I took the last dose of Percocet at 10 pm yesterday and missed my 4 am dose. I got up, and I am feeling OK, no pain at all at rest; I can 'walk' wearing the "shoe". I am limping as I need to put my foot in the correct position to avoid pain - it is all possible. I can climb the stairs. I would not feel comfortable driving (but probably would drive if I had to). Tried to simulate an emergency break pushing against a piece of furniture - pressed hard, and there was no pain (although I could feel the stitches).
____
I got through the day without any painkillers - which is great. I worked all day from my "bed office". Then, I went to a shop and post office with my wife driving. The foot got swollen at the end, but this quickly subsided when elevated upon return home. So, things seem to be on the right track.
14 May, 2012
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took my first shower today, put dressing and shoe under a plastic kitchen bag and closed the top with an elastic. We have one of those shower wand heads. Clean was nice.still took 1 Oxycodone every four hours.
ReplyDeleteAlso, taking fiber for loosening stool, the oxycodone mad me constipated. Still lots of TV watching.
Had a brutal day. Called for better pain control. Torredol not enough. Allergic to oxy. Ended up with Dilaudid which helped but was so over the top on pain it was hard to get it under control. No way could I put my foot down, only to use facilitates and that was so painful to hobble around.
ReplyDeleteHi again
ReplyDeleteI am beginning to understand the restlessness of some of the other writers here. Today I feel far better today than on surgery day or the day after so the temptation (given the discomfort of my couch, the unlikeliness that I'll void my bowel at this stage without a little movement, and the reality that I have a computer sitting RIGHT OVER HERE ON THE TABLE NOT FAR FROM THE COUCH within PLAIN SIGHT, good heavens) is to do too much.
This is a big mistake at this point in my healing.
Still not feeling any pain, really, which is EXCELLENT. But then pain is not the only symptom I need to watch. I do notice some pinching and tingling around the joint. I have even noted, with some braggardly satisfaction, that my stitches feel a little itchy. I am concerned that if I do too much there could be some other, more concerning damage in the foot down the road. My own procedure (bunion/cheliectomy) asks the surgeon to move things around that joint quite a lot, and things are not stable enough two days out for me to avoid pinching a nerve or two.
So caution should be my watch word. And it will, starting NOW.
Hence I need to get back to my boring old couch, put this leg up properly (I do prop both of them when I'm typing away here) and let it rest as I have been asked to do. Pain or no pain.
One other thing to note - in addition to the chelio and the arthro on the Rt foot, I had a small fat cyst removed from the lower inside ankle on the Left ft. Halfway thru the day when I was crutching around the house I noticed that the pressure dressing on the left felt like it was pulling a bit.
So I need to be more careful of that in the future too.
On my last adventure/s with foot and ankle issues I discovered that walking on crutches is a daily learning experience. You have some happy discoveries and you have some moments when you really scare yourself. But over time, you get better, stronger, more able to know what you can and cannot handle.
Injuries and illnesses are journeys of self discovery. I am on one, and I am glad to share it with Parsifal. Al, AB and all of you.
Lady Toes
I am a 62 year old woman who is very fit and am on the second day after chielectomy surgery. My surgeon is a youngish Columbia MD/ resident/ fellow affiliated with a top NYC hospital (Columbia is my alma mater and a reason why I picked him -from the internet) and by all accounts did a very good job.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, there is not that much swelling. Aside from the stiches, the foot looks completely normal. The scar actually looks like it might not even be that noticable when it heals.
Second, I did not have to wear the dressing beyond the next morning after the surgery. I was able to put two bandaids on the stiches. I can get the thing wet for a long enough time to take a quick shower according to my doctor.
The surgical shoe just bothers me, so I have not worn it much since I got home from the hospital. It puts pressure on the sutures, especially when I have to put it on and take it off. My doctor said it is okay to wear UGG boots (mine are flat and soft as can be), and I have been walking around in slippers since yesterday (also flat and super soft with big puffy fronts in white)and otherwise are flip ons.
Finally, I did not get or use any of the painkillers. Honestly, there was little pain. It was just uncomfortable. Much less so than being in labor. If being in labor is a 10, this is a 3 on the day of the surgery(I woke up from it at 5 pm), a 1 1/2 on the second day and almost no pain today.
