Your feet are one of your most precious commodities. Therefore, we understand it’s a difficultdecisionto make when contemplatingsurgery. The thought of a long recovery time can sway a patients decision.Traditional foot surgery is in the past and now we offer a betterway to get rid of yourbunions,hammer toe, andheel spurs.
A bunionis a common foot condition that affects up to 25% of 18-to 65-year-olds and 40% of people over the age of 65.
Today, outpatient foot procedures are available. A lot of bunions no longer require a long recovery. Doctors have found amazing ways to keep people moving, even after foot surgery. Different surgeries require different recovery times. Your procedure will dependon your specific case.
Post-Surgical Self-Care
For the first few days after surgery, you should keep your foot elevated and applying ice as your doctor recommends. You should keep your foot dry and stay off your feet for 3 to 5 days after your surgery. You should use a walker, cane, knee scooter or crutches to get around. Follow your doctor’s recommendations exactly for any medications you have been given after surgery. You should expect swelling and some pain after surgery. If you experience pain out of proportion, don’t hesitate to contact the office.
Signs of Infection
Be alert for signs of infection, which can include fever, chills, and a feeling of persistent heat or warmth in the affected foot. Persistent or worsening pain can also be a sign of infection, as can a swelling in the calf of the affected foot.
Later Recovery
After the dressings are removed, you can return to wearing shoes once your doctor gives you the okay. Most patient’s sutures are removed 2-3 weeks after surgery. Dr. Butler at Cornerstone Foot and Ankle notes that 60 percent of patients will be able to resume wearing shoes in 6 weeks, with 90 percent able to wear shoes at 8 weeks after surgery. Cornerstone Foot and Ankle recommends wearing athletic shoes or soft moccasin or oxford-type footwear, and gradually putting more weight on your foot and walking farther as your incision heals. Do not wear high heels. You should also wait 1 to 2 months to begin driving again, and refrain from driving until you feel confident that you can come to an emergency stop.
Untreated bunions can also lead to other toe deformities, such ashammertoe.Arthritisand bursitis may also develop in the joint area. Wearing properly fitting, supportive footwear orcustom orthoticsis a good way to prevent or slow down bunions. If you think you may have a bunion seeking early medical attention is your best bet. If this described your condition you are in luck! Cornerstone Foot & Ankle offers a variety of treatments to get you back on your feet.
Cornerstone Foot & Ankleis a full service foot and ankle specialty office with locations inSewell,Cherry Hill,Marlton,Mt. Holly,andGlassboro; serving the South Jersey region. We offer a full suite of services includingsurgery,fracture care,fungal nail care,diabetic foot care,pediatric podiatry,custom braces and orthotics, wound care, limb salvage, and treatments for arch pain, heel pain, andsports injuries; just toname a few. If it hurts below your knee, we can help you! CALL NOW orrequest your appointment onlineTODAY!
FAQs
Your Recovery
How long does it take to walk normally after bunion surgery? ›
You will need to wear your surgical shoe for six weeks following surgery. During this time, the cuts to your bone and the repair to your soft tissue will be healing. After six weeks, your foot should be sufficiently healed to walk without your surgical shoe.
How painful is bunion surgery recovery? ›
The amount of pain experienced after bunion surgery is different from one person to the next. Most patients will experience discomfort for three to five days. If you closely follow your foot and ankle surgeon's instructions, you can help minimize pain and swelling after your bunion surgery.
What is the fastest way to recover from bunion surgery? ›
Following your doctor's advice on pain medication, elevation, and icing is necessary to relieve pain, alleviate discomfort, and speed up recovery. Elevating your foot above heart level can help minimize swelling after bunion surgery.
What days are the worst 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.
What happens if you accidentally put weight on your 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.
Can you feel the screws after bunion surgery? ›
Screws used in minimally invasive bunions surgery are not placed near the joint, they just hold the bunion correction. Patients will not be able to feel the screws as they are placed within the bone. Screws are titanium alloy which are inert to the human body in the vast majority of cases.
What are the cons of bunion surgery? ›
What are the risks of bunion surgery?
- Pain and swelling.
- A toe that is stiffer and less flexible.
- A bunion that comes back.
- A shorter big toe, if bone was removed during surgery.
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in your toe from damage to the nerves.
- An outward or upward bend in your big toe.
Is bunion surgery painful? No, the surgery itself isn't painful. A local anesthetic will be used to numb your foot so you don't feel pain. You will also be given a sedative to help make you more comfortable.
Do you limp after bunion surgery? ›
When your surgeon allows you to begin putting weight on your foot, your physical therapist will help you regain a normal walking pattern, or gait. It is not uncommon to limp after a bunion surgery or to develop a tendency to roll your foot outward in an effort to avoid rolling off the affected big toe.
Crocs are considered to be a therapeutic shoe because they offer long-term relief of foot pain after surgery. Patients are encouraged to wear crocs after surgery especially when the feet have swollen.
How should I sleep after bunion surgery? ›
Keep Your Foot Elevated While Sleeping
This helps reduce swelling and pain and speeds up the healing process. The best way to elevate your foot is to prop it up on a pillow. You can also use a special bunion surgery recovery sock, which helps to keep your foot in the correct position.
What should I avoid after bunion surgery? ›
What happens after bunion surgery?
- Avoid putting weight on your big toe.
- Elevate your foot to reduce swelling.
- Keep your wound and bandages dry.
- Take pain medicines as prescribed. (Antibiotics would rarely be required for this type of surgery outside of the operating room setting.)
Many times this pain happens after bunion surgery because the bone for the great toe was shortened a little too much during the correction of the bunion. The shape of the foot is changed and the patient's weight moves over to the next toes during walking.
What is the new procedure for bunions? ›
Lapiplasty® is a new procedure using patented technology to correct not only the bunion, but its root cause. It straightens three dimensions of alignment of the metatarsal bone. First, it corrects the sideways lean of your metatarsal bone.
Should I wiggle my toes after bunion surgery? ›
Operation to two weeks
You should wear the postoperative shoe, day and night. You can wiggle the toes, but the aim of this fortnight is to rest and get the skin wounds soundly healed. If you are sitting raise the foot on a chair, or by sitting across a sofa – this will reduce the swelling.
How long is physical therapy after bunion surgery? ›
6-12 weeks after the operation
You'll be advised to carry out exercises that help with strength, movement and balance, as well as helping to reduce scarring, including: Sitting on a chair: put your weight on the front part of the foot – bending the big toe at the joint.
When can I stop elevating my foot after surgery? ›
It is important to rest and keep your foot elevated above the level of your heart for 23 hours a day for the first 2 weeks after your surgery. Elevating of your foot will encourage healing and decrease the chance of wound infection and break down. It will also help with pain and swelling.
Why does it look like I still have a bunion after surgery? ›
Bunions can recur because of medical conditions or non-healing of the bone after surgery. In some cases, there are technical aspects that can be improved to achieve the desired result with additional surgery.
