Hi everyone!
I was just wondering how everyone is doing....janie and sophie :) I hope your recoveries are going well and let me know how everything is going.

I have my 6 1/2 week post op appt on Wednesday where they will take more x-rays to see what is going on. I really hope everything looks good, because I don't think I could go through this once again. I am going crazy with boredom!

Well, I hope you are doing well!

:wave:
Liz

Hi Lizzy,

I posted a few days ago but just noticed now while looking for replies that it never actually posted so I'll try again!!

I'm happy to see everything is going ok with your recovery!! Please post after your next appointment...it is wonderful to have a couple people a few weeks ahead so I get the general direction of what is to come. You have a boot right?

I had my post op visit on Thursday last week. (8 days) I will be at the 2 week mark on Wednesday. My doctor originally wanted to wait one more week before removing the stitches but they looked good...so they were removed. I had two sets. One from the hardware removal from previous 2nd met shortening surgery (I took home the plate and four screws!!) and one from the 1st mtp fusion. I was surprised at how little swelling there was but I have been keeping my foot elevated most of the time. There was a little more blood (a lot actually) than I expected but it was mostly in the gauze. So he put on a pink nwb fiberglass cast (from mid calf to the VERY tips of my toes), I got my script for more painkillers and I go back in 5 weeks (Aug. 17). Not quite sure what happens then??? On the way out, I had xrays done with the cast on...I think just to make sure everything was still in place. He said he would call if there was a problem...no call so I guess no problem. He said no weightbearing for 6 weeks so we'll see what happens after that.

I asked about the twitching spasms and again he told me not to worry but to call if they became more frequent, lasted longer or caused a lasting cramp type feeling in my toe. They have actually become less frequent. My back is really aching from the crutches I think so I have been staying in bed more or sitting in the wheelchair. I have only an aching in my toe joint but it really isn't overwhelming..and a feeling of numbness..hope this is normal.

We have not started the heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest so I count myself lucky but it is supposed to become hot (90 is very hot here..especially with this cast and no air conditioning) by this weekend. Today will be lucky to reach 70.

Hope everyone is having a great day!! Sophie:angel:

Hi Sophie
Glad to hear that you are coming along. The twitching would be unnerving though. I go tomorrow for my second post op visit. It's been almost 7 weeks since surgery. I suppose the 3 pins will be removed and I will be x-rayed. I dread the pin removals because the other 2 pin removals from previous surgeries are no picnic!!!!!!!! My nerves will be shot. I am interested in seeing what the weightbearing situation is. NWB currently. I will post after I see the doctor tomorrow. I hope the fusion is progressing!! It is cool to have your plates and screws. When my husband took my pin to his work back in '94 to show everyone he said that a couple of the guys wanted to faint!!! Of course my husband is now used to the pin ordeals as this is his "3rd" surgery since dealing with me:D
Janie

Hi Lizzy

Just seeing how your post-op days are progressing? Keep us posted!!!
I will write after my appointment tomorrow like I mentioned in the previous post.
Take Care!
Janie

Hi Janie...Can't wait to hear about your appointment tomorrow!! I can't believe it has been 7 weeks already. My doctor told me 6 weeks nwb so I am very surprised because he is usually ultra conservative. I don't really know what to expect after the next visit. I wish I knew how it is supposed to feel. Do you have any pain, swelling or spasms there now with nwb?? Good luck with the pin removal!! You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow.

Lizzy...You too but I posted for you above...I'll wait to hear from each of you!! Thanks...Sophie:angel:

Hi everyone,

Well, I think I can safely say that my foot is healing after my fusion in April. I go for xrays next week - a little nervewracking- but I really feel progress in my foot. I can now walk without a lot of pain- unless I start feeling the screws- and that is the first time I can say that in over a year!
Maybe the more aggressive surgery did the trick. I really hope I dont have false hope....
I hope everyone is doing well and staying cool!

Diane

My update--------------

Went to the doctors today. Well, the pin removal was very uncomfortable (I knew that from the other 2 times I had pins removed). He took x-rays and the fusion has some ways to go. The plate and screws look in good position.
So...I have to see him again in 5 weeks and still NWB:( . I hate crutches!!!!

