I've had several surgeries on my left foot at the base of the big toe. Most recently I've had a fusion of that joint (with a bone graft). I get considerable pain if I try to run at any speed at all as my weight shifts to the outside of my foot. My podiatrist says (basically) that I'm going to have to live with it. Another doctor said I could get an implant where he cuts the new bone and puts in a titanium implant. I was curious whether anyone has had an implant put in AFTER a fusion and what their experience was. Thanks.

Interesting, an implant after a fusion. How soon after a fusion would the implant be done? Has this Dr. done it before? What about the ligaments?

In regards to the pain you experience when running, would orthotics help any? How long ago did you have this fusion done? I am sorry, I have lots of questions and no answers.

Hope you find someone who has had this done. Best wishes - eko

Interesting, an implant after a fusion. How soon after a fusion would the implant be done? Has this Dr. done it before? What about the ligaments?

In regards to the pain you experience when running, would orthotics help any? How long ago did you have this fusion done? I am sorry, I have lots of questions and no answers.

Hope you find someone who has had this done. Best wishes - eko

I had the fusion done four years ago. I use orthotics every day and they help, but can only do so much. My case is probably unusual. I had a silicone spacer put in back in the 80's which eventually shattered and infected the joint. I had surgery to remove the debris, but the joint was essentially gone. For the fusion I had a bone graft put into to the joint and a plate put in with three screws to hold it all in place.

Since there is now bone where the joint used to be, I was exploring the possibility of putting in a titanium implant, thereby creating an entirely new joint. Two doctors say it is possible, but I don't necessarily believe them. So I'm trying to see if anyone else has had it done.

I had the fusion done four years ago. I use orthotics every day and they help, but can only do so much. My case is probably unusual. I had a silicone spacer put in back in the 80's which eventually shattered and infected the joint. I had surgery to remove the debris, but the joint was essentially gone. For the fusion I had a bone graft put into to the joint and a plate put in with three screws to hold it all in place.

Since there is now bone where the joint used to be, I was exploring the possibility of putting in a titanium implant, thereby creating an entirely new joint. Two doctors say it is possible, but I don't necessarily believe them. So I'm trying to see if anyone else has had it done.

Rob

I just had my toe fused 3 weeks ago with a bone graft. And like you, I had an implant (more of a spacer) in 1980 that eventually gave out in 1997. I am a runner (before latest problems, about 30-40 miles a week). In deciding to do the fusion, I had consulted about 6 or so doctors, combination of podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle, and was told that fusion is the very last resort, that once done, I could not go back. I believe another poster also raises a signicant issue about the tendons. Even if an implant could be put in, it would only provide the toe with the ability to flex, but I don't believe you would have any power or push off ability due to lack of tendons.

Sorry for your problems. Good luck and keep us posted.

Jim

Robert,
I had my fusion of my big toe in Feb. 04. I too had a bone graft. The was my third surgery on the same joint. The first was Dec 99 to try to "save" the joint. Next was Dec. 00, when I had a titanium joint put in. I knew within 6 months or so it wasn't really working and I lived with the pain as long as I could. I had the fusion, and I also have a plate with three screws. Knock on wood, I am doing much better.

I was told that once the fusion was done that you couldn't go back. I was wondering what tpe of dr. tld you about doing the joint after the fusion. I know opinions and options very greatly amoung ortho surgeons and podiatrists.

Good luck in exploring your options.
JDM

I've had several surgeries on my left foot at the base of the big toe. Most recently I've had a fusion of that joint (with a bone graft). I get considerable pain if I try to run at any speed at all as my weight shifts to the outside of my foot. My podiatrist says (basically) that I'm going to have to live with it. Another doctor said I could get an implant where he cuts the new bone and puts in a titanium implant. I was curious whether anyone has had an implant put in AFTER a fusion and what their experience was. Thanks.


I am at this site because my wife had a 2nd implant on the same (2nd)toe just 3 mos ago and she is crying again that she is sure its broken..(the implant) lst one lasted 1 1/2 years....she was back to work in a week..This last implant(Upgraded) she took two months off; and this is the 3rd month.."DO YOUR HOMEWORK". She is in big pain again.

Don't let anyone put in an implant. The implant will fail. You will not have any muscle function as they were removed with the first implant and also with the fusion. They can not be repaired, just as the sesamoid bones on the bottom of the big toe joint can not be put back in place where they were before the surgeries...

If anything, a revisional fusion. If the placement of the toe was incorrect, it could be placed into the "correct" positon, but then fused again. If done correctly, this is a fully functional procedure that people can hike, run marathons, etc.

Don't let anyone put in an implant. The implant will fail. You will not have any muscle function as they were removed with the first implant and also with the fusion. They can not be repaired, just as the sesamoid bones on the bottom of the big toe joint can not be put back in place where they were before the surgeries...

If anything, a revisional fusion. If the placement of the toe was incorrect, it could be placed into the "correct" positon, but then fused again. If done correctly, this is a fully functional procedure that people can hike, run marathons, etc.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and observations. It was a podiatrist who said an implant could be put in (now that the bone graft was in place). But I'm skeptical, which is why I posted my original question(s). Adding to my quandary, my big toe is so short now -- after seven surgeries -- that the physics dictate that my weight roll to the outside of my foot, rather than over the ball of my foot.

I keep reading postings by runners saying they've gotten fusions and can still run, but I can't. The pain if I try to sprint is excruciating. My toes feel like popsicle sticks ready to break.

I'm wondering if another fusion, with a bone graft extending the toe to make it longer, might allow me to run more normally. But it seems too experimental.

Thanks for your comments.

I've had several surgeries on my left foot at the base of the big toe. Most recently I've had a fusion of that joint (with a bone graft). I get considerable pain if I try to run at any speed at all as my weight shifts to the outside of my foot. My podiatrist says (basically) that I'm going to have to live with it. Another doctor said I could get an implant where he cuts the new bone and puts in a titanium implant. I was curious whether anyone has had an implant put in AFTER a fusion and what their experience was. Thanks.

Robert, I am wondering where the doctor is that does this titanium implant. Are you Canadian ?
I know there is a surgeon in Calgary who specializes in foot and ankle surgery and I am contemplating having it done but I am a little nervous about the whole thing.

Adding to my quandary, my big toe is so short now -- after seven surgeries -- that the physics dictate that my weight roll to the outside of my foot, rather than over the ball of my foot.

Thanks for your comments.

After three surgeries on the same big toe mine too was very short. So short that all of my weight went on the ball of the second toe. Very painful. Last November I had an external device attached to my foot to lengthen the metatarsal by 11 mm. The pain under the second toe is totally gone, but the pain in the joint is still awful.

Wish I had my bunion back!

Judy