Bunion surgery recovery, anyone?

[KS_Flatlander]

Anyone got any tips for bunion surgery recovery? I had my right foot bunion done on May 21, 2026. Got cleared by my doc to walk without the surgery shoe (whatever I could tolerate) beginning this week. Sunday did .4 miles in cushioned walking sneakers (Hokas), Monday did the same, today made it one house down the street and that was it (.1 mile). Pain in the big toe joint too much; in the recliner now with ice pack on my foot. I’m guessing that’s how this recovery is going to be for awhile (a little progress, a little setback) Anyone been down this road before?

MT elk hunt coming up in Oct, …feels like an impossible challenge to be ready at this point.

 

[bigsky2]

How was the surgery itself?

 

[KS_Flatlander]

How was the surgery itself?

Lasted about an hour. I was knocked out. Day surgery (modified McBride and Akin procedures both done), doc said it went well. Then for 5 weeks I was mainly in a recliner with ice packs, on and off. Foot was bandaged, taped, put in a surgery shoe. I could hobble around to the bathroom, kitchen, bed on crutches. Showers were with a waterproof sleeve over the shoe. All that’s gone now thankfully, and incisions (2) both healed up.

 

[Badlandcat]

Had it done a couple years ago on June 1st. I did archery elk hunt that fall. I hunt out on the plains the terrain so wasn't too bad. The sidehill and steep up and down were a killer. Fairly sure I wouldn't have made in the mountains.
First thing to do is go and get a pair of Crispi Briksdal MTN SF GTX, they have the roomiest toe box I could find and are very lightweight with great ankle support. Have a container and ice available to be able to give your foot an ice soak every night. Follow p/t to the letter and have them help you with calf strength training also, as your calf will shrivel up during recovery. Tylenol 8hr 650 mg and tramadol regimen helps also.
Plan on skipping an evening or morning hunt every couple days also helps. After a year I had a couple screws removed and that helped a bunch.
Good luck and shoot straight and often!

 

[KS_Flatlander]

Had it done a couple years ago on June 1st. I did archery elk hunt that fall. I hunt out on the plains the terrain so wasn't too bad. The sidehill and steep up and down were a killer. Fairly sure I wouldn't have made in the mountains.
First thing to do is go and get a pair of Crispi Briksdal MTN SF GTX, they have the roomiest toe box I could find and are very lightweight with great ankle support. Have a container and ice available to be able to give your foot an ice soak every night. Follow p/t to the letter and have them help you with calf strength training also, as your calf will shrivel up during recovery. Tylenol 8hr 650 mg and tramadol regimen helps also.
Plan on skipping an evening or morning hunt every couple days also helps. After a year I had a couple screws removed and that helped a bunch.
Good luck and shoot straight and often!

Thanks for sharing! When I asked my doc about physical therapy he said, “we typically don’t do that, just do what you can tolerate”. So…, with the pain and altered gait mechanics I’ve been experiencing since I transitioned from surgical shoe to cushioned sneakers (Hokas) I’m thinking I need to get on a PT regimen ASAP. I appreciate the boot recommendation. I’ve been hunting with Crispi Birksdahl Pro GTX’s for 2 seasons now. Great boots. I haven’t attempted to see if I can get my boots on yet. I’m going to set my mind on reduced hunting miles and less elevation this year. Might learn something to hunt smarter not harder. Again, thanks for sharing.

 

[Chingon]

BPC-157. Worth a shot (pun intended).

 

[KS_Flatlander]

BPC-157. Worth a shot (pun intended).

Is it though? I have no idea what it is

 

[Chingon]

That and TB500. Some swear by it. Might be a waste of money, might save your hunt.

 

[KS_Flatlander]

That and TB500. Some swear by it. Might be a waste of money, might save your hunt.

You got personal experience, or no?

 

[kansasdad]

I work on the other end of the body so you get what you pay for this reminder….some footwear might be too soft for immediate post surgical return to function. Your physician and/or PT should be able to advise you.

 

[KS_Flatlander]

I work on the other end of the body so you get what you pay for this reminder….some footwear might be too soft for immediate post surgical return to function. Your physician and/or PT should be able to advise you.

Thanks. I’m going to get a PT referral first thing. (Noted on your fees ). Appreciate it!

 

[mxracer317]

BPC-157. Worth a shot (pun intended).

Do some research before you do it. It has been known to activate tumors in people that are susceptible to cancer risk.

 

[Chingon]

You got personal experience, or no?

I tried it once for a severe herniated disk. The issue is that for an acute injury your body most likely will recover on its own, and you'll never know how much "faster" if at all the peptides helped. But for something severe with implications, it's worth a shot IMO.

My good friend had knee issues for decades and went on the peptides. He claims the issues are mostly gone now and is a huge believer.

 

[Chingon]

Do some research before you do it. It has been known to activate tumors in people that are susceptible to cancer risk.

I'd say that's a bit of an overstatement. There is some concern that the regrowth effect thought to be triggered by BPC-157 could exacerbate latent cancers. These things aren't FDA approved and thus only bro science exists.

Given this information, I would personally not use this stuff long term, just 1-3 months until an injury is resolved. However, there are millions of "bros" out there using this stuff for years and so far I'm not seeing anything that scares me.

Hot dogs and alcohol also give us cancer, so I try to keep things in context.