I have big toe arthritis for which fusion would have to be the answer. My consultant advised waiting - this was a few years ago. I am 54 year old female by the way.

Fusion sounds pretty scary and painful. How bad would one's function need to be for it to be sensible to go ahead with fusion? How much can a person's maximum walking distance be reduced to, which would indicate they should consider an op? Has anyone regretted having it done and wished they had put up with the problems of an arthritic toe? Have some people wished they had had the op sooner? How active can one be after fusion, after healing I mean?

I cannot walk in the correct manner using my big toe to push off due to pain. So I have great difficulty walking barefoot in the house. I have one type of shoe that I can wear - wide, flattish with plenty of soft headroom for the bony bits that have grown over the joint. And with a strap over the instep level. To walk outdoors I have to wear trainers, and I have difficulty finding any that I can wear. They make it easier for me as they have rigid soles so I can rock my foot for takeoff rather than do it by bending my toe. At the moment I am in trainers 100% from getting out of bed until bedtime but maybe in a few weeks if it settles again I can go back in those strappy shoes unless striding out.

As my toe joint has a delightful bunion shape to the side as well as extra bits on top I have problems in bed. What I do for comfort is stick my foot out of the duvet and off the mattress at the side of the bed. Then there is no pressure on it.

I suppose I can manage with my present limitations but am I being a fool by waiting longer? Am I missing out? If I could walk properly on my foot then my knee would not get as grumpy due to the twist exerted on it. If I thought I could get much improvement with a fusion then maybe I should see a specialist again?

Thanks for any ideas/advice.

Is that the only option they gave you? What about a cheilectomy to clean out the joint and shave off the bumps? I had one and the results were great...am on Mobic but don't mind since the joint works so well...I jog 2 miles 4 times a week, dance a lot, wear heels, no problems...hope this is good info for you....

If it is affecting your normal day to day life and causing enough pain to also interfere its time. I wanted my life back............I am now 7 1/2 months post fusion and getting back to a normal life. I am about 75% better than before my fusion and am more active now than before. I am learning how to live with a fused toe and the payoff is worth it for me, I have NO regrets even though I still have bad days............my Dr said to give it a year (this was my 5th surgery on this foot) and I am trying to be patient but already see great improvement. I also had a cheilectomy...........was good for a couple years after but gradually got worse until the fusion was the only option. I think it is worth it, I am 40 am I am glad I did it.....good luck to you and I hope you are able to make the right chioce for you, everyone is different and you have to do what would be best for you and your lifestyle!
Dawn

dlh: was there some reason you went from the cheilectomy to the fusion without trying an implant? I have it on good authority (from a doc whom I trust completely) that the implant should be the next step. Just wondering....

dlh: was there some reason you went from the cheilectomy to the fusion without trying an implant? I have it on good authority (from a doc whom I trust completely) that the implant should be the next step. Just wondering....


I was not a good candidate for an implant, I had more than one opinion and they all agreed that an implant was not an option. I also had no sesamiod bones because they were taken out..............I had no choice, believe me!
Alot of people have good results with implants..........i just would not have been one of them! :eek:

Are you on any meds...Celebrex or Mobic? I'd try that before fusion...any time you can by would be good. Just an idea....