What is incredible about this is that I have had this problem for about 8 years. It is arthritis in that one big toe. I went to another set of very esteemed doctors (probably the leading group in NYC) about 2 years ago and they wanted to replace the joint. That seemed like a major operation for a not so major problem.
I finally shopped for another doctor when I thought the walking was starting to move other bones in my foot out of place and my only high heels that fit were six years old, had their heels tottering off, were from the UK (they make great wide shoes there that are not available in the US) and the company went out of business in the UK and moved the manufacture of shoes to India. I had tried on my first pair in the UK but was not going to order from India because I was not sure they would fit.
So far, I am not allowed to bend my toe because it may interfere with the stiches (the doctor says I can start tomorrow). Only problem is not being able to walk for any distance because I still have to keep my foot raised. I took the dog to the mailbox this morning maybe 75 feet.
I did my 20 minute stretching exercises even the day after the surgery - they do not require putting pressure on the foot.
Also I did not need a chair for the shower - it was easy to stand in the shower the day after the surgery. Finally, my cast protector got wet inside when I tried it the first day, so I could not use it today. I think I will try to return it to CVS.
Thanks Anonymous for your coments - your experience just shows how different we all are - and perhaps how different the extent of surgery can be. I cannot compare the pain to labour - I would need to ask my wife, nor share any experience on UGG boots - I would need to ask my daughter :-)
DeleteParsifal, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt is now night of the second day after the surgery. The toe is starting to bend. My Ugg boots and Ugg clogs fit, but the clogs have a little bit of a heel and are not as comfy as the slippers. I have been wearing the slippers all day.
I picked up many fallen branches outside on the front lawn today and put them in a pile. The gardener has not yet started spring cleaning and in any event charges a fortune for this, so hopefully my work reduces the cost.
I am a 40 minute a day walker and miss the walks and the three times a week gym. Will go to the gym tomorrow and use weight machines that do not impact the foot and maybe do a minute each of elliptical and rowing machine if comfortable. I have low bone density, and waiting to go to the gym is not such a good idea because no exercise will cause my bone density to get even lower.
My whole foot is actually swollen when compared to the right foot, which is a little bony. All my high heels that I could not get into before and are here where I am now are lined up, but my foot is too swollen for them.
I am a lawyer and two of the male lawyers were downright mean about my limping in high heels before the surgery. Two powerful males in two different offices commented on my limping, as none of the heels fit. The goal is for the heels to fit when my foot slims down. These are actually 2 1/2 inch heels appropriate for an office setting. Not stilettos or anything like that, and getting into the heels comfortably is essential for success at work.
I would be careful about the gym - the key is 1) not to damage the wound, and 2) make sure you do not cause extensive swelling by keeping the limb too low, which obviously increases the blood pressure in the foot (higher prssure --> more plasma gets out of the blood vessels - more swelling). I personally would wait until the stiches are out. I would forget the high heels for a while, and use something comfortable (trainers - I know you work in lawyers office, but doesn't everyone understand that you had a surgery on your foot?) I think they would, but that's my personal opinion. I work in big business and I cannot think anyone would have a problem with my wearing comfy shoes and explaining it with health reasons. Nevertheless, each person is different, you need to find out what is best for you (and your Doc will advice). Do not worry, you shall be completely fine, I am almost 1 year after the surgery and I do not have any problems with the foot any more (do not wear stillettos :-) , but wear very formal male shoes every day to work, run, travel by air a lot around the world, etc...). But immdiately after the surgery I gave myself some reasonable rest, as you can see from this blog.
DeleteAt the gym. I will have to sit with my feet up between the weight exercises and not exercise for more than 2 or 3 minutes at a time. There is a bench to sit on at the gym and put my feet up on, and between my coat and bag with clothes, they are like a big pillow. In fact, I may bring a small pillow.
ReplyDeleteThat is the way I did the 20 minute stretching exercises - with rest and my feet up between the exercises. I did a couple of minutes and then rested for a while. The stretching exercises are mostly lying down or sitting, with about 2 minutes standing but not moving my feet.
