Hi again, :wave:

I have a few more toe fusion questions (thanks in advance for your help!):


- My doc said my big toe would be shorter (obviously) but how much shorter are we talking? I haven't had any previous foot surgeries...

- One ortho surgeon said he cuts the ends of the bones before fusing the other said he scrapes the cartilage away before fusing -- is one technique better than the other? Or are they both basically the same?

- Are there certain types of shoes you can no longer wear -- like thongs? I don't wear heels now so I don't really mind that limitation. For that matter, if a fusion will eliminate the pain the shoe type doesn't really matter! (Actually, I'm used to wearing only Birkenstocks -- I guess I'm just a little curious in general! :)

- What is the best angle to use for the fusion? I've heard 10% and 15% -- how is it determined? I want the most functional angle -- I don't care about wearing heels (I haven't worn them for about 12 years anyway...)

Thanks again for your assistance! This board is great!

P.S. My 1st fusion is scheduled for the end of February... :eek: I'm still researching the procedure and my doc too. I don't live in the same town and am trying to find out what his 'reputation' is!

~Heather

I hope this helps...My DR never mentioned that my toe would be shorter...very intersting. I believe the norm for a women is 15* That is so you can at least wear a tiny heal...I don't wear them much either, I have a 15* but I am still swollen so I can't tell. Can't wait to go shoe shopping though! I don't see why you couldn't waer thongs...the only thing I was told is no heals higher than 1/2 inch and I might need a boxier toe and not the pointed ones that are so popular that I don't wear anyway.
As far as scraping or removing bone...my Dr cleaned up the cartladge and chisled some bone...not real sure about if one way is better...guess they all do it differently.
Good luck in Feb with your 1st fusion......
dlh

Yes, your big toe will be shorter due to the fact they are removing the joint. It is not that noticable unless you really look at it closely. Besides in my family the second toes tends to be slightly longer the the big toe anyway.

When they prepare the bones for fusion, they remove any cartilage and trim off then ends of the two bones so that they can come together.

You will be able to wear thongs and sandels with no problems. As you already know, heel height will be the restriction. My Dr. was aiming for 15 to 20 degree angle, we ended up at 17 degrees, so my heel height is 1 1/4 inches max.

If you have any other questions, let us know and we'll do our best to answer them.

Good luck with your surgery! -eko

Thank you so much for your responses!

I do have a few more questions about the angle:

- Do you have a choice on what angle they use?

- How is this determined?

- What are the pros and cons of different angles?

- Is there some angle that is the best for walking, stairs, etc.? I haven't worn heels in about 12 years so that's not a big issue but do work out regularily and want keep doing that. I am/was active and would like to stay that way! :)

I feel like totally obsessing about this upcoming surgery. Sometimes I can't believe that I have to have something this extreme done and other times I feel like it's no big deal. I guess part of it is the fact that (other than this board) I don't know of anyone whose ever had to have this done!

When I told my boss and coworkers what type of surgery I had to have, they all gave me this weird (horrified?) look! :eek:

Oh well! Life never seems to get boring!

Thanks again!
~Heather

P.S. Thanks again! I'll probably have a few more questions soon... :rolleyes:

I know how you feel...people seem to think it is a strange thing to do but if it will take away the pain it is worth it. I just am begining to realise that my toe will not move...I am finding it really weird but people say you get use to it.
My Dr did give me a choice but we went with the 15* because it will enable me to walk right but still wear a bit of a heel...I am like you though and really don't wear them. I live in a 2 story home and wonder if stairs will be hard...EKO said she found it somewhat hard...I imagine I will learn as I have to use them everyday. Talk with your DR. and ask him about the angles...decide what is best for you. Some one else on the board may know more about that, I just wanted to walk without pain and not have my toe really sticking up...so far it looks OK...guess time will tell what we finally ended up with. Any more questions???
dlh

Well... one more question! :rolleyes:

My big toe joints are shot and very painful... but in the last week or so I've noticed some pain in my small big toe joint. Did any of you experience that? Can they fix this too? -- and if so, what do they do to it? (They wouldn't fuse everything -- would they?)

Thanks again!

~Heather

P.S. Hopefully after I've been through it I'll be able to "pay it forward" and help someone down the road!

HI Imhdab,
Just reading your latest post. I just had that joint fused. Thank god they did not fuse the main joint yet.He said in time I will need that one done. The reason for not doing it now is because Im 44 and work full time and my job requires me to bend my feet/toes(squating). The DR. said that once they fused the main joint I would not be able to squat . But yes, it is possible to fuse that joint.
Sue

I do have a few more questions about the angle:

- Do you have a choice on what angle they use?

- How is this determined?

- What are the pros and cons of different angles?

- Is there some angle that is the best for walking, stairs, etc.? I haven't worn heels in about 12 years so that's not a big issue but do work out regularily and want keep doing that. I am/was active and would like to stay that way! :)


Most of the time they have a standard angle they shoot for, one for men and one for women, just based on the way shoes are made in general. My Dr. did make an exception for a guy once who only wore cowboy boots and required a greater angle then normally required for a male.

Fifteen to twenty degrees works great for walking, it permits me to roll of the front of my foot when walking, and to go up on my toes when reaching for something up high. Someone noted that I had problems with stairs, that has gotten much better. Fifteen degrees may sound like a lot, but it is the angle of the two bones once fused, it does not look the high when you look at your foot afterwards because the bottom on your toe is less than fifteen degrees off of the floor, so your toe is not sticking straight up.

Talk to your Dr. on how he determines the angle, it he can't answer the questiosn, then perhaps he is not the right Dr.

Hope this helps! -eko :cool:

Eko...i am glad to hear you are doing better with stairs...that was my concern as i live in a 2 story...
Heather...I also had pain in the little joint but it hasn't hurt since the surgery, i thought it was just refered pain and didn't want that joint fused so at least I can wiggle it some...talk to your DR about it though if it bothers you alot, they can fuse them both...we did discuss it but decided against it as my DR did not feel it was needed and I really didn't want to. Have you decided which DR you are going to use yet?? Are you sticking with DR # 2??
dlh

Heather,
Just wanted to add my two cents. I had the bones scrapped. However, I was in a slightly different situation. Because of my previous surgeries, my big toe was already shorter. Therefore when I had the fusion, I had to have a bone graft. My dr. took a piece of bone from my left hip (same foot that was done) and filed down the edges of the bone.

My angle of fusion is about 15%. I have found that I can wear heels about 1 - 1 1/2" high. I have found that I actually perfer a shoe with a little cushion under the ball of my foot.

I live in a two story house and don't have any problems with the stairs. However, I did go up and down on my bottom for many weeks. Easier than using the crutches.

jdm

P.S. I am almost one year post op and fusion was the best thing I ever did.

Hi everyone and thank you SOOOO much for all the information!!!

Well, I've decided to go with Dr. 2 who IS on my insurance plan. (No way can I afford a doctor who's not.) Since I first posted I did have heard some good things about him... plus, he did his foot/ankle fellowship at Mayo/Scotsdale -- that's a good sign, right? (He's an ortho specializing in feet/ankles and apparently does LOTS of fusions...)

I'm scheduled for late next month and have doing lots of research on what to expect, what gadgets and things I need to purchase, etc. They told me yesterday I may be out of work for a whole month?! YIKES! I've also been practicing going up and down stairs on crutches... WOW! It's really difficult and I'm afraid I may fall down the whole flight! I'm checking this board for tips on stairs but in the meantime how did you manage? I may have to scoot up and down. (Having 3 cats doesn't help either!)

Thanks again! This board has been sooooo helpful!

