Exercises After Foot Surgery?

bstamps12

I'm having surgery on my foot later this month (not injury-related...it's a bunionectomy) and I want to still be able to workout. I don't want to take steps backwards in my workouts. I usually do 20 minutes of strength training, 20 minutes of cardio, and 20 minutes of vigorous calisthenics, 5 times per week. My cardio is usually running, walking on incline on treadmill, or elliptical trainer. I will still be able to do the upper body strength training and calisthenics...but what can I do for cardio? :ohwell: I'll be in a boot/cast for at least 6 weeks and that is WAY too long to go without cardio. I will appreciate ANY ideas.

perrim

I had foot surgery several years back (not the same thing, but similar) and firstly, it's EXTREMELY important to not push yourself and do stuff before the doctor tells you it's ok. You can screw up your foot forever - I know this not just from my own experience but my mother in law had a bunionectomy and ended up having to have 2 more corrective surgeries because she didn't stay off it enough. With that said, I'm pretty sure the doctor told her she could do the recumbent bike for exercise. I'm sure she had to wait a few weeks, but that seems like a safe bet since your foot will mostly be up and you won't be putting any pressure on it. Maybe swimming too once it's ok for your foot to get wet?

bstamps12

I know I have to stay off of that foot for a while, I also know several people who have had a bunionectomy and the ones who followed dr.'s orders were fine, but the ones who ignored the dr.'s advice ended up with problems. So I will definitely be doing what Dr. says. I'll have to ask about the bike. I used to be a competitive swimmer and I'm somewhat nervous that I would subconsciously push off the wall too hard or kick too hard with it, but I'll give that a try! Thanks!

FabulousFifty

Hi,
I had a bunionectomy/hammertoe surgery on Dec. 18th. This website helped me lose weight while recovering! I was so afraid I would pack on the pounds while immobile and I found a great way to log my cals and get some inspiration and support as well. From experience I can tell you that you really need to follow your doctors directions to a T. I was able to do some crunches, pushups, leg lifts, etc. I have a small set of hand weights as well. After a few weeks I began doing Slim in 6, Start it Up. I modified it so I wasn't sacrificing my healing process. I also did Slim n Limber. I am now 12 weeks out and am back in full swing. I am so glad I stretched and kept myself somewhat active while healing. I think it helped speed up my healing process. But most important....LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR!
Good luck on your surgery! All the best.:flowerforyou:
Fab

azielnik

This is a discussion you MUST have with your physician. I just went through big toe joint (MTP) implant surgery due to degenerative osteoarthritis, and am in a surgical walking boot that almost comes to the knee. This was my second such surgery as I had the other foot done 2 years ago and went through a longer recovery time and physical therapy as there was more soft-tissue and bone damage.

My doctor wants me to avoid any weight-bearing on the joint for at least 3-4 weeks to allow time for the incision and joint to heal, but said I can start easing into upper body strength workouts provided I avoid weight-bearing. As for cardio, he said light cardio such as recumbant bike (again, with no pressure on the joint) was OK, but to avoid elevating the heart rate and blood pressure until the sutures are removed, which is several weeks.

Follow your doctor's advice as starting exercise too soon, even if you feel OK, can seriously set back your recovery or even cause damage. This is one case in excercising when "listening to your body" may not always be the best advice!

Male, Age 61