Bunion surgery recovery is not so bad, considering that you will never have to go through the following again:
Looking through a fashion magazine, you chance upon an ad that focuses on the smooth, photoshopped legs of a model. It’s actually an ad on depilatories, but that is not what catches your attention. The model’s feet looked so elegant, smooth and well sculpted. You look down on your own feet and notice the difference: there is a bump on your big toe. You have crooked toes. For a long time now, you have been having pain whenever you walk or stand for a certain length of time. It is difficult for you to wear close-toed shoes, as the pain becomes intolerable. You always have to have open- toed shoes, or sandals that are not too elegant- looking. You consider bunion surgery, but then worry about bunion surgery recovery.
Bunion surgery recovery – an enforced vacation !
A bunion is formed when the big toe gradually moves towards the second toe, and rotates inwards, causing a bump. Sometimes, non-surgical therapies can no longer work. The bunion interferes with your daily routine, and a consultation with a certified podiatric confirms that you may have to have bunion surgery.
Once your decision is made, and you have chosen your surgeon, you now may have to know the different bunion surgery procedures. This you have to discuss thoroughly with you surgeon. The procedures are based solely on that which is necessary for your particular case:
There is the head procedure that targets around the big toe joint. This is indicated for the milder form of bunion. The base procedure targets the area near or at the joint, behind the big toe, and is indicated for the moderate to severe type of bunion. The surgery is done in a hospital or specialty clinic, and will require the use of a general anaesthetic. Bunion surgery recovery involves taking a long acting anaesthetic that will ease the pan. There is no question of you driving home, but you can go home that same day if there are no complications.
Bunion surgery recovery is fairly basic. Bearing of weight on the feet should not be insisted upon, without the use of crutches to aid you. This part of the bunion surgery recovery should last for about 2 weeks.
The area has to be kept clean and dry at all time and should be checked every week, for change of dressing and removal of sutures. You may increase weight bearing on the foot, gradually and carefully. It would be best to understand that by following the specific instructions of your surgeon, your bunion surgery recovery should be free of any complications.
Bunion surgery recovery complications
Some complications can develop as a consequence of bunion surgery recovery: non-compliance to the doctor’s instructions can cause infection. Remember that this is an invasive procedure, and bacterial growth can occur.
Another is when the patient insists on bearing weight on the foot too soon, and finds that the surgical procedure ‘failed’. No, it did not fail – you simply did not follow doctor’s instructions.
When going through bunion surgery recovery, the mantra of ‘carefully, carefully’ should be considered.
The corrections made recently on your toe, could still be traumatized, and can result in tremendous pain, if you disregard your surgeon’s post-op rules. It is very important to the effectiveness of a bunion surgery recovery, for you to follow the instructions.