If you have not had a cheilectomy yet, or have not yet recovered, and cannot provide any answers, but you would like to see what others have been reporting, please click "View Results" for each question, and it will reveal the answers that have been given so far. It is also OK for you to answer only the questions that you can (or want to) answer at this time.
Questions added in response to the comments from the blog readers:
If you would like to suggest any other questions for the survey, please go ahead and send them in the comments to this post.
P.S. By now, I have almost forgotten that I ever had a problem with my foot. It is only the scar that serves as a reminder.
Hello, I am in constant pain & know I need the surgery soon. I would love it if you could add to the survey how long it took to get back into heels. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI am a little over 2 months post op. At this point in time I don'think I will ever wear heels again. Recovery has been much more difficult than I anticipated. About the only exercise I can do w/o pain is swim.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am also planning on having the surgery in my left foot. I can deal with pain or anything else - I can't deal with not being able to wear heels. Have you had your surgery?
did you had only a cheilectomy or you had also a some kind of additional osteotomies?
ReplyDeletei had my chilectomy/moberg on right foot 2 weeks ago. had stitches removed today. just started in surgical shoe, walking with one crutch. hope to be in crocs in a day or two and return to work tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt has been two weeks since surgery was performed. Spent 10 days on the couch w/foot raised above level of heart, walking in surgical shoe with crutches. Very little pain or discomfort, took oxycodone for 2 days to head off pain but I think it was unnecessary. Had stitches removed yesterday and I am walking in regular shoes with little or no discomfort. I am also able to drive and do household chores. I am a cabinet maker and I expect to be able to work short days next week. I am having the other foot done in a couple of months, I would do it sooner but the surgeon has a full schedule so I'm on his waiting list. Choose your surgeon carefully and follow pre and post surgery instructions to the letter and you have a chance of a very good result. For me the worst thing about the first 2 weeks on the couch was the boredom but I expected that. Good luck to all.
ReplyDeleteHad a cheilectomy 10 days ago. Shaved the bumps off the toe that were causing the problem. Had read everything I could find on the web. I have no scar because the incision is so small and neat. Was told to elevate for 48 hours but obviously get up now and again to avoid DVT. Didn't need pain relief the following day after op. Can wear certain normal shoes - obviously not trying anything with a heel at the moment. Can get up on my toes and doing the exercises that I have told to do. I am having some small leakage and have had the nurse look at it. So having to keep a small dressing on but it seems to be drying up. Very pleased with it so far. I know I will be back ballroom dancing within two weeks. Have my checkup with the surgeon in 4 weeks. Based in the UK and had surgery done by the 'good old NHS'.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the information you provided. I guess the only question I have remaining would be if anyone had regrets for having done the surgery. Not sure how you would word that. But it sounds as if most people were very glad to have it done. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI had a large bunion on my left foot for decades, never bothered me until a couple of years ago. Steadily getting worse. Then suddenly, developed a large ganglion cyst after walking on a beach. Pain escalated dramatically after that. Arthritis was termed 'very severe' with most cartilage gone, very large bone spur at the top. Incision is about 3- 3.5" long, extending in the bottom half of the big toe. Had a lot of bruising, swelling for 2-3 weeks, did the ice, elevation. Once the sutures were removed, started aggressive ROM with the toe. 5 weeks out, can bend the toe upwards easily, but because of residual swelling in the big toe, cannot bend down very well. May have gone back to the gym a little early, getting throbbing pain in the joint that keeps me awake. Will have to back off for a bit. I think my surgery was a little different than just a simple cheilectomy, since there was a large cyst to remove as well.
ReplyDeleteMy suggested additional questions: did this surgery increase your range of motion? Did the surgery reduce your pain? Do you require any further surgery or did this solve your problem? I am in the situation where my cheilectomy did not improve my range of motion but unfortunately increased my pain. And I am not being advised to have a fusion. I think I'm in the minority obviously. Thanks for this blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments. Unfortunately, the previous provider does not allow me to add any new polls; I am looking into alternative arrangements.
Deletethanks so much for creating this poll, so very helpful. I'm having surgery next week and trying to get a sense of how soon I can get back to work which involves a long drive and a lot of standing and walking.
ReplyDeleteOne additional question, age, weight, fitness level. It's helpful to compare these when estimating recovery times.
I would like to reply to the range of motion question. I have before and after photos and video. My range of motion was about 5 degrees both in extenstion (dorsi flexion) and flexion (plantar flexion) if using the zero position as the floor or edge of a stair. I've now increased to 10 and 15 degrees respectively without pain, 10 degrees further with pain. I'm in PT now. We are working aggressively but with little return. I'm getting stronger but am still disappointed with lack of progress. Parsifal, where were (are you now) at?
ReplyDeleteJust checked and actually I am quite suprised: the extension is approx. 30 degreees, the flexion is more than 45 degrees. Before the surgery, the range of motion was perhaps +/- 10 degrees. I never had any physio or exercise of the toe, I just was very patient and let my body take the necessary time for the healing of the joint. This can take a very long time, and I personally do not think that any forceful exercises can speed it up. My personal view is that with too much force one can do more harm than good. Gentle, natural motion exercise did the miracle for me - I run regularly and play badminton (competitive, which is very aggresive). It probably took ~3 years to get to where I am now. About two years ago I stopped thinking of this foot and any problems I used to have.
ReplyDeleteWhen was your surgery?