Bunion Surgery

So I’ve been in school for a little over one week now, and I also went back to work for the first time on Sunday. I work in a deli at a grocery store, and my job involves being on my feet all day. I thought it would be fine after two months, so I had told my boss I would go back on the 13th. I am now feeling that that was a mistake.

I had a seven hour shift, and I wore good insoles and good shoes. About two hours into my shift I could barely stand up any longer; partially because of my post-surgery foot, partially because of the sore bunion on my right foot, and partially, but mostly, because of my achilles tendonitis. It’s so difficult because I don’t want to overwork my post-op foot too quickly; it’s still quite swollen and often very sore. But when I try to put most of my weight on my right foot, I’m in even more pain because of my achilles tendonitis, and also my bunion. So I’m standing at work on Sunday, shifting my weight from my swollen left foot to my excruciating right foot. When I try to take the weight off of my heal, my bunion gets sore. And I can’t figure out what’s worse, the bunion on my right foot or the tendonitis; but truthfully, probably the tendonitis.

I somehow survived my shift by taking a lot of tylenol and advil, and leaning on the deli counter. When I got home, I sat down on the couch, iced both of my heels as well as both of my bunions (rather, non-bunion, on my left foot), and didn’t get up again until it was time for bed.

On Monday I had an appointment with my podiatrist, Dr. L, in the morning. I could barely walk on Monday as my post-op foot was extremely swollen and sore; I could hardly fit it into a normal shoe. In hindsight, I probably should have worn my Air Cast. I went to see Dr. L about my orthotics as well as my heels. He didn’t really look at my heels, but he did adjust my orthotics so that they were less high in the arches, as I was getting blisters from them. He also prescribed me a topical anti-inflammatory to rub on my heels three times a day, which I had to get at a compounding pharmacy.

I went to physiotherapy yesterday, and she did some more ultrasound therapy on my heels. It has actually helped quite a bit, as the pain is lessened today. Which makes me really really wish I could afford this. After how expensive physiotherapy is, it’s probably a worthy investment. But I just paid tuition, so I won’t be buying that yet. Anyways, physio is helping a lot, I just wish it was helping my heels more. My range of motion in my post-bunion foot now is fantastic though! Pictures (and maybe a video) to come soon.

For now, I’ll keep icing my heels and waiting for my tendon support to arrive, while trying to deal with the pain.