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Posted on: 2/13/15 7:13 PM ET
I went to an orthopaedic surgeon and he has recommended a bunionectomy as well as a chevron osteotomy. Only one foot is affected with the bunion. I have no idea why that is, given that both of them received the same treatment and the same genes.

It's hard for me to get footwear since one foot is a wide due to the bunion and the other a medium. I'm in an area with snow so wearing thong birks all the time is not an option.

I currently wear men's boots to give the one foot extra room, but I am in quite a bit of pain due to the bunion. I love to walk and not looking forward to the surgery and the recovery time.

Would you care to offer any advice about these two procedures and when would be the best time to have this done? Pros and cons. This is my foot and I am rather attached to it!

Helen
-- Edited on 2/13/15 at 7:15 PM --
  
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Posted on: 2/13/15 7:23 PM ET
I can only tell you my experience. I had the chevron osteotomy to correct my bunion. I too only had one foot involved, but it turns out the left foot was affected by the bad right knee! So you don't walk all that evenly- or most of us don't.

I had a quick recovery with little problem. Now, 10 years later it needs to be redone, but there is no pain this time just a lump that makes wearing shoes difficult.

My only advice is do it in the late spring or summer when your feet won't be cold. I did it in Feb. and that was dumb. Snow and crutches don't mix well! I had to use a wheelchair at work for 2 weeks because I couldn't teach on crutches all day.

Best of luck with your decision.
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Posted on: 2/14/15 9:24 AM ET
I can't offer you advice, however, I'm interested in this discussion because I, too, have developed a bunion in the right foot.
Mine is not painful but I keep wondering if that will change over time and I also wonder if my other foot will develop the same problem. It's good to know that at least some of you have only the one. My only point of reference was my mother who had them in both feet.


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Posted on: 2/14/15 10:06 AM ET
I have bunions on both feet as well as bunionettes - a cute name that refers to bunions on the baby toe side of the foot. My mother claimed they come from my father's side of the family, but at this point, who cares?

Through some set of luck and the alignment of the stars, mine are not horribly big or generally painful. The times that the one on my right foot hurts, it makes me feel very old to say my bunion is aching... I do live in Birks of various sorts (and yes, the thong ones are the best for bunion owners!)

So anyway, I am not a candidate for surgery at this point, but here is what I know - I have always been told to not get them done until there is significant constant pain. Sounds like you are there. I know 3 people who have had surgeries. One is a good friend since we were 13 and she had bunions then. Got hers done in her 30's and said she wished she had them done years earlier. Another had hers done in her 30's, still had pain and wished she hadn't had them done. I do wonder about that person and how her after-care went. It is possible she didn't do things as prescribed and maybe messed it up that way.

The third person had bunion surgery and an osteotomy and is happy with the results. I see her bare feet regularly as we do yoga together and her foot looks good, if that is important to you. But the other warning I often have heard about this surgery is that it is ridiculously painful. Her DH is also in my class and reported back to us for several weeks about her pain levels and the slow, slow recovery. They learned quickly not to let the pain "get ahead of" her and to keep up the meds through the night. He said it was a bit like getting up through the night with a baby for awhile as she was not able to get up and get her meds by herself. AFAIK, she is not in any pain now, several years later. Of course, I don't see her traipsing into yoga in stilettos, (we are not that kind of a yoga class!) I think she is also happy with the ability to find and wear nicer looking shoes.

Good luck making your decision!
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Posted on: 2/14/15 11:41 AM ET
I have bunions on both feet, but can't consider surgery because I live alone and have no one to help with chores, shopping or taking my big dog out and for walks. I find that when it reached the stage that the toes started to cross over, it seems to sometimes upset your balance.
I can combat it somewhat with the silicon toe separators and arch supports.
I think if you have someone to help you while you recover surgery would be worth a try. In the meantime, I would suggest trying a stretch shoe. You can see them at Footsmart.com, but there are other sources with lower prices.
I hate not being able to wear sandals in the summer like other people.
-- Edited on 2/14/15 at 11:42 AM --
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Posted on: 2/14/15 11:59 AM ET
I have one that isn't giving me problems, and I love it. It looks like my dad's bunions and since he's been gone for 18 years, I hope to always have it. It only hurts when I drop something heavy on it.

