Week 23
Week 23, 2/14/12
A month later and things are progressing. I have less pain but there is still discomfort and soreness if I am on my feet alot, even in ‘comfortable’ shoes. (I even get discomfort in the right foot still, but in a different way than before. It’s right at the ball of the foot now, on the bottom of the foot, whereas before there was achiness in the second toe.) I’m coming up on the six month mark, though the doctor said it could take up to a year. Flexibility is good. Not as good as the right foot, but that is already at month 9 1/2. I’m optimistic about regaining flexibility. (I stopped Physical Therapy at the end of December.)
It seems like the big toe has “stabilized” (for lack of a better word) and is not slipping anymore to the left. I do feel it rubbing on my second toe sometimes, and it’s quite an odd sensation as it only happens on the ‘lift’ of my foot when I’m taking a step. Stepping down, the toes spread apart, but lifting up the big toe hits the second toe. At first it felt like the cica-care gel was flapping around, but then I realized it was the toes touching!
I will stop using cica-care gel on Feb. 29. That will have been 3 months. (Package says 2-4 months for best results.) Scar is flat, but very red.
The second toe is stiff too. Working that manually when I’m sitting around, but it seems not to bend as far as the others. I have to admit though, that I don’t really remember what kind of flexibility I had in that toe prior to the surgery. I guess I took that little guy for granted!
Doctor said I could start running again in March. I’m anxious and nervous. I believe there will still be pain, but I hope it’s tolerable. I hope I can play tennis this summer.
minitightropebunionectomy 
Hello. Im researching about bunionectomies and found your writings/blog.
What made you choose this tightrope version instead of akin version ?
Also, i agree that it looks like you still have your bunion! Was it not shaved ?
Hello and thanks for reading this blog! I chose this procedure because the mini-tightrope surgery uses tiny holes bored through the metatarsal and phalanges to hold fiber but does not involve cutting any bone.Therefore, ostensibly, the time to heal is a bit quicker, the pain of recovery lessened, and the possibility of issues with bones not healing properly or straight is diminished. If you look at the first picture on the “Photos” page (https://minitightropebunionectomy.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/left-foot-before-e1316801443164.jpg), you will see that the bump is diminished. However, the toe did not remain straight after the procedure which is why there is still such a bump. I had my other foot done and the results were better, though that toe is not perfectly straight and there is still a bit of a protrusion.
I chose the “middle road”. Had my second foot turned out like the first foot I would be happier, but seeing as it did not, I don’t know what decision I would make now.
Good luck with your bunionectomy! Let me know which you choose and how it turns out!
Bunions develop because of two inherited factors. The angle of the 1st metatarsal/cuneiform joint in the middle part of the foot is slanted causing the 1st metatasal to move up and away from the 2nd metatarsal. This angle is corrected with the “bone cutting” surgery. The tightrope procedure is a return to an older technique which was generally abandoned due to poor long term results. The new tightrope equipment has generated a resurgence of the procedure. Only time will tell to long term results. It is recommended for only some types of bunions.
More importantly the other cause is an abnormal walking pattern. Excess pronation places stress through the big toe joint and makes it unstable. If the proper type of in shoe orthotic devices are not used, the chance of redeveloping a bunion is high.
I would suggest you get out of the negative heel Sketchers and start a “motion Control” athletic shoe with custom orthotics. New Balance has several.
Thank you, Phutddoc, both for following this conversation and for your input! Lately I have not been wearing the Sketchers. I find my New Balance 506 training shoes most comfortable for everyday ‘non-dress’ wear. One incision is sensitive (ironically, it’s the one on my right foot, though the surgery on that foot was done almost a year ago!) and finding athletic shoes without an overlay that irritates it is a challenge. (The New Balance 506 is not great in that department.)
I also find Dansko type clogs more comfortable now than I did immediately on getting into real shoes. Curious as to your thoughts on those?
Your comments are timely, as I just started jogging again. (Literally, have been on two 20 minute jogs!) The shoe fitter (at a reputable running-only store) did a treadmill analysis and didn’t seem to think I overly pronate. She did recommend a bit of stability in the shoe, and I asked for something “cushy” because the left great toe joint is still somewhat tender. I ended up with a shoe that, so far, I am loving. It’s called Karhu. There are no overlays on the great toe joint, it’s “cushy”, and seems to provide requisite stability.
Incidentally –and curiously — I requested a prescription for custom orthotics from my doc, but he wasn’t of the mind that I needed them now. Your thoughts?
Hi, I had my bunions done one by one, first 17 years ago and the second 16 years ago. Each time it was performed as regular bunionectomy with cutting out little piece of bone across the lenght of bone. Then the bone was connected with metal pin for 4-5 weeks to secure proper healing, and removed.
I have to say that my recovery was much faster then yours (I read your whole blog). I admit I have a high pain tolerance, but still I never took even one painkiller. After each surgery I had to wear surgical shoe for the first 5 weeks, but never had to use crutches, which was a blessing. My toes are straight and there is nothing sticking out of line. My scar is almost invisible.
And looked almost invisible after 6 months, my doctor gave me a silicon gel to use (it looks exactly like the gel you were using) and together with gel I had Mederma ointment to use on scar.
I came here because one of my clients just told me about this “new, amazing” method, and I was curious, so I did my research and that’s how I spot your blog.
Honestly, my bunions before the surgery were smaller then yours on the last picture, but I decided to take care of them before they become to big which means more difficult surgery and more painful recovery.
Sounds like your bunionectomies were very successful, Stardust. Do you know what kind you had? Sounds like a Scarf/Akin but I’d be keen to know for sure. (The mini-tightrope is but one of several different kinds of bunion surgeries.) Sorry for the late response!