What Does Sleeping After Bunion Surgery Look Like?

So, you’ve finally gotten the bunions surgery you’ve been needing? Congratulations! You no longer have to deal with the pain and discomfort that comes with walking, running, and standing on a daily basis. However, not all bunion surgeries are performed the same, and how exactly they are done will have an effect on the recovery process. This happens to include your sleep routine. But sleeping after bunion surgery doesn’t have to deprive you of a good night’s rest! Here’s what you need to know when it’s time to hit the hay.

Staying Comfortable

Remaining comfortable is an important part of getting a good night’s sleep, but doing so can sometimes be difficult when sleeping after bunion surgery. Some patients experience swelling and inflammation after surgery, which can make it hard to drift off to sleep. By elevating your foot with a propped-up pillow or a bed that can do so for you, you’ll notice reduced swelling and discomfort while you sleep. In addition to this, wearing fitted boots or sleeves can provide comfort throughout the night and have you waking up with less discomfort than you went to bed with.

Reducing the Pain

If wearing a boot and elevating your foot isn’t enough, another way to reduce any pain when sleeping after bunion surgery is by taking medication. In cases where the physician has prescribed you pain medication at night, take it as instructed, but in instances where you were not given any medication and the bunion pain is minimal, a simple Ibuprofen, Advil, or other over-the-counter medication is typically enough to do the trick. If you continue to experience pain well afterward, it’s best to consult your doctor.

Sleeping After Bunion Surgery: Traditional vs Minimal

A critical point to consider in regards to sleeping after bunion surgery is the type of surgery performed. In traditional bunion surgery, it’s true that you won’t want to put a lot of pressure on the toe and stay off your feet for the immediate future. This is also where you’ll want to implement sleeping with your foot elevated and wearing boots for your toe. 

However, if you received minimally invasive surgery, there’s a good chance that you won’t experience much pain at all. This technique uses very precise surgical incisions to make the whole process as noninvasive as possible, while also allowing for the quickest recovery time and inflicting the least amount of pain. In fact, you might even be able to sleep normally on your first night!

Sweet Dreams

Sleeping after bunion surgery doesn’t have to be a pain—nor does it have to be painful. With the right knowledge and sense to follow the doctor’s instructions, you’ll be able to sleep comfortably on your first night back home. But if you decide to have minimally invasive bunion surgery, you likely won’t have any pain to deal with at all.

Do you have additional questions regarding bunion surgery and the events following it? No problem! Here at Northwest Surgery Center, we’re happy to help. Just give us a call at 414-246-9416 or reach out to learn more!