I am careful not to damage the wound, stitches or keep my feet down for too long.
The pressure is on when one has osteopenia, which is what I have, to do what is doable in terms of a small amount of exercise as soon as possible without injuring the foot. My mother died, indirectly, from falling associated with osteoporosis. I think for older women who suffer from bone density problems, there are health concerns from not exercising, and I am trying to balance two competing health concerns right after what is basically a minor surgery.
I can tell this is a minor surgery. I also had a face lift about ten years ago. That was the most unbelievably painful surgery. Right after the surgery was agonizing. I stayed at the hospital overnight and came home feeling really awful. There were staples in my head for days, and when I walked around the city, I felt like I was going to faint. My doctor was one of the top plastic surgeons in the city, and the result was very good. This is nothing like that. It is a piece of cake compared to that.
I am not going on walks and will not use any machine at the gym that may cause the toe to bend or put pressure on the foot. Most of these machines use the arms only, and one uses the back. Only a couple of the machines I use actually touch the bottom of my feet, and I will wait to use those, and will not use the treadmill for a while. Even the rowing machine may be out for a while, thinking about it.
I am not going to work next week, so no worries about shoes.
Thank you for the advice.
Day 3 is starting much like day 2. Considerable pain in both feet and I plan to stay with Percocet every 4 hours. It must have been the nerve block that gave me a false sense of progress in the first 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteGetting out on the deck to sit in the sun yesterday had a big impact on my day. So did taking a shower/bath. On that front, I have a few recommendations. First, as the OP suggested, a shower chair is a Godsend, especially if you had both feet done. Second, Curad makes cast covers that work brilliantly. They provide a perfect seal, keeping water off your bandages.
I continue to get around in my post-op shoes, but I try to stay off my feet as much as possible. As I can see from here, recovery is going to take some time. Still, I am happy to be on this path.
Did you have both feet done at the same time? I need both big toes done and am not sure if that is the best way to go. My orthopoedic surgeon syas he can do them both at once but that "my life (post surgery) will be very difficult". Any advice is greatly appreciated!
DeleteHave a look at the "another blog" that you can find in the "Recommended links". Michael, who manages that blog, has just had bilateral cheilectomy.
DeleteMy sister had bilateral cheilectomy last year. It is doable, however recovery is more challenging. Based on my experience, I do not think I would go for it, as I am unable to stay inactive for more than 3 days.
Denise1966:
ReplyDeleteYes, I had both feet done at one time, a bilateral cheilectomy. Whether or not your life after a bilateral procedure will be "very difficult" depends on a number of factors, most notably your physical condition.
My Doc is the leading "Running Doc" my metro area. His suggestion to have a bilateral was based on the fact that I am in relatively good shape: not overweight, physically active: gym 5 days a week, and jogging/walking a regular part of my routine.
I thought the entire process was fairly easy - the only "challenge" being my bad reaction to Percocet. I was basically inactive for 3 days, even though it was a bilateral. I am now more than 8 weeks post-op and am doing great. I rarely think of my procedure and my joints feel better than they have in years. I absolutely would not have done it any other way. The notion of having to go through the entire procedure a second time on my other foot possibly later this year seems like it would be a total waste of time for me. A huge waste of time, in fact. Months and months of involvement with procedures and recovery. No thanks.
One and done for me. But that "for me". "For you" could be a different story based on your physical condition.
If you want more info, just ask.
BTW, this is the best forum on the 'net for this discussion. Kudos to the Blog owner for this! It really helps prepare me for the experience.
Any other suggestions you have? I was just recommended to go for both at once, which I might do, since I might have to get surgery for a torn meniscus later. I guess it might be a year of not running much, but I'll trade that for 30 more with much less pain. I'm tired of hurting.
DeleteI just had a bilateral cheilectomy for basically the same reasons the billyk indicated. Very active, healthy and only want one recovery period. My doc didn't hesitate when I suggested it.
