How is everyone doing that has recently had toe fusions? A side from being bored.LOL Iam 2 weeks post and having my stitches out and new cast on tonight.
Sue :angel:

Hi Sue,

I'm doing OK - just over 7 weeks post-op. I DO have a few little problems though... (Anyone have any suggestions? TIA!)

My ankle is still weak from being NWB for 4 weeks. I had just started walking without crutches but I felt like I was spraining/straining my ankle a lot so... I'm back to using 1 crutch for a while. I was hoping to start going back to the gym yesterday but I'm putting that off 'til next week. :(

Also, I have a bad case of the dreaded "crutch hip" -- my knees are a tiny bit irritated too. I know this is because I'm walking a little weird right now and I've been trying to do lots of stretches but I can't quite work it out. I called my doc's nurse to check on possible PT but she said he will evaluate me next time I go to see him -- in about 3 more weeks. They said it takes time.

Anyway, that's my latest report. Hope you and all my other 'Fusion Buddies" are doing well!

Take care!

~Heather

hi there buddies!!!
I am doing good. Week 15 for me!!!!! My limp is only slight now and I am able to walk up stairs...down is still hard. I can walk barefoot, walk in sneakers but still cant walk in sandles. ????? My knees were stiff to, and I had crutch hip...all worked out now. My ankle though is another story! Still swelling, still stiff, still hurts! BUT still better so I am pressing on. I have good days and bad days...today is a bad day. I am swollen and sore but I am also doing much more and back to work...I defianltly need a desk job!!! I have lost 6 of the 10 pounds I gained from my couch days. I have a hard time sitting still...and I cant watch much TV these days...gee, wonder why!!!!!
All the kinks work themselves out but if you think you want PT be pushy about it...sometimes we have to insist. The boredom is awful, that was the hardest part for me. I used a crutch until I felt my ankle was stronger...keep working at it, stretch and do what you can without putting to much of a strain on it...it gets better, I promise!!!
Dawn

I am now 4 weeks post-op, and doing so well I worry about it. :) Get around fine with the orthopedic boot on (it will hopefully come off in 2 weeks), go up and down 3 flights of stairs at work with no problem, drive with the boot on (R foot) no problem. A few aches in the calf area, probably some adjustments going on. Only concern is that we really won't know for sure that all is well until Doc takes an xray in 2 weeks. Kind of bored, since I can't go for long walks or do strenuous exercise involving the legs like I normally do. I will be demoralized if we find a problem in 2 weeks, but we shouldn't. Hope everyone recovers soon.

Hi all,

Well, I finally had the guts to weigh myself... I gained about 7 pounds since this all began. Being NWB really makes you fat! :eek: I really tried not to gain! Before surgery I had been working out at the gym: weights 2-3 times a week and cardio 5-6. I guess you can't help but gain a few pounds when you're forced to sit around with your feet up. IAll those bon bons really add up, huh?! :nono:

I was looking forward to starting back at the gym this week but I realized (ouch!) that I need to wait a little longer. My poor ankle just isn't ready. I'll start doing pilates and some arm weights at home this week. (I stopped doing those while I was on 2 crutches -- that was enough upper body work! WHEW!) I'll also do LOTS more stretches/yoga -- at least the non-standing postures!

Take care all! I was getting really frustrated today but talking with all of my 'Fusion Buddies" has helped -- thanks!!!

~Heather

LOL -- I'm not sure I believe these but they're kinda fun to read once in a while...

My horoscope for today:

The Sun is in Aries and the Moon is going into Virgo. Conditions are changing in your favor over the next few days. You'll feel stronger, more confident and more enthusiastic, but watch out for breakage.

YIKES! Maybe I'll keep using that one crutch for just a little longer! ;)

Hi guys,
I just came back from my 2 week post appt. and had my stitches removed.He left my foot open because he wants me to exercise and message it a little until Thur. then he is putting another cast on.He says everything looks good so far. :) Hope everyone is doing good.
Sue :angel:

Technically I'm not a fusion buddy yet but I join the club Thursday (not sure if the smiling or frowning face should go there). It's been great reading about how well people seem to be doing - I look forward to the updates. I'm nervous but ready to get this over with. My friend took my dogs today :( I have two very large dogs who are very affectionate and love to jump on people. Probably not the best idea for the first few weeks. They seem to confuse heel and stay with jump and run, so my friend is taking them until the doc says it would be okay for an eighty pound dog to jump on my foot. I'm thinking that could be a while.

Anyway, surgery is at 11:30 and the doc said it should take about two hours. I won't be able to check e-mail until Saturday but I'll let people know how it went.

R

Hi All,
Glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Even though I am not a recent fusion, I still like to check in the boards. I had my fusion over a year ago - there is hope. Getting a fusion was the best thing I ever did.
As far as walking goes, it takes a while to re learn how to walk. You figure, most of us were walking very wrong to compensate for the pain. Be patient. The healinng process is slow, but I felt it was well worth it.

Jennie

Technically I'm not a fusion buddy yet but I join the club Thursday (not sure if the smiling or frowning face should go there). It's been great reading about how well people seem to be doing - I look forward to the updates. I'm nervous but ready to get this over with. My friend took my dogs today :( I have two very large dogs who are very affectionate and love to jump on people. Probably not the best idea for the first few weeks. They seem to confuse heel and stay with jump and run, so my friend is taking them until the doc says it would be okay for an eighty pound dog to jump on my foot. I'm thinking that could be a while.

Anyway, surgery is at 11:30 and the doc said it should take about two hours. I won't be able to check e-mail until Saturday but I'll let people know how it went.

R


R.
your gonna do great!!!!!!!!!!! Will be checking back this weekend to see how it went!!! Good luck! :)

Technically I'm not a fusion buddy yet but I join the club Thursday (not sure if the smiling or frowning face should go there). It's been great reading about how well people seem to be doing - I look forward to the updates. I'm nervous but ready to get this over with. My friend took my dogs today :( I have two very large dogs who are very affectionate and love to jump on people. Probably not the best idea for the first few weeks. They seem to confuse heel and stay with jump and run, so my friend is taking them until the doc says it would be okay for an eighty pound dog to jump on my foot. I'm thinking that could be a while.

Anyway, surgery is at 11:30 and the doc said it should take about two hours. I won't be able to check e-mail until Saturday but I'll let people know how it went.

R
R,
You will do fine and I wish you luck.Maybe your friend can bring your dogs to visit?You can just sit with your foot elevated.Let us know how you are doing as soon as you are up to it.
I will be thinking of you,
Sue :angel:

Greeting all- Like Jennie, being a fusion veteran, I like to check the boards to see if there is any advice or support I can offer.

Like Jennie said, it takes awhile to re-learn walking, it comes with time and before you know you all will be doing great.

RLMM-Good luck with your surgery, be sure to post and let us know how it goes and if you have any questions or concerns.

Heather - your ankle, are you allowed to be 100% weight-bearing on your foot? If you are not weight-bearing some exercises you can do for your ankle would include taking a resistance band, put it around your foot and holding it taunt, push your foot against it using the ankle. You can do it side to side and then with the help of someone, pull your foot towards you. Other things would be ankle circles, writing the ABC's with your foot. With a towel on the floor, toe scrunchies (scrunching up the toe with your toes - it is hard to do w/o a big toe, but great for the other toes) and then moving the towel side to side by keeping your heel firmly planter and moving your foot at the ankle, kind of like a windshield wiper. If you are bear weight, try just balancing on one foot for 30 seconds, rest and repeat. The ankle will come back, just takes time.

Sue- massage is a great thing, massage as much as you can tolerate, it will help to de-sensitize the fusion, you'll want to wait to do it more after about six weeks when the fusion has healed, but be sure to massage the rest of your foot, it is good for circulation.

Dawn and Foggy, glad to hear it is going well for you, and hope the path to recovery continues to go well.

Everyone, have a great day!
-Ellen

Ellen,
Thank you for the advise and I'm so glad to hear that you veterans are doing so well.It really gives me hope.Im going to take advantage of the messaging because I get the 2nd cast on tomorrow night. :confused:
Sue :angel:

Hi Ellen,

Thank you SOOOO much for your advise! You're sort of like my big (fusion) sister! ;) Not that you're necessarily older -- just wiser and more experienced!