~Heather

Heather,
If you are only out of work for a month be happy! I will be out at least 2 and maybe longer but I work on my feet (I renovate houses)
I can use the crutches on the stairs but because I am so clumsy I actually walk up them on my knees...great workout for the hams!!! I hold onto the rails and kinda "hop" down on my other foot...hard because I have PF in that foot but it gets me up & down the stairs. There is a thread here, tips on surgery...have you read it? Some good advice there.
dlh

You go up the stairs on your knees?! Wow, I'll have to try that! Does it work for going up as well as down? I did try scooting backwards going up the stairs -- GREAT exercise for your triceps! I've also upped my arm/upper bod weights & exercises at the gym too.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try it tonight and let you know how it works. :D

I either hold onto the rails and hop down or scoot down on my bottom...it works for me!!! But the knees going up works well, you just need to brace yourself. You will need that upper body strength, i wish I had trained.

Up and down the stairs is somewhat dangerous. Especially when you really get the hang of it and let your guard down. Even when you get very good at going up and down the stairs with crutches, be very very slow and careful. I fell twice due to going to fast and not paying enough attention.

Training may help, but crutches are their own beast. Prior to my surgery I was swimming 1.5 miles a day, doing 150 push ups and lots of dips and pull ups and still found that the crutches totally kicked my butt. I went Christmas shopping with my wife for 2 hours and thought I might just have to spend the night in the Galleria because I was unable to go anymore.

It will be tough and you will be sore.

I either hold onto the rails and hop down or scoot down on my bottom...it works for me!!! But the knees going up works well, you just need to brace yourself. You will need that upper body strength, i wish I had trained.

Does scooting work going down and up? I worry that I will start scooting too fast! For going up I will either scoot or use my knees. (Knees won't work going down, will they?) I have a small step-thing that I used for step workouts and I think I will put that at the top of the stairs (but out of the way) so there's something relatively stable that I can scoot/sit on top of to help me stand up. I tried yesterday and couldn't stand up without at least a little push from my other leg.

My apartment building only has a rail on 1 side of the stairway -- I think it's sturdy but sometimes it creaks and I worry about putting all of my weight on it.

Man, this is really going to be an ordeal, isn't it? (It's just now sinking in... :eek: )

Thanks again! This board is a lifesaver! (Possible quite literally in regard to the stair issue! :)

WOW!!!!! I have carpeted stairs, i live in a townhouse so my stairs are inside. The post by bigdog is good...I can use crutches but dont, really prefer the knees but only going up. Going down I use the butt...I sit and go a step at a time or hang on and hop but I have rails on both sides...WOW! It is gonna be hard for you to get to your apartment. You will be home bound at first for the most part but when you do have to go out it will be tough...I feel for you! Build that upper body strength for stairs...you will need it!
dlh

The stairs on crutches are not that hard so long as you go slow and pay attention.

Going up you lead with your good foot and follow with the crutches and your injured foot.

Going down you lead with the crutches and the injured foot and follow with your good foot.

Think "Up" is "good" and "Down" is "bad."

I went up and down the stairs in my house literally about 10 times a day. I only had problems when I got too sure of myself and went too fast. Just like riding a horse, you need to have a certain amount of respect for the stairs and not get too familiar. But, the stairs are very do-able. Don't stress on it too much.

It is weird contemplating having surgery and being on crutches and/or a cast. For a few weeks prior to my surgery I was sorta freaked out - not so much about the surgery - but about the recovery. Not driving for six weeks. Being in a cast. Using crutches, etc. I shouldn't have worried so much. It was not that big of a deal. You get through it and adjust to the difficulties. It will be fine. Before you know it life will be back to normal.

My apartment building only has a rail on 1 side of the stairway -- I think it's sturdy but sometimes it creaks and I worry about putting all of my weight on it.
Oops! I meant to say 'my apartment' - not 'apartment building'. My apartment is like a townhouse -- with carpeted stairs inside. I'm so glad that I don't have to scoot down stairs on my rump in full view of the other residents! :eek:

OK... I spent about 20 minutes tonight with only 1 leg (practicing): I went up and down the stairs (knees up & scooted down) and that seemed to work really well. (Thanks for the suggestions!) The posts about the dangers of mixing crutches and stairs really hit home -- I tried that yesterday and was surprised how wobbly I was (awithout any pain pills). I think I'll stick to scooting and knees.

I also poured a cup of coffee and managed to bring it to the coffee table without spilling it all over: I lifted it & placed it on the counter, took a step with crutches, lifted it again and placed it on a table, took another step, etc. I can see that I will have to have to learn to be patient really quickly!

I also practiced getting undressed and brushing my teeth on one foot -- challenging but doable. The fact that my post-surgical foot won't want to be on the floor much will also help -- ha!

It was surprised how exerting all of this was! I work out regularily at the gym -- weights 2-3 times a week and cardio 3-5 times and I was sweating after my little 1-legged experiment! After the surgery you would be exhausted anyway (plus the effects of the pain pills) -- I can see resting for long periods of time in the middle of the stairway... :yawn:

Well, take care all and I'll check in tomorrow. I'm going to see about getting my temporary Handicapped Parking Permit and check into getting a shower chair for the shower. I'm also going to look around the medical supply store for other things that I might need -- and see what I can improvise without purchasing too. I'll let you know if I have any bright ideas...

Thanks again for all the info!
~Heather

OK...glad to hear your stairs are inside!!! I actually was thinking about how hard that was gonna be for you as I went upstairs last night. I guess I am a whimp...I would rather knee ans scoot than use those darn crutches to get up and down but I am so darn clumsy!!! I take a bath just propping my leg on a toewl on the side of the tub...I use my upper body strength to get in & out, I am slow but so far I haven't slipped. And my husband is close, he knows how clutsy I am too.LOL
I found a small plastic container...bigger the a shoe box though...and I keep it in the kitchen. I use a square thing with wheels on it that you use to move tile, a skate board might work too...anyway I put things in that (lunch...) and push it around with my feet to get where ever I am going, it works great to get something from point A to point B. I haven't tried coffee...my husband fills me a thermos eveyday with tea and sets it on my table ( I am using one of those wood TV trays with legs) . It is amazing how tired you get doing everyday things....you are really preparing! It will be easier than you think though...
dlh

Hi again,

I have a few more questions about toe fusions...

For those of you who have had ithis procedure done -- how long did it take before your foot felt 'normal' again. I guess I mean after the surgery and recovery -- once you can walk on it again. Was it hard to get used to? What sorts of things did you find different or 'weird'? What sorts of things can you no longer do (other than squatting -- I haven't been able to do that well for a long time anyway!) Can you still be active?

Also, since this is a structural change that is being made in your foot (feet!) what effect does this have on the rest of your body? My doc says the joints above and before the fusion will take a little extra beating but does this also effect your walking... and in turn your hips, back, all the way up to your neck? Does this change your posture at all? Does this cause any long term problems?

Also, how do you know when 'it's time' to have the surgery? My doc says basically when you don't want to handle the pain anymore then it's time to have the procedure.

I guess I getting a little nervous about my upcoming surgery... I think it IS time. The ONLY shoes I can now wear is a pair of Birkenstocks and I feel pretty good in those but just this morning I thought I'd try my Merrill shoes -- I had them on for literally 30 seconds, walked across my dining room floor and I knew that I couldn't wear them to work. (And these are comfy shoes -- just not quite as much support as the Birks.)

I guess 'it's time' - huh?

