Experiences of bunion operation please

moneylover

Nicedream - I think an aircast is wonderful
I had a bunion op 25 years ago and now need it done again. In those days you walked right away - with your foot in a plimsoll with the top cut off! How times have changed.
How long have you actually had off work , I am hoping not to have too long. Am getting together as much info as possible now. Have saved up and am planning to go private, to a London Foot Centre

nicedream_2

Hi,

honey06, when I say I can see a difference it's very small I should add I couldn't bend my toe much before so I wonder whether it will become more flexible with these exercises!

Thank you for the scar care information I will have to do some online shopping to get those things. I haven't tried to take the sock off apart from to air it when elevating. I don't think i'm going to try a regular sock until the lovely scabs have disappeared! How is the pain? I hope it's getting better for you.

moneylover, I'm in London and went to West Mid Hospital, which was really good. Do you remember which procedure you had last time? Which procedure are you having this time? Such a shame it's moved back!

I had a week and a half off work (although they signed me off for the whole six weeks :eek:). I'm lucky in that I live a couple of minutes walk (5 mins on crutches!) to the bus stop and the bus stops outside my work. I have a box under my desk to rest my foot on and take painkillers. If you get an aircast then I would say make sure you have at least a week and a half at home resting. Then attempt to walk somewhere and see how you get on. I don't do anything apart from go to work but I really appreciate being able to get out the house!

moneylover

Nicedream, thank you
When I said I had a bunion op before, what I really had was an osteotomy of second metatarsal, both feet, and the bunion was shaved. In theory because the op I needed should have given me better forefoot pressure (it was like a stone in my shoe) I shouldn't have had further bunion development. But the op didn't really work, have had to wear nasty insoles ever since. My foot so wide shoes now a virtual impossibility so its trainers only.
I am thinking of going to this place
http://www.londonfootandanklecentre.co.uk/
the problem being that we haven't anyone much good in Essex (the consultants often refer on to London) and I am very scared of not having a good experience.
Who did you op? It was lapidus? Why that procedure? Am very interested.
My bunion does not actually hurt but my toes are getting pushed round.....
Many thanks

luvchocolate

oh my goodness just found this thread after realizing the swelling on my right food is indeed a bunion I am 60 work full time as a relief manager so on my feet all day and drive somewhere different most days, I live alone with no family within 100 miles,so now I am panicking like mad! I had no idea recovery took such a long time! At least I have no stairs!
Have not been to doctor yet, oh joy just another challenge!!
Thank you all for the information x

honey06

Nicedream I knew it would be slow- there are loads of blogs and lots of info online, so I knew what to expect. Did you know there have been around 100 different ways to operate on bunions developed over the years? the lapidus that you had seems to be preferable for severe/hypermobile ones. the scarf that i had seems to be a more common one (I thought mine looked really bad but was told they were moderate )
I cant believe you're back at work already!! Wow- are you sure you can manage ok? I guess thats an advantage of having the aircast and one good foot
I'm vain enough to want a nice scar this is another one I heard about http://www.silipos.com/Products/Orthopedics/Bunion-Care/Bunion-Care-Gel-Sleeve

Moneylover Hi Do you mind me asking why you are choosing to go private?
Essex does have good surgeons- Mr Roland Russell is one (NHS and private)

Of course its entirely your choice where to go, and the London foot and ankle centre has excellent surgeons, but you might want to think about travelling to and from there, not just for the op but also for follow up appts and physio, when making your choice (speaking from experience)

luvchocolate Hi lots of us have them:rotfl: but unless they are causing you problems there isnt anything to worry about! I know friends and relatives who've had the op and recovered fine- its just a pain to go through- but probably not much different overall to other joint ops, like knee or hip replacements I've had mine from early teens, but only had pain/problems over the last few years which is why I went for the op. dont let us scare you if you think you might need them doing- recovery is very personal and easier if you have one done at a time

honey06

Moneylover I know what you mean about being scared of having a bad experience I was exactly the same, thats why I spent such a long time looking into it, before taking the plunge :cool: I have to say that my surgeon was fab, the nursing team were fabulous, its just my expectations of the pain were slightly adrift from reality/hopes- I'm more of a wuss than I knew :rotfl:

another place to check for surgeons is the BOFAS website, they have several surgeons in Essex.
you could also look at their profile/info on Dr Foster Health, not always the most complete resource, but it shows where they practice which is useful when asking for a referral

Ilona

I have been reading this thread with interest, and I'm very relieved when you say 'unless they are causing you any problems, there isn't anything to worry about'. I have had bunions for a number of years, indeed my feet look quite ugly, however, they are not causing me any pain at all. I wear mostly walking boots, and wide fitting trainer type shoes. I have no desire to look fashionable in a pair of pointy high heels.