You wrote:

Heather - your ankle, are you allowed to be 100% weight-bearing on your foot? If you are not weight-bearing some exercises you can do for your ankle would include taking a resistance band, put it around your foot and holding it taunt, push your foot against it using the ankle. You can do it side to side and then with the help of someone, pull your foot towards you. Other things would be ankle circles, writing the ABC's with your foot. With a towel on the floor, toe scrunchies (scrunching up the toe with your toes - it is hard to do w/o a big toe, but great for the other toes) and then moving the towel side to side by keeping your heel firmly planter and moving your foot at the ankle, kind of like a windshield wiper. If you are bear weight, try just balancing on one foot for 30 seconds, rest and repeat. The ankle will come back, just takes time.


Thanks for the advise! My doc said he wants me OFF the crutches but I just don't think my poor ankle was quite ready. I'll start doing the exercises right away (but carefully!) I am allowed to be 100% weight bearing -- I just need to get a little stronger first.

I do have one more question -- my big toe on the fused foot is still hurting (which I expected) but not at the fusion site -- more under the toe and on the sides. The small joint may be hurting a little too but I think most of it is muscular. Any tips for this? Massage? I guess my muscles are 'reactivating'? I still can't wear sandals -- that toe is just too sensitive (I guess that will take a while) -- so far the only shoes I can wear are my Brooks stability shoes (wide width).

Anyway, thanks again!!!

~Heather

Heather,
I am having the same pain you are...under and sides. I am hoping and praying it is temp...I do massage it and it helps with the ache. and if I cant wear my sandles soon I am going to go postal! It has been 15 weeks and they still bother my feet too much to walk in. Its HOT here...too hot for sneaks!!! My small joint hurts until I bend it, it bends some on its own now but I push it further to release the cramps.

LADIES>>>>> Ellen & Jennie are both AWESOME! I took alot of advice from them deciding to do the fusion and they gave me great advice along the way...even when they were unaware of it. If I can in turn help anyone even a little it will be worth it....
Take thier advice and thanks to you both!!!!!

Hope you are all doing well............
Dawn

Oh............now that the swelling is down in the mornings I can tell where the screws are...at least the ends of them. VERY weird! It doesnt bother me and I hope it never does but it is weird touching the spot and knowing thats what I am feeling!

I do have one more question -- my big toe on the fused foot is still hurting (which I expected) but not at the fusion site -- more under the toe and on the sides. The small joint may be hurting a little too but I think most of it is muscular. Any tips for this? Massage? I guess my muscles are 'reactivating'? I still can't wear sandals -- that toe is just too sensitive (I guess that will take a while) -- so far the only shoes I can wear are my Brooks stability shoes (wide width).



Heather,

Your toe will be sensitive for some time yet, poor thing had a little trauma :angel: . I'd try massaging the the toe and what the heck, your entire foot, pamper yourself. Also be sure to massage the scar, it breaks up the scar tissue and makes for a better looking scar. I also believe that even though the joint is fused, the tendons are still trying to work for awhile and are adjusting to the new situation.

Take care -Ellen :)

Heather - massage, massage, massage! My scar on my hip (from the bone graft) is almost invisible in ome spots. The scar on the foot is still there, after all it has been cut open three times. However, I think it looks pretty good considering. I used Mederma. It is expensive almost $20 a tube, but it last a long time. I still have quite a bit left. Sandals were actually the first shoes I wore once I was out of the CAM walker. I wore a Teva sandal that was black leather. The strap across the toe was adjustable so it was actually very comfortable. The sandle was reccommeded by my doctor.


Dawn - thanks for the kind words. I know what you mean about feeling the screws. I can tell you exactly were mine are. I have three screws and a plate. I have some irritation from the screws which is why I am going to have them out. My doc said about 40% end up having them removed. Here's hoping you are in the 60% who keeps their hardware. I can add them to the other hardware I have. Yes, I actually have my titanium joint that was removed before the fusion. I know it sounds weird, but it was actually interresting to see what was in the foot.

To the rest of the Fusion Sisters (sounds like we should be a band)- Follow your doctors advie, ask questions, and don't push yourself. Remember, the is life after a fusion and cute shoes are a possibility, even sandles. :)

Jennie

Hi friends,
Have any of you had the feeling like a charlie horse in you fusion area?I have always had charlie horse pains in my legs and sometimes feet/toes.But this is a weird feeling right where the plate is.It's like a severe pulling cramping feeling. It can't be the joint because obviously there is no joint.LOL You don't think that it is too tight??Not really tight but angled too much??Any info would be great.Thank you,
Sue :angel:

Hi sue, I didn't have a fusion, but after my bunionectomy - I had this charlie horse, cramping pain - very weird, but must be related to surgery. It happened mostly in the 2nd week after surgery, and I haven't felt it in days nows.

My doctor told me to expect cramping, and in fact, gave me a prescription to take specifically for that. Luckily, I haven't had a problem with cramping since the first week.

Thank you,
It just feels weird and hurts, it feels like I need to move it or rub it like you do with a Charlie horse.It also feels like it is pulling down too hard.I guess this is something to be expected but the Dr. didn't say anything about it.So I was dumbfounded.LOL Thank you again, just one of the pains of foot surgery :D Doctors tonight for my other cast so I'm trying to flex and message my leg and ankle as much as I can.
Sue :angel:

Hello fusion friend,

I am 17 weeks now but I also had a plate put in, had to add that to the other hardware! (screws) My foot though has been aching quite abit:( I probably should try and elevate alittle more than Iam, I too can feel the hardware and I get a whole lot of numbness that sometimes goes up past my ankle do any of you get that?I dont go back to the Doc. until the end of May hopefully it will get better! I had the second toe fused and had a plate in the top of my foot he eventually want to also do the big toe, do any of you have the large toe and the second toe fused? I bet that takes some getting use too! also how are your backs?? Kensi

Kensi,
I have had the big toe and the joint below the big toe fused.He also removed a joint in my second toe but no plate or screw in that toe. So I have a total of 4 screws and a 2in plate in the big toe area.All of this was done since Jan 7th.So I'm still recovering and not sure how Im going react to this with walking and such.OMG back are you kidding I have had a back ache for years now and I think it is all attributed to my feet problems.I had xrays and an mri done and everything is negative.I have tried a chiropractor and PT but with this on going feet problems it doesn't get better :confused:
Good luck,
Sue :angel:

Sue,

Thats what I was afraid of with the back! I had a herniated disc last year so I wasnt sure but thought maybe walking weird is probably whats making it hurt, it was doing pretty good. Our surgerys were pretty close together I wish I would of known about this board then!! At this point do you experience numbness and alot of stiffness in your foot? I cant well I shouldnt say cant go barefoot it hurts way to much, is it that way for you also? Are you in orthodics yet? I havent used mine since the surgery seeing how everthing has changed again. thanks for your comments and I hope your feet start feeling better!!! Kensi

kensi,
I'm still in a cast so I really can't tell how my foot is going to act after fusion.Cast off tomorrow I HOPE!Then I'm sure I will feel some different things going on with the foot.Hope you are doing well!
Sue :angel:

Fusion friends.....
Where is everyone? I hope all is well with everyone and you guys are all back to semi-normal lives :)
Sue :angel:

Seems the better we get the less time we spend on the boards.........except me...LOL!
Like Sue said, hope everyone is doing well!!!!!

Hope all is well with all of you! Sue how long have you had your cast on? I hope it heals well for you! Im going to go to pt next week will see if that helps lol. Probably just takes time getting use to the hardware your (sue) plate sound just like the one I have. I go back to see my os the end of this month, maybe he will have something encouraging to tell me. Im sure though it will get feeling better, least thats what Im hoping. Take care everyone and Sue enjoy soaking that foot without that cast!!! Kensi

To all the fusion friends...
I guess we take off over the weekend. I am going to the doc on Thursday to see about hardware removal. I also am going to have her check out my ankle and see if we can figure out why I have the swelling. I did work out at the gym for the first time today in weeks. The foot felt fine on the elliptical but the ankle was a bit sore. Oh well, hopefully Thursday will bring answers.

