My wife is on her 2nd failed toe implant. Would like to hear some good news. Cannot bring herself to see the Dr. yet. The implant moves,like it has broken loose, and she has severe pain for up to 15 minutes, or until it goes back in place. This last surgey, she was off her feet 2 months before returning to a 8 hr. day on her feet.. It all started with a bone spur on the toe next to the big toe. When they went in, found the bone had disappeared between the base of foot and 1st knuckle of the toe..Did a 1st implant. Lasted a year and a half. 2nd implant is not working.. And she is not ready to go under the knife again(yet) Any info would be appreciated. ps.removed marrow on this last surgery.

I understand your wife's not wanting to undergo the knife. I had two surgeries almost exactly a year apart. The second was a joint implant in the big toe. I knew within a few months that it did not work, however, I waited thress years before surgery. I had a fusion done Feb 04. The recovery was long, as I had a bone graft from the hip. It was the best decison that I made. I have been walking better than I have in years.

I don't know what type of doc did your wife's surgery. I do know that opinions vary greatly amoung podiatrists and orhtopedic surgeons. My first two surgeries were with a podiatrist. The most recent with an ortho surgeon who only does feet and ankles. My experience was that the podiatrist wants to try as many things as possible before fusion. I felt as though 2 surgeries was plenty to try.

I wish that I could offer you more advice, but get a second, third and even fourth opinion if needed.

JDM

She does need a fusion. Probably should have been fused in the first place. Once it is healed, a fusion is a fully functional procedure. Implants have never worked in the 20+ years that they have been used. Even the new generation implants fail and then the "salvage" procedure is a fusion.

Sorry if this doesn't sound too uplifting, but people that put in implants really should not be doing surgery... How many people honestly could say that they would do or have a procedure that is known to fail >70% of the time in 5 years...?

Find someone certified - Podiatrist or Ortho - and someone that you both are comfortable with. If either suggests another implant - RUN.