post bunionectomy pain

by Josi
(Greece)

Three months ago I had surgery to remove a bunion and straighten two hammer toes.

The surgeon cannot tell me what proceedure he used but cut bone in two places and inserted a wire in my big toe and the 2nd and 3rd toes. I was nwb for 6 weeks when I had another op to remove the wires. Since starting to walk I have had severe pain in the ball of my foot behind the big toe which affects the whole toe joint making me limp and I cannot walk far. The big toe only moves down about 2mm. No other movement. My physio cannot find the big tendon and believes it was removed. The two other toes are rigid and do not move. There is extreme pain in the 3rd toe when manually moved.
I have had 10 sessions of ultra sound to reduce the inflammation under my foot but as soon as I walk it returns.
I am only 56 and at least could walk 6k before. Now I cannot walk 600 metres.
I was using one crutch but am now trying to walk without any aid although I limp and have to put weight more on the outside of my foot. I got fed up of people commenting that I was still using a crutch indicating they thought I was putting it all on.
What do I do now.
Thanks
Josi

Hi Josi,

Does you surgeon have amnesia? How can he not remember what type of procedure he performed. It is always difficult to assess a post operative foot without actually examining it, but since he put wires in the 2nd and 3rd toe I assume he did a fusion which would explain why those two toes are stiff.
As far as the bunion goes, since you were nonweight bearing for six weeks you have stiffness in the joint which is substantiated by the fact that you cannot bend the toe upwards. If the extensor tendon was removed, that is not by design but rather a mistake; we never purposely cut the tendon that brings the big toe upwards.
It sounds like you have been going through physical therapy for a period of time and if you are still having problems (or at least not dramatically improved) you may have a problem.
I think it would be wise to get a second opinion by someone who will be able to tell you what kind of procedure you actually had.
Marc Mitnick DPM