I also noticed that there was practically no swelling tonight. So I went to a shop; I was OK.
So I opened a bottle of wine in the evening!
On Monday, I am going for a follow-up. I think I will opt for no dressing afterwards. I wonder why my recovery is so incredibly fast compared to everything I read on the web - possibly because I am very fit; I used to run 5-7 miles 3 times a week, so my circulation and the muscle strength in the foot must be both be very good, thus draining the site of the surgery and not allowing for passive hyperaemia (i.e. blood getting stuck there).
I look forward to going to the gym next week on Sunday - and I mean it!
worked about 4 hours today. Just computer stuff with foot up on a chair. when I walk around it throbs
ReplyDeleteAlso, I waited about 2 weeks before driving. my first drive was a bout 2 hours. The difficulty with the shoe is not that bad, but I found the lowered foot swelling was painful while on the pedals.
ReplyDeleteI drove on day 5 post-op. It helped that my surgery was on my left foot. So gas and brake with right. Although, I do have a manual transmission on a diesel truck. So pushing the clutch in takes a lot of weight. I used my heel and it worked fine. My foot did swell a bit though due to not being elevated. I was wearing my post-op shoe.
ReplyDeleteA note about driving with pain meds.....I stopped the pain meds several days before driving. Even when the pain killing effect had worn off, I still felt too disoriented to drive. It took several days to feel like my head was clear. So just be careful :)
Allison
Better yet! Very glad I did this procedure.
ReplyDeleteI started taking showers back on day 3 and using a Curad Cast Protectors. They are excellent. Prior to that I just did sponge baths. I still need to keep my sutures dry, so I double-bag, just to be sure. I put both feet in kitchen garbage bags with rubber bands securing them at my ankles. Then everything goes in the Cast Protectors. I purchased some extra protectors, as I need to keep my feet dry for one more week. So, today is Friday (one week post-Op) and a week from now I can enjoy "unprotected showering". Looking forward to it.
I expect to try driving with my Frankenstein shoes tomorrow.
This blog was a real help back when I was thinking about this procedure. I came back today to fill in the past few days so that there will be more supporting evidence that this procedure can go very well.
Woke up to a throbbing big toe joint but have not taken any paid meds. The pain has transitioned back to general achiness as the day has progressed. I am discouraged to not be experiencing the same speedy improvements as other bloggers to this post, though I know everyone is different. I was told the toe was only a "grade 2". Perhaps it is because of my little toe with the visible pin in it that I cannot yet put weight down, even on the heel of my foot? In any event, I can't at this time fathom going to the gym or driving a car-- just getting INTO the car would be a challenge. I was fairly productive today, doing work on my computer, so I am not as depressed as yesterday. I also learned how to skype (yes, I am the last person on the planet who never did so) and skyped with my husband who is at work, which put a smile on both of our faces. Best to keep ones spirits up at times like this!
ReplyDeleteLike you, it's discouraging not to be experiencing speedy recovery. But I'm Medicare age so may be age-related phenom. Regards, D
DeleteAfter being a "lurker" and not posting with my first cheilectomy and aikin osteotomy, I thought I would start posting for foot number 2 in case it helps someone. Foot 2 at day 7 coming along much like foot 1 which I had operated on 12 weeks ago. Also much the same as the daily post. I have better range of motion this time because I am more secure in how to work the toe. Unlike the other foot I make sure to do numerous toe bendings up and down each day and also massage the foot being careful not to touch the incision. Massage per my ortho is one of the best ways to reduce swelling...it really works!
ReplyDeleteDay Seven - Rode my bike trainer for 48 minutes today seemingly with no problems. It was good to work up a sweat. Went out for more shopping. Came home and propped foot up. Tonight I was wiggling my big toe and experienced a terrible pain that lasted about 15 seconds. Not doing that again. This recovery is beginning to get old...
ReplyDeleteI have been working out at the gym doing weight training (no running obviously) and have been working full days all week (bad week at work). I just got home after starting at 5am and gettiing home at 9pm. My foot does not "look swollen" at the end of the day but I do feel significant pressure with my foot. I've been icing it which helps alot- I haven't seen many people posting info on icing. Try it - it works wonders. My gate the last 3 days has been REALLY good duriing the day even with the boot. My toe flexion is suprisingly good (better than pre-op) and my real pain (what's left over) seems to be from the incision point.
