There’s one simple principle I live by to Keep Fit: keep that body in motion! The idea behind it is simple: you’re always in motion — at least, I am. My body feels its best when I’m moving. On a good day, I’ll log 30,000 steps, and honestly, that’s when everything works better. I sleep more deeply, digest more easily, and my mood lifts. Movement is how I stay fit and grounded. So let’s just say Bunion and hammertoe surgery recovery can be physically and emotionally challenging during the healing process.
Which is why this phase of my life was so hard.
In the Fall of 2022, I had foot surgery to correct a bunion, a hammertoe on my second toe, and to remove a benign cyst from the bottom of my foot. It wasn’t a small procedure — four screws were placed in my foot during that surgery. Recovery was intense: eight weeks of keeping my foot elevated for nearly 23 hours a day! For someone who thrives on movement, it felt like torture. I was completely dependent on my husband and faced the mental and physical challenges of immobility.
A Quick Note on Bunion and Hammertoe Surgery
In case you’re wondering, bunion surgery — or bunionectomy — involves removing the bony bump at the base of the big toe and realigning the joint. It often requires screws or plates to stabilize the bones. Hammertoe surgery, on the other hand, typically involves releasing or removing tight tendons and sometimes placing a small pin or screw to keep the toe straight during healing. Both surgeries can take months to a year for swelling to subside and, hopefully, for me to regain full range of motion.
I initially thought I’d just kick back, relax, and literally put my feet up — but it was awful. My calf muscle started shrinking, going from firm, strong walking legs to soft, jiggly mush in what felt like no time!
No One Told Me I Could Knock a Screw Loose
Fast forward nine months post-op, it’s September 2023. I’m easing back into my favorite yoga practice and attempted crow pose, an arm balance I’ve done many times before, just not with hardware in my foot. As I jumped back to plank, my foot, still stiff from surgery, didn’t bend quite like it used to – I landed, and my screw came loose.
Somehow, one of the screws in my second toe began to lift. A noticeable knot formed near my metatarsal, and within a week, I was facing a minor crisis — right before a long-awaited trip to Italy. I stressed hard over whether I’d even be able to go. But against the odds, I made it there and walked between 15,000 to 30,000 steps a day. The foot held up, but it was clear the screw wasn’t going to behave.
When I returned home, I scheduled a second surgery. Turns out, that rogue screw was trying to make an early exit from my bone — but not yet pushing through the skin, thankfully! But the screw would have to come out of the second toe. So here we go again with round two of foot surgery. All because I had a screw loose! 😜
Foot Recovery, Round Two
And so here I am again, back to crutches, ice packs, elevation, and minimal walking. The good news is, this recovery is shorter — about two weeks. I’m icing regularly to manage swelling, reduce infection risk, and speed up healing.
It’s tough for me not to be in motion, but I’ve learned the importance of honoring your body’s recovery process. Sometimes, staying still is part of moving forward.
Where My Foot Is Now
It’s been a few years since my last foot surgery, and I’m happy to report that I can do almost everything I could do before surgery. However, because my hammertoe was fused, that toe will never bend again. In hindsight, I’m not sure I would have had that part of the surgery.
It does affect my yoga practice — not severely, but enough that I notice it. I can’t grip with that toe the way I could before, and in postures where I need to tuck my foot underneath me, it simply doesn’t bend, so some positions just don’t work the same way anymore.
So, would I do these surgeries again? Honestly, maybe not. This is just my experience, and who knows — perhaps my bunion would have eventually bothered me more. But the recovery was much more involved than I expected, the journey was long, and I think that’s worth knowing before making the decision.
If You’re Facing Foot Surgery…
If you’re preparing for bunion or hammertoe surgery — or recovering from any procedure — I see you and feel for you. It’s a big deal. Bunion surgeries alone are one of the most common foot surgeries in the U.S., with over 200,000 performed annually. Recovery isn’t just physical; it’s mental. I researched obsessively and saw four different doctors before choosing my surgeon.
Looking back, I think one of the hardest parts was realizing that feeling better didn’t necessarily mean I was completely healed. I’m used to moving, exercising, and pushing myself, so learning when not to push was probably one of my biggest lessons.
If I could tell someone facing foot surgery anything, it would be to give your body more time than you think it needs. Ask questions, and don’t be afraid to get another opinion if something doesn’t feel right. Recovery isn’t always a straight line — mine certainly wasn’t.
If sharing my experience can help you navigate yours, I’m happy to pay it forward. I caution you to do your research if you’re considering this foot surgery. You can find more detailed recovery information from the Cleveland Clinic’s overview on bunion surgery.
And yes — if you’re wondering, I answered emails from the hospital bed while still slightly loopy from anesthesia. Not recommended. 😉
Namaste 🙏 Love, light, and hugs!
Phoebe
