Hi everyone! I was just sitting here and thinking about life after the fusion.......
So, once the toe is completely fused are people able to run after? Is the toe like a bone (i.e. if you were to break it would it heal like a broken bone or would it have to be fused again)? Is life pretty much the same after, just heal restrictions?
If anyone knows, could you let me know:) I only have about 4 weeks left and am wondering what my life is going to be like after.

Thanks:wave:
Liz

Hi Lizzy, Good to hear from you!! I guess we are all just sitting around waiting for things to FUSE!! I was told by my doctor that the only restriction would be heel height and that would be limited to 1-1 1/2 inches. That remains to be seen. I hope someone who has actually healed answers because I would like to know too!! The distal joint of the big toe still moves. HA!! My cast is so long to the end of my toes that not much at all moves right now. I can passively wiggle the end of the big toe a little but it sure won't move on its own! I am 3 weeks tomorrow and 3 more weeks until my next appointment. The cast is only a little loose but starting to feel like bunched up socks under my arch so I hope I can last until my next appointment. :mad: The heat wave has broken....I couldn't manage much at all the past few days but now is just general boredom! This too shall pass. It sometimes feels like something is tightly squeezing my toe joint and it is heavy. Does anyone else have this feeling? The twitches are still there as well but not as often. Does it feel any different at the 6-7 week mark? Sophie:angel:

Hi !!!!!

Funny, I was just wondering the same thing on what happens!!!!

I'm 8 weeks tomorrow. I have 4 more weeks to go till I know if the fusion is working. I hate the pressure in my toe like a small vise squeezing my toe......not really painful but definately uncomfortable and having to move my foot around to a position that doesn't make it feel that way. I don't have the twitching though.

Sophie....I don't envy you for you having a cast. Hang in there!!!!
Lizzy....We are back to back by a week? Everyone is in the same boat and interesting to keep in touch everybody.

Janie

Hi ya'll

Life after fusion, I can answer that, of course it will be a little different for each of you.

Heal restrictions will be a way of life, your doctor should be able to give you an idea of heal heighth you will be able to wear depending on the final angle of the big toe (remember geometry?)

Yes, you can run after, you might have to find the right shoe, but it can be done.

The only thing that I did run into problem with at first is when buying dress shoes for work, I had to watch how they cut across the incision and fusion point, it was sensitive for a long time. Work of advice - massage it, rub it with a towel or washclothe to desensitize the scar tissue. Rub vertically and horizontally. Better to do it as soon as you can than later.

Also when you are permited to become weight-bearing, do toe scrunchies by placing a towel of the ground and by flexing you toe, scrunch the towel under you foot. It will be hard with out the big toe, but will really help with the flexibility of your other toes and your foot. It will also help the tip of that big toe to get moving as well.

There's some advice from one who has been there and done it. ~Ellen

thanks for all replies :)

So, I am going completely crazy waiting for this toe to heal. I think I am so much more antsy this time, because my surgeries were basically back to back:mad: My foot doesnt feel all that much different than it did a few weeks ago. I still have that tight feeling in my toe...kinda stiff in a way...but at the same time it doesnt feel stiff ( I don't know...I'm weird :p ). I was wondering if anyone ever feels like they are bending their toe, but you know you aren't? I know that sounds a little crazy, but I really hope someone knows what I am talking about :eek: Besides all of that I am just trying to keep myself from going completely crazy:dizzy: Before my surgeries, I was extremely active...I went to the gym every other day, I had 2 jobs, and I am in grad school. SO, sitting on my butt for the past 6 months is driving me nuts.

Anyway, enough of my complaining....I hope everyone else is doing really well!

:wave:
Liz

Lizzy, I have the hard cast on so I can't see the joint...only the very end of my toes. But if I wiggle my toes up and down, it feels like that joint is moving. I know it's not because the cast is so tight and holding it in place. I do agree that it is a weird sensation. It really is only the distal joint of the toe that is moving. The tight squeezing vice type feeling is from the trauma to the joint because of the fusion. I spent a good part of today cleaning the house from the wheelchair. I was amazed at how little I got done and the length of time it took!!! I am limited but creative. I think I am really going to have to hire someone especially for the bathrooms....hubby is away and the teenagers just don't get it!! I thought I would be able to put up with a mess but it is really wearing on me....and I am VERY tired but at least I will sleep well tonight...I hope!! Grumble!! Grumble!! Sorry!! Sophie:angel:

Lizzy....OK, I have been thinking about this all evening. I have stuck my finger as far into the cast as it will go...teehee...and it sure feels like the joint is moving when I move my toes....BUT I know it's not so how's that for poor proprioception!!!! I am sure it is just the distal joint of the toe but with my eyes closed it feels like the whole 1st mtp joint moving!! By the way...how did you know it failed last time?? This is my second surgery too! I was in a cast from Nov. 18 to March 27 with a 2nd metatarsal shortening that took forever to heal!! So yes I agree...it will be wonderful to be able to walk around pain free eventually!!