ReplyDeleteI'm so incredibly happy that I had this procedure done. My knee pain has also gone away - most likely because my gate is back to normal!
CR Day 7
ReplyDeleteTook a pill this moring as foot felt fairly uncomfortable overnight, it has been better since then. Did my 30 mins. of morning exercise, yoga and stretching. Able to walk without walker around the house. Spent a few hours cleaning and sorting through the main hall closet, mostly in a sitting position Cooked dinner. Now have my foot up and icing it for the evening. Thinking about taking a pill for bed as am feeling some discomfort.
I drove post-op on Day 6, just a couple of quick errands, but far less pain than pre-surgery. I was pretty much driving on the side of my right foot to avoid any additional pressure on my right big toe. It was amazing to have less pain even with my foot stitched up. I have no idea what my incision looks like and/or how many stitches, but they come out on day 11, and I cannot wait to get back to the gym. I know it will be awhile before I can get back on the tennis courts, but taking the time off to relieve the constant pain is so worth it.
ReplyDeleteComplete pain killer free. Only feeling twinges now.
ReplyDeleteWent in a cab to my allotment garden. Manoeuvred my seat and foot elevation to enable me to crop gooseberries. Rested all afternoon before doing so e chair yoga.
Tried to shower today but my homemade plastic foot bag didn't work and got my bandage and dressing soaked. My partner cane home to change it and I saw the scar - it is longer than I thought but seems to be healing nicely.
Mostly walking around the house without crutches, between long periods of leg elevation. Cannot out off any longer some minor housework. My partner and daughter have looked after me wonderfully but the longer I sit around the house the more I notice needing done
So today is Day 7 post-op! Sadly, my recovery experience has been on the slow side which has been somewhat discouraging as I am young (29) and was very physically active and fairly fit before the procedure (run 20-25 miles/week, hike, weights, backcountry skiing) as I was hoping this would aid in my recover. However, my surgeon did say he took out a lot of tissue which is why he didn't give me any exercises to do after a few days and wanted me to stay in my post-op boot until the stitches got pulled (11 days after surgery).
ReplyDeleteI haven't left the house once. The doc initially thought I'd be able to hobble around using my heal, but it was too painful so my girlfriend had to go get me some crutches and I am still bound to them. My pain level has gone down since day 1 and the swelling isn't too bad except in the toe. I am now only taking 2 oxycodones every 6-8 hours, although there is still some considerable pain now and again on top of the first mtp and on the ball of my foot. I do get up more often and wander around the house, although I still spend most of my day on the couch foot elevated and icing.
I'm really hoping to start "walking" with the surgical boot soon, but it's baby steps for me I guess. I am probably on the worse scale as far as tissue removed as the bump on my big toe "knuckle" was quite large and i probably should have had surgery 2-3 years ago.
Day 7 was the best day yet and I needed that!
ReplyDeleteI had an unrelated doctor appointment this morning and then my niece took me to the grocery to get a couple of things. I'm moving around so much better today. It's evening time and my foot is throbbing a bit. I may have overdone it a little bit but have it propped up whenever I can and that helps.
I'm still not sleeping very well. I did go upstairs to my bed versus a guest mattress downstairs. That did help but Im still restless at night.
We are supposed to get up to 7" of snow tonight so Im sure I will be stuck at home tomorrow. Not sure how I would get around in that. Thanks again for all who have contributed to this blog. It has been a great help to me!
I went for my first post-op appointment today. My foot is so very colorful. The doctor even commented on the color.
ReplyDeleteI only took ibuprofen right before my appointment today. I think I was anticipating the possibility of pain. Otherwise, I'm not needing pain meds at all.
I got the bulky dressing off, but I got another dressing put on that I have to leave on for three to four more days. No shower until then. Ugh! Sponge baths are better than nothing. I washed my hair in my kitchen sink tonight.
The doctor said it looks really good. It was a bit more tender than he expected. He said he doesn't want me to start transitioning to a regular shoe yet. That thought hadn't even entered my mind.
