FEET DON’T FAIL ME NOW
Walk This Way for Relief from Foot Bunions…..
Fix Your Feet podiatrist Dr. Yolanda Ragland has the answers to your foot-surgery concerns so you can say ``bye bye’’ to bothersome foot bunions:
How do I know when I need foot surgery to fix my bunions?
Bunions aren’t pretty and the appearance of a visible bump that forms on the joint of your big toe can be unsightly and visible to all when you’re wearing sandals or walking barefoot on the beach. More importantly, when you have swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint, plus fleeting or persistent pain from the formation of a bunion, it’s time to take care of it. Ouch fact: once a bunion is formed, it’s permanent unless surgically corrected. Even worse, bunions can bring on other foot complications such as bursitis, hammertoe or metatarsalgia--a condition that causes foot pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot.
Do I have to be put to sleep for foot bunion surgery?
General anesthesia is preferred for lengthy or complex foot bunion treatments. Whether a podiatrist elects to do so varies from foot doctor to foot doctor. Fix Your Feet is a firm believer in using sedation anaesthesia blended with local nerve blocks for optimum comfort during foot bunion surgery. Sedation anaesthesia is very safe when administered by a licensed podiatrist or nurse anaesthetist. Adding a local nerve block simply means using a numbing medication in the foot area that requires the procedure. It is the same as getting an injection in the gums by a dentist so the dentist can perform necessary procedures in the mouth without inflicting pain. Also, the local nerve block will wear off several hours after the foot bunion treatments are completed.
How soon can I drive after a foot bunion surgery?
Fix Your Feet patients are permitted to drive 48 hours after foot bunion surgery. For your ultimate safety, do a test drive in an empty parking lot or less traveled street to adapt to the post-op condition in shoes and bandages. Patients should also limit their drives to under twenty minutes. Choose your routes ahead of time so that you can be mindful if you have a 20-minute drive to work or unexpected events may occur like accidents which can leave the patient vulnerable to increased swelling and pain.
Will I be able to walk after foot bunion surgery?
Absolutely. Patients are free to walk the same day as surgery. Fix Your Feet recommends 48 hours of bed rest with your feet elevated above your heart and minimal ambulation. After forty-eight hours, it’s important to get up and walk around to insure blood circulation and to avoid complications such as a blood clot or deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
How long does it take to recover after foot bunion surgery?
Post-operative swelling and tenderness can be expected after foot bunion surgery and complete recovery varies from patient to patient. In general, bone healing takes 6 to 12 weeks to repair while soft tissue structures take approximately 12 to 14 weeks to repair. Last but not least, nerve repair can take up to 6 months. In total, complete healing time after foot surgery can take up to one year in some patients due to weight bearing and the patient’s medical history.
How can I prevent getting another foot bunion?
Hereditary aside, the exact cause of foot bunions is unknown but there are factors that will certainly increase your odds such as: crowding your feet by wearing high heels which force your toes into the front of your shoes. Or wearing ill-fitting shoes that are too tight, too narrow or too pointy. Patients with an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis are also more susceptible to bunions. To put your best foot forward: Steer clear of pointy-toe footwear and opt for styles with a wider front. All of your future footwear purchases should have enough space in front to avoid cramping, pressing or squeezing your feet in any way. Yes, style matters but your feet matter more!