I sure know what everyone is talking about when it feels like the big toe is moving but it's not. I don't think the distal part of my toe will move because the Keller sort of made a mess of everything. In the end I believe the entire toe will be fused. I have plate and screws in my toe so I know it can't move. I hate the vise grip feeling that is in my toe. The unnerving part also is that I'm also dealing with second and third toe fusion so I know eko's suggestion with the towel would've been a good one for me if I didn't have all these fusions!

Frustration with getting the house cleaned is an understatement. Just getting laundry done when you have a 2 story house. My husband works in another state so comes home late every evening and my teenagers don't "get it" either!!!!!!!!!! I know I had a blow out with my daughter about the cleaning and laundry yesterday:eek:

Well, trying to hang in there!
Janie

Wow, I love the fact that people here are so helpfull, informative and supportive.
Lizzy21 - you are not going mad - to have put up for the past six months is just WOW!! I couldnt explain the sensation in my fused toe joint untill I read everyone's posts - then again I dont let myself think about it too much, apart from at Lunch when I come on here because I can't leave the building and go for a walk - oh how nice that will be! a girl can dream!

that leads me to say - I dont actully know what I miss doing the most since my op! its a close call between standing in the shower, taking a break from the office at lunch and going for a walk, driving the car or not using crutches!! It will be FANTASTIC to put trainers on again - Im hoping that the time for that will come v. soon as I see the surgen tomorrow and apparently he will want me to try! yey!!!

What do you miss the most? Surely it can't be cleaning!!!! :-) lol!

Hi Me-Shellie
First off I want to say good luck with the doctor appointment tomorrow.
What I miss the most......lots but I will pick one........going to the store to shop (and I hate shopping!!!!!!!!!!!). It is too much for me to shop with crutches because I have rheumatoid in many joints. Our little store in town does not have wheel chairs. I have 4 more weeks of NWB (oh how I hope x-rays show fusion then!!)
Janie

Really appreciate everyone's postings. Thank you for sharing. So much to learn from you all! A bilateral cheilectomy 1.5 years ago has apparently made my arthritis worse. I now have two doc's, an OS and POD who have say fusion. I am at a quandry. I am no stranger to the OR so I don't take it lightly. But the thought of no pain is more than I can imagine at this point. What is this 'stiff toe' thing all about? Do you wear shoes? walk? limp? Are there non invasive options at this point? I am thinking prob not. What are your thoughts and what are you doing and not doing with a fused toe? Anyone's toe not fuse after the surgery? I hear that happens sometimes also. Anything you want to share is appreciated tremendously. BTW I am a 54 yo female does age make a difference with this procedure? thanx

Nino,

MTP Fusion is not a pleasant thought process when you are thinking about the lost movement of a joint. My one toe was fused 2.5 years ago when I was 40, age does not make a difference with the procedure. Some people will talk about joint implants, the jury is still out on the success of those. The success of a joint implants depends on the skill level of the surgeon and a loton the patients ability to handle one. The foot is one tricky orthopedic challenge. You need to decide what is best for you. Unfortunately I am not aware of any non-invasive treatments.

Essentially when they fuse your big toe, the joint where the big toe meets the foot is removed and the bones are pushed together, and as they heal they are fused into one, therefore the "stiff toe". Good surgeons will place these bones at such ankle so that you will be able to walk, rolling off the front of you foot as you normally do now. When you stand barefoot, you toe will not touch the ground, but it is not raised in the air so that it is obvious, the angle of my toe is 15 degrees, factor in tissue are the bone, it is barely noticable to those who know I have had it done. You are able to wear shoes, walk and even run if you so desire. The only real restriction that I have encountered is shoe heel height, and going up on on tippy toes.

Every doctor has his own surgical protocal, so you'd have to ask you surgeon about non-weightbearing, weightbearing, etc. Basic recovery is 6 to 8 weeks, but it will be 9 to 12 months before you hop out of bed in the morning and it feels "normal" to you.

Good luck, let us know what you decide and remeber we are here to provide support and share our experiences. -eko

Hi everyone! Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I would say the one thing I miss the most is being able to stand up on two feet in the shower! The way I do it now is to stick one foot outside the shower and rest it on the side of the tub, while steadying myself on my good foot. It is a little crazy :eek:

Janie & Sophie-
I hope everything is going well with your recoveries :) I only have 26 more days :D I can't wait! I still have weird feelings in my toe, but I am guessing that is to be expected....at least I am hoping. Everyday I get so scared that this is going to fail again...I really don't know what I would do. I am only 23 and feel like the past 6 months has been an eternity. Anyway, enough complaining! I hope everything is going really well and I look forward to seeing how everything is going with you.