Thanks again in advance for any advise and for listening to my pre-surgical ramblings... (That's the technical term, right? ;) )

I can't tell you how it feels after you heal because I am only almost 4 weeks post op but I can tell you that if you can't deal with the everyday pain and it is interfering with your life it is time. Being nervous is normal but it will be OK. I panic every time I have to have surgery and always feel so silly after...I think it will be worth it. I read ALOT, I have read everything on this board and everything I could find on the internet, talked with my DR, asked tons of questions.....from all the information I could gather you pretty much go back to a normal life...I don't care if my toe is shorter or if I walk a little off, I just want to be pain free. i plan on being active and doing normal things, I won't accept anything else. I know it may be a challange and i may have to modify some but I am willing to do whatever it takes. I think that if you go into this with a can do attitude and stay positive the end result will be better...that's just my opinion. You are going to do great.....hang in there! What day are you scheduled to have it done?
dlh

It has been nearly a year since my one toe was fused. It does feel different, but ut is beginning to feel more normal. I guess it has feels different to me because the toe on my other foot is not fused. In some ways the foot with the fusion feels functionally better than my other foot (bunion).

I am still active, more so now than before. I chase my kids around the house and have even been out dancing with my husband. Some people I know who I have not seen in while are amazed how fast I walk and how I get about, they had this notion that my ability to walk and get about would be diminished. A fusion that goes well should not be a limitation unless you allow it to be.

I know it is worrisome, but if th epain is bad enough, go for it!

-eko

Hi everyone,

Well, I had my pre-op visit with my doc today... I'm scheduled for the 28th. (I'm SCARED!)

I did ask my doc all sorts of questions and think I got everything answered. I still feel that there MUST be something else I can do -- the fusion just seems so primitive somehow. (Does anyone else feel that way?!) Why isn't there just a little pill I can take and fix myself somehow?

Anyway, I'm going to have an ankle block and some really nice narcotics to make me sleepy and not care what they're doing to my poor toe. I'll also have a permanent screw or 2. He says I won't have a cast (yea!) and will be non-weight bearing for 4 weeks. Sounds consistent with what those of you who wrote about your fusions said. I aslo got my temporary handicapped parking permit signed and got my prescription for a shower chair (already have the crutches...) -- I hope my insurance will pay for it! :)

I've been wondering... is it "legal" ask if anyone knows your doctor on this board? I mean, list his name & location and see if anyone can give him the thumbs up or anything?

Thanks in advance!
~Heather

Heather,

You are going to do great! I will be praying for you, as soon as you feel up to it give us an update on how your surgery goes. I am 4 weeks 2 days post fusion today. I saw my Dr today and have the greenlight to begin walking.....I havent taken a step yet but have my lovely surgical shoe and am working up the nerve to go for it.
I know that it feels primative...it truely was the last resort for me. I think the owrst is behind me, I hope. The DR said it will heal quicker from this point on...
I have seen others post the name of thier DR before, I don't know though if it "legal" or not...have you read the posting rules? Good luck to you...
dlh

Heather,
Good luck to you. I was very scared when I had my fusion too. I had general anethesia because I had a bone graft from my hip. However, I was given an ankle block right before I woke up. I did not feel my foot for over 24 hours. It was wonderful. I had more pain from my hip than I ever did from my foot. Also, take your pain meds. In fact, I suggest that you take them before the pain gets bad. I know from my experience, as long as I stayed ahead of the pain it was never really bad.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

jdm1

Hello again,

I talked to my doctor's office today to see if he would fix my slight hammer toe at the same time as the fusion & they said no because they want to allow the fusion to heal completely first. Anyway, while they had me on the phone they said my insurance didn't approve my surgery! I asked why & they said they had to submit additional paperwork since they normally consider this to be COSMETIC SURGERY?! Huh?! WHAT?! I was shocked! They continued: (paraphrased) "...This sort of surgery when done by podiatrists is usually performed on women who want to be able to wear pointy shoes..." Apparently, it depends on the angle the bones are fused or something. I told them that I didn't give a hoot about pointy shoes, I just wanted to get rid of the bone grinding pain!

Well, my doc has to submit more info and then we'll see. In the meantime I have to worry about whether or not I'll need to postpone or cancel my surgery!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!
~Heather

How in the world is toe fusion cosmetic??? I hope it all works out, dont give up, fight it! Insurance companies are a pain... I know it is considered elective surgery but that doesnt make it cosmetic...who wants to have their toe fused to wear shoes???? It never moves again, is shorter and sticks up a bit...give me a break! Keep us posted and hang in there!!!
dlh

Ok... I figured it out how toe fusion surgery might be considered "cosmetic"... If you're into long term pain, crutches, limping, and long ghastly scars -- the toe sticking up is just an added benefit!

Silly me... :rolleyes:

Hi again,

I have a few more questions. When I initially went back to my doctor last summer my feet (both of 'em) were acting up quite a bit (again) and that's when I went for the second and third opinions. Now it's less than a week until my scheduled surgery and my feet haven't been hurting quite as much the past few weeks. They still hurt but I'm able to get around, etc. I think as long as I wear my Birkenstock's and I don't let the heel get too worn down I do OK. As I understand it, fusion is an absolute last resort -- so, should I go through with it or postpone it until it gets worse again? (My doc did say mine is a 'level 3' -- apparently not much cartiledge left and I do have some bone spurs forming on the tops of both feet. These can be VERY painful at times but of course NOW it's not excruciating or anything but it is painful...)

I've had hallus rigidus for about 12 years -- at first it was so bad that I could barely walk and actually put ice bags on my feet while at work. This seems to go through stages where it 'mutates' into something else... I guess that's the progression of the arthritis --? So, this obviously isn't going to get better... in the meantime, I'm confused! Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance,
~Heather

P.S. Also, I'm still waiting to see if my insurance will even approve this surgery! And if I go through with the first one I would get the second one done as soon as my doc says it's OK.

P.P.S. Yeah... I'm probably getting cold feet (pun intended?) too since the clock is ticking away...

I will be having fusion surgery on March 25 of this year. How do you get a temporary handicapped sticker?

I plan to return to my work on Wednesday after my surgery on Friday, but will be on crutches and the parking lot is quite aways from my office. I think the handicapped sticker would help.

nwill,
All I had to do was have a form filled out from the dr and took it to our town hall.It is free and only takes a couple of minutes.

[QUOTE=imhdab] As I understand it, fusion is an absolute last resort -- so, should I go through with it or postpone it until it gets worse again? (My doc did say mine is a 'level 3' -- apparently not much cartiledge left and I do have some bone spurs forming on the tops of both feet. These can be VERY painful at times but of course NOW it's not excruciating or anything but it is painful...)

Heather, you know that the minute you decide to postpone it, it will start acting up again. I know exactly how you are feeling, questioning going through with it, but you know eventually it will need to be done and as comfortable as they are, you can't wear Birkenstocks the rest of your life. If the timing is good, go get it done so you can move on to other things in your life. You will be fine and if you trust your doctor and have confidence in him, it will go well. Have faith ... -eko

nwill,
I downloaded the form on the web and had my Dr fill it out...I am in Fl and had to go the tag agency and there was a fee of 15.00. money well spent. I think the fee and such depends on which state you live in.

I will have fusion surgery on March 25 and will be returning to work on March 30 on crutches.

How do you get a temporary handicapped parking permit?? I have a long walk from the parking lot to my office.

Fill out the form and have your DR sign it. You can look online for your state for temp
handicap parking permits.....

nwill,
My doctor had the form for the temporary placard. You can either take it to the DMV (not fun) or you could take it to AAA. When I had my surgeries, I went there and was in and out in under 5 minutes. In California, there is a fee for the placard but well worth it. I had my permit for 6 months. Also, remember the permit is for the person. Therefore, if you are with someone else in their car, you can still use the permit. I even travelled to another state and it was valid there.

Good luck on your surgery. There are lots of us who have been through the fusion process and we are always willing to share.

jdm1

For those of you who have had fusions... would you do it all over again knowing what you know/feel now?

How does it feel to have a fusion?

What words of wisdom can you share with someone who is about to go through it?