DeletePain is more managable today thanks to the addition of vistaril (hydroxyzine) with the percoset. I spoke to one of the nurses from the surgery center (Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia) who told me this would boost the effects of the percoset which thankfully, it has. Reading other posts on this blog amazes me. I cannot even imagine going to the gym on day 3 of recovery! Also I am happy with mydecision to do one foot at a time as moving around on crutches would be impossible without one weight bearing foot.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone of you on this awesome og please recommend a good orthopedic foot surgeon in New York City, preferably Manhattan? My insurance is United Healthcare Oxford - Freedom Network. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteDay Three - Slept on the couch with my foot propped up. Woke up to some pretty intense pain in the mid to right portion of the bottom of my foot. I loosened the wrap and the pain subsided. I had someone drive me to the office today. Still using the cane out of precaution, but not completely necessary. I was on and off the foot for the most part of the day in the shoe. Felt little pangs and twinges at the site of the incision several times today. I really would like to remove the dressing to see what it looks like. I wanted to add that since Day One of the surgery that I have done some very mild lying down stretch cord leg and rotator cuff exercises and some arm work with the medicine ball. After two years of suffering severe pain from the hallux rigidus, I am looking forward to generally feeling better and getting into really good shape in the coming year. Can't wait to get back in the pool when the stitches come out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting, this blog is helpful. I had surgery 2 days ago and am progressing well. I'm a 49 year old male and had a very similar situation- I stubbed my toe last May on a hike - I already had Hallux Rigidus and recently found out that when I stubbed it in May, I broke off a chunk of bone and have been in pain since. I've delayed having this sugergy for a long time as my original doc said it was a long recovery (9 mo - 1 yr). The sugeon who performed the cheilectomy said I'd be relatively back to normal in 3 months- I liked his answer better and here I sit (litterally) on my 3rd day of recovery. I stopped pain meds yesterday evening and am walking around a bit today with a boot. I can't stay up for more than about 15 minutes w/o my foot throbbing, so I'm doing minor chores and then sitting. I've been using a kodiak polar ice machine that we already owned (daughter ACL surgery) and it helps. The pad can be used to wrap around your foot and while the area is heavily bandaged, I think it's actually helpful.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to use your progress as my benchmark. I'm glad your happy about having the surgery- I'm optomistic that I'll be in full recovery mode after a few months.
Mike
My foot is still so swollen - it's Sunday and the surgery was Friday. I can't imagine being able to walk without crutches as some people have mentioned. My bandages feel so tight and uncomfortable that the swelling is as uncomfortable as the actual pain from the procedure. I haven't had percoset since early this morning as it wreaks havoc on my psyche, but have kept up with about 400 mg of advil all day. I really thought I'd do better with this. Any words of advice?
ReplyDeleteIf you are not sure, you might phone your doctor's office - just getting some reassurance might help, and if you feel ucomfortable, it is nothing wrong to just check if there is no problem (actually it is the right thing to do - even if there is no problem). Only your doctor can provide appropriate assessment and advice.
DeleteAlso please make sure the foot is well elevated, it really helps for the swelling.
CR Day 3
ReplyDeleteOvernight I slept on and off, foot on 2 pillows, 1 pill overnight was fine. One pill every 4 - 6+ hours seems enough. Got up late after doing some stretching and bed Yoga. Less nausea - was able to eat a bit more food today, reasonably clear headed. Another day with foot up most of the time and ice packs. Seemed most comfortable in the evening. Will try out post op walking sandal tommorrow.
I have a rather delicate question for you: How have you handled the constipation that can come with the use of prescription pain meds? I'm having my surgery on April 14 and would like to avoid this added complication.
ReplyDeleteI am not the best person to answer - never in my life have I had this problem, and opiates did not affect me too much (perhaps just a little). A diet of several apples a day, lots of vegs and fruits should do the job. But if this is your problem, perhaps speak to the surgeon - they may give you some advice. Still, this will be just a few days on which you may need the opiates, so this may not be a big problem.
DeleteHad my surgery 2 days ago. I've taken no painkillers since yesterday morning. Just keeping my foot up a lot of the time, but I did walk around more and also went out to dinner with hubby. God, I hate this stupid surgical boot! I took it off to give my foot some air, and it's not looking swollen under the heavy bandage, and it's clean as a whistle. I'm pleasantly surprised at how good this foot feels! Heck the other toe is more sore (and will likely get done next year). I'm jiggling the toe around, and can feel stitches, but no pain to speak of. I also took a shower with the cover you suggested, Parsifal. What a godsend! I got one of those stools, too. Great suggestions all around. Looking longingly at my treadmill...
