Here we go again….

My first bunion surgery was a disaster!  After months of dealing with ongoing foot pain and numbness after my lapidus fusion bunionectomy caused by one of the bones in my foot not healing I finally decided to go back under the knife again to hopefully fix the problem.  This was of course after exhausting all of my options and getting a second opinion.

This was a huge disappointment after going through all of the bunion surgery recovery time which was over 6 months only to find out that I would need to do it all over again.  The surgeon said he wouldn’t sugar coat it and that this would be like starting all over again at square one. Noooooooooooooooo!

The thought of having to get around everywhere on a knee scooter gain is brutal.  Don’t get me wrong the knee scooter is exponentially better than crutches but it is still a beat down.  I don’t work with the most “sympathetic” coworkers so I deal with quite a bit of jokes and teasing.  I also have 2 small children ( 1 and 6) and it is hard to keep up with them and help out my wife while rolling around on this thing.  But I have come to terms with it and need to get this chapter of my life behind me.  I am too young to be hobbling around like this for the rest of my life!

This is after using a ridiculously expensive machine called an Exogen bone simulator that cost me about $800 out of pocket and had a total cost of  $4000 that did not work at all.  This was after using it for several 20 minute sessions.  Wish I could get my money and time back.

So, What Will Be Different This Time?

This time the surgeon (different than the doctor that did the first surgery of course) will take some bone from my heel (bone graft) and put it in the gap that is not healing called a non-union.

He will also redo the hardware…I have a broken screw and lastly he will cut the muscle covering in the back of my leg near my Achilles tendon (Gastrocnemius recession) to give me more flexibility.  The doctor believes the limited mobility from my calf is putting extra stress and pressure on the area of my foot that is not healing.

As you can imagine I really hope the surgery works this time.  The pain is something I have come to live with but I walk with a limp and I am unable to run more than a few steps.  The first orthopedic surgeon failed to test me for vitamin d until my nonunion was identified.  We then found that my Vitamin D level was 21…it is now 25 and I am also on a calcium supplement.

Based on my experience if you are considering bunion surgery demand having your Vitamin D level checked.  It is a quick and easy blood test that can save you months of headache…trust me.

My second surgery is planned for Friday this week so wish me luck.  Guess I will be back to rolling around on my knee scooter again!  I will be at least 6 weeks non-weight bearing this time.

I will keep you posted on my progress on this page!

Update #1

Well I survived my surgery!  I am 5 days post op and recovering.  This time I am following the doctor’s orders to the letter so I am keeping my foot elevated as much as possible and I am not driving or pushing myself in any way. I am also taking vitamin D and icing as much as possible.  I did not use ice that much after my first surgery which was a big mistake.  I have experienced much less swelling this time around thanks to the constant icing and ibuprofen.

My foot is much less painful compared to my first surgery however the incision on my calf (Gastrocnemius recession) sometimes bothers me.  I also experience frequent shooting pain in the back of my heel(where the bone graft was taken but the pain meds help with this quite a bit.

I go back to the doctor early next week for my first checkup and to see if I can get cleared to drive and return to work.  I really hope the surgery works this time and that my bone fully heals.  Walking around with constant discomfort, unable to run and with a noticeable limp was no fun at all.

My goal is to remain optimistic and positive on my chances of eventually getting back to normal!

Update #2

I am now 4 months post op and am off the knee scooter and out of the walking boot.  It has been a slow recovery but this time the doctor was extra conservative so he took extra precaution every step of the way.  I am happy to report that I am walking around almost normally. I can’t run yet and my calf and foot is still weak but I am getting stronger every day.

I am so excited just to be walking around and able to play normally with my kids!  To celebrate we are taking a family vacation to Turks and Caicos and I am so excited!  I am still taking vitamin D and doing the exercises to improve the flexibility of my foot.  I’m pretty sure I will never get full range of motion again in my big toe but that is OK. I also have scars running the length of my foot on the side but my feet weren’t going to win any beauty contests before the surgeries.

My next step is to get fitted for new custom orthonics since I severely over pronate (flat feet).  I can’t stress how important it is to vet out your doctor.  My first doctor just rushed me through the surgery process, did not check my vitamin D level and provided me with half-assed post op care.  My current doctor was extremely thorough, had my vitamin d level checked and looked closely at both of my feet before and after the surgery.  My first doctor never even looked at my right foot before the surgery which was the non operation foot.

I have another appointment in a month so stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed!

Update #3

Here is the latest…I am now 13 months post bunion surgery and I am happy to report that I have recovered 100%!  I can run and jump and ride my bike better than before my surgery.  I have occasional stiffness in my toe and when it is really cold outside my foot aches a bit but it is minor.  I am so happy to be able to run around with my kids and walk long distances pain free!  This has been quite the journey but 2 surgeries and a year later I am glad I did it.  Before surgery every step was painful.  No longer.  If you have exhausted all your options and are still in pain because of your bunions by all means have the surgery.  I am living proof that these procedures can be successful.

Just make sure you do your due diligence on your surgeon and please remember to get your vitamin D level checked before.  IF your doctor doesn’t order it remind him or her!  It’s that important!