TIA,
~Heather

For those of you who have had fusions... would you do it all over again knowing what you know/feel now?

How does it feel to have a fusion?

What words of wisdom can you share with someone who is about to go through it?

TIA,
~Heather

Heather,

My fusion was not by choice but necessity, but yes if I had to, I'd do it again. How does it feel? It feels different, and I'll admit, it has taken me nearly a year to truely get use to it, but then again, only one toe is fused, so I do notice a difference between my two feet, how couldn't you? However, the interesting thing is that in some way the fused foot is mechanically better when walking than my other foot.

Words of wisdom ... think positive! Any foot surgery is unpleasant, but be knowledgeable, follow Dr.'s orders and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Good Luck! -eko

Heather,

Eko speaks the truth...stay positive,follow Dr orders and ask questions!!! Don't try to rush your healing, we all heal at our own pace so listen to your body...
I am almost 7 weeks but cam already tell my toe will not move. It is weird but as long as I can walk without pain I don't think I will care. Would I do it again...I also did this as a last resort, I couldn't go on living with the pain...I don't know, ask me in a year, it is too soon for me because I am still healing and still have days when I wonder what in the world was I thinking!!! LOL You will have them too, just remind yourself of those on this baord who are a year past us...they don't regret it. I can already tell that the pain I had is gone, I am still having pain from the surgery but the everyday pain I had seems to be gone, that gives me great hope. When is your surgery??? did you get everything worked out???
dlh

Heather,
I had my fusion one year ago. It was the best desicion I made. My fusion was the third surgery that I had within four years. I tried two other surgeries before fusion. Obviously they failed. My fusion was a last resort, but it was the best option.
The recovery was long and slow, but now I see the benefits. I have an impression of all 5 toes when I walk now. That hadn't happened in over 4 years. As Eko said, be patient, take your time with your healing.

JDM1

Thank you all so much for all of your responses! :)

Well, it's official -- my insurance has approved my surgery for this coming Monday the 28th... I'm scared! :eek: But I know it will be better in the long run and I do think it is time to get it done. My feet weren't acting up quite as much much last week and seemed to do OK in my Birks but as soon as I put on anything else they start to hurt again -- literally within 30 seconds or so! (And I'm NOT talking heels or anything! The other shoes I put on were Merrell Mocs and Dansko clogs... and if those hurt my feet something is really wrong!) Bone grinding pain really sucks...

Anyway, I got my temporary handicapped permits -- one for my car and one for my hubby's (they were $5 each in NC). Now I'm on my way to the home medical place to get what I need there.

YIKES!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Thanks again! I'll keep you guys posted on my progress and maybe I can 'pay it forward' with info for whoever might need it in the future...

Take care,
~Heather

Heather,

You are in my thoughts & prayers...everything is going to be fine. As soon as you are up to it let us all know how you are. It is a tough recovery but you can do it!
I am 7 weeks post op now and hobbling around home quite well...thats progress! :)
dlh

Heather,
Good luck on Monday. You have many people wishing you well. Keep us posted on your progress.

jdm1

Heather,

My fusion was not by choice but necessity, but yes if I had to, I'd do it again. How does it feel? It feels different, and I'll admit, it has taken me nearly a year to truely get use to it, but then again, only one toe is fused, so I do notice a difference between my two feet, how couldn't you? However, the interesting thing is that in some way the fused foot is mechanically better when walking than my other foot.

Words of wisdom ... think positive! Any foot surgery is unpleasant, but be knowledgeable, follow Dr.'s orders and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Good Luck! -eko
Hi eko,
Could you please refresh my memory and tell me did you have a podiatrist or ortho. Dr do your surgery? Also why was it a necessity? Thanks, Sue

Hi Eko,

I also have a quick question... will you be needing to get your other big toe fused? Just wondering. If all goes well I'll be getting the other one done as soon as they'll let me.

Thanks,
~Heather

Hi guys -

My fusion was a necessity because following a bunionectomy my big toe dislocated and tore all the cartilege with it. Because of the circumstances I do not need to have my other foot done, although I still have a bunion on it to tend to someday (as you can tell I am in no rush right now). I had a podiatrist do my surgery.

Heather, I wish you all the best with your surgery. Elevate, ice and take meds as needed.

Take care -eko

imhdab,
:angel:Good Luck tomorrow :angel:

Sue

I do not want to have a fusion. I have multiple problems. I had surgery for hallux limitus and hammer toes a year ago and that didn't work. My feet have very high arches and now I'm walking on the balls of my feet with my big toes sticking up, plus my second liitle toes are becoming hammer toes. The big toes which had the surgery now have arthritis again. I don't want more surgery because the last surgery was no good and created all these new problems. I'm depressed and miserable.

ugatah,
OMG, you sound just like me.Although I have had 2 surgeries to try and correct this and the only thing left to do is a fusion.I did have the toe joint fused this last time.I know exactly how you feel.I wish they had fused the other joint this last time and possibly it would be over.Sorry you are having to experience this I know it stinks.Hope you feel better,
Sue

How is your fused toe? Is it better than before?

They fused the joint below the toe nail. It did not help at all.They also removed the sesamoid bone and lengthened a tendon.This was done to try and get my toe to stay down.It was and still is sticking up which made my sesamoid bone pound on the ground when I walked causing it to become very inflammed and swollen.The pain was terrible.This was after the Dr had tried to fix it before by doing something and putting a pin in my toe that went almost from my ankle to the end of my toe sticking out about a 1/2 in.So now my toe is still sticking up and now my other toes especially my second one are curling under.(Like hammertoes)It is like my big toe is not even there.It does not function at all.So the little toes are taking all the stress.So now I'm at square one and I'm scheduled to see another specialist to see what he thinks. My podiatrist says the only thing left to do is to fuse the joint.The reason for all of this crap is because I had bunion surgery back in Nov 03 and that Dr cut a tendon he was not suppose to. When I got up to go home after surgery my big toe was sticking straight up in the air. The nurse said honey you don't have to hold your toe up and I said Im not, it is just stuck like that.Nice huh??? :eek:
Sue

Ugatah,
I just wanted to chime in regarding fusion. It was the best thing that I ever did. I had already had two previous surgeries and was definitely not wanting a third. I had my fusion a year ago and my foot has been better than ever. I can walk without pain. I was also beginning to hurt my ankle prior to my fusion. Because I was in so much pain, I walked on the outside of my ankle. I was constantly turning it which would have led to sprains and possibly even worse things. I know deciding to have surgery is a difficult thing, but my fusion was the best thing for me. I won't kid you, the recovery was long but I would do it again if I had to, which I might need to do on the other foot.

jdm1

My right ankle is always swollen just under the bone and it hurts. I know what you mean about sprains and things. I overstretch the left thigh muscle in an effort to avoid foot pain. Today I've decided to ignore pain and get on with being active. I'm so sick of modifying my whole life to avoid pain. I'm piling on the weight because I'm eating so much junk, and sitting around the house is depressing.

Hello,

Just checking in... I'm alive and well and survived my first fusion on Monday! :) :bouncing: :wave: Thanks for all the good wishes and good vibes!

My foot is all bandaged up so I can't see the incision or anything but the bottom of my foot is puffy and so is my ankle. It kinda looks like a baby's foot -- all chubby and pink. My doc says everything went well and as I recall he said I had 1 pin in my foot. I go in on Tuesday and they change the dressing, etc. so I'll ask more questions than. The big toe is a little shorter (of course) but not very much. My doc remembered that I wanted as little as possible taken off and he did exactly that.