ReplyDeleteDay 3. Still sitting around with elevated foot. Sat outside in the sun yesterday and this morning. Reduced the painkillers and that seems ok, but still feel a little woozy. My work colleague called and she said I sound as though I have had a few drinks!
ReplyDeleteThink the swelling is going down, but cannot see under the dressing. The shoe had to be tightened. Managing to move around the house better, sometimes with one crutch only.
Still not moving around too much, but I was told to keep my foot elevated and in the CryoCuff all day for 5 days. I am watching TV and reading a lot. I took a 3 hour nap today which is not like me at all. I am trying not to take the prescribed pain meds to see if that will take care of the constipation (and the wooziness). It is painful to walk to and from the bathroom, but manageable.
ReplyDeleteI slept through the night. I'm using my cryo-cuff all day with elevation, and at night. I'm walking with my surgical shoe on and able to walk a bit without a crutch, though it does make my foot hurt quite a bit. I'm supposed to be doing range-of-motion exercises with my big toe, but the pain is pretty intense and the bandages are in the way. They'll come off in a few days, and I'll try it again. I've decided to stop taking the oxycodone because the blurred vision is really disconcerting. I am able to lie on the floor and do abdominal exercises, one legged bridges on my good leg, and general stretching. After lying on the couch for two days, my body really needs some movement. In general, it's all manageable, except for the blurred vision. Just mostly inconvenient and a bit sore.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has been so helpful, thank you. I'm on day three and doing well. I stopped the Vicodin after the first day; it kept me up til 5am and I found it wasn't really necessary. I've been taking advil every 4-5 hours and did not need any during the night. I have more itching than pain right now. I've been icing and elevating and I'm able to walk around my apartment in the boot fairly easily. I'm able to walk my dog for short periods, she's 16 and doesn't require much exercise. My doctor just called to check up on me and said my progress is typical for his patients. I worked from home yesterday and will do so for the rest of the week and plan to go for my post-op on Monday, a week after the surgery. If he clears me I can return to my office but desk duty only for the week. He did tell me that the cartilage damage was worse than what he was able to see on the x-ray and said I may be looking at another surgery in a few years, possible fusion but in the mean time he said I will have much better flexion. I had 20% with significant pain pre-surgery so I'm looking forward to wearing a flat bottom shoe again and putting the rocker bottoms in storage.
ReplyDeleteToday was a lot better. I stopped taking the painkillers (last one the evening before to make sure I got a good night's sleep) and feel a lot better because of it - no more nausea and I feel a lot more alert. The foot is still a little bit painful but nothing too bad. However there is no way I can put any pressure on it - I have no idea how people managed to walk so soon after the surgery!
ReplyDeleteI spent the day in bed again with the foot elevated but went downstairs (on my bottom - very undignified!) to make myself some lunch.
Had a shower sitting down with my foot in a plastic protector sticking out the door. This seemed to work quite well (though partner thought it hilarious!) but I was still worried about getting the bandage wet.
My Day 3: Again as with my Day 2, my experience mirrors Lara's above.
ReplyDeleteTapering the pain meds quite rapidly (took one 325 mg Vicodin at 5am and one at 10am, and now its 1pm...we shall see).
Still cannot put any weight on the foot. At all. No way. I mean, excruciating pain!
Today is all about doubling down on doctor's orders and keeping it elevated and iced, so my recovery proceeds along nicely and I don't end up with too much scar tissue. But I'm also texting around to friends to round up some crutches -- still find it curious that I wasn't given any. Maybe that is on purpose, to keep us immobile as we should be. But in another day or two, I may just want to use them to get out to the car to accompany my partner on a scenic drive or something. You can only read or watch TV for so long before the outside world beckons, especially since it is spring!
