Member-only story
I Was Awake For My Bunion Surgery
Here’s what happened, from symptoms to surgery with a touch of digressing.
At the time of writing about my surgical experience I am three days post surgery. I’m in my usual place on the sofa but my foot is raised in front of me on top of two cushions that are strategically positioned on the edge of a large rectangle pouffe. Having only moved to use the toilet (per instructions), my bum is numb.
My choices of things to occupy myself amount to reading, drawing, writing, scrolling on my phone like a zombie or staring at the TV, while eating prunes, crisps and toffee. Writing seems like the most productive brain exercise so I might as well tell you what bunion surgery is actually like. Be warned though, if you’re squeamish it might make your toes curl!
Hallux valgus: From Latin, hallux means ‘great toe’ and valgus means ‘turning outward’. This is the medical/anatomical term used in diagnosis and refers to the misalignment of the structural bones of the big toe.
Bunion: this word refers to the bony lump at the base of the toe caused by hallux valgus but they are basically the same thing and unless you are a medical practitioner or have a degree in Latin then it’s a bunion!
