Bunion Surgery

[Ronstar]

I have a bunion that is bothersome and recently had a Dr visit to discuss options. Dr advised that surgery is necessary. I don't want surgery. It really hasn't been too painful. But Dr said that it will only get worse and affect adjacent toes such that they will require surgery as well.

My last few hikes and even neighborhood walks (about 5 miles) have created some significant toe pain. Pain goes away in an hour or so. I like to go hiking, but I don't know how much longer I can deal with this.

Dr says that I wouldn't be able to be active for 2-3 months after surgery. Part of my reluctance to go through surgery is the down time. But maybe it would be worth it in the long run.

I've looked at the other bunion threads here. Anyone have bunion stories/advice to share?

 

[pjm-7]

Have the surgery. I put it off for years and had it done before I retired. My left foot was worse that the right foot. My left foot was so bad you could see on the x-ray bone chips where the bones had been grinding together. I was totally non-weight bearing for eight weeks when I had the left foot done. I got around very well with a knee walker.

The right foot was easier. I was able to get around with just a walking boot. The down time was minimal. Activity was reduced but was still able to do things. All pain for both surgeries was well managed with ibuprofen.

The surgeries were about a year apart done in the winter months. This is a good time of year to have it done so you can heal up before the spring. Good Luck.

 

[Bamaman]

Not all doctors are created equal when it comes to feet. You should be looking for an orthopedic doctor that specializes in feet--and nothing but feet. Our daughter had the surgery and her feet are now downright pretty. When it's time, it's time to get it done.

My wife has mid foot arthritis, and two surgeries with plates and screws will take her down 8-10 weeks each. Her issue is simply pain. And she's fighting having the surgery with Volteran Gel and over the counter lidocaine lotion.

 

[kitesurfer2]

I had both big toes done at once. do not do that!!!! the left was really bad. a pin went from my ankle and stuck out of my big toe, for 2 months! I got really good on crutches going up and down stairs. demand a wheelchair to get you home. the worst part was gaining 25 pounds. That was my first Atkins diet. Mayo did mine and did it right. no arthritis there after 20 years.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

If you're worried about staying active after the surgery, do you have room to set up an old TV with a Roku in front of a rowing machine? That's something you could do without using that part of your foot. Maybe a stationary bike, depending on the pedals.

(I say an old TV and a Roku instead of a smart TV because you can probably find people selling an old dumb TV and most exercise machines cheap, and Rokus are already pretty cheap.)

 

[Ronstar]

Have the surgery. This is a good time of year to have it done so you can heal up before the spring.

I'm going on a trip in March. Probably going to do a lot of hiking. So I'll need to have surgery in April in order to heal before my next trip.

You should be looking for an orthopedic doctor that specializes in feet--and nothing but feet.

Yep - I have a foot specialist.

the worst part was gaining 25 pounds.

That's what I'm worried about. Every time I've had lower body breaks or surgery, I've gained at least 20 lbs.

If you're worried about staying active after the surgery, do you have room to set up an old TV with a Roku in front of a rowing machine? That's something you could do without using that part of your foot. Maybe a stationary bike, depending on the pedals.

I have a tv in front of my treadmill, but I suspect that my treadmill will be off limits. That and dumbbells are all that I have. But I'll need to think of something - maybe join a gym for a couple of months. Use their stationary bike or rowing machine.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I have a tv in front of my treadmill, but I suspect that my treadmill will be off limits. That and dumbbells are all that I have. But I'll need to think of something - maybe join a gym for a couple of months. Use their stationary bike or rowing machine.

Yes, I'd expect the treadmill would put too much stress on the area. I think you're right, unless you plan to use it long-term (maybe when it's too cold to hike?), my setup might not be worth it for you, joining a gym with rowing and biking machines might be easier and even cheaper...as long as they let you pay month-to-month instead of signing up for a year (renewed automatically, of course! )...

 

[Katsmeow]

I had bunion surgery 30 or so years OK when I was in my 30s. In my case, I absolutely had to had the surgery. There was a nerve that ran over the bunion and it was irritated by any shoe. I found this out when I was walking somewhere and abruptly fell down due to the sudden pain. I tried various things to improve the situation but nothing worked and eventually I had surgery. I don't recall the recovery being all that onerous really. Never sorry that I did it.