Recovering from Foot Surgery -- 4 days post-op

I don’t normally write about personal things. That would be rather boring. I prefer to write about places I go and things I experience and want to share with you. Well, I had foot surgery last week, and I don’t expect to be DOING much of anything except recovering for the next month or so. And I don’t want to neglect you readers. So, if it’s okay with you, I will share the ups and downs of my recovery from a left first metatarso-phalangeal (aka my big toe) joint fusion.

It wasn’t a decision I came to lightly. I’d been having pain for the past several years and it was getting progressively worse, due to arthritis. Though the doctor says, “One month in a boot and another month until you’re back to normal activities,” I’ve naturally read up on this and other sources say the recovery is more like three months to a year. My goal is, once I’m recovered, however long that takes, I will be pain free, and hopefully, for the rest of my life. The doctor, of course, says, yes, this will happen. I want to believe him; indeed, I’m banking on it. Naturally, the other sources say there are no guarantees of the ideal outcome. So, we’ll have to wait and see.

Today I am four days post-op. Each day, I’m seeing a little bit of progress. I have to be patient, as I know this will be a long slow recovery. (And I am not good at sitting and doing nothing!) The pain has actually been less than I expected. I’m sure that is in large part due to the pain medications I’m taking. But I’m taking less meds each day. The first two days, I barely got out of bed, only to use the bathroom. Today, I ventured out to the kitchen and outside to the back porch for some fresh air. The doctor did not think I would need crutches, said I should just walk in the boot, but I am using crutches anyway, because I can't imagine putting pressure on my foot yet. Just thinking about that hurts. And truth, one of the other sources I read says patients having this surgery should stay off the foot and use crutches for a couple weeks! So I feel justified. I’m optimistic I will make a full recovery and be back to the gym . . . soon.

Here’s my before picture.

 

 

And after (thus far). Beneath this behemoth boot, my foot is encased in a tightly-wrapped ace bandage. Beneath that, I have no idea what it looks like. I have stitches, but I have no idea how many. I’ll find out Monday when I go to the doctor for the first dressing change.

 

Readers, have any of you had experience with this surgery, or arthritis in a big toe joint. Tell me your story.