way?
My big toes are very very stiff, i did bilateral surgery.
I did walk on the out side of my foot for a bit – probably shouldn’t have – and start working on your toes to ease out that stiffness – you may need to see a physio/physical therapist to help you – you don’t want them to stiffen up too much.