Recovering from bunion removal surgery can be a struggle for those who live an active lifestyle. Even those who enjoy getting out for daily walks can become frustrated during this time. Every bunion and recovery period is unique. Your physician will establish a general timeline with you. Another essential part of the recovery period is the goals of the patient. All of these come together to determine when you can return to your regular activities. Below we’re going to touch on bunion recovery and what determines how quickly you’ll recover.
Returning To Your Usual Activities Following Bunion Surgery
One of the first things that patients in recovery from bunion surgery want to know is when they can get back to exercising. There is no out-of-the-box answer to this question, unfortunately. There are a few points about your exercise regime that influence the answer:
- How severe your injury was before surgery
- The specifics of the exercise you wish to return to
- The progress of your rehab
- Pain tolerance
Consider the avid swimmer wishing to return to swimming laps. This patient may be able to return to their routine sooner than a runner. Considerations like these are going to have a definite impact. You should be following some general guidelines during recovery. Below we’ll touch on that process.
We’ll start with patients who are only limited-weight bearing or non-weight bearing. They can often return to normal activities in a couple of weeks. This period will provide enough time for the joint to heal and stabilize after the trauma system. There is a significant amount of range in the time it takes to happen. Many patients will sufficiently heal in as little as ten days. Others may require as much as four weeks to heal. When your physician believes you’ve made enough progress, they’ll give you exercises. These exercises will focus on building stability and strength in the affected foot. With time, the foot will be able to bear your full weight again.
As you progress through recovery, the exercises will become more challenging. These exercises are aimed at improving the ability of your foot to handle stress. You must take care to ensure that you practice moderation in this stage. Overexertion can undo all the work you’ve put in so far.
At this stage, your progress is determined partially by the results you’re seeing. The other way your progress is judged is by where you want to be. Many patients will be able to return to cycling or swimming after no more than six weeks. Running may require as many as ten weeks to be possible for bunion patients.
What To Do When You Think You’ve Recovered
There’s only one sure way to know if you can return to your favorite activities. You should reach out to your specialist and physical therapist for guidance. They’ll let you know how your progress is going and if returning to those activities is safe. By working closely with your specialist, you’ll be ready to return to your favorite activities quickly.