I walk long distances, and have just completed 147 miles in seven days from Ellesmere Port to North Lincolnshire. I choose my boots carefully and get the right fitting. All I had was a few blisters which came and went during the walk. My bunions were no problem.

I was hoping I can go through the whole of my life without having an operation, I am just coming up to 64, I do not fancy the pain, nor the limited mobility which it seems to bring. I think I will see how it goes, and continue with my walking until such time that it is painful to put one foot in front of the other. Then I might need them sorting out.

Thank you for sharing your experiences in this thread, it has certainly educated me. Must go, got to walk a dog. Toodle pip.
Ilona

moneylover

Yes, I know about Roland Russell but he is inundated and in fact sends difficult cases to Royal National Ortho hospital at Stanmore I might consider him though for an initial consultation , I don't think that having the op in London any sort of a problem, I had the first op (although not much good) in Barcelona! At the time the person who did it was considered best in Europe. Generallly you can have physio locally.
In fact Dishan Singh at Stanmore prob the very best, he must be near retirement now. If you look here http://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/health-professionals/courses-conferences/surgery-the-adult-foot-ankle near the bottom of the article you will get a list of the great and good of the foot surgery world.
My problem is that I probably need more than just a bunion done, more a complete foot makeover with metatarsal rebalancing again. I have a feeling that at my age , 67, I might get, on the NHS, enough to get by but that's all. Perhaps that is unfair, not sure.
Love this thread, very useful. Good healing to those of you still in the early post op stages....

honey06

Moneylover yes, I had seen the info on
Its not always easy to know who to entrust your precious body parts to is it???!!!!! :rotfl:
Stephen Bendall has an excellent reputation, though again this involves travelling. but lets face it, as you say all those surgeons are on the list with good reason!

As a starting point, i think the consultation with R Russell would be a great idea- a private one will save the waiting list for initial consultation assessment which often takes time. You will then know possible options relating to surgery and will be in a better position to make an informed decision- though hopefully the op wont be as complex/difficult as you anticipate (fingers crossed)!

Nicedream how are you getting on?? I've had a bath!!! :j:j:j It was quite nerve wracking- i was nervous about exposing my incisions and putting my feet in the water but OMG!!! the dead skin had a life of its own :eek: it was like a snake shedding its skin Seriously!! all the dead skin had built up and made the feet look horrid (sorry TMI lol) and ohhh and it was such a lovely lovely feeling after strip washes...I was told to stick to baths for now rather than standing in the shower, and that suits me- having a soak in the tub is a pleasure I've sorely missed.
I feel I've turned a corner now, they are still painful/sore but getting better slowly.I'm keeping the incisions covered for the moment and I'm still elevating most of the time, to keep the swelling down (everyone but everyone emphasises that swelling is the enemy, to be avoided at all costs) and more than a little fascinated by these amazing looking straight toes- I cant quite comprehend yet that YES! they really are mine and OHH they look normal :D I'm keeping the incisions covered for the moment

Ilona Hi Mine were ugly as sin, but painless for many years, its only since they started hurting and stopping me from wearing quite a few shoes that I started considering surgery. The surgeons I saw were careful to ensure that I did need the op and managed my expectations to ensure they were realistic Surgery for whatever reason shouldnt be undertaken lightly. It has seemed hard not being able to be active (although lets be honest, its not that long really!!!) but I think thats because I'm quite independant Enjoy your dog walks! mine are being lovely company

I'm a shameful lurker normally (hangs head) I agree with everyone here, its good to share with all of you, thanks

nicedream_2

Hello

Sorry I've not posted for a while I'm doing well. I even managed to wonder around a big Sains burys yesterday :cool:

how are you getting on?? I've had a bath!!

Hi honey06, I'm so pleased the pain is getting better for you. I've been quite lucky in that respect as it's not particularly painful anymore. I feel like the bones have probably 'fused' now and so it's just a case of it healing further. I've got my scar wet too... it's so exciting isn't it! I was so nervous before waving it under the shower but it's was lovely to do. I also have plenty of dead skin to go around Have you managed to leave the house much?

Hi Ilona, I've found that when I've told people I've had my bunion operated on not many people take me very seriously as bunions vary so much. I've really wished there's a more technical term for it when they start hurting but all my consultant has given me is 'severe bunion'. I hope yours don't get worse for you.

Hi moneylover, I had the lapidus because my consultant told me to have the lapidus They presented me three different ways to have the operation for severity and they said because it was severe I had to have the lapidus. My Mum has never had her bunions operated on but recently her second toe has gone under her big toe, which sounds like yours? Her consultant told her that she would have three toes broken and pins put in all three. I'm sure there's a more technical term for that...

Anyway back to staring at my new foot. It's such a novelty still! If only I didn't have flat feet with bunionettes I'm sure they would almost be classed as pretty

x