Tomorrow I want to be up and move around a little more.
Why no shower? Use the cast protector like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cast-Protector-Adult-Ankle-254mm/dp/B002V99LZS
DeleteThe only event of note today was that I moved from the friend's house, where I'd be staying - she has air conditioning, TV, and an ice maker, back to my own home. The day was pretty uneventful otherwise. Another day of religious icing and elevation while I started reconnecting with work remotely.
ReplyDeleteI am attempting to flex my foot on the floor from time to time, meaning while in a sitting position, I place my foot flat on the floor and then come up onto my toes as far as I can, without bearing any weight on my foot. I can't flex as a far as my other foot, but this is no surprise to me. My goal is really just to keep the flexibility in my foot. Also, I am rolling my foot across the lacrosse ball whenever I think of it, again to keep my foot soft and flexible. I'm getting a fair amount of cramping on the bottom of my foot, and the lacrosse ball mitigates that a bit and just plain feels good.
Great blog - I am 2 weeks post decompressive osteoctomy of the metatarsal - walking is still with a limp and I unconsciously flex my big toe all the time - got a new car/ with a clutch - the test drive wasn't bad but in and out with the clutch in the city was tough today - my toes - especially my big toe- are swollen still. - and I can still feel the pressure of the monstrous incision at times / I like the idea of the lacross ball is a great idea - I'm getting cramping as well
ReplyDeleteI've not added anything into the previous two days as nothing much to report, just gradual improvement. I can walk pretty well now without pain (just a bit uncomfortable) but after even a few minutes standing my foot feels very tight (swollen) and tingly. I've been doing a bit of work from home though which relieves the boredom.
ReplyDeleteIt's my one week anniversary of my bilateral cheilectomy. Still in full bandages for both feet. No pain, and little discomfort other than my feet feeling gross under all the bandages, which don't come off until Friday (12 days post-op).
ReplyDeleteI can walk around unaided - since I pulled something in my left heel/arch, I put most pressure on the outer ball of my left foot. The right foot seems to tolerate pressure just fine. I started off in the morning with the crutch to support my left foot, but later in the day said "screw it" and just shuffle around in the boots. It works fine.
I worked a full day at "the office" (i.e. at my dining room table) and took several calls without issue. I also cleaned up a bit (stove, refrigerator, kitchen sink), and had enough stamina to cook dinner in appreciation of my SO's good care (took about 45 minutes all on my feet). My feet swell up some, but it's tolerable and resolves with elevation and rest. I had a beer to celebrate progress.
I've stopped all meds, but took a vicodin last night before bed just to knock me out because I'm so stir crazy my mind races and I can't fall asleep when I'm supposed to.
Mobility has improved enough to where I can shuffle around, but it's going to be a while before I can be a real person again, and I'm trying to deep breathe and just accept that fact. Can't change it, and it's counter-productive to force the issue.
I'm nowhere near fully functional (I might be able to drive if I needed to), but realizing the main challenge is mental. When I think about the fact that I'm not going to be out there running for probably a month at least, I start to panic a little bit. When I look backward and see how far I've progressed from having my feet cut open and bone sawed out, I feel a little better. It takes some time, and *now* is a fantastic opportunity to slow it down, connect with people (don't need to walk to do that), and focus on the awesome things that are happening right now in life. Good life lessons...
I'm hoping that others are helped as much as I've been by this blog. I feel like I've progressed pretty well, but even if it was slower, or I had stalled out, I would feel comforted by the simple fact that (1) others have been here, and (2) slow progress is still progress.
Days 4- 7. Every day is slightly less pain and Ican walk more and further with minimal pain.
ReplyDeleteOn day 4 (Saturday) took my first shower- i used the cast cover and it was super easy and not a drop of water got in. I didn't do a shower chair, but had no problem standing in the shower with more weight on right foot. Went to friends' for dinner and to watch a sport event on tv and did fine with my foot up on the coffee table, hobbling in and out of kitchen as needed. .I'm skipping alcohol until my body has had more time to recover from the liver impact from anethesia and am more stable on my feet.