If you're unsure about having it removed, get a second opinion.

Edited to add, I have a shoe stretcher to give it a little more room when the shoes require it.
-- Edited on 2/14/15 at 12:00 PM --
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Posted on: 2/14/15 12:57 PM ET
In reply to sewbehind
Two of my friends had their bunions done in the last five years or so. Both were in their late sixties, and had the surgery when they essentially could not stand the pain and disability any longer. One had not only the bunion but a hammer toe and two crossed toes. Her feet are a train wreck.

Both women told me that the surgeries were definitely worth it--but that the post-op pain, swelling, and recovery time were surprising. Neither was able to wear anything but very roomy shoes for months afterward

The friend with the really bad feet lives alone, has two little dogs, and is a teacher. Obviously, she had her operation during vacation (though the foot was still swollen and uncomfortable when she went back to work). Several of her friends babysat her little dogs for a few days after the surgery, but she was not bedridden and required no help in the house, and only a brief period of needing friends to drive her around. I think the presence of the dogs actually spurred her recovery.

As I said, both ladies wound up glad for the surgical correction and were helped a great deal by them, but their recoveries were loooong.

It is probably worth noting that neither person would be described as 'active.' In fact, they both loathe exercise. I suspect active people might have quicker, easier recovery times.

-- Edited on 2/15/15 at 0:17 AM --
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Posted on: 2/14/15 3:13 PM ET
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Quote: Elona
It is probably worth noting that neither person would be described as 'active.' In fact, they both loathe exercise. I suspect active people might have quicker, easier recovery times.

I don't know if this is the case. My aunt is very active and athletic (still coaches soccer well into her 70s), and my understanding is that her post-op experience was also painful and slow. (A big part of what has me putting it off as long as possible!)

To the person whose bunions don't bother you--you are a very, very lucky person. They are MISERABLE. I have tailor's bunions/bunionettes (pinky toe bunions) and now also arthritis in my big toe, and it's awful. ...And I'm only 40. (I never even had a chance to wear cute-but-painful shoes in my "youth!" LOL :D)

Tourist--don't the cork soles on the Birks bother your pinky toes? I have *never* been able to wear them; the edge of the sole presses right where it's most painful. ...Which is mightily inconvenient, b/c they've been recommended to stabilize the arthritic toes. *sigh.*
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Posted on: 2/14/15 3:57 PM ET
I have a different toe problem, but I found that I got pain relief when my toes were in correct alignment when I walk. I have been wearing Correct Toes for about 6 months. These linked toe spacers keep all toes spaced slightly which allows for correct distribution of weight when you stand or walk. I think bunions are the major reason for many of the people who wear Correct Toes to try them out. I found that wearing them also bring pain relief from plantar fasciitis. I started out by wearing them barefoot around the house, then began wearing them in shoes a few hours at a time. Finding shoes with a wide toe box can be a challenge. I wear mine in crocs, birks, Naots, and Soft Star shoes. I've worked up to wearing them in the unstructured Soft Star shoes most of the day.

Here is the link to the product: Correct Toes The podiatrist has a you tube channel with videos about different foot conditions, too.
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Posted on: 2/15/15 0:05 AM ET
This is interesting. My problem is that in between the toes is allot of pulling & keeps from sleeping some. I am starting a new muscle relaxant to see if that helps. The Occupational therapist said there is a product called Toesies that helps some people, but it is about $55 per foot! Yikes! I just got some new socks today that have extra enforced sole I am hoping that they might help some.

I cannot say anything about the surgery, I think if it relieves the pain & the doctor is confident in the outcome then maybe I would do it. Not easy to have the pain day in & day out. If the doctor was not sure though, then I would not do it.
I hope you get some resolution soon.
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