I was VERY weird when I was waking up after surgery. Apparently, I was laughing -- A LOT! :D :dizzy: The nurses kept peeking in to see if I was OK and 1 of them was started calling me 'Chuckles'. They gave me a Coke and at one point my hubby asked if I wanted some more and I said "No... I just want to LAUGH!" and then I started laughing again. :D

Anyway, I am amazed how slow life is now. It seems to take forever to climb up the stairs -- the first few days I scooted backwards (I was still a little 'whoozy' from the percocet when I was taking 2 at a time -- now I only take 1) but now I've been climbing up on my knees and scooting down on my butt. I'm glad I kept my favorite but threadbare shorts! My hubby has been waiting on me hand and foot as promised (emphasis on 'foot', of course!) I've also been working some at home -- I have my boss' laptop and can log into the databases, etc. at work. That's going OK too but again, VERY slowly.

I feel like I've entered an alternate reality: The Land of the SLOW...

The BEST thing I invested in was a 'transfer bench' -- this is a shower chair but it's longer than usual and it sticks out of the tub a little. I sit on it and then scootch in and put my good foot in the shower. The other one hang outside and has one of those cast/bandage covers on it -- which I also HIGHLY recommend. The first day I totally drenched the bathroom floor but then figured out that I should wrap the shower curtain in around me a little and also put another towel on the floor. Oh, my hubby got me a hand held shower attachment which is a MUST! I love the different settings too -- my back had been getting sore from laying down so much and the massage spray setting helps this.

I plan to try to exercise a little today. I have some hand weights and am going to try to lay on the floor with my foot elevated and try to do some exercises. I also want to try some very modified pilates (none of the rolling stuff just yet though.) I'll let you know how it goes and of course will be VERY careful and will keep my foot elevated too.

Thanks again for all the words of wisdom and well wishes. I feel good about this so far... of course, when I can actually start walking again I will be better able to evaluate this!

Take care!

~Heather

Heather,

SOOOOOO happy to hear your doing OK!! Sounds like your doing great! Keep up the rest and don't try to do too much too soon, OK? The modified Piltes will feel wonderful, the stretching will help ease all the body & muscle cramps from sitting around. The land of the slow!!! LOL, I LOVE that! I am 8 weeks now and have gone from S-L-O-W to SLOW...what does normal feel like I wonder????? :confused:
Heal well & keep us posted!
Dawn

If you dont mind me asking? What is a toe fusion and why do you have to have it done???? I am a recovering bunionectomy patient and haven't heard about toe fusion.

Just curious,
Sharon

Sharon,
I know you were problebly asking Heather but...I had my fusion done because of Hallux Rigidus...I have had 3 prior surgeries due to sesamiod problems and 1 to clean out the joint but the pain got so bad my life was not functional...the joint where the toe connects to the foot was fused, first with a plate & 3 screws but that lasted 1 week before the plate moved...still not sure how as I was NWB and didn't bump it at all...then he put in 2 long screws and so far so good, the bone has fused to about 80 % now. the hardware stays forever..or so they say...and the toe will never move again but hopefully the pain will be gone. Heather had other reasons but a fusion of the same joint. She has a pin, I didn't. Not a fun recovery at all but I think it will be worth it.
dlh

Wow, Heather, you're doing so well. You are an inspiration. I'm terrified at the thought of having a fusion. I'm going to put it off for as long as I can. My last surgery on both feet at the same time wasn't successful, and I have other problems which I'm probably stuck with. I hope your recovery goes brilliantly. Be encouraged!!
Cheers.

Hi Sharon,

Actually, my fusion was also done because of Hallux Rigidus (very painful arthritis in the big toe joint) -- which I had for the past 12 years. When I was first diagnosed I was told that I would have to have fusions someday and there was no other real surgery they could do short of that. Well, I pretty much had my foot pain (sort of) under control but only when I wore Birkenstocks (and no, I don't work for them or anything -- they were just the only shoe I could wear. Fortunately, I work at a college and can get away with that somewhat...) Things got worse this past summer when bone spurs started forming on the tops of both feet. (VERY PAINFUL! :eek: ) My left foot would also jam up when I was at rest. I would be resting on the couch without ANYTHING on my foot and it would suddenly jam up and be EXTREMELY painful. One of my docs thought that was due to bone chips in the joint. Anyway, I finally had it and heard enough about other painful surgeries that failed and a fusion was necessary anyway (but after failed surgeries it becomes more complicated and you might need bone grafts from your hip or it might not fuse at all.) I had 3 different docs say that a fusion was my only hope. So, I finally did it.

Well, of course I would have rather not had to have it done but the thought of being pain free is wonderful. I had gotten so used to chronic pain... I can hardly imagine it! :)

Anyway, hope that answers some of your questions. Please ask away if you have any more. Everyone was so helpful to me with all my pre-surgical questions! I really would like to help "pay it forward" (or back, if possible! :rolleyes: )

Take care,

~Heather

P.S. My mom has VERY bad bunions but never had anything done to help relieve the pain. She's 84 now and I watched her limp around my whole life. I promised myself that I would not wait that long -- life it too short! (My foot problem is an inherited version of hers -- or so my doctors say.) I just didn't want to live life with daily pain anymore! :)

Heather,
how long will you be NWB? just curious, seems we are all allowed to walk at different times.

4 weeks... 4 long s...l...o...w weeks!

At least that's what my doc said initially. I see him on Tuesday and that's one of the questions I'll be asking him. I think it depends on how well it's fusing... I 'spose I have to get an x-ray so they can determine this?

I'll let you know.

How long were you NWB?

~H

Hi again,

Are there any PT exercises for fusions? Is it OK to do leg lifts, etc? Do you know of anything else I can be doing to exercise/stay in shape... that's safe to do?

Of course, I'll be asking my doc on Tuesday...

Thanks,
~Heather

Heather,
I was NWB almost 6 weeks...had the Ok at 5 weeks to start putting weight on it but
i had sprained my ankle the week before and couldn't put much weight on it, I walked with my walker or a crutch for another week or so. Yeh, they will X-ray it. I get one each visit to check the fusion progress. I have been doing leg lifts without added weight and am doing OK with them. I have the most problem with my ankle, no range of motion at all...well, a little now since I started stretching and doing some PT at home for it. I didn't start anything until I was given the greenlight to BW...too paraniod until then that I would mess something up. I did do the leg lifts though, I had bad cramps and had to do something! Ask your DR. before you start doing too much, I don't know about you but I found my tendon to be very tight, so much that I have knot in it, and any movement at all at first was very painful. I hope all goes well on Tuesday...I go too, hope to be able to get back into some shoes and out of this lovely post op shoe I have now. LOL. I was told 6 weeks NWB...he let it go abit early because the progress was so well. Take care, let me know how it goes Tuesday.
Dawn

I lied...I was just past 4 weeks when he gave me the OK...4 1/2 to be exact...unless i look at the calander I remember nothing lately! But as I said, it was another week, maybe even 2 before I could take a step without the crutch. My memory is gone...drugs & boredom have taken a toll......ha ha

Heather,
How have you been doing?I'm facing a toe fusion soon. If you have read any of my posts you will see that I have had several foot surgeries and still have major problems with my feet.I have already had one fusion but it was the toe joint itself.I have been communicating with my friend dlh and she has been very helpful to me.I was just wondering how you were doing and if you could share your experience with me.Hope this finds you well.Thank you,
Sue

Hi Sue (and everyone!) Thanks for asking about me! :wave:

I posted a few notes as a response to another question (I probably should have posted them here to begin with!) This is long but I'll try to summarize here:

(previous post, somewhat condensed)
Just my 2 cents & some ramblings on my foot fusion. I just had my surgery 1 1/2 weeks ago. Right now I have mixed feelings -- but ask me again after I've had a chance to walk on it and can see how successful the surgery was.