Also on day 4 took dog to dog park on crutches. There's a paved path from the parking lot to the dog park-maybe 200-300 yards. Was pretty easy, just the uneveness of the path was awkward--I missed some steps but felt very stable because the crutches are only taking part of the weight off, not replacing the foot. Definitely get the crutch lessons from your Dr's office; I had no idea the tricks of using crutches and would have been much less stable. I went a little way on dirt and gravel to a bench just inside the dog park gate..again no problems just the uneven surface was more challenging. I sat with leg up on bench while pup ran with his dog friends for a half hour or so. Cruched back to car and drove home. Felt fine and only slight increase in pain from the outing.
Sunday -day 5- mostly stayed home and rested. Dr said for first 7 days to have foot elevated for 23 hours a day. I pushed that on day 4 so resting more on day 5. But i feel no negative consequences from being active yesterday. Every day i do leg lifts from each side, back and front, clams, and Jane Fonda' lifts to keep circulation moving. And a bunch of sit ups to get blood pumping. Sometimes right in bed, sometimes on the carpet. I think good circulation will be a key to healing fast.
Day 6- monday. Last day home from work. My friend lost her keys at the parks so i drove up to crutch around playing field for an hour to see if i can find them. No luck. Also testing to see how long i can be comfortably be on cruches given i'm going to work tomorrow. I'm Fine moving around on the crutches for nearly an hour. Thank goodness I've been working out and getting strong-i strongly advise it for an easier recovery!
Day 7- back to work, gym and first pre-op. Drove to work and I felt confident on my cructhes crossing downtown streets. Set up box to elevate foot under desk, but it was uncomfortable to have my leg at a funny angle. I'll try to adjust again tomorrow. Went to gym (crossfit) and did regular class with modifications. Used minimal weight to reduce impact, but full movement (snatch, squat, strict press instead of push press, push ups instead of burpees, rowing maching instead of double unders). It felt great to work out and was proud of myself for making it a priority. Foot had a little more pain afterwards, but it didn't feel like it was too much.
Had post op a few hours later. Dr unwrapped foot and i got to see the incision for the very first time. Some brusing on the other toes (blood pooling- he said that's normal) and slight redness around stiches. Normal. He said the biggest problem at this point is significant bending that causes the skin around the stiches to stretch and pull out. I'm supposed to keep it wrapped, dry and in the sandal for one more week. And start bending the joint up and down to the gentle limits of movement for 15 minutes twice a day. Home now and foot is feeling minimal pain after my active day.
Somehow got off a day. I will get back on track in day 8.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fit 49 y.o. man, and just returned home on the morning of Day 7 after having my bandaged changed for the first time, getting xrays, seeing my surgeon and one of his nurses. I've been hobbling around without crutches since Day 3, and haven't taken any pain killer since the evening of Day 3. I haven't gone to work, and have been off the foot and iced more or less constantly. I stopped wearing my boot indoors 2 days ago because I had better control of my body without it; the only time I stubbed my toe while while wearing the boot... I did some light exercise and stretching on Days 4, 5, and 6.
ReplyDeleteThere was no discharge or bleeding in the bandage; minimal swelling between my big toe and first toe, bloody bruised other toes, but minimal bleeding down my whole foot. The joint was worse than anticipated, though, so the surgeon cut out the standard joint profile and then did subchondral drilling to simulate ersatz cartilage growth on the surface where it had been worn away. He also removed two free-floating bone spurs that my chiropractor likely busted off the joint 7 or 8 years ago when she restored a good bit of my ROM, delaying this surgery by at least 5 years. They never hurt me, but maybe someday might have caused problems.
Feeling good!
Went to the surgeon for my first follow up. All looks good. He changed the bandage and replaced it with a similar one. Another week of the shoe and maybe next week a smaller bandage and possibly different type. He cleared me to do anything “to toleration” except getting it wet. Will try the gym the day after Thanksgiving for cycling and upper body weight work. Walked the dog 10 blocks this evening and felt pretty good. A little tingling when I returned.
