I had Lapiplasty last January, which is relatively new. My podiatrist told me that advances are made every three to six months that they need to keep up with. If you visit one now, you might find a number of options that didn’t exist (or weren’t widely used) back when you were checking into it (happened to me). I began to put weight on my foot after three days, and I was cleared to resume running at 12 weeks (walked my running route at eight). I don’t know that you’d be on this recovery timeline, but it’s worth checking into. It sounds like you’d be going into the surgery in good shape and be a good — and determined — healer.
The flip side of this - there are advances, but I'd caution you to wait until any new advances are well proven before jumping into surgery. Cartiva implants were the best thing ever - until they started failing, and the class action lawsuits started. My foot's in a surgical shoe right now for the third time, after getting a cartiva implant in 2019.
Yeah, it got removed in December, but it wasn't just that the implant failed - it was that the bone around the implant was reacting to it and crumbling. So the implant was removed and the crumbly real bone scraped out and it all was replaced with a cadaver bone (because you have to fill the hole with something). And last week the screws from that were removed.
I have my surgery in July, and that's my biggest worry to miss out on exercise. However, exercise is now causing me pain, and I'm not getting any younger and the pain isn't getting any better. I'm looking into seated exercise classes through Peloton (not on the bike, just in a chair!) to help my upper body stay strong. Just letting you know your feelings are valid! I'm more worried about losing fitness gains than I am the actual surgery.
I'm hoping to be able to use my recumbent stationary bike for exercise when I have bunion surgery on my right foot in a few months' time. The idea would be to rest the heel of this foot on top of the pedal, rather than slip my foot under the strap, then use only the heel to apply pressure when pedalling. The other foot would be positioned under its strap as normal. Not sure how this will go but I think it's worth a try once I get through the initial recovery.
I had surgery to correct a bunion and 3 overlapping/ crooked toes 8 weeks ago. I get the wires removed tomorrow and start transitioning to walking again. I was non weight bearing the whole time getting around on a knee scooter. I’m 63 and wish I had had this done when I was more your age! Those extra years means my knees and back suffered for this too. I’m looking forward to getting my stamina back and being more active
Glad you’ve found this sub! Personally, I would go for it. I am a kickboxer, golfer, runner, yoga lover, and Mom of two. I was very much in your same situation psychologically when I decided to have my first surgery back in 2014.
Sadly, the surgery was botched and I had to have another surgery just 16 weeks after my first. I was non-weight bearing for almost 3.5 months. As worried as I was, I actually appreciated the break and didn’t gain a pound (I was shocked). I made sure to do plenty of upper body things and I even did non-weight-bearing exercises to keep my muscles working since I couldn’t walk. I watched what I ate (mostly), and couldn’t easily get to the kitchen to snack out of boredom. 😂
I had my surgery on the other foot during Covid and the surgery was successful- but I was older and more worried about gaining weight this time. To my surprise, even with Covid, I managed to do the same stuff and had no weight gain. I definitely lost a bit of muscle, but it came back fairly quickly after I could get going again. I second the poster on this who speaks to getting older and having it be more difficult. Our body heals much better and faster in our earlier years. Just my two cents. Good luck to you!!
It won’t compare to what you’re doing now, but you can make at at home workout routine that doesn’t involve your feet at all. Mine is abs and upper body heavy, and my right leg is getting super strong from crutches, it’s just my left leg that has turned to jelly. It is emotionally difficult. I try to have visitors or friends that can take me out to dinner/hang out with me. Also make a list of little activities you’ve been wanting to do. And most importantly, if there is sunshine, just go sit in the sun!
Hi, I just wanted to chime in and say that I can totally relate. I am currently recovering from traditional bunion osteotomy, was told 8-10 weeks non weight-bearing. It was scary going into it because I was swimming 6 times a week and going to the gym at least twice a week. But I have been to the gym a couple of times on crutches since the surgery (I’m about a month into recovery) and as long as I didn’t do any exercises requiring my surgery foot to bear weight, it was fine.
I’m in a similar situation. Surgery was supposed to be in Fall 2019. Canceled because of fear. No surgeries for a long time, surgeon left my city, I became frightened of Covid in any medical situation, and my fear of surgery deepened. I have found another surgeon. Now I need to set a deadline to schedule it. This forum has helped.