I wonder if I did the right thing but decided to go ahead with it after the 3rd doc told me it was my best & only option. I have a 'level 3' case which apparently is the worst. Why wait any longer? I'm 43 and the recovery will only get worse the older I get.

I sort of panicked on Tuesday when I went to the doc for my first post-surgical visit and saw my foot for the 1st time: puffy, lumpy, purple w/a long incision and 7 or 8 stitches. The doc & nurses & even my hubby said it "looked good" but to me anything short of my original foot, pain free is not "good". My big toe is now a bit shorter and of course that just added to my "Franken-foot" experience. I was rather freaked out for a few days wondering if I did the right thing -- you can't hit an "undo" button or anything. But right about then my other foot started hurting more and it reminded me of all the pain I went through -- how soon we forget?

No, I did not want to get a fusion. Nobody wants to go through all this. It sucks to live with pain for 12 + years and it sucks to go through all of this now. But if this surgery will help me have a better quality of life for the rest of my life I think it will have been worth it.

Anyway, for the most part I feel OK with my decision... but for now, will someone please tell me that I did the right thing! QUICK?!

In another post, I asked Dawn (another ‘toe fusion buddy’) the following:
OK -- I some weird anal-retentive-totally-obsessive questions to ask you (I feel like I'm turning into Monk -- have you ever watched that show on TV? He's a detective with OCD -- very funny, but I digress...):

OK, exactly how much shorter is your fused toe?

I had asked my doc and he said he was going to take off as little as possible. Since I've been obsessing over this (maybe it's all the Percocet?) I just looked down at my still bandaged toe and decided that it was time to measure it. (CLEARLY I had too much time on my hands!)

It SEEMED like my big toe (which was about the same length as my 2nd toe, maybe 1/16th" shorter) was inches shorter! (Duh -- how long are our toes anyway!) It is now about 1/2" shorter -- a little less really. This really isn't that big a deal, huh? Or is it?

Another weird question... your toe gets shorter but the skin surrounding the toe doesn't -- what happens to the extra? Do you get it removed? Do you have a "SharPei" toe? (EW!) Does it eventually "even out" or something? (I just HAD to ask... I don't think I ever saw anything on this board dealing with that!) Sorry if these questions are just too weird. My hubby is ALWAYS telling me that "Only you would think about such things!"

Also, my toe doesn't really look like it's angled up at all. I know it's still puffy but should I notice an angle at this point? My doc said he used a 15 degree angle -- maybe slightly less.

And yet another post…
I didn't think I had any foot problems until one day at work I was waiting for an elevator, took a step and WHAM both big toe joints were in excruciating pain! I went to all sorts of doctors, tried orthodics (didn't really work for me), and every type of shoe under the sun and found I could only wear Birkenstocks -- but you can't wear those to most office jobs! I have turned down or didn't apply to some jobs because I knew I couldn't wear the required "professional" shoes. I've purchased so many pairs of shoes, wore them once and then sold on eBay because they were too painful to wear.

And now, a CURRENT update:

I had my 2nd doctor’s visit this past Tuesday and got my stitches out and had my foot x-rayed. The swelling has gone down and my foot looks a little more like a foot now … still very swollen though. The x-ray showed one big screw in the great joint and the doc said it was still in the correct position. (I asked & he said I would NOT set off airport security unless they had it set on an extremely sensitive setting.) I forgot to take my pain meds before the visit and getting the stitches out was a little painful. (There was 1 long running stitch that 'basted' the incision closed.) They put 3 little beige strips on it that I need to leave on until they fall off. I can get my foot wet now (Yea! - My foot can have a shower!) and go back to work on crutches. 2 more weeks of crutches and then I can start walking again. I go back to my doc in 3 more weeks.

I went back to work on Wednesday. It was good to be back but also kind of strange -- I have to admit that I miss my ‘Land of the Slow” little cocoon-apartment… with my 3 kitties, Sex and the City tapes to watch, my boss’ laptop (I was working at home for a week or so), and my hubby waiting on me. It looks so much brighter outside than I remember!

The crutches are difficult and tiring since the hallways at work are MUCH longer than at home. My hubby drove me to work and dropped me off at the front door. I did drive myself home on Friday afternoon which was rather strange – I felt like I was moving so fast! I also felt like I needed to hold my right (fused) foot up since it was still sore and that’s rather hard to do while driving. But I only have a 5 minute commute so it wasn’t too bad.

My “SharPei Toe” has gone down and now there's really just a little crease on the bottom of my foot. I think as the swelling goes down this will decrease (pun intended? :rolleyes: ). I meant to ask my doc about it but forgot -- I’ll ask next time if it’s still there. My toe is a little shorter but the difference in length doesn't seem as bothersome now. Since the swelling has gone down a little it just doesn’t look as strange. Or maybe I’m getting used to it.

My foot still hurts and I keep in elevated when I can. On Thursday night my arms/shoulders were SO sore and stiff from the crutches I didn't know how I could possibly go back to work on Friday or even crawl upstairs to sleep! Somehow I managed to do both and it's getting a little better (and I worked out regularily before this!) I did have a bad case of carpal tunnel a few years ago and the crutches aggravated that a little so I really need to watch my computer usage (so please forgive my block-and-copying the earlier posts! :)

I hope this post wasn't too long! Please let me know if you have any questions -- I'd LOVE to try and help someone if at all possible.

Take care!
~Heather

P.S. I did have a few scary almost-falls. The first happened on the first day when my drugs made me feel woozy and I felt like I was going to throw up (I didn't) but I tried to rush to the bathroom and lost my balance a little and put my newly fused food down -- OUCH! :nono: Not all my weight was on it though. A similar thing happened yesterday when I was getting up from a chair and reaching for my crutches. :nono: I asked my doc & he said that it would take a LOT more than that to mess up the surgery. (Whew!) Be careful out there! :bouncing:

Heather,
Glad to hear things are going well. I have 2 screws and so far havent set anything off...LOL...hope I never do!!!!! I took a fall at 3 weeks...came down on the fused foot and messed up my ankle a bit......darn crutches...knew I should have taken my walker with me instead. I am glad I can walk, wear shoes, go back to work, but I tell ya the one thing I truely miss is having my hubby do everything for me......I was starting to enjoy that!!!! LOL Bless him though, he does massage my foot where I let him touch it...he hates touching feet so I know it is not going to last too long!
A shower?????? AHHHHHH I cant wait!!!!! I still cant get my foot wet but the wound is almost closed so hopefully soon!
Take care and keep us posted!!!!!
Dawn

Heather,
Glad to hear that your are up and around. I remember my first shower after 8 weeks in a cast. I think I took at least three within the first 24 hours.

I have three screws and a plate and I have not set off the airport detecters. However, if you have the wand go over where the screws are the wand will go off. As a back up, I carry a note from the doctor.

jdm1

Hello,

Can I just say that I am SICK of crutches?!?!?! :o :eek: :( :mad: :dizzy:

I am in the home stretch -- 7 days to go until I can start walking (well, attempt to walk) and this is driving me CRAZY! I was just so frustrated this morning that I felt like crying!

I feel guilty for constantly asking my hubby for every little thing and when I do just try to do something myself it hurts my arms/shoulders, and my wobbly good leg hurts from all the wobbling!

Anyway, I just needed to say this.

I'll be a "real girl" again soon -- right?