My Day 3: Haven't taken the pain meds since Day 1 (surgery day), took Advil on Day 2, and haven't taken Advil today. Hobble around on the boot in the house, and only use crutches outdoors as they are cumbersome and try only to put weight on my heel, not forefoot
ReplyDeleteShowered today using the plastic waterproof sleeve I ordered on Amazon. Best investment!! Spent as much time as possible with foot elevated and iced off and on. No real pain, but trying to be smart, as I am sure it's swollen under all the wrap. So far, so good, and I'm optimistic that things will continue to progress nicely if I behave!
Runner from VA
I had surgery Monday on both feet, and it is not Wednesday morning. It feels like I've been in recovery forever already. I had been taking one vicodin (prescribed 1-2 300 mg every 4-6 hrs for pain) every 6 hours, and then stopped last night at 7 pm, but then took another this morning at 730 am. Last night I kept twitching my toes and it was rather shocking - mainly a sharp almost-painful-but-not-quite pang that would provoke a sharp intake of breath. It is currently 1030, and I intend to have a BM today (nature willing), try a little gentle heel walking with crutch assistance (a little challenging with both feet casted up), and try working for a little bit.
ReplyDeleteMy feet feel stiff and still a bit swollen. My post-op isn't until next Friday, so I'm not going to challenge the recovery process too much, but try mainly to preserve flexibility, some mobility, and circulation without applying pressure to the wound sites. I take a lot of encouragement (and notes on patience) from the others who have posted here.
I had quite a bit of pain last night while trying to sleep, so I just took 4mg of dilaudid at bedtime. Hopefully that will get me through the night. I took my first shower this morning. My husband put a folding chair in the shower and a chair outside the shower to elevate my foot. I had a large plastic sleeve to prevent any water getting on the bandage. I had no problems and it was refreshing.
ReplyDeleteMy bandage is very bulky and tight. My foot and especially toes are still very numb. It must still be swollen since I have felt no loosening of the bandage since surgery. Icing off and on with the cryocuff every hour today. I'm elevating constantly and only getting up for the bathroom with crutches and weight on the heel of my foot.
I was told that for the first two weeks, I should elevate and stay off my feet as much as possible. In retrospect, it was really good advice.
DeleteDay 3 (friday after wed am surgery)- largley same as day 2. Off oxycodone completely since last one at 8pm last night. (Only took 3 total) and instead using tylenol and ibuprofen, staggered. Still modest pain in foot and can walk with walker around the house taking off about half body-weight. I can put full weght on it but it hurts more so trying to avoid that.
ReplyDeleteDrove to accupuncture appointment at 1:30. No problem driving except used hand to push parking break instead of left foot. Acupuncture eliminated the remaining pain for an hour or two and pain returned lower than before. I recommend it!
Slept overnight day 3-4 without foot elevated because I slept so badly with pillows under my leg the previous night.
Slept much better last night. Bandage feels looser (yeah swelling going down) around the toe and it is starting to feel itchy. Will try to come off the pain meds today and stay on the anti-inflammatory. Can tell that I am moving better today than yesterday. Had a shower and the shower sleeve/boot is a bit tight but gets the job done. Got out for a bit to lunch and visit Mom. Nice to be out, and about even if it isn't walking around, just seeing something other than the house. A little constipated even with as little pain meds as I am taking. Need to make sure to drink more water. Meds that I took today were 3 antibiotics and 2 anti-inflammatory pills. Staying out of the boot, if not walking and making sure to roll my ankle around and wiggle my other toes as my doctor requested. Making sure to keep my foot elevated most of the time too. Some twinges of pain but not overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fit 49 y.o. man, and feeling pretty good toward the end of Day 3. After returning home yesterday from my emergency hospitalization, I switched to standard Tylenol doses for the pain and took 1000 mg in the afternoon, which left me with a level 4 or 5 burning. I woke up at 1:30 a.m. last night and took 1000 mg of Tylenol PM, and slept late. No other painkillers or anti inflammatory meds today, and I'm hobbling around as much as I want doing some picking up and just to move. There's a constant pain of 2 or 3, much like any recent sports injury such as a sprained ankle or something. It's OK. I've iced a lot, and haven't seen my foot yet: it's wrapped tight in an ace bandage that won't come off until Thursday, 6 days post surgery. I may very well take the Tylenol PM again tonight to help me sleep.
