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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 25, 2010 - 02:59pm PT
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Several people have asked about, and asked to see photos from the second bunion surgery. I had the second surgery on March 15th, three months a day after the first.
Having it then meant my students got one class day off (they were psyched) that extended their Spring Break. That means I get 2.5 weeks of foot-in-the-air time to let the hoof heal.
Like I mentioned in the last thread, Dr. Shonka (the surgeon) says bunions are like snow flakes, and that extends to the surgery and recovery as well. I thought he was just providing a reality check since I felt so good about the first surgery.
But of course, he was correct. The one was totally different. Though not bad at all. And if possible, this foot seems to be healing much faster. I stopped with the crutches at about a week - last time, people had to pry them away from me at 2.5 weeks.
Before the gory-to-some photos below, first the x-rays.
The after x-rays:
Today the stitches came out. So complete with bed-head, off we went to Dr. Shonka's office...
Anyhoo, all is great. I should be in a normal shoe in 2-3 weeks and ready to climb in about 6 more. Thanks for all the well-wishes from everyone. Don't be afraid to get this sort of work done if you are thinking of it...
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reddirt
climber
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:05pm PT
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Crimpie:
at what point did you say, no more & make appts for Sx?
Whatever details you may have to offer could help clarify another person's decision.
Thanks for posting!!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:11pm PT
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All right Crimpie! Lookin' good!!
Git them feet back on their... uh... feet.
Glad it's going well.
g.
p.s. Nice pillow hair. :-)
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 03:14pm PT
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Actually, my pain level made the decision for me. We were in Potrero Chico climbing/hiking in February '09. One day while there, my foot was just killing me. I figured it would just get better. But it didn't. It got worse and worse seeming like I crossed a magic threshold.
I started being unable to do any sort of hiking because it was so painful. Bike riding became difficult/impossible. At about mile 12 on the bike I would be riding with one foot only because the left (worse) foot couldn't handle it. So I put the bikes away. And them all climbing except outside edging was impossible. Try that technique all the time! I stopped leading because I never knew when I'd be on the verge of tears and barfing from the pain.
So I made the doctor's appt. in about August of 09. His recommendation was surgery. My 'deformity' is a moderate one, one that responds well to surgery. Waiting until one has severe bunions (how anyone can handle the pain is beyond me) means a more serious surgery, longer recovery, and possibly a less-positive outcome.
I knew I needed about two weeks of little to no weight-bearing so I scheduled it for the Holiday break in Dec.
Between Aug and Dec, I was a pure couch potato. I was a slave to the feet.
Hope that helps.
edit: Find a great foot surgeon. Ask around. See other people's post-surgery feet. Remember that people who had it done years ago had a different sort of procedure and likely don't recall it fondly. Here in Boulder, everyone talks about Shonka so it was easy. It was easy to find post-op people who had it five years ago and rave. I liked Shonka's reputation, but also that he himself is an active guy who 'get's it'. Nothing worse than a surgeon who looks at me and see a 45 y.o. woman. I want them to see a very active person who wants to stay that way. Plus, I like that he specializes in feet an ankles. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wonder if you couldn't call Shonka's office and ask for recommendations for surgeons in your area that have his skill level. His website if it is useful:
http://www.facboulder.net/
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:25pm PT
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I don't get it Callie. What's with the right hand incision, between the second and third toes.
That looks like it hurts! Hope not too bad.
JL
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 03:35pm PT
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Good call. The little incision by toes 3/4 is to remove a neuroma. I had one in each foot. They are scarred nerves, and pretty common. They can hurt like crazy too! Imagine with every step walking on a sharp rock.
While he was in there dealing with the structural and soft tissue issues of a bunion, he whacked out the pesky neuroma as well. I think they are pretty common among climbers. I won't miss mine!
In the recovery room, they brought over the neuroma for us to see. They have been described as looking like little clams...and they DO! Hilarious!
edit: Oh, and with this scarred nerve junction removed, it means permanent numbness of toes 3 and 4. Not 100% numbness, but like they are deeply asleep. This can come in handy for climbing - especially cracks I think. :)
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reddirt
climber
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:39pm PT
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Have you noticed a big change in pain/huge relief on your left foot? or is it too early to tell?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 03:50pm PT
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Reddirt: I experienced less pain during the recovery - and I mean the minutes hours and days after surgery - than I did before. Before, the feet would wake me up at night. Many nights I couldn't bear the weight of covers on my feet. It was instant pain relief and it's stayed that way.
Prior to surgery on the second foot, I was back in the gym and was not limited at all. I was climbing at my pre-painful-foot level.
Instant relief. Instant.
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Carolyn C
Trad climber
the long, long trailer
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:52pm PT
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I've been putting off bunion surgery for years. I'm still afraid the surgery will make the pain problem worse. Glad to see your positive trip report.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Mar 25, 2010 - 04:33pm PT
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I'm glad you're doin' well, Callie.
But you gotta stop puttin those apres surgery pics up.
I almost lost my lunch lookin at those. . .
ewe!!!!!
:-)
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Denise Umstot
climber
Princess of the El Cap Bridge!
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Mar 25, 2010 - 05:02pm PT
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Glad it went well! You will be climbing in no time yay!
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MisterE
Social climber
Across Town From Easy Street
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Mar 25, 2010 - 05:02pm PT
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Excellent, Callie! You'll be as good as new in no time!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Erik & Skip
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Dirka
Trad climber
SF
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Mar 25, 2010 - 06:09pm PT
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Heal up!
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 25, 2010 - 06:16pm PT
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congrats on the surgery-- sounds like it turned out well.
a few weeks of vitamin e, and you can make a few extra bucks running a foot fetishist website.
heh
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 07:03pm PT
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Heh heh!
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Mar 25, 2010 - 08:23pm PT
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Eeewwwww!
Good healing to you!
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Mar 25, 2010 - 08:25pm PT
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Callie,
I skipped right over the surgery pics with eyes closed, so I can't comment.
But hope you are recovering quickly and well.
Rick
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 08:41pm PT
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Three new cat dresses just today! :)
I'll resist posting the photos. Heh heh!
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Mar 25, 2010 - 09:29pm PT
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Thanks for the trip report . I might need to get this done and it was good to hear your perspective.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Mar 26, 2010 - 12:35am PT
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Hi Callie. Glad to hear the second event went well. I hope you told Dave that it didn't, though, and have now got him waiting on you hand and... uh... foot.
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