~Heather

Heather.....
SOON....VERY SOON> The closer it gets the more we want it!!!!! I was officially released today from my fusion post op....clear to go back to life as I can and the wound healed so I can take a real shower!!!!!! Now if I didnt have all this other crap to deal with...anyway the hard part is almost over! Hang in there, you'll be back to normal sooner than you think.
Dawn

Hi new and old fusion friends,
I know you guys have probably said, but I have read so many posts for so long I forget what I have already read.LOL But anyway how many of you fusion friends have had to have a cast?I'm due to have my fusion on April 4th.Will find out for sure today of the date.So now I guess I can make/add a new group of friends LOL.
Any info would be great,I'm just a bit nervous.
Sue :angel:

I have surgery this Friday and have been told that I will have a "V-splint" immediately after surgery (whatever that means) and then after my stitches come out in two weeks I'll have a short cast. I know I am to be non-weight bearing for at least six weeks and then have a boot for another six weeks. How fun!!

Good luck with your surgery, Susie!

Hey old fusion friend.....LOL
I had a splint right after surgery wrapped in bandages. I would have had a cast after the stitches came out but I had the wound so I was able to keep the splint......

nwill.....good luck Friday!!! The time will pass before you know it...slowly I might add!!! I was nwb for almost 5 weeks but had a surgical shoe instead of a cast and only for 3 weeks or so, i have aready lost track of time and it was just a month ago! I wondered if I should have been in a boot too but I did fine........I think i wouldnt have been so paraniod if I had the boot.
dlh

Susie,
Here was my situation after fusion: cast for 8 weeks - 4 NWB and 4 walking. Then a CAM walker for another 4 weeks. Good luck!

nwill - Good luck! Keep us posted!

jdm1

Thank you everyone,
You know it is amazing how every doc is different.My Doc did say that I would be casted for 6 weeks minimal weightbearing. But Im not sure if he meant a fiberglass or removable cast?My friend says"they better put you in a cast to keep you put" LOL I guess I have a tendacy to keep going......
Thank you again,
Sue :angel:

All doctors are different, I never had a cast, nor was I ever NWB. I was allowed to walk on my foot, more of a duck walk (foot pointed out to the side) with crutches. When he released me back to work (about 2 1/2 weeks) he had me wear my CAM walker from the last surgery just to protect my toe with the pins sticking out of it. At six weeks my pins came out and I was in tennies (half size larger) for the next six weeks. At twelve weeks I was released.

I wish all the new fusion buddies good luck and to the old fusion buddies, I hope all is going well! -eko

I don't understand the protocol of most Docs that post-op be completely non weight bearing. What's wrong with walking on your heal and the side of your foot? That's what my Doc said to do. (See my other thread that I started before I saw this one.)

froggy,
What part did you have fused? Was it actally fused or a bunion surgery?
Hope you keep feeling better :)
Sue

Hey Susie, it's foggy, not froggy. :) Thanks for the good wishes. It was definitely a fusion.

Hey Susie, it's foggy, not froggy. :) Thanks for the good wishes. It was definitely a fusion.
Sorry, LOL
So what part did they fuse?

First MTP for hallux rigidus, maybe some hallux valgus. If you mean exactly what bones, etc., I don't Know. I do know that I had narrowing of the MTP and bone spurs and a dorsal bunion (?). Maybe my joint degeneration wasn't as bad as some others. I had passed on a cheilectomy 5 years ago and had been getting by with orthotics. I rarely had pain from the walking of daily living, but would have excruciating pain after long (say 5 miles) walks or hikes, which are an important part of my life. The surgeon didn't push me to have the surgery, and indeed said that I might be able to wait for a couple of years, but that given my life style and the probability of a successful fusion (which he said was 95% for a non-smoker) he thought that maybe I should have it. So I did.

foggy,
Just wanted to add my comments about why some docs allow people to "walk" and others don't. My surgery was fairly extensive when I had my fusion. In addition to the fusion, I had to have the titanium joint removed. Because of my prior surgeries, I had to also have a bone graft which was taken from my hip. It makes perfect sense that I was as long as I was in a cast and NWB.

jdm1

Hi everyone,

This coming Monday it will be 4 weeks post-fusion for me and my Doc says I can start walking then (with crutches, of course.)

On Friday (3 days before I was supossed to start walking) I was in a restaurant restroom and slipped a little and put my newly fused foot down. It didn't hurt or anything but it surprised me. So I tried a few steps (again with crutches) and ever since then I've been occasionally trying a few steps.

You don't think I would do anything bad to my foot by jumping the gun by a few days, do you? I've been VERY careful and haven't put a lot of weight on it. I have been trying to stretch it a little since everyting is SO stiff and weak! (I feel like Bambi the first time he tried walking on the ice!)

Anyway, any tips on this? Will I ever walk "normal" again?

Thanks!
~Heather

Heather,
those "slips" can scare you to death!!!! LOL . just be careful girl! You should be OK jumping the gun by a couple of days, just use those crutches for support and dont put all your weight on the fusion site the first day! Not that you will want to...LOL.
I am going to be 12 weeks next thursday and still trying to walk right but then I walked on the outside of my foot for so long that is "normal" to me so I am really having to put an effort into it. then my tendon is tight so my ankle isnt working right yet but I have been able to put some weight on the fusion site without pain so that is encouraging. I am asking myself the same thing...will I ever walk normal again. YES !! We will......but all in time they say, some quicker than others. It will happen Heather, you'll see. the day you take a step without those crutches is a happy day...and it gets beter each day from then.
dlh

Heather,
How are you doing? I'm having my fusion on Monday 7:30 am and was wondering if you have any pointers for me?I have had many surgeries on my feet but this is my first fusion.Dawn has helped my tremendously (thank you Dawn)but just wondering if you could add to her help.I'm getting very nervous now.
Thank you,
Sue :angel:

I am one week post-op from fusion surgery and am back at work. The WORST part is dealing with the crutches. Not only are they exhausting, but you can't do ANYTHING! I couldn't even carry a cup of coffee to the living room!

I still have some pain but it's not unbearable. I only take pain medicine before I go to bed at night.

I think the worst part of this surgery is not being able to be weight-bearing for four long weeks! Crutches just suck - there is no way around that!

nwill......when I had crutches I would put my stuff in a plastic container and just sorta kick it along...had to put the coffee in a thermos of course! It gets better, I too hated the NWB part the most but it will be over before you know it!!!!! Hang in there!
dlh

I never thought of using a thermos - good idea. Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed and I don't have a husband that helps. So...I did rent a "rollabout" which helps around the house at least to do laundry and dishes and fix dinner hands-free. But it's a hassle as well. But the crutches and just walking into work - oh my God - it's exhausting!

When at work, I used a backpack to carry stuff around when I needed to - worked great.

Hi Sue & all my "Fusion Buddies", :wave:

I'm doing well... about 5 weeks post-surgery now. I started this past weekend on 2 crutches. At home I use 1 and sometimes none-- but there are tables and counters to lean on if I need to. I've been tring to walk normally -- my foot doesn't hurt that much but the muscles in my ankle and leg do since they are still weak and tight from not doing anything for a month. But it's getting better every day. I go back to the doc next Wednesday.

I do have a few pointers:

I know this sounds cliche but DO follow your doctor's orders and ask LOTS of questions -- both before & after surgery! :)

Also, a few things that really helped me: before surgery I practiced with my crutches. For for about an hour tried to behave like I had the use of only 1 foot. It gave me a little idea of what life was going to be like for the next month and helped me figure out a few things -- like move a rug that I was was tripping over, how to get a cup of coffee from the kitchen to the end table, etc. (I would move it across the counter, hop a few steps on the crutches, move it to the table, hop a few more steps, and so on until it was where I wanted it. (Rather time consuming but it worked!) :rolleyes:

Do you have stairs? If so, practice going up and down them. I figured out right away that I would NOT be using my crutches for that! I crawled up on my knees and scooted down on my butt. I was too afraid I would take a tumble... especially while I was on Percocet!

