Anyone have a bunionectomy? (Physical therapy ?)

[Kellydelly]

I just had a bunionectomy with a double osteotomy 4 wks ago. I went to physical therapy today for the first time. It wasn't quite what I expected. The PT did a lot of stretching on my lower leg and ankle, when I really have an issue with the big toe joint. I know it's all connected, but I have been walking on my foot since the day of surgery, so I don't think I've lost any range of motion anywhere but my stiff toe! I was sent home with only 3 different exercises to do: ankle rolls, calf stretches, and I am supposed to drop a towel on the floor and try to pick it up with my toes (well, he said I couldn't actually do it, but go through the motions). So I only have one toe joint stretch to do, doesn't seem like enough. I don't know if this PT thinks he's got me on the hook for several sessions, because that isn't my plan. I only want to go 3-4 times, tops (I have a co-pay). The PT lasered my foot, he said to warm it up so it would be more pliable for the stretches he did. Now my incision line is really red/inflamed and it is kind of throbbing. Does this seem normal? I have to go back to work in 2 days and I'm a little nervous. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good shoe to wear? I have Mary Jane crocs, but they are hitting the top of my foot right across the post-bunion area and it's really irritating . I don't imagine my tennis shoes will feel any better.

 

[donac]

I had my bunion removed in June. In July I started pt. SHe did a lot of stretching for the first 10 to 15 minutes. Then I had to pick up marbles with my foot. I also did a lot of things for my foot, ankle and shin.

I was scheduled to go for 10 times but only went 8 since I had such good range of motion at the 3 week mark.

I have been athletic shoes since I could get them on my feet.

Good luck I went to a week long seminar at the 4 week mark. I did put my foot up to make sure that I didn't have any swelling.

 

[Mickey527]

Sounds like another way for you or your insurance to pay unnecessary claims.
I had a bunionectomy about 10 years ago. I never went to PT, and never needed it.
I never took any pain meds, drove my car the day after surgery, and walked out to the car after surgery. and my bunion was huge, it was not a simple surgery.
I went to the Dr twice after surgery and she put my foot into a whirlpool which helped her to debride the wound, and two months later I had another surgery when she removed the screw with another two whirlpool baths.
She told me to walk as much as possible, and stretch my toes when resting.
I do notice now whenever I go to the Dr the first thing they want to do is send you to PT, whether you get a sore back, or headache, PT seems to be a cure.
I didn't even go after I had my meniscus repair on my knee, since I can do what they do there and not have to pay the $20 co pay each visit. My DR recommended 3 times a week, but I went once and just did the same things at home.

 

[Kellydelly]

Sounds like another way for you or your insurance to pay unnecessary claims.
I had a bunionectomy about 10 years ago. I never went to PT, and never needed it.
I never took any pain meds, drove my car the day after surgery, and walked out to the car after surgery. and my bunion was huge, it was not a simple surgery.
I went to the Dr twice after surgery and she put my foot into a whirlpool which helped her to debride the wound, and two months later I had another surgery when she removed the screw with another two whirlpool baths.
She told me to walk as much as possible, and stretch my toes when resting.
I do notice now whenever I go to the Dr the first thing they want to do is send you to PT, whether you get a sore back, or headache, PT seems to be a cure.
I didn't even go after I had my meniscus repair on my knee, since I can do what they do there and not have to pay the $20 co pay each visit. My DR recommended 3 times a week, but I went once and just did the same things at home.

I really do have a very stiff joint that won't move without pain, so I do think I need some sort of therapy, whether it be PT or the foot doctor showing me some exercises. My mom had foot surgery 3 months ago and her doctor did not send her to PT, but did show her what to do at home (her surgery included hammer toe correction, so she was off her foot in a cast for a couple weeks, and then using a scooter to get around for a few weeks after that). I don't really want to keep going any more than I have to.

 

[Redpepperflakes14]

Sounds like another way for you or your insurance to pay unnecessary claims.
I had a bunionectomy about 10 years ago. I never went to PT, and never needed it.
I never took any pain meds, drove my car the day after surgery, and walked out to the car after surgery. and my bunion was huge, it was not a simple surgery.
I went to the Dr twice after surgery and she put my foot into a whirlpool which helped her to debride the wound, and two months later I had another surgery when she removed the screw with another two whirlpool baths.
She told me to walk as much as possible, and stretch my toes when resting.
I do notice now whenever I go to the Dr the first thing they want to do is send you to PT, whether you get a sore back, or headache, PT seems to be a cure.
I didn't even go after I had my meniscus repair on my knee, since I can do what they do there and not have to pay the $20 co pay each visit. My DR recommended 3 times a week, but I went once and just did the same things at home.

You sound like me. I had bunion surgery in 2003. Went to PT one time where we did stretching exercises for my weak big toe and then I spent a half hour with my foot in a whirlpool. The whirlpool was cool, but I had a job I needed to get to so going three times a week for one to two hours was a little out of the question (I believe my copay was $15 each time -- I was recently out of college in an entry-level position so I didn't have a lot of spare cash!) I worked on strengthening the big toe at home by picking up cotton balls with my toe and now its pretty much normal. I still have an ugly scar, (my bunion was huge too -- it made all my shoes stick out on that side, ugh!) but I'll take that over the excruciating pain any day.

P.S. -- If you've got the money and time and you feel you need it, take advantage of the PT OP, don't let me discourage you!!

 

[donac]

I am happy that I went to pt. Even after the surgery my toes was leaning to the left. The pt helped to retrain it to be straight. A friend who had the same surgery said she wishes she had the pt because her toe has never been right after the surgery.

If the joint doesn't move right after the surgery I think you really need to go to so that it doesn't freeze on you.

The reason that you are working the entiire foot is that all the tendons and muscles are very much related. Before I had the surgery I had tendonistis in my ankle. It has not flared up since the surgery.

 

[Mommee]

What you do at PT your first time is not what you'll do at every visit. It's usually a progressive type of thing. If you only plan on going a few times you need to let your PT know so they can plan accordingly and make sure you know what needs to be done at home.

 

[Aristomommy]

I would suggest that you are upfront with your PT about your time and visit expectations. I usually ask my patients when making their plan of care if they agree with my suggested frequency and how long I think each session will take. We are aware that people have personal lives and financial restrictions that prevent attending therapy 3 times a week for months on end. If you discuss this early on, your PT can give you more to do at home and progress you more aggressively if you can tolerate it.

OP: I see nothing out of the ordinary in your session. There are many different ways to rehab your condition and I hope your condition improves with therapy. Ask what you can do at home to move things along and stay compliant with the home exercise program. Hope you feel better soon.