Question
Dr. Katz, I had bunion surgery on both feet and some pinky toes all in one surgery about 18 months ago. My doctor said I could go back to work after 2 weeks with just gym shoes (no crutches or anything.) I ended up kind of walking on my heels. 18 months later, I still have stiff muscles in my lower legs and pain on the top of my foot (over the arch part). I have a decent pain tolerance, have been busy and my foot doctor left my city to teach at a university, so I've been slow in getting it rechecked. Many people tell me that it takes a long time to recover. I had some physical therapy because my toes weren't bending hardly at all even 2 months after the surgery. Once they got to bending, I stopped the PT. But every time I sit for an hour or more, I get up and the muscles (calves, shins) are all stiff. Any advice on what might be happening? (I do wear heels sometimes, but nothing major. I thought after 6 months, I could wear heels again.) I just get the sense I babied my feet so much that my muscles just clenched up.

Answer
Hi Thea,

Recovery from bunion surgery takes many months.  In my experience, two weeks is too short for an adequate recovery.  My patients begin physical therapy 1-2 weeks after surgery.  It sound like you were walking abnormally after surgery to ease the pain.  This probably led to tightening of the muscles in the leg.  You will likely require a pair of custom arch supports, orthoses.  Also, I would consider more physical therapy.

Some people are unable to return to heels if there is significant motion loss in the big toe joint.  I would either return to your original Dr or seek another opinion.

Sincerely,

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


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