I have no more bandages now and I have to manipulate my 2nd and 3rd toes to a more plantar position since I won't be bearing weight to let them do that naturally. I have frankenstein looking feet with the crusted black stitches lines! My doctor said that my foot will swell because the coban has been removed. It will be nice to not have to cover my foot when taking a shower but I will still need my shower bench because of the NWB.

It will be interesting to see how the weeks progress now that my foot is out of the coban. I hope my toes don't start acting up.....

That's my update!
Janie

Hi Janie...Thank you so much for the update. Sorry to hear about the pain with the pin removal. At least it is done now and you won't have to worry about that anymore!! The black stitch lines should slowly start to go away now that you can shower without protection. Did the doctor say anything about see some healing? Can you swim now that the coban is off (with out moving your foot or using it to kick...you could go in a floatie type thing? I think it was you with the boat, right? Can you manage that without protection. I wonder if there is any difference in healing time since you had a plate and screws with coban and I have just screws with a hard cast? Amazing how doctors have such different treatment plans as mine said I should be healed in 6 weeks to at least allow weightbearing. From all I've read, I will not count on it.
Take it easy with the sun on that leg!! At least you won't have a crazy tan line! ((((Message sent))))) Sophie:angel:

Hello Buddies :wave: ,
Diane- you give me hope that all will be well soon.

Janie- What is coban? I'm glad you're past the screw removal, I know it hurts a lot, and so sorry to hear you're still nwb. If that makes it heal for good then it'll be worth it but what a pain:blob_fire .

Sophie- I hope the 6 weeks does it for you. When did you say your next appt is? Always love reading your updates.

I had my plate & screws removed from last July's fusion in April. Doc could see non-union with the naked eye so I had external pins 5 weeks, cast for 2 and cam walker and 24/7 bone stim since then. I had an MRI a few weeks ago and there's no progress so my new fusion is in 6 days (Monday, 7/24). I'm so afraid of this one not taking that I'll be nwb as long as he says. Last time, I was nwb but he didn't cast it. I had a surgi shoe to protect it when I was up but when I was lounging it was bare. Then I had a wierd sloping shoe from 5 weeks. Maybe the combination made it not heal last time. It looked solid on xrays cause the plate covered the non-union but it goes all the way around.

On a positive note-we just got back from 10 days on a houseboat. Doc said floating only so I tied a 25' rope from the boat to a floatie and just kinda forgot about my foot. The rest of the time I walked around barefoot keeping the weight on my heel (which doc said would be ok) and just had fun :D . I have to have surgery anyway so what was the worst that could happen ;) ? Now that I'm home it's cam boot, & stim again.

Anyway, thank you alll for posting. I don't know anyone who's going through the kind of stuff we are. Hugs to you :angel: .

Diane-
I really hope everything works out for you! Let us know what happens after you get your x-rays!

Janie-
Well, at least you don't have to wear a very hot, im sure, cast anymore! It will be nice to let your foot get wet, which, will help with the stitch lines. I hope your fusion takes this time, I know how stressful it can be to just sit and wait for it to work.
I hope everything turns out well for you and it works this time. I have my appt. tomorrow....hopefully everything looks good....I am so nervous. I will post tomorrow when I find out.

Sophie-
I am praying that everything works out and that you will be healed in 6 weeks! THat would be amazing :)

Sharon-
I am so sorry it did not work the 1st time. As a repeat myself, I worry everyday that it will not work. Is this your second surgery or third? I hope everything works out well for you! Keep us updated on your progress!

Liz

Hi again...

Lizzy...........I actually never had a cast. I just had bandages and coban.
I still have to use the cam boot (black, heavy and hot!!!!). Yes,
please post with your update.

Sharon........Coban is a type of elastic bandage that comes in neutral or many colors. It wraps like an ace tape but sticks onto each other without glue (self adhering). I still have my plate & screws. I had 3 pins (K-wire) removed today. Good luck with your next surgery. I've had 3 surgeries on my foot total and I can feel for anyone going through it more than once!!!
Is it mid foot fusion or MTP fusion?

Sophie.........Ah yes!!!!! No more covering the foot with the shower. Still have to use the shower stool though but at least I can get it wet. I have to figure out what to do with our boat now that I can get it wet. I want to protect the foot since it is still fusing. Maybe there is something out there like an ankle brace that I won't care if it gets wet. That way it is protected. We do have a tube that I will try and flip into! Getting back into the boat will be another issue!

