A toenail-clipping poll!

[Singer]

I was wondering how many of my post-op friends can cut their own toenails -- and when were you able to manage it? I am so sick of begging poor Hubby to do it (he hates doing it), but I'm nowhere near ready to do it yet. At least I can now shave my legs.....

[abhbarry]

My husband still cuts my toenails and I'm 6 months post-op. I tried to do it once myself, but it was too difficult. Yes, I can shave my own legs though (but not very well). Oh well, it is winter . . . I'm definitely not showing off my legs.

Best,
Anya

[CStadler]

I guess I am lucky I only needed help once postop and now as long as I use small scissors and not nail clippers I can do a pretty good job. I place my foot on my elevated toilet seat and lean slightly forward (from the hips) and presto! Not the most accurate job in the world but it works and I am 3 months post op and fused to my sacrum!
Keep trying!

[vndy]

I cant imagine clipping my toe nails (keep in mind I'm less than 2 weeks post op). However, I think I'm forever indebted to my boyfriend who shaved my legs and painted my toe nails yesterday!

[Susie*Bee]

What a chuckle!

This was definitely the highlight of my day so far. (OK, all I've really done is physical therapy, so it wouldn't take much!) My hubby is still clipping my toenails for me. He doesn't enjoy it much either. I can shave my own legs, but not so great either. I'm with you, Anya--and especially at my age, who's to know-or care? I had my hubby do it the first time, but he just did a few strokes and missed at least half the hair, so I figured I could do that much myself. I don't have very showy leg hair anyway. I got a nice electric razor post-op, so I won't accidentally kill myself...

[rainbow2010]

I did my own after my surgery. I sit crossed legged and reach them that way. Stretching your legs first makes it easier.

[summer]

I still can't do a good job because I just can't seem to find the right position! My fiance , foot dr. or pedicurist does it.

[vndy]

Speaking of pedicures - when were you all comfortable sitting for long enough to get a pedi?

[geo]

I keep coming back to nzgirl's statement about how this surgery caused her to lose all her "feminine mystery"!!

I have to admit that I didn't cut my toenails until I was able to do it myself; my feet are pretty ticklish so I wasn't giving my boyfriend any extra opportunities to harass me! I was able to do it, though, about 3 weeks post-op, but my method was the same as rainbow's, with one leg crossed over the other and twisting my toes around, contortionist-like.

[geo]

Vndy - sitting on hard chairs wasn't comfortable for atleast the first month for me, but if the chair was slightly padded and I had a pillow below and/or behind me, it wasn't too bad by about 3 weeks.

[Heathmoose]

I am over 3 years post-op and still have trouble clipping my toenails. I can sort of manage if I am lying down and bring my foot over the other knee, but I guess b/c of where I am fused it makes it difficult. Either my husband clips them, or I managed a pedicure...

[Suzy]

I really think this has a lot to do with flexibility. If your hamstrings are tight you're not going to get you foot up on anything to cut your toenails very easily. Can those of you with trouble putting you foot up on the counter or a chair sit in a chair and put your foot on the edge of the seat? You can push back into the seat a bit with your foot to keep your back straight. I find sometimes putting my foot on the counter I need to make sure I don't take too long as it causes me to arch slightly above and below my fusion. I say get a pedicure, they sure have come down in price. Take a pillow as I have found some chairs are not as soft as they look. Besides we don't pamper ourselves enough!

Fused T10-L4 2/22/06 49* now 8*

[LindaRacine]

I guess I am lucky I only needed help once postop and now as long as I use small scissors and not nail clippers I can do a pretty good job. I place my foot on my elevated toilet seat and lean slightly forward (from the hips) and presto! Not the most accurate job in the world but it works and I am 3 months post op and fused to my sacrum!
Keep trying!

Yikes Carol...

Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Weren't you told not to bend more than 90 degrees?

--Linda

[LindaRacine]

There's always this option:

http://www.fulloflife.com/website/st..._code=RFL00000

[nzgirl]

Showing off...

I was feeling yuck 6 days post op and ready to go home... I pursueded the nurses to have a razor to shave my underarms... but with the full intention of shaving my legs. I managed cos they're so well set up in the hospital, I sat on the chair and crossed my leg over my knee and went for it, then stood up with foot on chair and did the rest. I'm bad-ass. It was totally worth it. Have been a bit less confident since though.
My mum painted my toenails in hospital for me, that was great. She needed a job, it's hard to watch your daughter lie there and listen to her tell you the same stuff repeatedly.