Bunion Surgery Recovery FAQs

Yes, many patients can drive after foot surgery because we use a surgical sandal rather than an ankle boot or walker. The sandal allows ankle motion, and we only numb the surgical areas, so most of the foot still has feeling. However, you cannot drive yourself home from surgery if you take Ativan, narcotic pain medication, or anything else that impairs driving. If you take Ativan for anxiety, you need a driver.

Surgical sandals still allow ankle motion, which helps patients walk more normally and makes driving possible for many patients. Boots are only used in very specific cases, usually when a procedure is being done near the heel or Achilles tendon.

All patients walk out of surgery with protected weightbearing in surgical sandals. If a patient could not safely walk after surgery, this would not be the right setting or procedure plan for them.

Use about 15 minutes per hour on your feet as a practical early guideline. You can get up for basic needs, but the first two weeks are not the time for errands, long walks, workouts, or unnecessary standing.

Most patients do not need these devices and are able to walk normally in surgical sandals. If you have balance problems, mobility issues, weakness, or a higher fall risk, then crutches, a walker, wheelchair help, or another device may be useful.

Yes, patients can travel after surgery within reason. Some patients fly home the same day. For airport travel, a wheelchair is usually helpful, and flights under about 3 hours are typically better tolerated. Travel plans should still be discussed ahead of time so the recovery plan makes sense.

Most patients transition into a roomy athletic shoe around 4 weeks after surgery. Some patients prefer Crocs or other comfortable shoes during the transition. Swelling dictates what type of shoe will fit, and tighter dress shoes or high heels may take several months.

Most patients are close to their baseline swelling by about 12 to 16 weeks. Some swelling can last longer depending on the patient, the amount of work done, medical conditions, activity level, and individual healing. In some cases, swelling can linger 6 months or longer.

We typically recommend elevating for about 45 minutes every hour for the first 2 weeks. After that, elevation is used as needed for swelling, soreness, and comfort.

Yes. Many patients sleep without the surgical sandal. Some patients prefer to sleep with it because it feels more protective, especially if they move around a lot during sleep. In some cases, patients may be given extra clean surgical sandals for sleeping.

Yes. Patients can take the surgical sandal off when resting or sleeping.

Yes, but the bandage must stay clean and dry. A shower shoe or cast cover is recommended to help protect the bandage while showering.

No. The bandage should stay clean and dry. If it gets wet, call the office and we will give you instructions. This is also reviewed post-operatively.

The follow-up schedule depends on the procedure. For bunion surgery, patients typically come back at week 1 for X-rays and a bandage change, weeks 2 and 3 for bandage changes, and week 4 for pin removal.

For bunionectomy, the bandage is changed at weeks 1, 2, and 3, then fully removed around week 4 when the pin is removed. For hammertoe procedures without bunion correction, bandaging is often closer to 2 weeks.

Some patients can change their own bandage at weeks 2 and 3, especially if they are traveling from out of town. This depends on whether the patient can safely reach the foot and is comfortable taking responsibility for the bandage change. We provide supplies and videos, and patients sign a form acknowledging responsibility for self-bandage changes.

The temporary pin is almost always removed at the 4-week visit, though timing can vary slightly depending on the patient and the specific procedure.

Pin removal does not hurt for most patients. It is done in the clinic without anesthetic and usually hurts less than taking out a stitch.

Toe motion usually starts after the pin is removed and the patient is out of the bandage, typically around week 4. At that point, patients begin basic mobility exercises.

No swimming until the bandage is off. After bunionectomy, that is typically around week 4.

Yes. Upper body workouts are generally fine after surgery as long as you are protecting the foot and staying within your post-operative instructions.

Yes, many patients can use a stationary bike or Peloton right away within reason. Use pain and swelling as your guide, and do not push through symptoms.

High-impact activities such as running, jumping, cutting, tennis, and pickleball are usually closer to 10 to 12 weeks after surgery. Patients should build back gradually rather than returning immediately to full intensity.

Most patients do not need formal physical therapy. However, all patients are given exercises to do at home, and Dr. Sullivan reviews those exercises in person. These exercises help reduce stiffness, normalize walking, improve recovery, and help prevent future foot problems.

Yes, most patients who need both feet corrected can have both feet treated at the same time. This depends on mobility, balance, job demands, home support, and the specific procedures needed, but the vast majority of patients can do both feet together when appropriate.

The bone is precisely cut and shifted to correct the alignment. This is controlled and intentional. It is not the same as a traumatic broken foot.

Screws generally require a larger incision and can create more tissue trauma. They can also cause hardware irritation, may need to be removed later, and can make revision surgery more difficult. Because of those issues, Dr. Sullivan’s approach avoids routine screw fixation.

No permanent hardware is used for the typical procedure. We do not use screws or plates. When fixation is needed, we use a temporary pin.

We typically prescribe a narcotic pain medication, and many patients only use it for the first 3 to 4 days. After that, most patients use over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. We have a specific ibuprofen and Tylenol protocol that works well for many patients and can reduce or eliminate the need for narcotic medication.

If you have a temporary pin after bunionectomy, we typically prescribe one week of antibiotics.

Call the office. Because the incisions are small, bleeding usually stops quickly. If there is ongoing bleeding, you may need to reinforce the bandage with extra gauze and be seen. Active bleeding is rare.

Call the office for questions, bandage concerns, pain concerns, drainage, medication questions, or other surgery-related issues that are not emergencies. For urgent medical problems such as chest pain, trouble breathing, severe calf pain or swelling, or if you are unsure whether something is an emergency, go to the ER or call emergency services.