Take care and be kind to your feet.
Jennie

Well....I'm glad to see/hear that you all are still around.LOL I can't wait to get back to that semi-normal state.Sick of being stuck to the chair/couch.I do get out but I am scared to death that I'm going to fall.Just getting in and out of the house is tough since I have stairs on the front and back of the house.So getting this cast off will be heaven.LOL :bouncing:

jmd.......I hope you get some answers about your ankle on Thur.You have the plate right??? That should be interesting to see what that will be like removing.Good luck. :)


kensi......I have had the cast on for almost 2 weeks this time and had another one on for a week and a half,3 days after surgery(4/4)What kind of plate and where is yours? Sorry I read so much on here that I get blonde moments and can't remember.LOL :D



dlh......Hey, I knew you were here!LOL :p


ALL IN ALL I HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sue :angel:

my plate is on the top area lind of near the second toeits about 3" I had my cast on alittle over 6 weeks this time so I know you must be ready to get it off!! hope all goes well for you! Kensi

Hi everyone,

I haven't been here lately because we just moved to a house (whew!) The beginning of the move was 'interesting' since I was still on 1 crutch! :eek:

I'm doing fine -- 9 weeks post-op. I worked out this week and last although last week I was wearing an ankle brace and going VERY slowly! My ankles were very sore and weak... the foot is OK but it still hurts on the underside and sides of the big toe - tendons? My hips are still KILLING me (especially at night) but that too is getting a little better.

I see my doc next week. So, do any of you have your big toes on BOTH feet fused? How long did you have to wait before having the 2nd foot done? (I REALLY want to get this over with!!!)

Anyway, I hope all of you are doing well! :wave:

~Heather

Heather,
glad to hear from you!!!!! I hope the new house is perfect for you! I wish I could help you with having that other toe fused.........lucky for me my right foot is fine other than PF and I can deal with that! Saw my DR today because I thought I messed up my foot....everything is perfect!!! I was very happy to hear the fusion is solid and doing well, maybe I will relax a little now!!! LOL. Make sure to keep us posted on how your DR apt goes, OK???????
Dawn

Hi! :wave:

I went on my first real walk last night with my hubby ... I made it 1 whole mile! :D My ankle was bothering me a bit at first but I made myself walk straight (and not off to an angle & thereby avoiding the big toe) and it worked great! I could feel different muscles coming back to life in my ankle and that whole leg seemed straighter, or something. (Can't quite describe it -- but it was different in a good way.)

Anyway, today I am walking almost mormally!

Yeah! Just wanted to share...

Take care,
~Heather

Hi! :wave:

I went on my first real walk last night with my hubby ... I made it 1 whole mile! :D My ankle was bothering me a bit at first but I made myself walk straight (and not off to an angle & thereby avoiding the big toe) and it worked great! I could feel different muscles coming back to life in my ankle and that whole leg seemed straighter, or something. (Can't quite describe it -- but it was different in a good way.)

Anyway, today I am walking almost normally!

Yeah! Just wanted to share...

Take care,
~Heather

P.S. AND I walked in my Birkenstocks! They hurt my feet up until a few days ago! Yea!!!

Great :bouncing:

[QUOTE=imhdab]Hi! :wave:

I went on my first real walk last night with my hubby ... I made it 1 whole mile! :D My ankle was bothering me a bit at first but I made myself walk straight (and not off to an angle & thereby avoiding the big toe) and it worked great! I could feel different muscles coming back to life in my ankle and that whole leg seemed straighter, or something. (Can't quite describe it -- but it was different in a good way.)

Anyway, today I am walking almost normally!

Yeah! Just wanted to share...

Take care,
~Heather


good job!!! I remember my first walk too...exciting stuff! and I understand the feeling in the leg...felt the same way & still cant explain it!!!!! YIPPIE your getting better!!!!!!!!!! :)
Dawn

Way to go Heather!

Jennie

Where are you guys? Am I the only one left here with nothing to do but keep checking these boards?LOL Sad huh?


I wish I could see someones foot that has been fused. My foot is so freaky looking! It looks so bad and is still swollen alot. Now that the cast is off I can see everything and I'm not happy with the way that it looks and feels. I have had so many surgeries but this one tops the cake.

Can someone please give me some kind of idea what their foot looks like?


Sue :angel:

My fusion was done on the first metatarsal but down from my big toe - not on the big toe.

I was in a cast for six weeks and when the cast came off, I was amazed at how black and blue, swollen and terrible my foot looked. My scar also looked horrible from the base of my big toe down past the middle of my foot.

Now eight weeks later, I'm in a walking boot, my foot is looking great and my scar isn't nearly as scary. I still have a lot of swelling, but when I wake up mornings, my foot almost looks normal! I love the way my foot is going to look - very straight!

I go back June 6 and hope he takes me out of the walking boot, but he told me to expect swelling off and on for at least six months! I'm a golfer and he said realistically I probably won't get back on the course until mid-July. I had my surgery on March 25.

Do you or did you guys have LOTS of pain in your foot when you walked soon after your fusion (7weeks) ? I can not believe how much my foot hurts when I walk on it.I knew that I would have pain, but come on this is terrible! I'm wondering if I'm maybe walking to soon or too much? Can someone give me some answers???? Help.............It seems like it will be FOREVER before I can go back to work at this rate.
Sue :angel:

Sue................I went through the same thing............it was the WORST surgery I have had BUT in time it gets better, I promise!!!!! We have to walk on it but we also have to rest it equal time.............I remember being at 7 weeks and thinking I would never walk again and I had made the biggest mistake of my life. Now at 6 months I still have bad days but the good days are really GOOD and I have come such a long way! I will do something and be so excired because just a month ago i couldnt do it.....dont let this beat you Sue.............

Hello everyone!

Sorry I haven't checked in for a while... busy-busy-busy! I hope everyone is doing well! I've missed my "Fusion Family"! :) :bouncing:

I found out just this afternoon that my 2nd fusion (originally scheduled for June 20th) is going to happen on June 7th -- NEXT WEEK! They had a cancellation and called to ask if I wanted to do it then. OK, I DO want to get it over and done with earlier than the 20th but now I'm nervous! The first fusion went OK though.

Anyway, I'm scrambling around now trying to get everything ready. We just moved into a new house a month ago and we're not all the way unpacked yet. Well, at least this time I won't have a lot of stairs to contend with... and I'll know what to expect with the surgery, etc.

My 'crutch hip' still keeps me awake at night though... maybe I can "even myself out" with this next surgery!

Wish me luck!

~Heather

Heather...
Good to hear from you! Well, you will be so busy now you wont have time to be nervous...LOL! I would get it over with too, why wait if you dont have to! I'll keep you in my prayers................keep us posted on how it goes, OK?
Dawn

I'm so glad I found fusion friends. I posted under "1/03 Keller, 9/03 Implant...Fusion?" and appreciated the posts, I see a lot of what I've wondered you all have gone through. I saw new doc Thu who said he'd be really ticked off about having a Keller at 42 yrs old then an implant that didn't seat properly, the implant should've come first. He feels fusion is my only option now but he won't perform it, so I have to find another new doc. He mentioned concern over fusions not taking so now I'm wondering if I should just live with this pain over risking another surgery that may not work. :confused: I can get around pretty well, I just limit the amount of time I spend on it. It does swell and hurt every day and my leg is starting to bow out slightly. I suppose if I leave it alone it won't stay the same, but will get worse and maybe cause other problems like you have talked about. It's scary stuff. I'm kind of venting because you're the ones who understand what this is like. Anyway, I appreciate you being here and I know a lot of you are suffering with recovery now, you are in my prayers and you give others hope. Jennie, my Teva's are my favorite, you give me hope about wearing them again, what does the toe look like in them? I too will need a bone graft and have a titanium "metal hemi-toe" is that what you had? Sue, I hope your pain is getting better and how's your cat?

I haven't had a fusion yet but my consultant says this is the only way forward. Can anyone tell me how long they were off their foot for? will I have to wear a cast or should I be walking straight away. I live in the UK and would be grateful to hear from any British citizens who may have experienced this procedure. I gather things are done differently in America.

Thanks for any info - greatly appreciated.

I am 8 weeks post from my second fusion and 5 months from the first and have only been walking for 1 week. I was in a cast on and off for 7 weeks.I think it may depend on what type of hardware the DR uses with your fusion and how early you walk.I have learned with all of my foot surgeries that every doctor and every patient is different which makes every surgery different.So it is hard to say how your surgery will go.Good luck,
Sue :angel:

Yikes!

My 2nd fusion is today... at 1:45!

Help! :eek:

~Heather

GOOD LUCK HEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

SUE :angel:

Heather,
How are you? I'm thinking about you and hope all is well :)

Sue :angel:

Heather..................hope your doing OK. Check in soon!!!

Hi Everyone,
I haven 't checked out the boards in a while. I have been extremely busy with school. We still have two weeks left (What happened to June, July and Auguast as summer?) and the past couple of weeks have been crazy. I just finished directing four chorus performances, doing end of the year assessments, tearing down the room, and beginning report cards. Whew! I am tired just typing it. Anyway, wanted to check in and see how everyone was doing.

I am still continuing P.T. although I haven't been in a week. See busy schedule mentioned above. I am going to go three times next week, and then two more after that. I really think that the P.T. has helped. My ankle still swells but not nearly as much. I also feel like there is more support. My therapist told me that the mechanics will always be a little off; therefore, we have to strengthen all of the muscles around the area. I am still doing my stretching exercises, but probably not as often as I should.

Surgery #4 is scheduled...June 27th. The Monday after I get out of achool. If nothing else, it will force me to have my room completely packed up on the last day of school. I have to start preparing for surgery, but right now I am too busy. I did buy cute new jammies though. Must look cute while lounging for a week or so.

Jennie

SoCalSharon,
Welcome to the boards. You have found a great place for info and support. My fusion was surgery #3. To give you a brief history- tripped over a baby gate in Aug 96. Had a mis diagnosis of a fracture that was never treated. It caused bone deterioration. In Dec. 99 I had surgery #1 to try to save the joint and remove a bone spur. Joint was to far gone, and Dec. 00, I had a titanium implant. Even though we knew right away that it wasn't working, I lived with the pain. Finally I couldn't live with it any more, and in Feb. 04 I had a fusion. Because of the previous surgeries I had the bone graft. To be honest the bone graft hurt more than the fusion. As far as looks go, even with the graft the big toe is shorter than the others. I feel it is very noticable, but other people don't unless I point it out.
If I can answer any other questions for you, please let me know. I know that facing more surgery can be scary (#4 is June 27th), but my fusion was the best thing I did. When the "good" foot gets bad enough, I will just have it fused instead of trying the implant first.

Jennie

:wave: Heather, I hope you're doing well. I've been praying for you. Jennie, Thanks so much for your guidance, I'll keep praying for you too with your surgery coming up soon. I work at an elementary school where I meet with small groups who are having communication problems and teach anti-tobacco ed and anti-bullying to 4th grade, just 15 hours a week. I have 2 high school sons to teach anti-bullying to at home :jester: . Anyway, I'm waiting for my new referral which should come through next week. Hopefully I'll be all set to go back by the fall. I feel :dizzy: pretty confident, thanks to all of you, proceeding with the fusion and actually optimistic for the first time in years that I might get to hike again! I imagine once all the coordinating is done I'll have my surgery in early July, sure hope it's that soon. Sue, hope you're pain starts diminishing soon and is your cat ok now? I have gotten a lot from the information you've shared here.
Well, take care everyone.
Sharon :cool:

Thank you ALL for all the good thoughts, prayers, and well wishes! :) I feel like I've found some kindred spirits here -- or at least "kindred feet"! (Hey, wouldn't that be a great name for a rock band? Ladieeees and Gentleman.... I give you.... KINDRED FEET! And no, I haven't taken my Percocet in a while... I'm just weird! ;) )

Well, fusion #2 was last Wednesday... so far, so good! My doc says that he didn't have to take as much off on my right foot as he did on the left to get to 'bleeding bone' (I think that's how he referred to it) -- I guess that's "doctor-speak" for 'healthy bone'. Anyway, my foot is all bandaged up again and I'm still mostly in the land of Percocet.

EW: my doc told my hubby that in the middle of the surgery I started TALKING and they had to give me more drugs to put me out again! I had an ankle block and IV stuff to relax me -- I wasn't put totally out. At my next appointment I really want to ask him if he remember what I was saying! :eek:

My left foot (done in February '05) is doing well now. It's much less swollen and on most days I don't even notice anything weird about it. Of course, I'm not really walking now but hopping on that foot (because of the crutches). Also, about 2 weeks ago I went to my first yoga class in months... and I was able to do the down dog pose! Of course, I put most of the weight on my other foot since I'm still babying the other one but it worked! I'm so happy I can do it! (I just love that pose and yoga in general!)

I think I mentioned that this 2nd surgery was originally scheduled for June 20th but they had a cancellation on the 8th and I went for it. This surgery happened so fast that I don't think I was quite prepared for it! I didn't quite prepare for being on crutches again for at least 4 more weeks -- though how can you really prepare for that? And the pain... I wasn't prepared to experience that again so soon. But on the flip side -- I can ALMOST imagine walking normally again, wearing my Dansko clogs (which I tried wearing 2 weeks ago but my right un-fused foot could only handle 30 minutes due to the bone-grinding pain... And come on, these are supossed to be comfort shoes!) and just being without this constant pain!!! This is SOOO exciting! I think this fusion-thing was definitely the right decision for me!

Anway, thanks again for the well-wishes! They REALLY helped me get through this.... just knowing there was someone(s) out there who could totally relate to what I was going through helped immensely!

Take care!
~Heather

Soon to be me = :bouncing:

Heather,
Glad to hear that you are doing well. I am less than two weeks to surgery number#4- screw and plate removal. I am having an ankle block with sedation too. I have a question for you about that. Were you aware of anything that was going on the OR? I am not sure if I could handle hearing anything.

Jennie

Hello everyone,
I hope you're all doing well. I saw my new pod today and he is going to schedule fusion surgery asap w/bone graft from hip (NWB 8 weeks), plate & screws. Finally, things are going to move forward. I'll be in touch, and please keep posting how you're doing, you helped immensely in my decision making and I am at peace now. Thank you!!

Hi Jennie,

No, I don't remember a thing from surgery. I was totally loopy just before and afterwards (I was once again telling the nurses jokes and laughing a lot...) My hubby talked with my doc afterwards and that's when he mentioned that I was talking a little during the surgery. (I asked but he didn't remember what I was saying -- he said he never pays attention.)

My hubby teaches film and video and after my last fusion he threatened to tape me in the recovery room since I was so funny. Well, he kept his word: he DID tape me! Pretty soon he will show me the "Heather Show"... at one point I actually said something like, "Welcome Ladieeees and Gents -- It's the Heather Show!" I don't remember a lot of that either... just laughing a lot.

YIKES!!! :) I really wish they could bottle whatever they gave me!

I wouldn't worry about it. I like the ankle block & sedation. I've been put out totally for surgeries in the past and I usually get sick the next day.

Take care!
~Heather

Heather,
Thanks for the response. I know that this is better than general...I fertilized a patch on my boyfriend's lawn after the last surgery. I have my pre-op appt. tomorrow. I am actually looking forward to my surgery. An excuse to sit down and read and watch movies for a week. Is that wrong? I will also be on these boards.

Your surgery was a couple of weeks ago, right? How is your recovery? I know there will be know showers for a couple of weeks, but I should be able to take a bath. Was it your left or right foot? I am wondering how long before I can drive.

Thanks for answering my questions.
Jennie

Hi Jennie,

Yeah, the surgery on my right foot was 2 weeks ago today. (WHEW! 2 weeks already?!)

I couldn't get my foot wet for 2 weeks -- I DID take showers but used this thing that kept my foot dry. I was worried about this one -- it was my right foot and it was the one that HAD to be insdie the shower with me. No way to leave it outside the curtain like last time. I also gave my right foot a little "bath" every now and then with a wet washcloth... I DIDN'T remove the bandages -- just washed anything close by that wasn't covered up. That seemed to work OK.

I talked with my doc's murses yesterday and they said no driving for about 6-8 weeks. A little longer than it was for my left foot...

Hope that helps!

Let me know if you have any more questions...

~Heather

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went to a friend's house last night for dinner and I was SOOOOO STUPID! I wore a slip-on sandle on my 'better' foot -- the one that was fused on 2/28/05 and slipped going up the stairs. (Guess that's why they call it a "slip" on?) Well, I TOTALLY jammed my big toe!! OWIE!!! HELP! Did I just screw everything up?

It's sore today but no big bruises or anything. My little big-toe joint moves but it's also sore.

I called my doc's office today but nobody called me back yet. (They usually do before 5pm.) I'll call again tomorrow but in the meantime can anyone offer any words of wisdom? When I first had my surgery I stepped down on it kinda hard :( (before I was suppossed to be weight bearing -- actually on the day after my surgery 'cause I got sick & dizzy from the anesthesia, I think). Anyway, my doc said that it would take a "whole lot more than that" to mess it up... but this time it was a direct hit to the big toe and it HURT!

Help! Please respond... I'm worried! (My hubby is too...)
:nono: :eek: :(

Thanks,
~Heather


OK -- I KNOW the reason this happened! I was soooo used to hopping around on my right foot after my left foot was operated on that I think I momentarily got confused and started to put all my weight on my right foot that had jest been operated on 2 weeks ago. When I realized my mistake I totally overcorrected and that's when it happened. (Heavy sigh.)