Also, something I figured out about 2 weeks post-surgery -- put a step stool or sturdy chair in your kitchen. I used it to "kneel" on while I stood up making coffee or lunch, or whatever. I was standing on my good leg and would rest the knee of my newly fused leg on the top of the step stool. This helped give the leg that was working overtime a little rest. (That leg would get really sore from all the extra work and balancing it was doing.)

Of course, I also did all the cleaning, shopping, laundry, etc. that I could before surgery... 'cause, oh darn, I just wasn't able to do any of that for a while! :D

Also, I put the shorts, t-shirts, undies, and anything else that I would be wearing all on one shelf in my closet so I wouldn't have to struggle with opening drawers while balancing on 1 leg with crutches. That helped a lot! I wore all my old stretchy clothes that I didn't mind scooting up & down stairs on.

Good luck with your surgery!!! And don't worry... I know this is easier said than done. I did worry too but that's normal. I don't think I'll worry as much when it comes time for the 2nd foot to get fixed though... but I will dread those crutches!

If I think of anything else, I'll post again asap.

~Heather

P.S. Do something FUN and special for yourself this weekend too!!!

Heather,

I am so happy to hear you are doing well..........like you said, asking questions and doing all the practice with crutches & stairs really pays off!!!! I am 12 weeks post op now and doing good. able to walk on the fusion site pretty well considering I walked wrong so many years and my ankle is finally moving which helps alot. I can really tell a difference in my foot now. Still getting use to stuff but it is amazing not to be in pain...I am so happy I went ahead with the fusion. Keep us posted on how you are doing, OK? Sue is going in Monday for her second fusion... if you read this my friend know you are not alone!!!!!
Dawn

Hi -- and HELP!

I have a few questions for you experienced people out there with fused big toes...

I am just about 6 weeks post-op and have been walking for the past 1 1/2 weeks (as per doc's instructions). I have been using only 1 crutch but today went almost all day with no crutches (also, as per doc's instructions). Well, I realize that my ankle, foot, toes, leg, everything is still weak from not being used for so long but my ankle, big toe joint (the small/unfused one) and my second toe are ESPECIALLY sore now. I've been careful to walk straight and not walk on the outside of my foot or 'duck footed' or anything like that and I've been wearing good shoes: Brooks (wide) stability athletic shoes and my Birkenstocks. My Birkenstock clogs are especially painful to wear right now and my big toe really hurts in these. My gait seems to be fairly normal at this point.

Help! What's going on here? My big toe is now shorter than my 2nd toe -- could my doc have made my big toe too short? Is there too much strain on the 2nd toe?

Did I make a huge mistake by getting this fusion? Can anyone offer words of wisdom?! Sorry about all the questions... I'm just concerned and confused right now... :(

Thanks in advance,
~Heather

Heather,

It is not uncommon for your ankle, leg, toes, etc. to be sore at this point. You are still healing, and your foot is still recovering from the trauma of surgery. By the way, how is the swelling? Does your ankle swell by the end of the day?

Ask about some PT to give you some strengthening exercises for your ankle and also have PT observe your gait, you may be do something or over compensating in ways you do not realize. You shouldn't have to go to PT more than twice a week for several weeks, they'll even give you exercises to do at home.

It is too early to tell if you made a mistake about the fusion. Look forward and get the help you need to move forward. All you need is patience, I know it is hard, we all want to get back to our lives as quickly as possible, but recovering from foot surgery does take awhile.

Good Luck -eko

Heather,
How short is your toe?
Sue :angel:

I am two weeks post-op and return to the doctor on Thursday for x-rays and a new cast. This getting around on crutches really sucks but hopefully just have 2 weeks to go and then I get the attractive BOOT. But here's my question....

I have bumped my foot a couple of times just from getting around on crutches. And I've lost my balance (this cast is HEAVY and sometimes throws me off) and fallen and just slightly landed on my cast foot. Have others done the same? I just worry that I'm undoing what was done, but also realize the cast is there to help protect it. I have three screws from this procedure.

I guess I'll find out how it is healing on Thursday. I'll keep you posted... :)

Heather,
How short is your toe?
Sue :angel:

Hi Sue,

I guess it's not THAT much shorter than it was... less than 1/2" but it SEEMS like it a lot shorter (especially this Saturday when I had a wedding to go to and no shoes I could wear! I ended up wearing a pair of my 'dressier' Birkenstocks and I could really notice a difference in my 2 big toes -- but of course, I'm still a little sensitive about this!)

How much shorter is your fused toe?

Also, I think part of my foot pain comes from my going barefoot. I read a lot of posts this morning and some people said they couldn't go barefoot for 5 months! (It's only been 5-6 weeks for me.)

Thanks Everyone for your responses and any info! I'll call my doc's office later today.

~Heather

Heather,
I know your toe being shorter is really getting to you...I guess I am lucky because mine is shorter too and I just dont care. I can walk and the pain is gone and thats all that seems to matter to me. Give it time.........I am 13-14 weeks now post fusion. I still limp although I am getting better with that and I have been putting weight on my entire foot at last. I just now can walk barefoot across the room! And it makes my foot really sore!! Especially on the top! It gets real sore and hurts to touch it. And my second toe was sore until about 2 weeks ago. I massaged it and moved it up & down alot to help. Yeh, it wasnt fun but it worked! I am so happy with my fusion already....I couldnt say that even just last month...give it more time and when you really begin to heal maybe you will feel different...I know I do. I still have a long way to go ...I cant walk in the grass yet and I havent learned all the tricks to using my new foot yet but I know in time I will. Anytime you need to vent...........
Dawn

Yeah, I guess I am a little sensitive to that right now but I am getting more used to it. (My un-fused toe is starting to look weird to me now! Good thing too -- I'll probably have the 2nd one done this summer assuming things go well.)

So, how much shorter did your big toe get after the fusion? I've asked other people and no one seems to want to answer that question... or maybe no one has a ruler with them! ;)

Also, I spoke to my doctors office and they said what I'm experiencing is totally normal. I think the pain in my little big toe joint was being caused by my wearing my Birkenstocks -- the toe bar is now slightly in the wrong position and it was pushing my toe up a little. (At least I think I only experience that when wearing my Birks.) The nurse said I should probably be able to wear them again but maybe in 6 months to a year.

The other pains I'm experiencing are being caused from my foot being inactive for so long and of course, the swelling. Also, I've been going barefoot quite a bit at home and I think I've giving my tootsies a real workout.

Anyway, I think all is well. I still have a bit of swelling (which increases in the pm) but I'm getting there!

Thanks again for all the advise!

~Heather

Heather, hang on...I am measuring my toe...LOL
It is between 1/8-1/4 inch...thats hard to measure. Not too bad at all really!!! I can tell it sticks up now too but I dont think anyone else will notice it. My swelling is bad in the pm...another couple months and that should be gone.
Dawn

Heather,
I had jy surgery over a year ago. My fusion was the best thing that I ever did! I had already had two previous surgeries that were unsuccessful. I wish that I had had the fusion first and been done with it.

So I just measured the distance between my 2nd toe and the big toe. It is about 1/4" shorter. Look on the bright side - if you do have the other toe done that your feet will be even. Both big toes will be shorter. Here is another thing to think about - it has been said that if the 2nd toe is longer the wife will live longer than the husband. I once heard that from a friend. I don't know if it holds true if the length is surgically altered.


Hang in there!

Jennie

Heather, Ok, I just measured my toes.LOL My left big toe is about 2 inches from the tip to where it bends(joint).I cant do that with the right(cast) so I measured the difference between the big toe and second toe.The big toe is almost 3/4 in shorter.And thats with doing the hammertoe on the 2nd and removing the bone/joint on the 2nd.Boy I hope it looks better when the swelling goes down and the cast comes off.I have a feeling it will look shorter when the swelling goes down. :confused:
Sue :angel:

Is anyone elses toe this short?
Sue :angel: