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What can you not do after bunion surgery?


Having bunion surgery can relieve pain and improve mobility. However, recovery does take time and there are restrictions on activities after surgery to allow the foot to heal properly. This article will provide an overview of what you cannot do during the recovery period after bunion surgery.

Why bunion surgery has activity restrictions

Bunion surgery, also known as a bunionectomy, aims to correct the misalignment of the big toe joint and remove the bony bump. During surgery, the bones are cut and realigned and held in place with screws, pins or plates. The soft tissue around the joint is also moved over to help realign the toe.

After surgery, the bones need time to heal into their new position. Typically, the bones take around 6-8 weeks to fully heal. However, the soft tissue healing can take 3-6 months. If too much pressure or strain is put on the foot too soon, it could damage the bones before they have healed fully or cause the bones to move back out of alignment.

Therefore, surgeons give restrictions on what activities patients can do during the recovery timeline to allow the foot the best chance to heal properly. Adhering to these restrictions diligently is crucial for a successful outcome.

Activity restrictions in the first 2 weeks

The first 2 weeks after bunion surgery has the strictest limits on activity to allow the initial healing to begin. Here are the dos and don’ts for the first 2 weeks:

Walking

– Do not put any weight on the operated foot unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon. Use crutches or a knee scooter to avoid placing weight on the foot when moving about.

Elevation

– Keep the foot elevated above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling. Avoid letting the foot hang down when sitting.

Dressing care

– Keep the surgical dressing clean and dry. Do not remove it until your post-op appointment, usually around 2 weeks after surgery.

Bathing

– Sponge bathe only. Do not soak the foot or dressing.

Driving

– Do not drive while the surgical foot is immobilized in the post-op shoe or cast.

Exercise

– Do not do any exercise involving the operated foot. Restrict upper body exercise to light activity with minimal exertion.

Return to work

– Take at least 2 weeks off work, longer if your job requires prolonged standing or physical activity.

Activity Restriction in first 2 weeks
Walking No weight bearing on operated foot unless surgeon approves
Elevation Keep foot elevated above heart level as much as possible
Dressing care Keep dressing clean and dry
Bathing Sponge bathe only, keep dressing dry
Driving No driving while foot is immobilized in post-op shoe/cast
Exercise No exercise involving operated foot. Upper body exercise restricted to light activity.
Return to work Take at least 2 weeks off, longer if job involves standing or physical activity

Weeks 2-6 of recovery

In the 2-6 week period after surgery, you will have a post-op appointment to have stitches removed and be transitioned into a stiff-soled shoe or walking boot to gradually increase weight bearing. Activity is still restricted but can be expanded compared to the first 2 weeks.

Walking

– Slowly increase standing and walking, wearing the post-op shoe or boot. Use crutches or a cane until your doctor advises you can walk without support.

Elevation

– Continue to elevate the foot when resting. Avoid letting it hang down for prolonged periods.

Bathing

– You may soak and wash the foot gently after the stitches have been removed. Avoid submerging the foot in a bath or pool. Keep the dressings dry.

Dressing care

– Monitor the dressings daily. Change as needed if soiled. Avoid removing them unnecessarily.

Driving

– You may drive an automatic car only if your right foot is operated on, and you can bend your knee enough to properly control the pedals. No driving if your left foot is operated on.

Return to work

– You may return to sedentary work if you can keep the foot elevated. Avoid jobs requiring prolonged standing or walking.

Exercise

– Upper body exercise with minimal exertion is permitted. No high impact activity. Avoid exercise bikes or ellipticals – use a stationary bike with little to no resistance instead. Swimming with a flutter kick is permitted if stitches are fully healed.

Activity Restriction in weeks 2-6
Walking Gradually increase standing and walking in post-op shoe/boot. Use crutches or cane until doctor says it’s okay to walk without support.
Elevation Continue elevating foot when resting
Bathing May soak and wash foot gently after stitches removed. Avoid submerging foot or getting dressings wet.
Dressing care Monitor and change dressings as needed. Avoid removing unnecessarily.
Driving May drive automatic car only if right foot operated on and can bend knee to control pedals. No driving if left foot operated on.
Return to work May return to sedentary desk job with foot elevated. Avoid jobs requiring prolonged standing/walking.
Exercise Upper body with minimal exertion permitted. No high impact activity. Stationary bike with little/no resistance or swimming with flutter kick okay if stitches healed.

