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Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

post #1 of 37
8/1/07 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
No I'm not inviting you to have this procedure, but it looks like I will. Just saw a specialist and he told me I've got extreme bunions. I'm not in pain now, but if I wait, eventually I will be in pain and the longer I wait, the chances increase that I'll receive less benefit from the surgery.

I've got bunions on both feet, both extreme. The doctor only wants to do one at a time. To my surprise, he says I can be one my feet, carefully and wearing a special shoe, the following day. I shouldn't need crutches either. He wants me to keep my feet up as much as possible.

My bunions are so big, I have to have my ski boots bulged out to make room for those big boys.

Pain treatment will include a nerve block injection after the surgery and a prescription pain reliever for a few days after that. I think he mentioned he likes to prescribe percoset.

After a couple of months, if all went well, I'll have the other one done. Has anyone here got any experience with this surgery? What was it like for you?
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post #2 of 37
8/1/07 at 3:16pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

One of my colleagues had the surgery done last year before Thanksgiving. They did do both of her feet at the same time. She's actually back running duathalons this summer. Impressive.
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post #3 of 37
8/1/07 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_K_Sr
One of my colleagues had the surgery done last year before Thanksgiving. They did do both of her feet at the same time. She's actually back running duathalons this summer. Impressive.
Was this specifically bunion surgery? Do you recall how quickly she was on her feet, like the next day? How old was she? I'm 62, that may be a reason he only wants to do one at a time.
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post #4 of 37
8/1/07 at 3:40pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Yes, it was bunion surgery on both feet. I was shocked when she told me she was having it done...she's only 29. But she's a marathon runner and the feet were causing her more and more pain each month. She was out of work six weeks and the recovery was not without complications. Once of the pins slipped a few weeks after surgery and they had to go back and adjust it.
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post #5 of 37
8/1/07 at 5:40pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I thought bunyan surgery required the use of an ax?

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post #6 of 37
8/1/07 at 7:12pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I had bunion surgery on both feet right after my junior year in highschool. My feet were so messed up. I was in a wheel chair for about a week after surgery and then my foot doctor had me walking with these special ugly shoes. The pins I had in my feet (another part of surgery where I had bones removed) were taken out a month later.

My feet don't hurt the way they use to and I don't have trouble walking. I can actually wear normal shoes now.
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post #7 of 37
8/2/07 at 6:18am
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Well, it sounds like this could be more complicated than I think. I think I need it done though. He did say there will be a metal plate or pin inserted, but I think he said it was permanent.

Perhaps he's only willing to do one foot because of the advanced state of my bunions.
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post #8 of 37
8/2/07 at 9:58am

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Originally I was to have the surgery during the school year and they were going to do one foot at a time, but I requested that they just do it after I got out of school and do both feet together.

You can ask to have both feet done at the same time. It's much better to do it that way I think.

I also remember weeks before the surgery , the doctor giving me cortisone shots. Those hurt like a Mother F&%*er
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post #9 of 37
8/2/07 at 11:27am

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

My experience with friends who have had bunion surgery is that the Dr. doing the procedure is everything. Some friends have done well, some horror stories. I'd want to know what his or her track record was before having it done.
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post #10 of 37
8/2/07 at 11:34am
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Graz
My experience with friends who have had bunion surgery is that the Dr. doing the procedure is everything. Some friends have done well, some horror stories. I'd want to know what his or her track record was before having it done.
My general practitioner referred me to Dr. Kulik. He said if he were having this done, this is the surgeon he'd want. Other than that, I'm not sure how to check up on a doctor.
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post #11 of 37
8/2/07 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I found this:
Quote:
Steven A. Kulik, Jr., M.D. completed a fellowship in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery at the University of Texas in Houston, Texas where he trained with two of the most respected foot and ankle surgeons in the United States. He was subsequently chief of the foot and ankle section of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Kulik and his team provide an advanced level of care for patients requiring foot and ankle care. He is an active member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
which was located here: http://www.arortho.com/mddetail.asp?EmployeeID=62
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post #12 of 37
8/2/07 at 1:49pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I'd say a recommendation from a GP that you trust is pretty good. Bunions seem to be pretty common. Just so happens several people in my neighborhood had bunion surgery in last year or so, so there was lots of word of mouth recommendations (and bandaged feet). Your Orthopedic guy seems to have pretty good credentials.
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post #13 of 37
8/2/07 at 6:11pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I'll post how I'm doing, that is, once I sober up from the pain meds.
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post #14 of 37
8/2/07 at 6:27pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I'd like to avoid this surgery, so....what is it, the skiing or the marathon running?
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post #15 of 37
8/3/07 at 7:23pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Gale
I'd like to avoid this surgery, so....what is it, the skiing or the marathon running?
I ski but I'm not a marathoner. I think it may be genetic. My mother had real doosies on both feet.
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post #16 of 37
8/6/07 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Tuesday's almost here, time for the surgery. Probably won't be online tomorrow. Yikes, this is the most significant surgery I've ever had.
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post #17 of 37
8/8/07 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

The surgery has occurred. It was a couple hours behind schedule, but it went well. I was given a nerve block which basically puts your leg to the deepest sleep I've ever known for about 12-16 hours, for post-op pain. I was under general anesthesia for the surgery.

