Question
I had bunion surgery on both feet May 10, 2007.  I know it takes several months to heal and everyone heals differently, but I am worried that my left foot was over corrected.  I had surgery because the pain from the bunions was unbearable, waking me up in the middle of the night.  I was not properly prepared for my surgery by the podiatrist.  I was told I could go back to work 3 days after surgery and crutches were never mentioned.  The pain from surgery was horrible and I couldn't get around even with crutches for a week and 4 days after surgery.  I spent all day every day for the first 10 days with my feet elevated with ice packs and Vicodin to get thru the pain.  I lived in a recliner because i couldn't lay my feet sideways in bed. It is Sept. 9th, 2007, and the area where the bone was cut is in as much pain now as before.  Also, I was told by the doctor to tape my toes together because there is so much space between my big toe and second toe that it looks like I am giving the peace sign with my toes.  Needless to say, the taping has not helped at all.  My foot is more disfigured now than before the surgery.  I now have a knot that protrudes outward just below my small toe now, and my foot protrudes outward on the other side of my foot from the bunion site and on up to the end of my big toe at an outward angle.  My right foot is a nice even straight line from heel to big toe and my left foot goes up from the heel and then out from the bunion site.  I can not find shoes to fit my left foot that is way wider now at the toe area than before surgery.  I also can not bend my big toes on either foot yet, even though I have tried to do the bending therapy the doctor told me to do.  When I stand up my big toes do not touch the ground.  I feel I was not in the best of hands now and with all the pain and problems I still have, I feel my left foot needs to be corrected.  Am I over-reacting or does it sound like I should go to a different doctor and have it corrected?  I just know according to the podiatrist, I should be fine by now, but then he also said I would be back to work 3 days after surgery...walking.  Winter is coming and I cant wear flip-flops much longer.  What should I do?  I did all this to get rid of the pain and now still have just as bad pain (sometimes more)and have a disfigured foot.

Answer
Hi Jacquie,

Following bunion surgery, especially on both feet, you need to be off of work for weeks, possibly 4-8 weeks.  Other options would be a wheel chair.  Three days is not adequate.

If your foot is over-corrected there needs to be aggressive treatment, either conservative or surgical to correct the problem.  At this point it would likely be surgical.

I would normally have my patients start physical therapy so that healing will go quicker and they will help keep your motion and muscle strength more normal.

I would either see your podiatrist and explain your problems and if this Dr is not responsive I would seek several other opinions.  Make sure you get the records from your surgeon to take to the other Drs.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


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