HI,
Can you fusion friends tell me how your toe is angled? At what degree........


Sue :angel:

Hello,

My doc told me that the angle of my first fusion about 10-12 degrees. I'm not sure about the second -- It's still very swollen and bruised and I forgot to ask him during my first post-op visit.

I also have a related question for all Fusion Friends about the positioning of your fused toes:

When he fused my first toe he rotated it slightly outwards and when it bends it tends to bend inward towards the second toe -- not straight up and down. He said he noticed that during my last visit but that it wouldn't cause any problems in the future (I asked.)

Does this make sense? :confused:

Anyway, when he did the second toe he corrected that a little so it doesn't bend inward quite as much. It bends a little inward but not as much as the first.

Am I being to anal about this? Or will this rotation in the positioning of the first toe cause me any weird problems in the future? Will I need to have this fixed?

Thanks! :wave:
~Heather

HI,
Can you fusion friends tell me how your toe is angled? At what degree........


Sue :angel:

My toe is angles up about 17 degrees, which allows for a 1.25 inch heel on my shoes. If you really stare at my foot, you will notice the lift, but passing it casually or in shoes or sandels, it is not noticeable. It is perfect for me. -

-eko

Heather,
how are you???????? How is that toe??? DONT beat yourself up, we all make mistakes and end up banging our feet st some point! I hope your OK!!!!! My toe looks prstty normal considering.................mt angle is 15* amd to look at it it looks like my other toe, it bends slightly in at the top and the base is slightly further out than my other toe but that has worked to my advantage because I can comfortably wear flip flops ! But it looks normal to me and except for my awful scar, which seems to be getting bigger everyweek....UGH...no one could tell my toe was at an angle at all.
hope all is well with you!
Dawn

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for responding!

Just to clarify...

I'm not talking about the angle that the toe is pointing up -- that doesn't bother me. I'm more concerned with the way the toe was placed back into the socket when he did the surgery.

When my doc talked to me about this, he said that after he cleans out the joint during a fusion he can basically position the toe back in any way he wants. When he put mine back in he rotated it slightly outwards (accidentally). So now when I bend my big toe down it bends in towards the second toe -- not straight down.

Anyway, I wanted to know:

*Would this rotation would cause me any problems in the future?

*Will I need to have this fixed?

*Also, is any one else's newly fused toe positioned like this?

:confused:

Thanks!
~Heather

By the way...

Somebody referred to us as "The Fusion Sisters" (or something like that) somewhere in this thread. Since that sounded like a rock group (and since I'm crazy!) I started thinking about this and came up with a little song parady for us fused people.

Anyone want to hear it?

:D

~Heather

My fused toe is now angled upward and inward towards the second toe. I have recently developed a bad blister on the second toe, which appears to have developed from the rubbing of the big toe, or perhaps the nail of the big toe. Strangely, this developed only the last week, even though I am now 3 months post op and have done a lot of walking the last month or so. My guess and hope is that a callous or something will develop to solve the problem. I see the Dr in a couple of weeks and will find out for sure. I think it is simply realistic to expect minor problems like this, no matter how the Dr aligns the fused toe.

Yeah, I guess I'm just trying to read the "Fusion Crystal Ball" -- which of course, I can't! :rolleyes:

Once I'm up and walking around I'll see what the situation is. (And of course, update this list so I can maybe help someone else...)

Thanks for the response... I hope you're having a great weekend!

~Heather

P.S. I go back to work on Monday... another 1 1/2 weeks on the crutches.

Heather,
OK...gottcha now! Hope that it causes you no problems in the future. Hey, I am game for you little song................lets hear it!!!!!
Dawn

To all my "fusion sisters'"

Just wanted to request a few good thoughts....surgery number 4 is tomorrow at 12:30 (california time). I am just starting to get a little nervous, but I don't think it could be worse than last year's fusion. I will definitely be hanging out here more. I am actually glad to be getting the pins out. One of them is causing my foot to bruise quite a bit. It will be interesting not having general.

Heather- I know that hitting your toe is scary. I hope that everything is OK. I am anxiuosly awaiting the lyrics of the song. Do you thing we could have the next top 40 hit on our hands? :)

Jennie

P.S. Not related to feet, but I wanted to share some exciting news. I am becoming a home owner for the very first time. I bought a condo last week!

Jennie,

Congrats on buying your first home! You'll love having a place of your own!

Good luck w/ your surgery, I have faith it will go well and your foot will feel better with the hardware out. You are right, it cannot be any worse than last year's fusion! Do let us know how it goes!

Heather - we are anxiously awaiting to hear the lyrics to your song!

Have a great day y'all! -Ellen

Hi Jennie, -- congrats! I became a home owner for the first time too -- about 6 weeks ago!

I must say, this surgery was SOOOO much nicer: no stairs to climb, a deck to sit on when it wasn't too hot, and lots of sunny windows to look out of!

The toe I jammed last week was doing better but is sore again today since I have to wear shoes to work. My doc's nurses don't think I 'killed it' or anything -- they just said to watch it. As long as it keeps getting better it's OK.

Oh, I'll post lyrics soon... just a few 'finishing touches' to go! :rolleyes:

Take care!
~Heather

Jennie,
I am keeping you in my prayers! This one will be a piece of cake! You are gonna ACE it!!!!! Let us all know how it goes and how your feeling, OK? Hey, congrats on the new condo! How exciting for you!!!!! That alone should keep you spirits up this time, huh? I think I have a screw loose! Coming out actually, I can feel the edge of it and it is now turning white all around the area, thank God it is where I had my wound so the scar is really thick there or I really think it would bust through...maybe I am being paraniod, I will know Weds. Good luck to you...........I will check back to see how you are doing!
Dawn

Heather,
OK...............hows that hit coming???? Ya know, we could start an all girl band and go on the road! Any takers???? LOL!

what is the difference between toe fusion and arthodesis? i would appreciate the education, thanks.

what is the difference between toe fusion and arthodesis? i would appreciate the education, thanks.

I am not a Dr but I believe it is the same thing, just a fancy word for it!
Here is the definition
Arthro= joint
Desis = fusion of
Arthrodesis is the fusion of a joint.

Hope that helps!!!!!!! Is this in your future by chance???????? :eek:

dlh, thanks, i am so confused. i am having arthrodesis with hood and plantar release on 2,3, and 4 bilterally together with first metatarsal osteomy bilaterally for severe hallux abductus. my big toes are starting to curve in alot from a joint deformity. please share any experiences. :wave:

dlh, thanks, i am so confused. i am having arthrodesis with hood and plantar release on 2,3, and 4 bilterally together with first metatarsal osteomy bilaterally for severe hallux abductus. my big toes are starting to curve in alot from a joint deformity. please share any experiences. :wave:

Just so you know I have checked and I will write tomorrow, its late and I have had a long day but I will be happry to help anyway I can and share my story, I warn you , it is long!!!!! But I can tell you the end...............I am 7 months post fusion and doing very well...............I will be back tomorrow and give you more insight....................anything at all you have a question about just ask, if I cant answer you there are alot of people here that can!
Dawn :)

I am ready for our tour! Heather, how are the lyrics coming? I always said that I wanted to be arock star when I grew up.

I am ready for our tour! Heather, how are the lyrics coming? I always said that I wanted to be arock star when I grew up.


I have one request........can we dress up as an 80's girl band!!!!!!!!! :D :D
Heather............lets hear that song!!!!!!!!!

I am all about the 80's! Big hair, big bows, bright colors....bring it on! I can hear the concert now..."Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you straight from operating rooms around the country..The Fusion Sisters!"

Jennie

I am all about the 80's! Big hair, big bows, bright colors....bring it on! I can hear the concert now..."Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you straight from operating rooms around the country..The Fusion Sisters!"

Jennie


LOL...............we need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 :eek: :D

You guys are too funny :D !!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta love it.


Sue :angel:

Hey Sue, your in the band too!

:wave: I love the fusion sisters idea and can't wait to read the lyrics, I'm sure they're a hoot!
Gourmet Girl-So glad you're on the other side, I appreciated your surgery story soooo much. I read every detail, I love your sense of humor.

I have a surgery date for 7/14! Yeah! For those of you who haven't heard from me before here's the short version: 1/03 - Keller and Tailor bunionectomies. 9/03 - Metal Hemi-toe in big toe joint. Now I'll be getting the hemi out with a bone graft from the iliac crest of my hip, and fusion of my big toe. :eek: I hate this waiting part, I just drive myself crazy :bouncing: , my heart starts to pound when I think about needing to be hospitalized with a morphine pump (it must be really gonna hurt!) but, thanks to friends here and out there, I remind myself to take one day at a time,even one minute at a time. Whether I obsess or not, it is still how ever many days to go, it helps me make the best of it and focus on my family and shopping. My theory is that since I have several weeks of shopping to make up for, I might as well do it in advance. So I'm reading about you great ladies and being kind to myself. Thanks for all your posts.

