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View Full Version : Big toe arthritis & Pinky toe bunion surgery


RubyRedHead
07-19-2006, 11:52 PM
Wow, doesn't seem like it's been 10 weeks since my first surgery! Went to the pod today and am set for the left foot fix next Wed, 7/26. My right foot is doing well. The left one will be more of a challenge because both big toe and #5 will be operated on. Both will be broken and re-set with screws. Double time in the shoe which will be approx. 8 weeks. I did get the right one done first, which was the better of the evils, and survived it and I think that I am ready for this one.

I'm told that #5 takes twice as long as the big toe to heal. My big toe is being repaired from arthritis and #5 has a Taylor (?) bunion. Has anyone ever had this procedure done?? Don't see any posts referring to a bunion on the pinky toe.

Hope you are all doing well and are healthy! Would appreciate any input. Thanks! :)

wakkochic17
07-20-2006, 03:23 PM
hey! I have had both feet operated on for the Taylor bunions. Form me, I found that the bunionectomy on my big toe (that I had last year) took LONGER to heal than the Taylor bunion. The bone by the pinkie toe is smaller and heals quicker. When I had mine done I didn't have screws, my pod just put a removable pin in. I was non-weight bearing for 3-4 weeks until the pin could be pulled, but once the pin was pulled I was walking around within a day or two. I had an easy recovery. I wish my bunion surgery (big toe) had gone that well!!

SoCalSharon
07-20-2006, 09:08 PM
I also had both 1st and 5th MTP done at the same time. I have two permanent screws in the little toe bone which resulted in being nwb for 6 weeks initially. He said the screws are about the size of eyeglass screws in a tiny bone so it would be easy to break it before it heals. Had it just been the big toe (Keller procudure for arthritis) he said I wouldn't have been nwb at all. Now it's 3 1/2 years later and that part of my foot doesn't bother me a bit. Monday I'm having surgery #5 on the big toe though from a non-union of a bone graft fusion done last summer. But the little toe is just fine so far...:cool:

Best wishes for your recovery.
Sharon

RubyRedHead
07-21-2006, 01:09 PM
Thanks for the responses :) . Nice (:dizzy:) to hear that I'm not the only one! Can't say that I'm looking forward to being in "the shoe" again. My pod put me straight in the angled thick sole shoe immediately in the recovery room the day of my last surgery & I walked on it that day. As far as I know, I will be doing the same thing this time. He has not said that I will be nwb. I too would think that the pinky toe, being smaller, would heal faster. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Wakko, wonder why they choose pins over screws? Didn't think to ask my pod. Glad to know your recovery time wasn't too long. Any discomfort from it now?
Sharon, my foot problems sound a lot like yours. Sorry you're having to repeat/have more surgeries :yawn: . I only agreed to do this once for each foot!!! :eek:

I think the anticipation for the upcoming sometimes gets the best of me. I walk around now and count down the days till I'm gonna be out of commission. Not looking forward to it but once it's done, hopefully, it's over! Gotta keep my chin up so I can be "high steppin' " before long. ;) lol

Good luck on your upcoming surgery Sharon, keep us posted. I'll check back soon. :)

wakkochic17
07-21-2006, 02:58 PM
hey! It sounds like the pin maybe sturdier than the small screw in that part of the toe, but I'm not sure. Maybe he prefers it because it's not permanent. I asked about a removable pin for my big toe but my pod said that it doesn't work as well for the big toe because of the size of the bone (although it was still an option). Maybe some go the screw route so people can be weight bearing. I'm having too many problems in the areas of the screws with my bunionectomy that I WISH he had used a pin!

RubyRedHead
07-21-2006, 06:13 PM
Ya know, I'm of the belief that each Dr. has his own "ways" and is sold on what he believes in. Maybe experience has been the deciding factor. At least that's what I want to believe!! Next time I'll see my pod is the day of surgery. I'm sure (:dizzy: ) I'll think of that question right when they're rolling me to the OR. Maybe after, I'll let cha know his thoughts! :p. Thanks for being out there!

kimann
07-22-2006, 09:40 PM
Ruby,
I think you're right. Each surgeon has preferences, and very few will present options other than their own tried and true. I've read a lot of things in this forum, and have found vast differences.
I will keep you in prayer as you have #2 done, and will look for updates. Take care. Kim

RubyRedHead
07-25-2006, 07:34 PM
15 hours and counting down......:blob_fire , til my surgery.

I rode my son's go kart with him this afternoon :yawn: (after about 6" of rain in the past week!) on his trail in the woods. We ended up looking like a couple of speckeled pups! It was the most fun I've had in years, especially the spin turn at the corner :eek: . He insisted that I ride before my surgery. Just like old times...the need for speed ;) ! Reminds me of the time when I was about his age and chased cows in my grandfathers cow pasture :p ....... Same end result, except it wasn't mud. Bet ya'll didn't think that of me did ya!!! Call me crazy :dizzy: , it was great!

Hope you all are well. Please remember me at your quiet times. I'll keep you posted.

Ruby :)

sorefootsophie
07-25-2006, 07:49 PM
Ruby... Good luck tomorrow!! We'll be thinking of you and hoping everything goes smoothly. Remember to keep up on the pain meds those first few days!! Post when you can. Sophie:angel:

RubyRedHead
07-31-2006, 02:02 PM
I HAVE SURVIVED....HEY HEY!! :p

Surgery started late and took longer than expected. There were some surprises. :yawn: Big toe cartilage was non-existent and I was wearing bone to bone. That was worse than expected, wierd news was that my 1st met bone was a wierd color...not the color that a bone should be ??!? Puzzled my pod, me too.

What's that suppose to mean? Anybody ever heard of anything like this? Keep in mind that this is all 2nd hand from my husb., and I haven't talked about it with my pod. Doc did have a sample sent to a lab for examination. Don't know what to think. As far as the pinky toe, I don't think there were any surprises there.

My follow-up appt. is next Tues. Hopefully some light will be shed on this colorful :confused: situation. As for now, I'm staying comfortable and propped up and haven't really had that much pain. HOO-RAH!

I'm taking full advantage of my "down time" and it being summer. It's nice to be waited on for a change!! I'm letting them know, (4 males), what it takes to keep up the household. Nobody's hungry yet!! Dirty clothes are piling up.

Hope you all are well. I'll check back soon. :)

kimann
07-31-2006, 03:32 PM
Ruby~
I'm so glad it went well and you're home! The ride sounded awesome, but I'd rather ride horseback, and have missed it. Hopefully this fall, before it gets cold & slick. Sure doesn't feel like we've really had summer. (Yeah, I KNOW it's HOT, but I haven't been in the pool or on horseback, so it's not really really summer yet! :p
Sorry I don't know anything about your bone color. Impaired blood flow would change it, I'm not sure what else might. Let us know when you get the word from your pod. Now I'm curious... And what color was it???;)
After all you've done, you should enjoy every minute of your downtime! Let the laundry pile up, and they will wash it or buy new. Kidding, but I knew a man who would if he ran out of clean bvd's.
Oh, well. Take care of yourself! Kim:angel:

 
 
 




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