Anyone with bunion problems? I have terribly flat feet and have been wearing custom orthotics since my early 20's (now 31) and I have terrible bunions and have such a hard time finding shoes that are wide enough. Anyone out there have this problem or has anyone had bunion surgery?? Pros Cons?
Bunions
- Thread starter db5
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SRP
Cathlete
I don't have bunions, but I have to be careful about the shoes I wear, otherwise I get corns between my toes. I also have callouses in weird places on my feet. I'm not to the point where I need orthotics though.
My grandmother (whose feet I have inherited!) has bunions though. She finally had surgery after many, many years of dealing with them and still has to be careful about the shoes she wears. Before the surgery, she could pretty much only wear the canvas Keds-type shoes that would stretch to conform to her foot.
Let's see. She's 85, and she just had surgery this past fall. Being an older person, I imagine it took her longer to recover than it will you. She was off her feet for a couple of weeks but could still get up to do household stuff. I can't offer any advice about how long it would take to get back to an active lifestyle though.
My grandmother (whose feet I have inherited!) has bunions though. She finally had surgery after many, many years of dealing with them and still has to be careful about the shoes she wears. Before the surgery, she could pretty much only wear the canvas Keds-type shoes that would stretch to conform to her foot.
Let's see. She's 85, and she just had surgery this past fall. Being an older person, I imagine it took her longer to recover than it will you. She was off her feet for a couple of weeks but could still get up to do household stuff. I can't offer any advice about how long it would take to get back to an active lifestyle though.
amyg
Cathlete
I worked for a podiatrist for 10 years, and saw a lot of bunions!! Actually, I should say, I billed a lot of bunion surgeries and never really saw any feet... much better!!!
I'd just recommend shopping around and getting at least 2 opinions when you get to the surgery point. There are several different methods of surgery, so make sure you know what they're planning to do!
Are you only thinking about surgery because you can't find shoes wide enough?? That's what the internet is for, LOL!!!
I'd just recommend shopping around and getting at least 2 opinions when you get to the surgery point. There are several different methods of surgery, so make sure you know what they're planning to do!
Are you only thinking about surgery because you can't find shoes wide enough?? That's what the internet is for, LOL!!!
I have bunions, I had surgery on my right one about 4 years ago so I was 24. It wasn't too bad, although I had the more advanced surgery where screws were inserted to keep my toe aligned. I'm really pleased with the results, my foot doesn't ache at night anymore like it did pre surgery. I was on crutches for a total of 3 weeks but I was able to walk w/ one crutch at 2 weeks. I did seated upper body workouts (I even did KPC seated - yes, I looked like an idiot!), and I did floor leg work. My podiatrist was really surprised at how fast I healed and said the exercise likely helped the healing process (increased circulation to the wound, etc). I had general anestesia which was recommended by my dr. due to the power tools that they use
As far as shoes go, I still have a bunion on my left foot (doesn't hurt though) so I wear sneakers in the winter months (boots when there's snow), and I live in flip flops during the summer - I buy Reef or Teva's, they have a little arch on them. For sneakers I buy Saucony's, they have a really wide toe box. I buy Ryka's for Cathe workouts.
HTH
Shannon
), and I did floor leg work. My podiatrist was really surprised at how fast I healed and said the exercise likely helped the healing process (increased circulation to the wound, etc). I had general anestesia which was recommended by my dr. due to the power tools that they use As far as shoes go, I still have a bunion on my left foot (doesn't hurt though) so I wear sneakers in the winter months (boots when there's snow), and I live in flip flops during the summer - I buy Reef or Teva's, they have a little arch on them. For sneakers I buy Saucony's, they have a really wide toe box. I buy Ryka's for Cathe workouts.
HTH
Shannon
rjroubi
Cathlete
I have had 2 bunionectomies, 21 years ago on my left foot and 20 years ago on my right foot and I am so glad I did it! I was in such agony at the end of the working day. The Doctor said most likely
I would have to have the operation repeated again ten years later (because the tendons in the back of my leg are short and it naturally causes me to walk incorrectly causing the joints in my feet to go out of wack). It is furthur complicated because I am on my feet all day long (because of my job). My joints have never shifted after all these years and my feet never hurt as long as I am wearing proper shoes. They look beautiful (minus the semi-hidden scar *wink*) and feel great!!! I should mention I am very picky about what shoes I feel comfortable in.....only Dansko. My feet don't appear to be going back to the way they were so maybe I just beat the odds (like I said its been over 20 years). Oh, I wear average width shoes since my surgery 20 years ago, but it did take 6 months for the bones to remodel. I should also mention recover is not fun and takes a long time. A friend of mine has very crippling looking feet, but opted for liposuction over a bunionectomy. My never looked anywhere near as bad, but they hurt like heck in shoes and just ached for hours at the end of the day. My guess is that her feet don't hurt her, but she has recently mentioned that she wants to get them fixed because she is embarrassed to take her socks off anywhere. My motive was stickly out of pain and I no longer have any since that surgery so long ago
HTH,
Robin
I would have to have the operation repeated again ten years later (because the tendons in the back of my leg are short and it naturally causes me to walk incorrectly causing the joints in my feet to go out of wack). It is furthur complicated because I am on my feet all day long (because of my job). My joints have never shifted after all these years and my feet never hurt as long as I am wearing proper shoes. They look beautiful (minus the semi-hidden scar *wink*) and feel great!!! I should mention I am very picky about what shoes I feel comfortable in.....only Dansko. My feet don't appear to be going back to the way they were so maybe I just beat the odds (like I said its been over 20 years). Oh, I wear average width shoes since my surgery 20 years ago, but it did take 6 months for the bones to remodel. I should also mention recover is not fun and takes a long time. A friend of mine has very crippling looking feet, but opted for liposuction over a bunionectomy. My never looked anywhere near as bad, but they hurt like heck in shoes and just ached for hours at the end of the day. My guess is that her feet don't hurt her, but she has recently mentioned that she wants to get them fixed because she is embarrassed to take her socks off anywhere. My motive was stickly out of pain and I no longer have any since that surgery so long ago
HTH,
Robin
nancy324
Cathlete
I'm slowly developing a bunion on my right foot as I age. It doesn't hurt yet, but my shoes have all developed the bunion "bump". I have very flat feet and get terrible leg cramps, but I don't think those conditions are related to the bunion problem.