I'm just now making my decision whether to proceed with fusion of my big toe joint. I met with the surgeon this week and am scheduled the end of next week. I hear so many stories about the pain and the negative outcomes that I am really hesitant. Any feedback?

I'm just now making my decision whether to proceed with fusion of my big toe joint. I met with the surgeon this week and am scheduled the end of next week. I hear so many stories about the pain and the negative outcomes that I am really hesitant. Any feedback?

There is alot of pain, I wont lie, BUT it is worth all of it in the end. I had mine done about 7 months ago and I had already had 4 surgeries on this foot..........given no choice I did the fusion. I had alot of pain partly because I did have so much prior surgery. I can say it was my hardest recovery but I would go through it all again because I can walk now without pain. :D
The feeling you get when you can no longer move your toe is odd at first but I have gotten use to it quickly..........I can squat, tippy toe(modified), take stairs(in my own way...he he) You learn to live with it.
are you comfortable with your surgeon????? May I ask why you are having it done????? There are ALOT of positive storeis here too, you have to remember we come here to vent as well...........and vent we do!!!!!!! :eek:
Any questions you have, ask away...............we sisters stick together!
Dawn

:D It's always great reading that you're doing better after fusion and that it was worth it. You all helped me make my decision with your openness about your results. I'm curious, my dr said I won't be in a cast but I wondered what it'll be instead. I'm trying to get some cast sized pant legs to wear post op, what did you all wear? Gotta be stylin! I so look forward to being able to finally resume some normalcy when this is all healed.

:D It's always great reading that you're doing better after fusion and that it was worth it. You all helped me make my decision with your openness about your results. I'm curious, my dr said I won't be in a cast but I wondered what it'll be instead. I'm trying to get some cast sized pant legs to wear post op, what did you all wear? Gotta be stylin! I so look forward to being able to finally resume some normalcy when this is all healed.


I was suppose to be in a cast but had an open wound so ended up just wrapped up tightly and had to wear a splint that could be removed daily to change my dressing but put back on afterwards tp protect my foot.........no style there! LOL!!!!! I wore alot of jammies at home but when I did venture out capris worked great. good luck to you!

Just so you know I have checked and I will write tomorrow, its late and I have had a long day but I will be happry to help anyway I can and share my story, I warn you , it is long!!!!! But I can tell you the end...............I am 7 months post fusion and doing very well...............I will be back tomorrow and give you more insight....................anything at all you have a question about just ask, if I cant answer you there are alot of people here that can!
Dawn :)
hi dawn, i would like to hear your story. i am having alot of work done on both feet at once. please share your experiences. my big toes have to be straightened and hammer toes corrected with arthreodesis and tailor bunion surgery. :wave:

[QUOTE=ariel2]hi dawn, i would like to hear your story. i am having alot of work done on both feet at once. please share your experiences. my big toes have to be straightened and hammer toes corrected with arthreodesis and tailor bunion surgery. :wave:[/QUOTE

I am sorry, I said I would write but then life got in the way and I just dropped the ball! My story is a long one, i warned you but I will try to condense it for you. My timeline will be off as the years and surgeries have all played games with my memory..........he he. :D
I broke a sesamiod many years ago at work, dropped a bus pan full of dishes on the top of it and somehow it actually broke a sesamiod. so after many DR's and walking on that broken foot for a year.............yes, a year...I finally found a good POD that said he would take out the bone. Great.....well, after a couple more years the other sesamoid moved out of place and I had to have it taken out as well. the problem here was my POD was no longer on my insurance so I went to whom I refer to as DR Quack now. He took the bone out alright, he also cut into the top of my foot and then the bottom, opening up my foot all the way without my knowing. Bad recovery but I did good for a year or so then began to have severe pain again. Went back to my good POD now that my insurance had changed and he went in to clean out the joint(chliectomy) because now I have arhteritis. Well, he found several bone fragments that were left by DR Quack, no wonder I had so much pain! this provided releif for several years but the arhteritis continued to get worse and it finally came to the point where I couldnt walk for amore than a few steps and couldnt work alot, shop, everyday life was a bummer because of the pain being so bad, my foot would throb and swell so much I cried alot...kept me up at night as well. then I would have a day with no pain, then back to what was now normal to me...........PAIN. I have a very good POD, he said my only chioce at this point was a fusion, joint replacement was not an option because I had so much surgery already and too much scar tissue. So I decided to go for it in DEC 04. I had a plate & 3 screws. I was in severe pain afrerwards, I felt sick and no matter what he percribed the painnwas so intense I actually screamed...i know that sounds so dramatic but it was real to me.............I have never felt pain like that before. I felt like something was wrong, my hubby said i was paraniod but when we went to my first post op apt at 1 week I had a severe hematomia....he expressed out the blood and commented that it was very odd I would have that and so much pain so he took an X Ray. Well, the screw had worked free and I had a hole that was filling with blood and it was getting infected. Only a 5 % chance that can happen by the way and my POD had never had it happen before. 2 days later I was back in the OR having the hardware removed and 2 screws put in. I fely 100% better after I came too in recovery. I eneded upo having severe tissue breakdown and an awful open wound that took more than 8 weeks to heal but I also have a solid fusion and had no more problems with that. So thats my story, 5 surgeries all for a broken sesamiod. It was a hard recovery for me as it took longer because of all the truama my foot has had and my POD told me it would take me longer to heal than most and he was right! I am doing well now, 7 months later, I am getting back to normal again and feel like a new women. I will end up having the screws removed eventually because they do rub sometimes and I developed a tumor on the same foot in the arch that I have had injections on in hopes that it shrinks...so far so good...trying to aviod yet another surgery. My story is not normal though, many people have this surgery and have a great recovery, please dont let this scare you............my DR teases me that I have a black cloud hanging over my head..... :eek:
Well, this was much longer than I planned..........Tell me more about your feet and your suegery, OK??????????????
i will write later............with the posative side..this is so long already!!!!!!!!
Dawn :)

Just wanted to post a quick update. I am so glad that I had my hardware out! It was by far the easiest of all 4 of my surgeries. :) I saw the doc yesterday and everything is healing fine. I get the stitches out next Wednesday. However, my bandage is much much smaller so I scrubbed and scrubbed the bottom part of my leg today. It felt great! I can wear my surgical shoe around the house, but the CAM walker when I go out.


Jennie

:bouncing: Glad to hear all has went well for you this time!! :bouncing:

Take good care of those feet! -Ellen :D

Hi to all fusion buddies.

I will be having mine dont in oct/nov very interesting info could some one please advise how do u have a bath wiv a leg in plaster this hasnt been covered and would like to know for when i have mine done as i cannot go without my baths/showers ect, i was thinking of getting hubby to move shower screen so i could stick my foot up in bath but then i would headbut the bath taps........any ideas please what did u all do.

Advise please.

diligent. :nono: :wave: :bouncing: :angel: will be whenive had fusion done.

Hello Fusion Friends,
I will join your ranks the day after tomorrow. :eek: For bathing, my husband (not bathing my husband), put in a portable shower head with a 5' hose so I will be able to sit on a stool in the tub with my foot sticking out. I wished I had that set up the last 2 surgeries and am glad he put it in for this one. I got my pain med's filled and borrowed the small wheelchair from my neighbor that fits in my halls, so I think I'm set once I get the laundry done tomorrow. :bouncing: To bring other newbies up to date, I had a Keller bunionectomy in 1/03 then a "Metal Hemi Toe" implant in 9/03 which isn't seated properly so I've had continuous pain. After the Keller, my toe stuck up and had almost no range of motion and lost considerable length, with the implant surgery I got some motion back and it didn't stick up anymore but is even shorter than it was. So now, they'll take bone from the iliac crest and graft it in to the big toe and secure it with a metal plate and some screws. I'll be hospitalized with a self-controlled morphine pump and should be released Fri. morning. I'll get on here again ASAP and give you the details. Thank you all again for giving me hope, I hang on your words about hiking and biking again. I can't wait, this is the most optimistic I've felt in months. Please, let me know how you're all doing too, I read this board often and it'll be even more now. Bless you all!
Sharon

UPDATE!