I keep up with everyone's updates! It is nice to hear from others going through the same thing. It can be a lonely journey sometimes.
Janie

This will be my 5th surgery.
Keller bunionectomy (for arthritis rather than for a bunion) 1/03
Hemi toe implant, 9/03
Removal of implant, MTP fusion w/bone graft from my hip, 7/05
Plate & screw removal, 4/06
Re-do of fusion....7/24/06

Janie- I hear ya, that boot is soooo hot :blob_fire !
Lizzy- I pray your appointment goes well tomorrow :angel: . Can't wait to hear back.
All- thanks for the positive sentiments. They're appreciated.

PS In my previous message I realized I'd typed cofab, which I think is a rattle snake anti-venon, instead of typing coban. I hit post and then stop to correct it but I guess it was too late since I now have one of each on here :dizzy:. My husband calls that BPI - button pushing idiot ;) .

Hi Sharon,

I had a Keller procedure done on my big toe in NOvember 05 as well as fused 2nd & 3rd toe fusion. The Keller procedure didn't work as well as 2nd & 3rd toes. So, hence the most recent surgery to fuse that toe as well as re-do the fusion on 2nd & 3rd toes. This is the 3rd re-fusion on my 2nd toe.
My Keller made my 2nd toe really short and I needed a graft to lengthen it. That is why I have plate and screws and had a pin. I do hope your surgery proves to be a success! I'm anxious for mine to be a success also.....Not only for the big toe but 2nd and 3rd toes need to be successful also!

Janie

Hi everyone!
I just got back from my doctor's appt. and he is very pleased :) The xrays looked good and he said that he really feels everything should heal wonderfully this time. He asked me how I was doing and I told him I was a little nervous and paranoid about everything and he told me that it will be okay :) He said that he worries a little too, because he has a lot invested and he wants everything to work out as well; however, he is very happy with the way everything looks.
He asked me if I had been pwb and I told him a little bit but not much b/c I'm afraid of ruining everything and said that is probably one of the reasons I am still having spasms (b/c everything wants to work but I am not moving at all!). So I am going to start walking a little bit each day.
I hope everyone else is doing well and surviving this heat!

:wave:
Liz

Sharon, How nice to hear from you again. I do remember you from last November when I had my first surgery done. That was the 2nd metatarsal shortening. I am at 2 weeks today and have had this hard cast on for almost a week now. I think I am the only one with a cast on...everyone else has a boot. I was in so much pain after the last surgery that I am wondering if everything is OK this time as the pain is minimal. I hope that doesn't mean that it isn't fusing???? I have been really trying to just keep my foot elevated but am starting to want to get out of the house!! The summer is passing me by!! My next appointment is August 17th.

So sorry to hear that your fusion didn't take...and you have to have surgery AGAIN!! I will be wishing the best for you this time around and watching for updates. Do they have to take another bone graft from your hip? Am I the only one who had the fusion without a graft??....I just have two screws!! I will be thinking of you on the 24th (AAARRGH! That's Monday already!!) but hope we can talk again before then.

Lizzy...Hopefully your appointment went well! Anxiously awaiting an update...

Take care....Sophie:

Lizzy, great to hear that the appointment went well. How many weeks are you again? How I wish I was PWB!!! I guess because of the graft mine will take longer to fuse......yes, I'm very anxious.

I did call the doctor today and asked about the big toe being fused in an angle towards my 2nd toe. I had that with my previous surgery and it seems a little crooked. He said that he is pleased with everything. I'm afraid of failure so much and don't want problems......paranoid is my problem! It is pretty swollen and bluish now that the coban is off. I have no dressing on it now. I guess positive vibes will be my answer!

