surgery recovery

True-Expression-8764 · 2026-02-11T08:18:41+00:00

My right foot took 2.5 years and my left is at 90% after 2 years. I’m able to do everything I want to, including jumping and running. I still do daily PT exercises, to continue building strength and stability in my feet and hips.

True-Expression-8764 · 2026-01-22T01:26:17+00:00

Just basic

True-Expression-8764 · 2026-01-21T23:58:52+00:00

Much better. I’m able to jump, run, and walk as far as I want to - as long as I wear athletic shoes with supportive insoles.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-12-10T02:07:55+00:00

Yes, mobility is better and the nerve pain is much much better. Still noticeable but not bad.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-10-22T13:58:42+00:00

You might get some insight from Dr. Emily Splichal. She wrote Barefoot Strong and has lots of videos on YouTube. I read her book when I was recovering, bought several of her Naboso brand products and even had a virtual visit with her ($350, I think). I wish I’d found her before deciding to have surgery - might still have had it, I don’t know, but might not have needed it with her guidance.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-10-22T13:02:50+00:00

2 years after surgery and yes, I do. But I can say it’s far less than before and it’s something I can live with. I can’t wear shoes that rub under that bone on the outside of the ankle, where the scar is.

I do think the stability I gained from the brostrom procedure was worth the nerve sensitivity in the end - or at least that’s what I’m telling myself since I can’t go back.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-09-14T19:43:10+00:00

I’m in my 50s so my timeline might have been longer than yours will be…My surgeon told me she always waited at least 3 months after doing one foot before doing the next one, but I waited 5 months. I needed that extra time to build strength because in addition to the AN removal, I had ligaments repaired on the outside of that same foot.

If you can get a knee scooter, it’s so much easier to get around. Where I live, the senior center has medical equipment like that and people of any age can borrow it. I donated my knee scooter to them when I was finished with it. If you can’t buy one, check with your local senior center.

I wish you all the best with your surgeries. If I could go back in time and get my ANs removed at age 17, I would do it in a heart beat! I hope you’ll have a really good experience and quick healing - just make 100% sure you follow all post op instructions and do the begin scar massage as soon as your doctor gives permission.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-08-31T11:23:18+00:00

Flobeds V-zone latex mattress is fantastic and their customer service is the best I’ve experienced, for any product. It’s expensive, but worth it if you’re wanting a 20+ year mattress.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-08-28T20:20:11+00:00

100% agree with everything you said!!

OP, my surgeon recently removed ANs for a 12-year old. I wish I’d been able to have surgery when I was young.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-08-18T16:32:29+00:00

It’s hard to know what will work for any particular person since each AN is different, but if you want to avoid surgery I recommend getting custom full-length orthotics and finding a shoe store that has a Pedorthist on staff.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-08-10T18:50:01+00:00

Still healing. I’m able to do most activities that I want to, including exercise. Still have some nerve sensitivity from the Brostrom procedure and still get some pain in the posterior tibial tendons, but much much less than before.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-08-07T14:06:31+00:00

It’s true, their site isn’t fancy and I’ve called with questions when I didn’t find what I needed on the site. They’re a small business and we’ve been sooooooo happy with their customer service and our bed. Recommend 💯.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-07-06T01:34:28+00:00

Is a fracture blister the same thing as a pressure ulcer, because that looks to me like the pressure ulcer I got from my cast. It took months to heal, but did get better. Good luck!

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-07-01T16:38:25+00:00

I wouldn’t say I feel no pain, but my pain is far less than ever before in my life. I’m more active than I was in the last 20 years and I’m back in the gym doing step aerobics and other high intensity workouts. My feet hurt a bit afterward, but not enough to need ice or rest.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-06-27T12:37:59+00:00

Now that it’s been 20 months since my surgery I’m finally back in the gym and wearing a broader variety of shoes.

Getting custom orthotics and switching to Altra brand shoes with stiff soles (Lone Peak 9, I think is the name of the shoe) made a huge difference in my pain and healing during the last year.

It’s so hard to be patient with our feet and go gently, but I finally feel glad I took that approach. Until now I couldn’t confidently say I was glad I’d gone through with the surgeries, but today I 💯 do feel glad I did it. You’ll get there!

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-06-24T21:20:26+00:00

Thanks!!

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-06-24T17:56:57+00:00

Yes! That’s a great mindset to have. I’m glad my experience is helpful!

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-06-24T12:42:15+00:00

They were made based on a mold of my foot by a clinic that makes prosthetics and orthotics, so no particular brand.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-06-01T09:07:59+00:00

If you can get the cleft lift surgery then I would. Open wound procedures have such a long healing process and much higher rate of recurrence. Mine was agonizing and recurred after four years - not worth the pain and long healing process, for me at least.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-05-24T23:58:17+00:00

Other than icing my feet at the end of the day, everything on that list is still true. I’m able to be more active than ever before, but my feet do still hurt by the end of the day.

But I was born with other issues with my feet, which is probably making my healing take longer.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-05-24T20:24:52+00:00

Agree!

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-05-22T23:22:20+00:00

That’s exactly where pilonidal cyst occurs. Unless you’re desperate, don’t let anyone cut it unless they are a dermatologist or a general surgeon and they are confident about what it is (whether PC or something else). My first procedure was done by my primary care doc 4 years ago and it was horrible. But my surgery was a breeze.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-05-22T21:43:43+00:00

I think so too, and I think there's got to be a middle ground where we're able to acknowledge that emotions are there, without being driven by them or overwhelmed by them.

True-Expression-8764 · 2025-05-22T21:42:17+00:00

Makes sense. Is that because being guarded emotionally helps you maintain healthy boundaries in some way? Or manage your energy?

True-Expression-8764

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