ReplyDelete25th November 2017 two days after double cheilectomy. Pain a little less intense today and can walk using post op shoes (have been instructed to use at all times when walking until at least post op follow up which is 11 days time). Can make it to the bathroom without using the crutches! Had a shower with help using post op plastic boots which have a rubber suction on your leg to prevent water from getting into the dressing. They are not the easiest to put on but once the front part of your foot is in then the rest just follows. Feel so much better and refreshed. Not taking so much pain relief.
ReplyDeleteMy Dr. called to check on me yesterday, said pain would likely be a bit worse today and he was correct. Back to taking meds every 4-5 hours instead of 6. My left foot (smaller spur) feels worse than the right one. The pain (throbbing/burning) doesn't seem to be by the incisions, but rather on top/mid foot. I am able to move fairly well with just the surgical shoes and no crutches, but am really trying to take it easy and keep my feet up and icing. Really looking forward to a good nights sleep at some point in the near future!!!
ReplyDeleteOn a more positive note, foot surgery seems to have cured my tennis elbow ;) or maybe it's just the pain meds!!!
Day 3 for me, uncomfortable but not too awful painful. I haven't taken any pain pills since 9pm last night. Probably could have gone without them in the 1st place but I live alone and my sister was over here playing nurse maid and would have drove me nuts if I didn't! LOL! I've been walking without the cane since last night and everything seems ok. Still afraid to put any weight on the front of my foot and kinda walking on my heel in the shoe they gave me. Would like to remove the bandages and see what it looks like under there but I'll wait till tomorrow morning when I have doc apt. Everything seems to be goinng good so far. I'd hate to be one of you guys that had both feet done at the same time, that seems a little crazy to me!
ReplyDeleteToday is day 3 for me post-surgery. Besides the cheilectomy I also had a Cartiva Implant procedure done, as once the surgeon saw the state of my cartilage he felt the cheilectomy wouldn't give me sufficient relief. We discussed him making this "on the fly" decision before I went into the surgery.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious if anyone participating in this blog has had the Cartiva Implant? Or, if anyone has come across another blog with people who have had both procedures done at the same time. I'd like to hear about their recovery.
As so many surgeons do, mine totally understated what recovery would be like. He gave me the special sandal and a cane that he said was for "just in case". "Just in case"?!! He should have given me crutches as I'm not able to walk at all on the foot. Luckily my apartment is small and I've been able to hop everywhere on one foot. Now on day 3 I find that if I use both hands on the cane I can put a LITTLE pressure on the heel of my operated foot. It's amazing how irresponsible doctors can be - of course, when I emailed him about it he told me I'm the "first" patient who couldn't put any body weight on the foot the day after surgery ... yeah, right! He should look at this blog to read about all of the other "first" patients ;).
Hearing stories on this blog of people being able to walk around a couple of days after the procedure sounds like a fantansy. My guess is that it will be at least a week before I can do anything that even resembles walking ... but I hope I'm wrong.
Again, if anyone can point me towards posts by people who had both Cheilectomy and Cartiva Implant done at the same time it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you Parsifal for creating this blog. It's definitely been very helpful.
@scott. I just had both done yesterday at UPMC in Pittsburgh. Surgery done at 10am. Nerve block just wearing off. I am able to manage the stairs heal walking. Oxycodone is taking its toll on me (insomnia and no appetite). Used a walker the first day while having a dead leg from nerve block. Just got dorsaflexion back in my ankle. I have been wiggling my toes since 6 pm maybe to aggreessively since I am
ReplyDeleteStarting to feel pain. I am sleeping with the boot as my toe feels the comforter and it’s not comfortable.
My follow up is January 30th for review and initial dressing change. I’ll keep posting any progress or set back. Cutting back my oxy time from every 4 hours to 5 hours and adding in. 2 Aleeve. Hoping to be done with oxy tomorrow and just stick to aleeve or Advil.
I procrastinated 10 years, just enough to have Cartiva come out. I was a fusion case. Dr took out 3 large bone spurs one always a floater. I am just hoping to not have the nerve pain when walking. Call it low expectations but I can work around the 60-70% ROM.