Janie

Lizzy...Wow! Great news!! I just came on to check whether you had replied and saw that I was posting at the same time as you were posting and I missed you! Wonderful that you had such a great appointment!:) Can you please remind me...do you wear a boot or anything? Since you are allowed to be pwb now...obviously that means with crutches so where do you go from here? Did your doctor give you any idea for wearing the boot versus a shoe...crutches versus no crutches....etc...you are the leader of the pack so the more information the better!! When do you go for the next check up and what does the doc expect? Sophie:angel:

janie-
I am at 6 1/2 weeks right now....I feel like the last 5 1/2 are so far away!
I am so scared about pwb, b/c I feel like I will mess something up. I can totally understand how you feel about being "paranoid." I still feel like something is wrong even though I just had my appt. today:rolleyes:
I am sure we will all heal just fine this time; try to keep your spirits up. I know it can be hard...trust me I break down at least once every day.
I hope everything goes well with your healing....keep us updated!

sophie-
Hi! I hope everything is going well with you so far! I too, like you, had a cast for the 1st 2 weeks and then i was put into a walking boot/CAM walker. I only have one screw in my toe, but I also do not have a graft (thank goodness)!
Good luck with your healing and i wish you a speedy recovery.

:wave:
Lizzy

Sophie-
Thank you! I was excited that everything looked good, however, I am still very cautious and paranoid about everything since this a repeat surgery.
So for your questions:D As of now I am in a walking boot/CAM walker. I am allowed to bear weight on my heal with my foot out to the side (it looks really funny and is a little tricky to do). The last time I had this surgery, I began bearing weight at 2 weeks and was supposed to be in a shoe, weight bearing heel only by 6 weeks; however, I had 2 pins in my toe that were supposed to be removed at 6 weeks but did not want to come out.
So, basically it is up to your doctor. Mine would probably tell me to go ahead and use a regular shoe but I don't think I would anyway to be honest, b/c I would be afraid that I would bend my toe when putting the shoe on.
My next appt. isn't until August 23 (my 12th week) so by then everything should be solid. He personally thinks it is pretty solid now, but he doesn't want to push it, so we are going to wait the full 12 weeks.
I hope everything is going well with your recovery!
:wave:
Lizzy

Hi again everyone! I am just checking in to see how everyone is doing. As far as my recovery is going....my foot is driving me crazy. I still have some twitches and am just extremely bored sitting around :yawn: ! I am going crazy with boredom and feel like Aug. 23 is so far away.

I'm sorry for complaining :( I hope everyone else is doing better.

:wave:
Liz

Hi Lizzy and I know how you feel about the August appointment being so far away. Mine is on the 22nd. NWB till then.

I did go boating yesterday for the 6th time since surgery but this time I could get my foot wet so I was able to swim in the lake (modified of course since I can't move my foot). I take the black boot off once I'm in the boat and I hop around or use my crutches. Our boat is 25 foot so there is room for my invalid foot!! I wrapped my foot in coban to secure it and slipped into the tube from the swim platform and rolled out of it into the water (life jacket on of course). In the water for 2 hours!!!! Yea.......can get my foot wet!. To get back into the boat is another thing because boat ladders are not user friendly by nature. I used the heel of my bad foot only to step up once and that was it. We do a lot of camping and boating from spring to fall. Yesterday was a beautiful day. I get so housebound because of being NWB. I don't go to stores because the crutches are too much for my RA joints.

Trying to keep my chin up because the other days are LONG!!!!!!!!!

Janie

I just found this board- I'm so excited to find others who are going through this! I had a midfoot fusion and calcaneal osteotomy on June 28. They did use a graft, but it came from just below my knee, not my hip (I can't find much information on this- anybody else heard of using graft from this site?). There is a plate over the graft. I have pretty severe nerve damage to this foot from a low back surgery a few years ago, so my sensations and pain are even weirder than the usual. I was placed in a boot after two weeks in a big, bloody splint, but I found the boot to be excruciating and asked to be put in a regular fiberglass cast, which my doc agreed to with no problems. I've found the cast to be much more comfortable than the boot, even with the annoyance of having to cover it to shower. I'm NWB for 8-10 weeks, so it doesn't really matter to me whether it's a boot or cast.
I'm really afraid there will be a non-union. My body could absorb the graft bone, or the decreased nerve sensation could cause problems...but I'm 26 and have been really babying it, so I try to stay optimistic. I'm a full time grad student in addition to working, and I really want to be walking (with a cane is fine!) before school starts up again in the fall. I'm getting around pretty well with the use of crutches and a wheelchair, but I haven't had much luck trying to use a knee scooter. Has anyone else tried to use one? At fitst it didn't work because my knee had an open incision, but that has healed well. Now, it's not working because if I'm on my knee, my foot is upside down and there is pressure on my midfoot, right where the plate is. Thanks for letting me be a fusion buddy too!