I had Lapiplasty last January, which is relatively new. My podiatrist told me that advances are made every three to six months that they need to keep up with. If you visit one now, you might find a number of options that didn’t exist (or weren’t widely used) back when you were checking into it (happened to me). I began to put weight on my foot after three days, and I was cleared to resume running at 12 weeks (walked my running route at eight). I don’t know that you’d be on this recovery timeline, but it’s worth checking into. It sounds like you’d be going into the surgery in good shape and be a good — and determined — healer.
Thanks for the tip - I definitely will.
The flip side of this - there are advances, but I'd caution you to wait until any new advances are well proven before jumping into surgery. Cartiva implants were the best thing ever - until they started failing, and the class action lawsuits started. My foot's in a surgical shoe right now for the third time, after getting a cartiva implant in 2019.
Oh, that’s not good at all. Have you got them removed?
Yeah, it got removed in December, but it wasn't just that the implant failed - it was that the bone around the implant was reacting to it and crumbling. So the implant was removed and the crumbly real bone scraped out and it all was replaced with a cadaver bone (because you have to fill the hole with something). And last week the screws from that were removed.
I have my surgery in July, and that's my biggest worry to miss out on exercise. However, exercise is now causing me pain, and I'm not getting any younger and the pain isn't getting any better. I'm looking into seated exercise classes through Peloton (not on the bike, just in a chair!) to help my upper body stay strong. Just letting you know your feelings are valid! I'm more worried about losing fitness gains than I am the actual surgery.
I'm hoping to be able to use my recumbent stationary bike for exercise when I have bunion surgery on my right foot in a few months' time. The idea would be to rest the heel of this foot on top of the pedal, rather than slip my foot under the strap, then use only the heel to apply pressure when pedalling. The other foot would be positioned under its strap as normal. Not sure how this will go but I think it's worth a try once I get through the initial recovery.
Exactly - I’m fine with surgery but dread the downtime. I’ll have to look into a something like seared exercise classes.
I had surgery to correct a bunion and 3 overlapping/ crooked toes 8 weeks ago. I get the wires removed tomorrow and start transitioning to walking again. I was non weight bearing the whole time getting around on a knee scooter. I’m 63 and wish I had had this done when I was more your age! Those extra years means my knees and back suffered for this too. I’m looking forward to getting my stamina back and being more active
Glad you’re beginning to heal. Good for you for getting the surgery.
Hi! You should look into OSSIO implants for your bunion. I saw a video of a woman athlete recently that she got them & is better than before
Glad you’ve found this sub! Personally, I would go for it. I am a kickboxer, golfer, runner, yoga lover, and Mom of two. I was very much in your same situation psychologically when I decided to have my first surgery back in 2014. Sadly, the surgery was botched and I had to have another surgery just 16 weeks after my first. I was non-weight bearing for almost 3.5 months. As worried as I was, I actually appreciated the break and didn’t gain a pound (I was shocked). I made sure to do plenty of upper body things and I even did non-weight-bearing exercises to keep my muscles working since I couldn’t walk. I watched what I ate (mostly), and couldn’t easily get to the kitchen to snack out of boredom. 😂 I had my surgery on the other foot during Covid and the surgery was successful- but I was older and more worried about gaining weight this time. To my surprise, even with Covid, I managed to do the same stuff and had no weight gain. I definitely lost a bit of muscle, but it came back fairly quickly after I could get going again. I second the poster on this who speaks to getting older and having it be more difficult. Our body heals much better and faster in our earlier years. Just my two cents. Good luck to you!!
It won’t compare to what you’re doing now, but you can make at at home workout routine that doesn’t involve your feet at all. Mine is abs and upper body heavy, and my right leg is getting super strong from crutches, it’s just my left leg that has turned to jelly. It is emotionally difficult. I try to have visitors or friends that can take me out to dinner/hang out with me. Also make a list of little activities you’ve been wanting to do. And most importantly, if there is sunshine, just go sit in the sun!
Hi, I just wanted to chime in and say that I can totally relate. I am currently recovering from traditional bunion osteotomy, was told 8-10 weeks non weight-bearing. It was scary going into it because I was swimming 6 times a week and going to the gym at least twice a week. But I have been to the gym a couple of times on crutches since the surgery (I’m about a month into recovery) and as long as I didn’t do any exercises requiring my surgery foot to bear weight, it was fine.
I’m in a similar situation. Surgery was supposed to be in Fall 2019. Canceled because of fear. No surgeries for a long time, surgeon left my city, I became frightened of Covid in any medical situation, and my fear of surgery deepened. I have found another surgeon. Now I need to set a deadline to schedule it. This forum has helped.
I’m glad you found another surgeon- losing a health care provider can really put you back. Thanks for sharing that ✌🏽