Hi everyone! :) Sorry I've been away for a while... life has been BUSY!

Fusion #1: Feb. 28, 2005

This toe is doing well... except remember about 3 weeks ago (while I was on crutches with fusion #2) I jammed my toe? HARD? On a concrete/brick step? Well, it turns out my doc thinks I have a slight fracture! (He said it's hard to tell from the x-ray but he thinks I have a small one.) :eek: No wonder it's still sore... BUT he said it's not at the fusion site and the screw is still in it's same/correct position - WHEW! I didn't kill my toe!

I think what happened with this one was I was SO used to not putting weight on my left foot that when I needed to not put weight on my right foot I got momentarily confused and started to put the wrong foot down. I over corrected and -- OWIE! Anyway, everything is OK.

Fusion #2: June 8, 2005

I'm down to 1 crutch now and only at work/outside. At home I don't use my crutch at all. I made dinner Monday night for the first time in 6 weeks and by the end of the night all the muscles in my feet were really tired and sore. They had a good workout! I was actually limping...

At my last appointment my doc compared both feet, side by side (toe to toe : ) and he said he was amazed at how similar they looked. Apparently this isn't always the case. One is maybe an 1/8" shorter than the other but I am so happy to say that they could pass for 'normal' feet! :)

Also, some people have mentioned that they couldn't walk barefoot for a long time/months after their fusion -- I haven't had that problem. With this last fusion I was walking barefoot at around week 4 1/2 - 5. The big toe 'zings' a little on the under side and the sides when I wear my Birkenstocks (ligaments stretching?) but barefoot is the most comfortable for me.

Well, that's my fusion update! I am happy with how things have turned out. I still have a good amount of swelling but overall, I am RELIEVED that my fusions have apparently gone well. :bouncing:

Also, I have NOT forgotten about my fusion song! :rolleyes: I will be posting that soon -- everything is just so busy right now!

For now, take care!

~Heather

P.S. Since this whole 'fusion thing' began I have been MUCH more aware of(obsessed with?) other people's feet. Ya know... there are some really strange looking feet out there! My fused ones fit right in... :D

I think all you fusion folk are very brave. I'm terrified at the thought! My last surgery for arthritis didn't work. My hammer toe surgery worked for the little toe, but the next toes are curling under and causing pain. What happens if fusion isn't successful????? I have pain on the ball of the big toes, and I don't know that fusions would improve that. Does anyone have experience with ball of the foot pain?? Any advice and wisdom would be appreciated.

Heather-

Glad to hear that all is going well for you. :bouncing: I have to admit that I too pay a lot more attention to other peoples feet, and there are some very interesting ones out there, so mine look pretty normal in comparison.

We are all looking forward to the "Fusion Song" ;)

Take Care! -eko

OWIE!

I have a little bit of a rough few days... :dizzy: :( My first fusion/possibly fratured foot has been really sore for the past few days. I SWEAR I was just standing in my bare feet, shifted my weight slightly and my foot foot started hurting again! I think I felt something move too -- could that sensation be caused by swelling? My doc said I didn't chip anything and he wasn't sure I even had a fracture - just a 'possible fracture'. I guess the x-ray was a little hard to read.

To top things off I'm at about 5 1/2 weeks post-op on my 2nd fusion and that's still hurting too! I can't remember... how long is it before fusions stop hurting all the time?

I DID go almost a whole day without crutches on Friday and did walk back and forth to the printer a lot at work -- the printer is located in our main office way down the hall. I work at a college so that is one looooong hallway! (I did go slowly though...)

Thanks... any advise (or REMINDERS TO BE PATIENT :rolleyes: ) are greatly appreciated!

Do you think I 'killed' my first fursed foot? Have any of you jammed your fused toe before?

TIA,
~Heather

Heather,
Glad your doing well. I actually jammed my fused toe twice in a week a couple of weeks ago, just now feeling better, it hurt but the good news is my fusion is solid as can be....LOL! Keep in touch, I have been so busy and havent been online the last few days....................take your time and remember to let yourself heal slowly..............dont push it!!!
Dawn

Hi to all fusion buddies.

I will be having mine dont in oct/nov very interesting info could some one please advise how do u have a bath wiv a leg in plaster this hasnt been covered and would like to know for when i have mine done as i cannot go without my baths/showers ect, i was thinking of getting hubby to move shower screen so i could stick my foot up in bath but then i would headbut the bath taps........any ideas please what did u all do.

Advise please.

diligent. :nono: :wave: :bouncing: :angel: will be whenive had fusion done.


I had my right ankle fused on July 20, 2005. I was told to use two trash bags when showering. Put one trash bag on and tape the top ( I used the blue 2" painters tape). Then put a second bag over that and tape it also. I usually get water inside the outside bag, but the inside bag stays dry inside.

Good luck.

Sharon

I had my right ankle fused on July 20, 2005. Sometimes a pain shoots thru my ankle momentarily. Is that normal? I have been using a wheelchair at home and putting my foot on the foot rest. Can I put too much pressure on my ankle in this way? Just moving around the house and trying to do a little house work puts some pressure on the foot on the foot rest. As with many of you, I have a fear that it will fail to fuse. I will visit my surgeon on Thursday, Aug 4, but I just worry about too much pressure, etc. I do use crutches when going out of the house.

Sharon 2

Help!!!

I had both big toe joints fused this year and was doing fine... except now the small big toe joints are REALLY painful!

Help! Do you think physical therapy/stride analysis would help? What can I do for this? I thought the constant pain was behind me... :(

Thanks in advance,
~Heather

Heather, this is the first time this week I have checked the boards and here you have posted!!!!!!
Have you talked to your DR? PT can always help to a point...my little joint hurts alot but I stretch it out alot and that helps me...........I talked to my pod and there are no problems there, just because it taking the brunt now and that it should go away in time............Go see your Dr if you havent already and make sure there isnt a problem............I pray there is NO problem though. Let me know how it goes.
Hey, what ever happened to that song you were writing??????????? LOL???
Dawn

Thanks Dawn! I'm going to call my doc today -- I'll let you know what they say.

About my song... my computer at home got ZAPPED by lightening and is now deceased. (It was 8+ years old and not worth fixing.) We brought the hard drive in to get the data retrieved and we sohould be able to pick it up this week... so I'll be posting soon! I PROMISE! :)

We did order a new computer this past weekend so we should be up and running again soon. :)

Take care!
~Heather

OK... I called my doctor's office and they said what I was experiencing is normal -- considering my last surgery was in June. I was really concerned though since it REALLY hurt this weekend and my ankles, knees, and hips were also hurting.

I forgot to mention what aggravated all of this... I wore an older pair of sandals for a short time shile I swept out our shed. The sandals were apparently were not supportive enough (though the were pre-surgery). I wore them only for about 30-45 minutes but that was all it took. Anyone else experience bad things with old shoes?

Any suggestions about good footwear while you heal?

Thanks in advance! :wave:
~Heather

Heather,
I am glad you called your DR, also that he said it was normal because I would have been going to see mine and pushed him for a better answer! LOL!
I cant waer any of my pre fusion shoes.............had to go buy all new ones...........poor little me, all that shoe shopping! He He.............My pod wants me to wear sneakers............good ones........as much as possible. I am in FL, its HOT. I have found several pairs leather flip flops that I am able to wear as long as I am not doing too much walking. So, as much as I HATE them, I do wear my sneaks alot, I do like the slip on kind, they look like mules or whatever they call them, do you know what I mean??????????? Well, I will be waiting for that song...............surely we should all get a kick(no pun intended) out of it.............might as well find humor where we can!
I will check back later in the week, hope your doing well and continue to heal!
Dawn

Can anyone tell me if they've had a bone graft taken from their hip to surgically plant into the great toe fusion site if the foot doesn't heal? It would sure make me feel better if someone with a similar experience could share their surgery experience with me.

I am scheduled for my 5th foot surgery 8/19, started out as bunion in 12/01, had a revision 5/02, developed arthritis, had sesamoid bones & joint & bone fused first time 10/03, didn't heal, revised 9/04, still has not healed with a plate & six screws in there. This time I'm having a bone graft from my hip & I'm so nervous about it (I kind of knew what to expect the last two times), I did a search & found this site. Is there anyone who has had similar experiences, their foot not healing & the doctor not knowing why? I've had a second opinion & my doctor is good, not a podiatrist, but an orthopedic surgeon.

