6 Week Review MICA Information Sheet | David Redfern Surgery (2024)

  • Review in the outpatients with x-ray on arrival at 5-6 weeks after surgery

  • The post-op shoe can be exchanged for your own shoes which should be well cushioned and supportive such as a trainer).

  • Your choice of shoes will be limited for several months due to the swelling which will resolve by 4-6 months in most cases. However, as the swelling subsides, Mr Redfern is happy for you to begin to return to fashionable shoes as you find comfortable. In most cases it is 4-6 months before patients return to their high heels or narrow toed footwear.

  • Physiotherapy recommended to begin at this stage and will assist with returning your walking pattern (gait) to normal and also assist with restoring full motion in the big toe and any other operated toes

  • Can graduallyincrease daily activity from week to week. The emphasis here is on the word gradual. The bones are still healing for several months. The swelling is a sign of the ongoing bone healing and it is important that you do not ignore this and try and increase your activity too quickly. “Listen to the foot” is good advice. If there is a lot of swelling or you have discomfort then you are probably doing too much!

  • No exercising until 8 weeks after surgery when some gentle cycling and swimming is allowed

  • No running or racket sports (no impact exercise) until at least 4 months after surgery

6 Week Review MICA Information Sheet | David Redfern Surgery (2024)

FAQs

What to expect 6 weeks after bunion surgery? ›

After six weeks, your surgeon will advise you to return to normal footwear. However, your foot will still need support and it will still swell when you're upright. For this reason, a shoe with a soft upper and a supportive insole is ideal.

How long does it take to recover from hallux rigidus surgery? ›

Complete healing can take up to three months. Joint fusion: You'll wear a cast or boot for three to six weeks. Then you'll need crutches for a few weeks. You may have some swelling and stiffness for a few months after the procedure.

What is mica surgical procedure? ›

The MICA procedure is an innovative new option for those suffering from a Bunion or hallux valgus. It is an effective way to permanently treat the pain, deformity and limited mobility caused by bunions.

When can I drive after hallux rigidus surgery? ›

For left sided surgery and no clutch is required, driving is probably safe after 3 days post operatively. For right sided surgery, driving is probably safe at 1 – 2 weeks post operatively, once in a normal shoe.

When can I stop elevating my foot after bunion surgery? ›

Swelling after bunion surgery

This is quite common after bunion surgery and our surgeons advise that you regularly elevate the foot throughout the day and sleep with the foot on a raised pillow at night. You'll be advised to follow these measures for at least the first couple of weeks to minimise swelling.

How long does it take to walk properly after bunion surgery? ›

6 to 10 weeks: You can usually return to a quality running shoe and increasing walking activities. 3 to 4 months: Now, you will be completely healed! Hooray! There likely won't have any leftover pain, swelling, or trouble weight-bearing on your affected foot.

Do you really need to stay off your foot for 6 weeks post toe bone fusion surgery? ›

You can return to low impact sports after around six weeks, and by this point will be able to move your foot normally. You should also be able to start driving a manual car, if advised by your consultant, but also check with your car insurance company.

Is bunion surgery worth it? ›

Surgery may be right for you if your toe is too painful, if your bunion is very big, or if you can't easily do your daily activities. It's not clear how well bunion surgery works or which kind of surgery is best.

Is hallux rigidus surgery worth it? ›

This condition worsens over time, resulting in increased pain and stiffness until treated. Many cases of Hallux Rigidus can be treated non-surgically, but surgery is usually recommended if the non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful or if the Hallux Rigidus is severe.

What does mica do to the body? ›

* Repeated high exposure to the dust can irritate the lungs and may cause lung scarring (fibrosis).

What is mica surgery? ›

The minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA) is one strategy to correct a bunion. This procedure involves cutting and realigning the bone behind the big toe called the first metatarsal (this is a chevron osteotomy) and the big toe bone (this is an Akin osteotomy). Both bones are held in place with screws.

Do you need physical therapy after big toe surgery? ›

With the Cartiva surgery, physical therapy is necessary after surgery to regain motion of the toe, break up scar tissue, and to decrease swelling. You may find that you have some muscle weakness after surgery, so regaining your strength is also important.

Will I limp after toe fusion? ›

A big toe fusion makes your big toe stiff. It will limit the heel height you can wear on your shoes, usually a maximum of a one-inch heel. A big toe fusion may alter the way you walk, but most people do not have a limp after it has fully healed.

Are you put to sleep for hallux rigidus surgery? ›

You may be put to sleep with anesthesia, or may be given only a localized injection to numb your foot for surgery. Then your surgeon will make a tiny incision over the top of your big toe. This incision will allow your surgeon to remove the excess bone that is causing you pain and that has blocked your joint.

Why is my foot still swollen 8 weeks after bunion surgery? ›

Your Recovery

You will have pain and swelling that slowly improves in the 6 weeks after surgery. You may have some minor pain and swelling that lasts as long as 6 months to a year. You won't be able to put weight on your foot at first.

What happens if I accidentally put weight on my foot after bunion surgery? ›

Putting any weight on an operated foot or ankle can damage the repair that's been done. Bones need time to heal. Plates or screws that may have been added during surgery need the bones to heal around them. Adding weight too soon can interrupt this important internal healing process.

How long does it take for bones to fuse after bunion surgery? ›

What is the recovery time? Usually, you will get your stitches out about two weeks after surgery. However, it takes about six to 12 weeks for your bones to heal. You will likely have to wear a protective shoe or boot.

When is the most painful time after bunion surgery? ›

The days directly after bunion surgery are when pain and swelling will be the most intense, so it is important to take measures to reduce the discomfort, such as elevating the foot and following doctor-recommended instructions for painkillers and cold compresses.

References

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