ReplyDeleteI had my cheilectomy a week ago today, still have some pain, still need pain killers. I am able to hobble around more, but if I am on my feet too long, my foot will start to really hurt and it is back to the couch with my foot elevated. I had my follow up on day 5 and he stated all looked good. My foot was really purple but not too swollen. It felt good to have the dressing off for a few minutes, He redressed it and stitches come out in 2 more weeks. This is probably the most painful surgery I have ever had. The nerve block lasted until 8 pm then wore off and then all hell broke loose. I wish I was more prepared. They gave me oxycodone 5 mg to take 1-2 but didn’t even touch it. I had to call the on call surgeon and he told me to alternate Motrin and the oxycodone. I did this religiously every 2 hours, and about 3-4 hours later the pain was under control. I then set my alarm all night to take meds and I was able to get the pain under control. I was a crying, shaking mess and almost ended up in the ER. Funny thing sucking on popsicles helped distract me until the pain was controlled. So, I am a little hypersensitive to pain. I actually had my foot injected by my pain management doctor and avoided all impact activities back in July,I usually play tennis twice a week competitively but stopped to give my foot rest. I was putting the surgery off until my daughter college soccer season ended so that I wouldn’t miss games. I have to tell you, right now, I don’t think I would want to go through this surgery again. It has been rough as being active to stop and put the foot up, I am going a little stir crazy. Sorry this is so long. I so appreciate this blog, has really helped and has been a godsend. Best wishes to everyone and a speedy recovery! Now lets rock that surgical shoe! Aileen. PS they tell you to ice and I have been frequently but wonder is it is doing any good as the bandage is so thick so I removed it and iced all around and under my foot, burns, and then redressed it. Doing this again tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI drove about 10 miles today, back and forth across town to my Moms house to drop off one of those memory foam mattresses that I got for her for a Christmas present while she was out of town. Fedex dropped it off at my place today, it weighed about 100lbs. I wasn't going to handle it by myself and the driver helped me load it in the back of my pickup. My sister helped me carry it inside Moms place and I had to walk backward with it about 40ft up the porch steps and back into the bedroom. I was a little spooky about doing it at first but I wasn't really hurting and I was careful and didn't feel no worse for the wear afterwards!
ReplyDeleteNot planning on driving until passed to do so. However...day 7. Cut out an old cycling shoe and used the indoor trainer for 50mins. “Walking “ barefooted better, but can’t quite fit into a trainer . Still occasionally taking painkillers, but not so dependent. Started to use ice to take the edge off also.
ReplyDeleteStarted ROM exercises. The toe seems as mobile as before the surgery, but pulls under the ball of the foot. I’m still not sure if that is where the surgeon relieved the soft tissues to help mobility and/or just seized up from a few years of stiffness. I think my toe can move about 50% as much as my good toe.
Today is Day 7 after bilateral cheilectomy. Yesterday I took off the ace bandages and dressings and showered for the first time. That was a little scary because I didn't want to accidentally push off from my toes at all. I was relieved when I finally had both feet bandaged and back in the postop shoes.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I had wiggled my toes a lot in the morning and did ankle rolls with my foot flexed and pointed, but later it seemed like one of the incisions had seeped a little, and that was what the surgeon said to use as a sign of doing too much, so I stopped.
Today, I did active flexing and pointing again, and the incisions looked ok later, so I felt good about that.
I'm still spending all day with my feet elevated and trying to ice for 30 minutes every hour. My feet are still quite bruised and swollen, although most of the bruising is behind my ankles because I've been elevating so much.
My energy level has improved a little, even though I slept poorly last night, so I was able to do situps and stretching in the evening.
There's no pain at all, really, just some pulling at the incision sites.
I've been reassured by a really good massage therapist who works with fascia that there's no harm in waiting two weeks to start to work on range of motion, and a lot of benefit to waiting. He said that there isn't any stiffness that can set in this soon that he can't massage away, and that it's important to let the tissues heal.
I'm going to keep doing as much active (and non weight-bearing) movement of my feet as I can tolerate, but I'm not going to start cranking up my toes with my fingers like the podiatric surgeon said to start doing.
I'm going to keep up the core work, and stretching, and as soon as I feel up to it, I'll add in some time each day on the stationary bike with the postop sandals on, for cardio.
But I'm not even thinking about driving or even walking around the house much yet. Still mostly only walking to and from the bathroom and getting right back into bed to elevate my feet. I really want the best outcome possible, so I'm hoping all this caution pays off.