I'm getting around pretty well with the use of crutches and a wheelchair, but I haven't had much luck trying to use a knee scooter. Has anyone else tried to use one? At fitst it didn't work because my knee had an open incision, but that has healed well. Now, it's not working because if I'm on my knee, my foot is upside down and there is pressure on my midfoot, right where the plate is. Thanks for letting me be a fusion buddy too!

I used a knee scooter after ankle surgery and absolutely loved it. I don't know what kind you have, but one thing I did have to do was modify the padding. I went to a fabric store and bought some foam and covered it a pillowcase and tied it to my "four-wheeler" as it became called. Perhaps with some modifications like that it won't hit the plate. -eko

Hey Janie!
I am so jealous that you are out on your boat! I really haven't done anything :) I think that you are brave to have the confidence to put your heal down to get up onto the boat.... I freak out just moving my ankle because I feel like it is pulling on the tendon that is attached to my big toe...I know, I told you I am completely paranoid about recovery this time, lol :dizzy:

Thats funny, my appt. is the 23 of August, one day after yours :) I guess we are neck and neck in this recovery thing. :p

UWstudent-
Hi and welcome! Most of us on here have had a fusion of the mtp joint in our big and/or other toes (thats the joint that moves when you take a step). I, like yourself, am a grad student (i'm 23) and used to be working as a waitress, so I know how you feel! This is my second fusion, b/c the 1st failed, so I was actually going to school through this whole thing during my 1st recovery period....which was completely awful! You made a good decision getting it done now. I wish you luck w/ your recovery and hope it is speedy :)

:wave:
Liz

Hello to all,

Lizzy - I supported my foot with a lot of coban when I was boating. I was nervous getting into the boat but thankfully the heel worked. I've been using my heel the whole time as a steadying position and not walking on the heel.
That's cool our appointments are close....good to compare notes!

I still get the pressure in my big toe (vise feeling). My foot has been down a lot the last couple days trying to get some things done around the house. It sure does swell up when it is down!

UWStudent - I have a big toe fusion from failed Keller procedure in NOvember. I am currently 8 weeks NWB (no cast or bandages now--just the big black boot when I'm out of the house). My graft was from the bone bank plus plates and screws. I did have a pin that was pulled out along with pins removed from toes 2 & 3 couple of weeks ago.

Well, just hanging in there and trying to stay cool (it will be in the 90's the next 5 days!).
Janie

Hello everyone,
I just wanted to see how all us fusion friends were doing. I am in another waiting game until my next appt. on Aug. 21st. I am 80% fused and my os is happy but cautious since my non union! I was a little sad not to get out of the darth since I have been in either the darth or a cast since March 05! How long can you wear this thing??? The good news is that last Sat. I got to swim in a friends pool. Wow, was it a great feeling to be swimming and out of darth! Yesterday, my whole body was sooo sore I couldnt move but it was worth it!

I hope everyone is doing well!

Diane

UWStudent,

I did have a non union of my midfoot fusion last June of 05, but I really would try not to worry about this happening to you. My os told me it is very, very rare for this to happen if you have no risk factors (like smoking, obesity, diabetes, etc.). I also didnt have a bone graft the first time and I am sure you will have a better chance of healing well with a graft. I actually did ask my os why he took the graft from my hip vs. just below my knee. He said that once he did a graft from the tibia and the patient ended up with a stress fracture.

I know it is easy to say dont worry. I am 4 months out from my revision surgery to repair the non union and I worry a lot! Hope you heal well....

diane

Hi Diane!
Well, it has been a long road for you, but you seem to be doing very well :D I hope everything continues to fuse and I know how far away your August appt. must feel. My last post-op appt. to see if my MTP joint fused completely is on August 23 and it feels like a lifetime away. Good luck and I wish you a speedy and full recovery :)

:wave:
Liz

Hi Liz,

Thanks for your message. How are you doing- aside from going nuts waiting for that "next" appt! How far out from surgery are you? How is your pain level? Hope all is progressing...I will keep my fingers crossed!

