Bunions

[pettyboone]

I had a bunionectomy (foot reconstruction) a little over 1 year ago but this one was a little different than the one I had on my opposite foot in 2001. My first bunionectomy went well and I had the pin removed a month after I was fully able to resume normal activities. Of course, I had to be put back under anesthesia to have the pin removed. I don't really remember the recovery time. But what I am wondering is this time around I have screws higher up the foot instead near the toe/bunion. The doctor advised me to wait 1 year to decide if I wanted the screw out. This surgery was a bit more complex than the first one which was just a pin at the bunion/toe site. So my question is this, how long is the recovery for a screw to be removed from the top of my foot and is it worth doing? It's been causing some pain, especially when I wear closed in shoes (tennis shoes) because I have to lace them up. Please help.

[Sunny66]

Hello. I think that removing the screw is the only way to go if it is causing pain. I too had a bunionectomy and osteotomy and about 14 months later had to have the screw removed. The x-rays showed that it had been moving around. It was further up the foot too and now I have a large 'lump' or something where the screw was that still hurts some. I don't really think the recovery time for the removal is very long. I can't say for sure because I had a morton's neuroma removed at the same time so of course it probably took longer than it would have with the screw only. I just thought I'd share my experience with you. Good luck. I know how hard it is to decide whether or not to have more stuff done.

[footdr4u]

The recovery time would include about 2 weeks in a surgical shoe until the stitches come out. If the swelling goes down, then you would be able to progress into an athletic shoe. I think if the screw is causing pain then it must come out or the pain will get worse. Most all of my patients do very well after any screw removal and recovery time is minimal. I hope this helps you!!

[pettyboone]

Thanks for the response. How long do you think I would need to take off of work? I am a nurse and I work on the floor.

[quote="footdr4u"]The recovery time would include about 2 weeks in a surgical shoe until the stitches come out. If the swelling goes down, then you would be able to progress into an athletic shoe. I think if the screw is causing pain then it must come out or the pain will get worse. Most all of my patients do very well after any screw removal and recovery time is minimal. I hope this helps you!![/quote]

[footdr4u]

Can you work with the surgical shoe on? If so, your pain from this surgery will be minimal compared to the actually surgery you had a year ago. If you had it done on a friday, you could go back to work on Monday, if you can work with the shoe on. Otherwise, I would take off 2 weeks. Ask your doctor if he agrees with this. But I think will be a minimal procedure that will reduce that pain.

[suznfrmmn]

Hi, I've been trying to find answers to the screw procedure too. A couple days before surgery my Dr said he would be putting in a screw instead of a pin. He said it didn't need to be removed, like it dissolved over time? Have you heard of that? I won't see my dr again for another week so I am hoping to get more info before I do. Do you have any sources that I could check with? Susan

[pettyboone]

My doctor was also saying the screw didn't necessarily have to be removed but I have never heard of a screw dissolving, stitches yes. I ended up having the screw removed because it started to bother me and become painful at the site. According to x rays, one year after the initial surgery, the screw began to move and callus was forming and I began to develop arthritis. So, not only did I have the screw removed (which the doctor said he had a hard time removing because of the growth around it and ended up stripping the screw) but I also had a cheilectomy (where they have to shave down the bone because it had callused around the original site so it looked like a bunion was forming again). I dont know if any of this information helps but sometimes actual podiatrists will reply to your post. Good Luck.