6 weeks to 3 months of recovery

After 6 weeks, weight bearing restrictions are generally lifted but some care is still needed to allow the soft tissue to continue healing. Activity can be expanded as tolerated, within the guidelines below:

Walking

– Gradually increase walking distances and duration wearing regular supportive shoes. Avoid uneven terrain. Continue to use crutches or a cane if needed.

Elevation

– Elevate the foot periodically if swelling occurs after increased activity.

Bathing

– You may soak the foot in a bath or pool. Avoid hot tubs.

Driving

– You may drive any car if you can safely control the pedals.

Return to work

– You may return to work including jobs with periods of standing and walking. Take scheduled breaks to rest and elevate your foot.

Exercise

– Low impact exercise is permitted, such as walking, stationary biking, or swimming. Avoid running, jumping, or other jarring activities. Do not resume high impact sports or strenuous weight lifting.

Activity Restriction from weeks 6 to 12
Walking Gradually increase distance and duration wearing regular supportive shoes. Avoid uneven terrain. Use crutches/cane if needed.
Elevation Elevate foot if swelling occurs after activity
Bathing May soak in bath or pool. Avoid hot tubs.
Driving May drive any car if you can safely control pedals
Return to work May return to jobs with periods of standing/walking. Take scheduled breaks to rest and elevate foot.
Exercise Low impact activity permitted e.g. walking, biking, swimming. Avoid running, jumping, high impact sports.

3-6 months after bunion surgery

From 3-6 months, the foot is mostly healed but the soft tissue may still be adapting and stiff. Activity can be expanded with continued care and gradual progression.

Walking

– Unrestricted walking and standing. Avoid uneven terrains or poor walking surfaces when possible.

Footwear

– Transition to regular shoes with good support and cushioning. Avoid heels over 1 inch.

Exercise

– Progress to higher impact exercise carefully. Avoid excessive, repetitive impact. Sports may be resumed after 4-6 months if approved by your surgeon.

Swelling

– Some intermittent swelling may persist with increased activity. Ice and elevate as needed. Compression socks can help.

Stiffness

– The joint may remain stiff. Continue stretching and exercises to improve flexibility. Massage can help break down scar tissue.

Activity Restriction from months 3 to 6
Walking Unrestricted walking and standing. Avoid uneven terrain when possible.
Footwear Transition to regular supportive, cushioned shoes. Avoid heels over 1 inch.
Exercise Progress higher impact exercise gradually. Avoid excessive repetitive impact. Sports may resume after 4-6 months if surgeon approves.
Swelling Ice, elevate and use compression socks if swelling persists with activity.
Stiffness Continue stretching and exercises. Massage can help break down scar tissue.

Beyond 6 months after bunion surgery

By 6 months, most restrictions are lifted as the foot is largely healed. However, continue caring for your foot with:

Footwear

– Wear supportive, cushioned shoes with a wide toe box. Avoid narrow, restrictive shoes which could put pressure on your big toe joint.

Foot care

– Monitor for signs of recurrence such as deviation of the big toe or bunion bump returning. See your doctor promptly if this occurs. Use orthotics or spacers as recommended to prevent recurrence.

Exercise

– Avoid high impact, repetitive stress activities. Low impact exercise is ideal long term. Listen to your body and ease up on activity if pain returns. Build up impact gradually.

Expectations

– It may take a full year for residual stiffness, swelling or achiness to fully resolve. Some mild stiffness or aching may persist long term, especially with changes in weather. This is normal.

Results

– Follow up annually with your surgeon to monitor results. Periodic x-rays can assess bone alignment. Report any concerns promptly. Some may need revision surgery for recurrence.

Conclusion

Recovering from bunion surgery requires following strict activity restrictions and a graduated return to normal activities under your surgeon’s guidance. It takes months for the bones and soft tissue to fully adapt and heal into the corrected position. While frustrating, diligently adhering to the limits during each recovery phase is crucial for ensuring the best outcome from surgery. With time and care, most are able to return to full, pain-free mobility of the foot after bunion surgery.