The nerve block should have worn off by now, but hasn't. I've checked with the doctor's office and there is a variation in how long it lasts, up to 36 hours. This is ok with me, since while it lasts, there is no pain at all.

It does mean that I've got this dead piece of meat hanging from my left knee and have to use crutches. Once the block wears off I can walk on the foot (carefully) and I'm wearing this shoe that I guarantee you will never see on a fashion runway.

The doctor wrote a pain prescription for percocet and I've been told to take it before the block wears off. Actually it doesn't wear off, the nerve block tends to just stop, without much warning, so don't let that happen without having the pain meds in place. It's kind of weird to take pain meds when you're not feeling pain.

I've now got a permanent steel plate and screws in my foot. The doc says it won't set off airport sensors.

My wristwatch is telling me it's time to take my meds. TTFN.
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post #18 of 37
8/8/07 at 11:50am

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I wish you a speedy recovery sir and I hope your feet are happy once they heal!
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post #19 of 37
8/8/07 at 3:29pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Angell

I've now got a permanent steel plate and screws in my foot. The doc says it won't set off airport sensors.

Why am I skeptical about that? I see a wand waving around your foot before some future airplane ride.

My motorcycle boots got special attention going into a courthouse the other day.
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post #20 of 37
8/8/07 at 6:03pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

The kitties mew their hope for your recovery.
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post #21 of 37
8/9/07 at 9:54am
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

So far, it has gone well. 30 hours after the nerve block, I was finally able to slightly wiggle a toe, indicating the block was fading. There is still no pain to speak of and I can walk (carefully) using the special shoe.

While I was told the nerve block would end quickly, I think mine is fading. It's either that or length of the block got me past the worst of the pain. I am not taking the pain med and there is only a slight ache.

Stylish, eh?
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post #22 of 37
8/11/07 at 9:47am
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

To those who have had both feet done at the same time...how could you do it? I'm hobbling around now only because I have one good foot. If both had been operated on, I could not walk at all. I would be tied to a a wheelchair or crutches constantly. I'm glad I've only done one at a time.
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post #23 of 37
8/22/07 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Today was the two-week checkup. They took xrays and removed the dressing. Everything is normal, the steel plate is in place and the dressing stays off. I have to wear a bunion sleeve and the shoe for another 4 weeks.

Here's a before and after taken in the same shot today. The right foot looks pretty much they way the left did before the surgery.

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post #24 of 37
2/29/08 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I just had an interesting experience. A person in NY used Ask Jeeves (don't think it's called that anymore) to search for bunion surgery information and found this thread and emailed me. She wanted to know about my experience since she will need the surgery soon.

The internet sure has transformed communication.
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post #25 of 37
2/29/08 at 2:05pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

If she's in New York City or the nearby suburbs, ask her where she's having it done. If it isn't the Hospital for Special Surgery, tell her a NYC resident of your acquaintance recommends she look into that place. It is, quite simply, the finest facility in the region for orthopedic surgery. People travel from all over the world to see some of the specialists there.

Hospital for Special Surgery

M.
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post #26 of 37
2/29/08 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Reuben
If she's in New York City or the nearby suburbs, ask her where she's having it done.[/url]

M.
She's in Syracuse, where the surgery will be done by a podiatrist. Is that typical for a podiatrist to do this surgery? My doctor was an orthopedic surgeon.

Edit: I will pass on your information.
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post #27 of 37
2/29/08 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

BTW, Michael, I do need to correct your location of "Center of the known universe." I know for a fact, that my cat, Patch, believes he is the Center of the known universe. I never disagree with Patch.
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post #28 of 37
4/2/08 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

I'm going to update this thread because a party has expressed some interest in seeing the final results.

Starting with before and after. Actually, this is an after on the left foot and a before on the right foot.


Here is an after on both feet. As you can see, there was more correction achieved on the left foot. Still, the right foot does look better than before.


This is an illustration of how I used an ice pack on the foot.
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post #29 of 37
4/10/08 at 6:39pm

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

wow, bunions ticks kidneys stones.

whats next?
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post #30 of 37
4/10/08 at 7:01pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Bunion Surgery, Anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
wow, bunions ticks kidneys stones.

whats next?
Yes, an unenviable hat trick. Actually, what's next is 63, in another year
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