Day 3 cheilectomy with Cartiva: Big issue is the nerve block or bandages too tight. Guessing remanents of thenerve block. No other meds besides Aleeve. Foot feels asleep. Trying to sleep without the boot. Will see tonight. Good downward movement on my own. Dorsaflexion is difficult without manual intervention. See what tomorrow brings
ReplyDeleteHang in there Tom. I just passed the 3 week mark. Got my stitches out a few days ago and post-surgery x-ray looks good, the doctor said. He wants me in the sandal when I'm outside and sneakers while in the apt, but I'm actually walking around in socks, or barefoot and doing ok. Dr said one more week with the sandal and then I can switch to comfortable sneakers. I went out for a SLOW walk today without the cane and did ok.
DeleteMost of my pain/discomfort is on the ball of my foot actually. The other issue that's been one of the worst parts for me are pains from either compensating, or lack of use. All kinds of weird stuff going on from my foot all the way to lower back, including a trigger point just above my knee, but towards the inner thigh, that sends a horrible shooting nerve pain to just below the front of my knee. Never had this before. Surgeon says has nothing to do with the surgery (of course), but acupuncturist said probably the swelling in the foot has traveled (via blood stream) to the thigh area and has cause a muscle or tendon to compress a nerve there.
Dr has me doing ROM exercises on the toe several times a day. Pretty unpleasant and frustrating (especially going upwards), but he said is crucial to having a positive result from the surgery.
In terms of meds ... I don't think I've taken anything in over a week.
Keep that foot elevated and good luck!
@Scott - I used a foam roller on my shins to ankles, calves, quads and hamstrings. This was two days ago , yesterday and today. Seems to have really helped with the sciatic nerve pain. I have been using it on the outside of the shins for years to relief the muscle tension on the small toes from pushing off with the 3&4th toes. Lots of tension across the top of the feet. The rolling helps a lot at least for me.
ReplyDeleteHave had pain in the ball of my foot for two years, so I al hoping there might be some relief but the nerve pain in the joint was worse before.
Hopefully you will feel better soon. I overly confidently pushed off with my toe on the boot today. Toe not quite ready for that yet.
Good luck
I'm a 55 year old female. Day 3 since my cheilectomy. I also had a morton's neuroma removed in the same foot. The neuroma removal is causing no pain whatsoever. The cheilectomy is causing great discomfort. I had an allergic reaction to the Oxycodone and refused a different prescription; just taking Tylenol. I notice some improvement in the pain since yesterday, but it still is not easy to move around.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all of the comments and this entire blog. As a runner, I've been terrified post-op that perhaps the surgery will make things worse than they were. After reading through the blog, I realize I'm going to need to be patient--not my strong suit! Haha. My husband is at the gym working out right now and I envy him. I hate sitting in this bed with the foot elevated. But hopefully this short term pain will lead to long term gain and I'll be able to run and walk pain free soon.
Day 3 for me since bilateral cheilectomy. The surgery was midday on Friday and now it's late Sunday evening. I haven't needed a Percocet for the past 24 hours, and this morning I ventured outside the bedroom briefly to get a snack so my husband could keep sleeping. But otherwise I've stayed in bed with my feet elevated, icing for 30 minutes every hour, only getting up for trips to the bathroom. I'm glad to have my husband or a helper to bring me ice packs, food, and drinks.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't hurt to walk, but if I have my feet down for more than 10 minutes at a time, they feel kind of tingly and achy. I still have the postop sandals on--haven't taken them off since I left the hospital recovery area.
I'm more bored with staying off my feet today, but still much more tired than usual. I didn't sleep well again last night--probably more from not usually sleeping on my back than from anything else. So I've just been watching shows on the computer all day or playing games on my phone.
My feet feel less swollen, but since they're wrapped in so much gauze, I can't tell. I won't get to see the incisions until my postop appointment in two days.
As I start to feel better, it's going to be hard to keep staying off my feet, but I really want this to heal up well with the best chance for future flexibility. The doctor said that he got about 75 degrees of dorsiflexion in both toes intra-operatively. He sent me a video of the surgery that supposedly shows the range of motion, but I'm not ready to look at that yet!