Diane

Oh, dont you think it would be great to have an at-home xray machine? I feel like an expert now when I look at my xrays...only wish I didnt have to wait for the surgeon!

Greeting everyone, I am just learning to make my way around this site/threads/postings...anyway I am still figuring it out and read a bit from Lizzy21, dianelev, janieab, and UWStudent! Liz you and Eko are the only ones I know from another thread. same subject though and I have to tell you, reading all this a bit ago, I had no idea what you all are talking about :confused: non union,bone graft,darth ,bone bank plus plates and screws. GEEZ you guys; what the heck is everyone talking about? No one said anything to me about grafts, screws,plates and what not. Now I am thinking I KNOW NOTHING AGAIN. Here's a few things I will be asking about at my appt on the 14th! I don't want to ask anyone to repeat what you have already written so I am going to try to learn how to maneuver thru this maze of postings and see what I can find.
ttfn

I used a knee scooter after ankle surgery and absolutely loved it. I don't know what kind you have, but one thing I did have to do was modify the padding. I went to a fabric store and bought some foam and covered it a pillowcase and tied it to my "four-wheeler" as it became called. Perhaps with some modifications like that it won't hit the plate. -eko

Hey Eko; what is a knee scooter? is this for your ankle? Just discovered something else I love about you; your creativity an improvisation!
What will be needed with nwb post fusion?:dizzy:
tt

Nino,
Welcome to the fusion forum! It is a GOOD thing that you dont know all those aweful terms... I would give anything to not be familiar with terms like those! Just fyi, I am not sure what your injury is, but there are many different reasons why surgeons use hardware like screws, plates, and staples. If a fracture is unlikely to heal on its own, or if a surgeon is going to force or fuse two bones of a joint together, they must use hardware to connect the bones. A non union occurs (rarely) when a broken or fused bone does not heal for a period of months. In my case, my os used bone from my hip as a graft to help stimulate growth at the fusion site.

I hope this give some useful info! I hope you dont need hardware or anything else listed above. What is your injury?

Diane

Hey Eko; what is a knee scooter? is this for your ankle? Just discovered something else I love about you; your creativity an improvisation!
What will be needed with nwb post fusion?:dizzy:
tt

Nino,

Because of my ankle surgery and my personal aversion to being NWB and on crutches, I used what is actually called a Roll-a-bout. You can rent these things. It basically has four wheels and you rest your knee and lower leg on it and "scoot" about. To see one do an internet search. I probably would have not used it if I was allowed to put weight on my heel, but I absolutely was not allowed to put any weight on my ankle for six weeks. Besides, I moved a lot faster than I would have on crutches. It can be used for any lower leg injury or surgery.

Other things to consider post-op, and a biggy is showering/bathing. Figure that out now and actually test it out.

~Ellen

Hey Diane, thanx for the info; Do you have an injury?
I actually don't consider what I have an injury. I am the proud recipient of arthritis in the big toe joint. The left has no cartilage and the right has about 20% left on one side of the joint. so far it looks like the left will be fused and who knows about the right? I am on this board to try know what I don't know as opposed to not knowing what I don't know.
Eko just mentioned bathing and got me going on that one. I think I need to get creative as I don't have tub; only a shower stall. Although I am sure there are folks that have far more challenging tub issues than me. I can't even imagine having bilateral fusion. Although I did have bilateral cheilectomies and that was no picnic in the shower stall either.
thanx again

nino,
if you need some help or stabilty in the shower than get a shower/tub bench. Most insurance companies will pay for a basic model one time (you need the doc to write a Rx for it) You could also use a stool or chair you already have. Those cheap prefab plastic chairs for outside are perfect BUT they can slide on a wet floor. Put some rubber on the legs to help add grip.
My father has toes like yours and he loved a bath mat we got him at one of the big box bath stores (he has a small stand up style shower stall). It is rubber (vinyl?) and has fringe or hair thingys on it all over. It suction cups to the floor. The idea is that you just squirt some soap on the mat and rub your feet on it to clean them. It even gets between the toes without you having to bend over and wash them. As a plus it just plain feels good. :p

Having anything fused takes some time to get used to (after it heals) but afterwards, most people wonder why they didn't have it done sooner.

Welcome to the board. It took me a bit to learn how to navigate it too

jane