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Is it normal for toes to be numb after foot surgery?
Nerve damage. Nerves that supply feeling to the skin are near the incision site. Permanent damage is rare (around 5%) but if your toe stays numb after surgery, it may be because the nerve is bruised but it will usually recover.
How long is toe stiff after bunion surgery?
You will have pain and swelling that slowly improves in the 6 weeks after surgery. You may have some minor pain and swelling that lasts as long as 6 months to a year. After surgery, you will need to wear a cast or a special type of shoe to protect your toe and to keep it in the right position for at least 3 to 6 weeks.
Why does my toes hurt after bunion surgery?
Many times this pain happens after bunion surgery because the bone for the great toe was shortened a little too much during the correction of the bunion. The shape of the foot is changed and the patient’s weight moves over to the next toes during walking.
How do you reduce swelling after bunion surgery?
The best way of reducing the swelling is by elevating the foot strictly in the first two weeks after surgery and by moving the toes, ankle and knee. Swelling can put tension on the wound edges and may cause problems with wound healing.
How long is toe numb after surgery?
Most patients receive a nerve block during surgery, which will numb the nerves that do down to the foot/ankle area. This block will last approximately 8-10 hours on average.
How long does it take for numbness to go away after foot surgery?
Most patients experience a full recovery from numbness in a day or two following surgery. Nerve damage takes longer to resolve—six months to one year after surgery is typically when recovery is considered complete and nerve damage has improved as much as is expected.
When can I bend my toe after bunion surgery?
Avoid going up on your toes for another 6 weeks. 13) Normal walking will not be a part of your routine for at least 8 weeks after surgery. Expect mild pain and restriction of movement (bending) of the toes for 8 weeks or more. Normal shoes may not be possible for 8-16 weeks after surgery depending on swelling.
Is it OK to wiggle your toes after bunion surgery?
o If you had surgery on your toes, don’t wiggle them. It’s fine to move your ankle back and forth as long as it doesn’t hurt. Don’t worry about wiggling your toes. We’ve bandaged your toes in a specific position for alignment during recovery.
How long does foot hurt after bunion surgery?
The amount of pain experienced after bunion surgery is different from one person to the next. Most patients will experience discomfort for three to five days. If you closely follow your foot and ankle surgeon’s instructions, you can help minimize pain and swelling after your bunion surgery.
Does drinking water help swelling go down?
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have. This contributes to swelling.
How long should you elevate your foot after bunion surgery?
Walking after bunion surgery might take some getting used to since you might experience initial toe numbness, one of many possible bunion surgery complications. Follow all of your surgeon’s recommendations; especially try to keep your foot elevated for the first 3-5 days to keep the swelling under control.