Post Surgery Limitations

What are my limitations after bunion surgery?

The following restrictions will apply after you've completed your bunion surgery:

  • Immediately following surgery, patients are given a post-op shoe to wear. They are restricted to walking 15 minutes per hour for the first three days. Patients are also instructed to walk on their heel and off to the baby toe side of the foot, consequently not bearing any significant weight to the great toe joint.
  • Three or four days after surgery, the patients are given the grey walking boot. They can now walk normal, heel to toe, in the grey boot for a maximum of 20 minutes per hour.
  • After being in the boot for one week they can now walk or stand as much as 30 minutes per hour.
  • After being in the boot for two weeks they can start walking as much as 40 minutes per hour, and after three weeks they can walk 50 minutes per hour.
  • By the end of the forth week they can wear any shoe that is loose and comfortable.
  • By the end of the sixth week after surgery, they can start aggressive physical activity, such as running.
  • During the first weeks of recovery, they can do physical exercise as long as it does not involve transferring their body weight directly to the great toe joint and definitely not driving their body weight forward off of that great toe joint.
  • By the end of the eighth week after surgery, most, if not all, of the swelling should have diminished and consequently high-heeled shoes will start to feel comfortable.
  • By the eighth week, post-op patients are near full capacity of their athletic ability. From this point on, we do not have restrictions for our patients with regards to physical activity. They can participate in any activity that a normal, average person would.
  • You can go back to work as soon as your job allows you to, but you must follow the post op walking instructions with regard to the amount of time you can bear weight on your foot each hour.