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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain after Bunionectomy on April 4, 2008

by Patty Mercurio
(Rome, New York, USA)

I have been having persistant pain in the ball of foot for well over a year when I had surgery on April 4, 2008. I had an Austin/Akin procedure with a shortening of the 2nd metatarsal. When the podiatrist went in to do the surgery he shaved the bunion and there was a cystic area not found on the x-ray. He had to put a staple in the bone that was larger than normally put in the foot. I am still having pain dispite going to physical therapy for 2 months and wearing prescription orthotics that the podiatrist made for me after all the swelling in the foot was gone. I went to another doctor for a 2nd opinion. The first words out of his mouth when he looked at the x-rays were "you have to go back to the operating room, this is not good." He said the staple was reducing my range of motion and I should have the hardware removed as soon as possible if I was to obtain optimal range of motion. I am having the hardware removed (all but the screw in the big toe for the Austin) on October 10. Please give me your opinion of all this. I am worried that the wrong procedure was chosen and that is the reason for the pain and not the hardware. I am only 48 and was VERY active prior to this and this pain is ruining my life! Plus, I have foot number 2 to worry about! I have heredity bunions from my mother. Please help!

Hi Patty,
Not to pass the buck, but unless I could actually examine you I do not know if I can offer you specific advice. I would actually have to see where the hardware is sitting, see if the head of the metatarsal bone is positioned correctly, palpate where your exact pain is, etc. etc.
I think a third opinion is necessary based on your obvious concern.
If the third doctor agrees with the second then you will have some comfort in knowing you are probably making the correct decision.
It would seem to me, in broad terms, that if you have orthotics and have had physical therapy and are still having pain, then some sort of invasive procedure will be necessary.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for Pain after Bunionectomy on April 4, 2008

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Oct 15, 2008
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Response to comment
by: Patty

Hi,I read your comment and have had the hardware removed last Friday, Oct 10. I have a big staple, screw and a smaller staple removed. Only a small staple is in the big toe. Stitches come out in 1 week. I am in the velcro shoe. The podiatrist said the screw was irritating the tendon. I will keep you posted as to whether pain goes away after I am in my sneaker again.

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

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Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

MY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS(items I prescribe in the office)

Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain best buy in a pre-made orthotic click link below

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes click link below

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Arizona

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

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This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

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location unknown

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Canada

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Wisconsin

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

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New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

Pain after Bunionectomy on April 4, 2008

Comments for Pain after Bunionectomy on April 4, 2008

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