From what I've seen so far supposedly the hip pain is worse than the foot pain. He said to plan on being in a cast 3 months this time & another month no weight bearing, as opposed to 2 months in a cast the last two times. This is so depressing, I feel like my entire life revolves around my foot. I'm glad I found this message board, at least I don't feel like I'm the only one going through foot problems. By the way, I'm 49.

Hello,

I have a question about 'pre-fusion shoes'... when you tried wearing them, what sort of symptoms did you get? All over pain? Certain areas in pain? Just wondering... (PLEASE give lots of details! :)

My pre-fusion Birkenstocks caused very bad pain -- even in areas where I previously didn't have any! (All along the incision site, the fusion site, and also in the small joints of my big toes. And I only wore them for about an hour!) I'm back on heavy drugs now (left over from the surgery) When I wore a pair of brand new Birkenstocks a few weeks ago I didn't have any problems.

Also, since the surgery I've been experiencing (in addition to the foot pain): pain in my ankles, knees, hips (LOTS of hip pain, especially at night). Did any of you experience this? Right now I'm wonding if these fusions were a mistake -- although I was in lots of pain before the surgery too so what other choice did I have...

Anyway, HELP!!! Please reply. (I need some cheering up today... :)

Thanks,
~Heather

Can anyone tell me if they've had a bone graft taken from their hip to surgically plant into the great toe fusion site if the foot doesn't heal? It would sure make me feel better if someone with a similar experience could share their surgery experience with me.

I am scheduled for my 5th foot surgery 8/19, started out as bunion in 12/01, had a revision 5/02, developed arthritis, had sesamoid bones & joint & bone fused first time 10/03, didn't heal, revised 9/04, still has not healed with a plate & six screws in there. This time I'm having a bone graft from my hip & I'm so nervous about it (I kind of knew what to expect the last two times), I did a search & found this site. Is there anyone who has had similar experiences, their foot not healing & the doctor not knowing why? I've had a second opinion & my doctor is good, not a podiatrist, but an orthopedic surgeon.

From what I've seen so far supposedly the hip pain is worse than the foot pain. He said to plan on being in a cast 3 months this time & another month no weight bearing, as opposed to 2 months in a cast the last two times. This is so depressing, I feel like my entire life revolves around my foot. I'm glad I found this message board, at least I don't feel like I'm the only one going through foot problems. By the way, I'm 49.


There is a member floating around here from time to time who had a bone graft from her hip. If you search the board you can find some of her early comments. She had her surgery in early 2004 and she has been doing very well. Jennie did comment how the hip pain was worse than the foot pain. I had my toe fused 3/2004 but it did not require a bone graft. I have to admit the 3 months in a cast and another month NWB sound excessive, but if you have problems with you foot healing, maybe that is the way you need to go. I'd also ask your Dr. about using a bone stimulator to help healing.

Just remember you can always come back to the board here to post or just vent. We all have been through some sort of foot or ankle surgery. I suggest that you start a new post "Toe Fusion with Bone Graft" and you might get some answers from others who are not followng this long post.

I wish you the best. -eko

Hello,

Well, I'm going to see my Doc tomorrow morning...

I think I have a srcew loose (literally) on my right foot (fused 6/8/05). It's VERY painful and I hope he can do something to help me.

***How long before you can have a screw removed?***

Also, my left foot (fused 2/28/05) still hurts after getting smacked (hard) on a concrete step while I was on crutches for the right foot. :( I hope that will just heal with a little more time...

PLUS, my hip and shoulders are still sore from my time on crutches -- maybe some physical therapy would help? I know I'm walking differently now.

Anyway, I would REALLY appreciate any words of widsom from the "fusion pros" on any of this...

Thanks in advance!

~Heather

Heather,
I actually went to see my DR last week because I too thought I had a screw loose! Turns out that I don't BUT because I have so much surgery on thst foot I have no fat left (go figure, the one place on my body I want fat and there is NONE!!!!!, not right!!!) and the screw heads are rubbing the tissure that is left and hits a nerve..........crazy pain sometimes!!!! So, I am going to have them removed. I hope to wait until the first of the year but he said it has been 8 months and he would do it now but he would cast me for 3 weeks to protect the bone while it is healing.
I hope you make out OK and he can help you. The shoulder & hip pain go away.......I did exersices at home and it helped alot but if you can go to PT, go!!! It can really help work out all the knkis. I do walk differenly now too, sometimes I limp, it all depends on what kind of a day I have and how much I have been on my feet..........and of course if I venture out in cute but not so functional shoes...LOL! Let me know how you make out, OK?
Dawn :angel:

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for your response.

I saw my Doc and he said the earliest he could take out the screws was 6 months. So I just have to 'grin and bear it' for at least 4 more months (on the right foot, anyway). I may have the left screw removed after Christmas -- that will be 10 months.

What type of physical therapy exercises did they have you doing? My doc said I could go to a physical therapist if I wanted to.

Yeah, this sure is painful at times! I will definitely be having both screws removed. He said he could do both at once but then I would be in a wheel chair for 2-3 weeks. I think I'll do 1 at a time. I can deal with crutches a whole lot easier than a wheelchair!

Thanks again. It's always nice to hear from a 'fusion buddy'!

:)

~Heather

P.S. Do you think your fusion was worth in in the end? I still have my doubts but this is a tough time right now...

Heather,
If it were me I would do both screws at the same time but I just HATE surgery and would want to get it over with.................whats 3 weeks in a wheel chair after all we have already been through anyway.............LOL
I do think the fusion was worth it even though I have had some problems..............the pain from the screws is no where near the pain I had before!
I do OK most of the time, stairs are still a challenge and I think they will always be but I can learn to deal with that and the crazy looks I get in public when I go down them funny..........It has been 9 months for me now and the swelling is completely gone for the first time in 6 years.............WOW! Yup, it is worth it. Give yourself more time to heal girl! I cant walk in grass or really pluch carpet either, its hard and uncomfortable...and my 2 year niece runs away from me because she knows I cannot catch her.............now that is sad when a toddler can outrun me!!!!! :eek: But in time you will see that these things are a small price to pay in the end. I will check back from time to time to see if you have posted, no one else is around anymore and I am not here alot myself these days...............life does go on!!!!!
Get well and give it time!
Dawn :)

Dawn,

I am nearly 18 months post-op and I still have challenges with stairs, but sometimes I wonder how much it is just habit now. One hint on the stairs I have is to plant your foot so that the big toe slightly hangs off the edge. It takes a little to get use to, but I am getting pretty good.

Heather,

Give yourself some time to heal. It is a long process and hopefully will be worth it all in the end. You can do it!

All take care! -eko

Eko,
Thanks for the encouragement! I actually do that now my problem lies here............I had a tumor right where I put my foot on the edge of the stairs.........with 3 injections that tumor has shrunk but I am still having alot of pain in the tendon which makes it hard to do............I try and I will not give up, like I said, a small price to pay!
glad you are doing well, how are your other medical problems?????
Dawn

Eko,
Thanks for the encouragement! I actually do that now my problem lies here............I had a tumor right where I put my foot on the edge of the stairs.........with 3 injections that tumor has shrunk but I am still having alot of pain in the tendon which makes it hard to do............I try and I will not give up, like I said, a small price to pay!
glad you are doing well, how are your other medical problems?????
Dawn

Dawn,
I am doing pretty well, I am one that does not give up without a fight. The PTC things still exists, but at least the hemorrhaging of the optical nerves has stopped and the swelling of those nerves has decreased. To bad I just can't elevate and ice those nerves. I still have headaches, but usually they are just an nuisance. My Neuro Doc gave me a prescription yesterday for the headaches, but the side effects are frightening and the interaction between my current med can be problematic. I had recently started seeing a Naprapath for nutritional reason, but they also deal with pain by doing tissue manipulation, so I had him give me a treatment, I felt so good I could have skipped out of his office. So, I am going to try this alternative method for dealing with pain to see if it will work. I'll probaly piss off the Neuro doc, but it is my head.

Feet are doing well, although I really need to start thinking about that other foot and the bunion. It is just working up the nerve to take the time to go through it again.

Do take care of yourself. I do have to say, after not chasing my kids for so long, they started getting lazy. Boy were they surprised when I took off and caught them one day. Just waited until your neice has her guard down and you catch her :D .

-Ellen

Ellen,
Good luck with all your other ventures.............I deal with other things than my foot too, lucky us! I gave up on my nuero years ago for my headaches............still take meds but my Dr takes care of that. I have problems with my neck muscles, have been having massages and they really seem to help so I am all about altenative medicine now...if it works why not! Take care, I am sure we will chat again sometime here...........until then be well and thanks again for the good thoughts!
Dawn