I loved it a few years ago when a lot of the shoes were made out of stretchy fabric materials that conformed to the shape of your feet. Nowadays, there is more leather around, but I'm still wearing my old fabric shoes. I'm hoping they go back to making shoes out of that wonderful material again soon before mine wear out completely!
-Nancy
I loved it a few years ago when a lot of the shoes were made out of stretchy fabric materials that conformed to the shape of your feet. Nowadays, there is more leather around, but I'm still wearing my old fabric shoes. I'm hoping they go back to making shoes out of that wonderful material again soon before mine wear out completely!
-Nancy
rjroubi
Cathlete
My surgeries sound a lot like Shannons (I had two medical opinions before I had the surgery). I had a section of bone removed and my toes were re-aligned with "pins." I was very uncomfortable but walking around with crutches in about 2 or 3 days in a boot and walking about w/one crutch in 2 weeks. The doctor wanted to do both feet at the same time...the smartest thing I ever did was have done them at two separate times (I had a 2 year old!!).
Nancy, pre-bunionectomy the pain and ache I felt was only in the joint of the bunion itself (and it would throb for hours on end)....it was never in my leg or any other area of my body. I don't know if other people feel referred pain or pain elsewhere with a bunion. It would be interesting to see. My bet is if you change your gate because of the bunion you may end up with cramping or tension in other areas of your body because of the shift in body weight to compensate. It would make perfect sense.
For some people it is a good surgery....like anything ...everyone has to weigh it out for themselves. I'm sure without a doubt if I didn't have any pain, I would not have elected to have the surgery. I weighed my options and felt it was my only choice. I was just lucky it happened to turn out to be a good one for me.
Robin
Nancy, pre-bunionectomy the pain and ache I felt was only in the joint of the bunion itself (and it would throb for hours on end)....it was never in my leg or any other area of my body. I don't know if other people feel referred pain or pain elsewhere with a bunion. It would be interesting to see. My bet is if you change your gate because of the bunion you may end up with cramping or tension in other areas of your body because of the shift in body weight to compensate. It would make perfect sense.
For some people it is a good surgery....like anything ...everyone has to weigh it out for themselves. I'm sure without a doubt if I didn't have any pain, I would not have elected to have the surgery. I weighed my options and felt it was my only choice. I was just lucky it happened to turn out to be a good one for me.
Robin
4
40something
Guest
I too have had bunion's removed...many, many years ago! I was 20. My problem was extra bone on the outside of both of my feet (two of my sister's also have the same condition but their feet have never caused them pain). Funny though that neither of our parents had the condition.
My surgery was quite simple compared to what the other ladies are describing. The doctor merely peeled back the skin on the sides of my feet and ground the bone down to normal size. I had both feet done at the same time so I would only have to deal with one recovery period. I was pretty much laid up for the first week but I could get around the house by walking on my heels and using a cane. I had little success with crutches and found I was far more mobile with a cane instead.
I am much older now and have known many people over the years who suffered from bunion problems. If you're having pain get it taken care of because it will only get worse...and if the bunion(s) are big enough they will eventually start to effect your toe alignment.
You don't say where your bunions are...inside of foot or outside?
My surgery was quite simple compared to what the other ladies are describing. The doctor merely peeled back the skin on the sides of my feet and ground the bone down to normal size. I had both feet done at the same time so I would only have to deal with one recovery period. I was pretty much laid up for the first week but I could get around the house by walking on my heels and using a cane. I had little success with crutches and found I was far more mobile with a cane instead.
I am much older now and have known many people over the years who suffered from bunion problems. If you're having pain get it taken care of because it will only get worse...and if the bunion(s) are big enough they will eventually start to effect your toe alignment.
You don't say where your bunions are...inside of foot or outside?
pwmatt
Cathlete
Shannon - just curious - how do\did you get rid of the cornis btwn your toes? I have that happening now, one foot btwn the last 2 toes.
I wear little pads to cushion it, but that doesn't makae it go away. Thanks. Phyllis
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I wear little pads to cushion it, but that doesn't makae it go away. Thanks. Phyllis
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4
40something
Guest
Oh Deb...double whammy for you having them on both sides of your foot.:-(
When you decide to have the surgery, have all the work done so you're only laid up once.
When you decide to have the surgery, have all the work done so you're only laid up once.
rjroubi
Cathlete
Shannon,
My MIL gets corns between her toes and I didn't realize it but they can get quite serious too. Hers were so serious she actually had to have them surgically operated on last month (she had them between her pinky toes...seems like such an odd place to get them). I'll be talking to her next weekend (we chat every weekend) and I'll ask her more about it and see what I can find out for you
Robin
My MIL gets corns between her toes and I didn't realize it but they can get quite serious too. Hers were so serious she actually had to have them surgically operated on last month (she had them between her pinky toes...seems like such an odd place to get them). I'll be talking to her next weekend (we chat every weekend) and I'll ask her more about it and see what I can find out for you
Robin