Another day of recovery
Not much as changed since day 6, but pain is pretty good, can hobble on the heal much better. Not able to put too much pressure on the toe joint, so walking on outside heal of course.
And for drugs, down to just taking ibuprofen occasional (no more then 400 mg every 4-6 hours).
Tried putting a sock on, but it eventually seemed to tight and was making the wound start to hurt from the light pressure of the sock. I am able to move the big toe just slightly, still feels like a vice grip around the joint, so taking it easy.
Also not doing too much PT (moving toe up/down) as letting the wound heal some more, after seeing it on day 6.
I’m on day 7 of my 2nd cheilectomy (right toe) It’s week 10 of my left.
The left hurts more than the right. I’m hoping it’s because of the PT. Im bending the left big toe up and down as I was instructed. Definitely, the experience is much better for the more recent surgery and I’m not sure why that is. I imagine the left toe needed more work, and the surgery notes state that it was devoid of cartilage whereas the right toe still had 50% remaining.
I am changing the dressing daily on this one since I discovered 7 days in, last time, that it was quite easy. I simply replace a pad, and reapply aquaphor. Then I wrap it back up with the same stretchy thing they sent me home with. It stopped bleeding over the past 2 or 3 days, and leaves a small amount of yellowish fluid in the pad.
I don’t bend it much, but yesterday accidentally kicked it against an object, bending it down more than it should, which worried me. Upon examination, it looked fine. The swelling is much, much less than on the left foot after the first week.
The sutures are scheduled for removal in exactly one week from today.
I’d say that my daily regimen, aside from changing the dressing more often, is practically identical as after the first.
I am on day 7 of recovery right now. I am only 21, but I first injured my toe 13 months ago when I slipped on ice. My first foot doctor never gave me a diagnosis after one year so I finally went to a different one around a year and a half. I tried all the conservative treatments: icing, soaking in epsom salt solution, quitting running, custom insoles, and physical therapy. None of it helped me in the long run though.
I haven’t got to look at the wound yet because the doctor said to keep the dressing on until the follow-up appointment to have the stitches removed on day 13. I stopped taking the hydrocodone painkillers on the second morning after surgery and stopped taking ibuprofen on the second night after surgery. I felt significant improvement by day 6. The throbbing has lessened and I am learning to walk around better with the post-operative sandal. I have still been icing and elevating it for the majority of the day just to promote healing. I started doing some mild physical therapy today too. I will have to start walking more in a couple days when school starts back up again.
Thanks for the insight on your experience. Sounds like your on track for good recovery.