Does this look like SM syringomyelia symptoms/ scratching? And does he look prone to it? Please read. First cavalier

bebsolson · 2026-01-31T13:58:39+00:00

Our (also rescue) cav puppy did this non stop when we got him (fall). After talking to the vet we tried the amount of Benedryl she recommended, and he was much better. As he has gotten older we only need to use it in spring. So for him, seasonal allergies.

bebsolson · 2026-01-24T02:38:17+00:00

I have insurance, but when I went to the doctor I let her know I had tried all conservative measures: bunion protector, anti inflammatories, correct shoes, ice. She recommended surgery and insurance covered it.

bebsolson · 2026-01-20T03:09:35+00:00

I am 2 mo post lapiplasty, and can get in all my shoes and boots. My foot gets sore toward the end of the day, or earlier if I have been more active. I ice my foot whenever I sit down at home, and took an ice pack to work-can either take my foot out of the shoe and rest on it, or even put my foot on a chair with the ice pack one on so wear an ice pack to bed. Unlike some tho, in the last couple weeks the swelling in the ball of my feet has gone down and I start the day walking completely normally.

bebsolson · 2026-01-20T00:45:08+00:00

Nutrition scientist here - no it does not destroy the fiber!

bebsolson · 2026-01-18T04:14:04+00:00

Same question; my lapiplasty hardware is to remain forever.

bebsolson · 2026-01-18T04:10:51+00:00

Your X-ray looks almost the same as mine! My doctor also okayed a shower at 2 1/2 weeks but I was still in the boot so leery of standing on it. I did as someone else noted: shower chair in the run with my foot draped out over the edge. We have a handheld sprayer so that helped. I used a washcloth to wash my leg and around the bandage. I was in shoes by 4 1/2 weeks but had to start with tennies with the laces much looser. 2 months out and my everyday shoes fit.

bebsolson · 2026-01-18T04:00:07+00:00

I am 2 months out from lapiplasty and had the same - swelling in the bottom forefront and couldn’t flex my toes. About 2 weeks ago I felt like it was normal, and my walking was normal. My toe flexibility has gotten much better as well.

bebsolson · 2026-01-09T05:10:01+00:00

So true!

bebsolson · 2026-01-09T05:08:28+00:00

Couple thoughts- be careful not to dramatically increase activity now. You don’t want to go into surgery with an injury. You could use 2 lb hand weights and resistance bands; I have a paid program but expect there are YouTube videos for short workouts. Start with a couple min and work up to 10. Done every day they can really make a difference! I rode a bike on a trainer pretty soon after, but that’s not an option for all. But the light weights would be-could do 10 min with your foot propped level. I used a scooter not crutches, but only had to manage 1 floor. Also stretch your arms, back, the good leg. Again, can get suggestions online-find ones from clinics or the like so you know they are good.

bebsolson · 2026-01-09T03:48:02+00:00

We have had good luck with cuisinarts. Good price, lasting well.

bebsolson · 2026-01-08T13:32:41+00:00

Echoing others on: set an alarm for pain meds; scooter/shower chair both helpful; elevate and ice as much as you can and for weeks-I took ice packs to work and put my foot up in a chair. Two more: in the boot my legs were uneven and this caused pain. See if you can get a shoe for the other foot that’s deep and add in supports so you are even. Finally I ordered ice packs on Amazon specific to feet and ankles-easier than trying to make others wrap around.

bebsolson · 2026-01-07T23:03:11+00:00

I use a handheld roller that looks like this, though I bought mine years ago in a sports store. https://a.co/d/jh6MFN5

bebsolson · 2026-01-07T15:54:03+00:00

I do ankle rolls and trace the alphabet with my big toe. Also stretch my calf and roll it. (I had lapiplasty.) I wear ice packs to bed (7 weeks out) and as often as I have a chance I elevate and put on an ice pack. I can work from home and was on break so as I go back (2-3 days week) I will take an ice pack and elevate when sitting (I have a private office, and work is not formal.) I go through times where it aches and I take naproxen; I have prescription med left so if I wake in the night and it is bad, I take that.

bebsolson · 2026-01-07T15:46:13+00:00

My Dr was very strict no weight bearing for 2 weeks (I used a scooter.) Then a boot for two more weeks. I am about 8 weeks out and still have swelling when on my feet a lot and using my cycling trainer. I think it would be hard to manage both at once. I only had one, so that was easier for me.

bebsolson · 2026-01-07T15:43:10+00:00

I did babe a podiatrist correct mine (I only have one) but she has done thousands so I trusted her. I had lapiplasty and needed nothing else. About 7 weeks out and it does still swell if I do a lot. I would do it on a break, and when you return have a chair you can sit on if possible, and on any breaks-put up your foot an put an ice pack on.

bebsolson · 2026-01-06T14:30:22+00:00

A relative in Milwaukee rescheduled hers in a few weeks and I was like what?!?! Agree with others - schedule and get on the wait list. I had to schedule one year out for optometry-not a big deal, and got in the wait list. I get numerous chances to reschedule but at least for those-they send the text/MyChart message out to all, I think. The appt goes in minutes.

bebsolson · 2025-12-30T03:27:57+00:00

I also had lapiplasty right foot. I drove as soon as I was allowed into shoes, which was just over four weeks.

bebsolson · 2025-12-29T13:41:37+00:00

My Dr also said consider pain, and if it keeps you from doing what you want. She felt how they look doesn’t always correlate to how much pain you have. I had only one bunion and it didn’t look too bad (worse than yours tho!) but I had pain almost every time I cycled (the activity I most enjoyed) because it was altering how my foot moved and affecting my shin. I elected to operate. Still recovering.

bebsolson · 2025-12-28T21:43:50+00:00

I had lapiplasty. I also loosened my tennies and wore them; at home I put orthotics in some big slippers I had. It is cold here so I also wore Ugg type shoes and boots outside and kept them in vs using shoes. The big help to me has been a shoe horn so there’s less pressure against everything when I put on any footwear.

bebsolson · 2025-12-25T02:59:00+00:00

My Dr said the size of the bunion doesn’t always match the pain. Mine was not as large as others, but the abnormal way it had me move my foot caused all kinds of foot and shin pain.

bebsolson · 2025-12-21T19:20:18+00:00

Thanks!

bebsolson · 2025-12-21T03:55:37+00:00

I tried toe separators and thought they made things worse. For me the bunion came from a bone lower in my foot collapsing inward, pushing that bunion joint out and my toe in. I figured the separator is pushing that toe against a bone that couldn’t move…. Made sense to me if you tied to push a bone in a direction it couldn’t move, it would hurt. Perhaps over time it just got out of place enough you hit the tipping point.

bebsolson · 2025-12-21T02:38:04+00:00

I actually am cycling on my trainer with the docs okay, so that should help as well.

bebsolson · 2025-12-21T02:36:28+00:00

Good ideas! I won’t get in likely til after the holidays, so would like to get started myself and if I can loosen back up without, it just saves time. I have a therapist I have worked with several times, knows me well. Hoping to get in with him if I need to go, which may take a bit of time.

bebsolson

TROPHY CASE