Nino-
Hi and welcome! I had a 1st mtp fusion on dec '05 and we discovered it had failed about 4 months later :( So, I had it redone in June and am still recovering. The reason as to why it failed are a mystery to my OS and myself. Everything went great for the 12 week recovery period...minimal, if any swelling, not really any pain, and it looked good. Then it began to gradually move back to the way it was before. I am only 23, so I don't feel that age is really a factor in the procedure/recovery, but I could be completely wrong. Anyway.... :) Good luck with the fusion, if you have it. Keep us updated so that we can be here to support you through your recovery :)

Sophie-
The reason we knew it had failed, was 1) it was pretty painful to walk on and 2) it went back to its original position. The problem w/ hardware in your toe, is that I don't think it would go back to its original position if did not fuse. So, I am really not sure how would you tell it didn't fuse otherwise.

Eko-
Thank you so much for keeping us all informed of what is to come...you are so helpful!

:wave:
Liz

Thanx Eko. You mention heel height. I can't remember the last time I had height on a heel! I am thinking this fusion will alter my walking forever but then again the condition I have right now will and is altering almost everything now and that is forever too so I need to wrap my head around this a bit more and think of it differently. So, were you active before all this happened with you? Are you walking ok and/or limp but no pain? Man I might even be a nice person again if I had no pain! Miss just plain ole moving around, not that I was athletic but a walker and low impact type of stuff like yoga. But ya can't do that with toe problems! What are the advantages and disadvantages to having an OS or a PD?
The last surgery I had was real scary but I was going to die if I didn't have it for sure. There was NO option and the prognosis with surgery was bleak also but what's to think about there? Now this is a bit different. The probability of death with arthritis in the toes is not on the radar screen. So maybe I am even thinking too much, donno. Here's a stupid questions though. Does season matter? I am thinking that recooping in the winter (I am in New England) may be less desirable BUT I couldn't imagine being cooped up or recooping in this heat right now either. Slush and snow and crutches are not warm and fuzzy feelings to a stocking covered foot in the cold! What time of year did you have yours in and does it make a difference at all? The doc I just saw recently said nwb for X weeks and there would be a cast.
Hey thanx, ya know I am liking this, I actually just got home a bit ago and rushed to the computer to read more stuff on this site.
have a good night : :yawn:

Hey Liz, you are 23 and brave; hang in there and it will get better! hard to believe but this will be a dim memory soon enough. How is this one going? Second fusion cuz the first didn't work? I had heard there was a chance the fusion wouldn't take. And then told that some of the unsuccessful ones can go without being redone and some need to be redone. I am a real neophyte on this stuff so bear with me. But truly hang in there, I am sending you a bunch of positive vibes.
Oh I haven't read anything about weight Does weight have any bearing on all this stuff? I am 5'5" and 150. Gained 20 pounds since I quit smoking and probably 15 of it in the past 9 months ARGH
take care Liz ;)

Nino,

The fusion didn't alter my walk once it healed. I was back to my old activities with no problem. These days I am limping, but I am recoverng from ankle surgery on the same foot :( , another story and under a different thread.

OS vs. POD, it is all in the expertise and experience. You want one who has done a lot of these things. Mine was done by a Pod. who is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, he did an excellent job, even the OS who did my ankle surgery said so. As far as an OS goes, I'd deal with one who specializes in the foot and ankle and as part of his training would have had a foot and ankle fellowship.

I live in the midwest, with snow and ice, I wouldn't want to be on crutches. Mine was done in March, so by summer most of the healing was done. My fusion experience was a good one, I was actualy PWB for six weeks walking on my heel and with the foot out like a duck, but every Doc does it differently. I was not even in cast.

Weight makes no difference. I am overweight and have done well. By the way, not smoking will help you heal better for the fusion.:cool: :

Have a great weekend!
~eko

hi Nino!
Thank you so much for the positive vibes :D This one is going really well according to my OS....he thought the last one was too though and thats why I am just a little worried. He is a great OS, so I really feel this is one is taking, especially after seeing the x-rays and remembering how they looked last time. This time it actually looks like the bone is coming together, whereas last time it was never together....at all! So, to answer your question I think it is going well..if only I could get over my paranoia about everything :eek:
The chance of it not fusing is about 10-30%...so not to high; my OS said I could still walk with it not completely fused, because scar tissue had formed where the bone was supposed to and I could have it redone at a later date. However, it hurt like heck to walk on and it looked the same as before (I had a horrible bunion....it moved in toward my second toe and pushed it up, so that toe then became a hammertoe).
I agree with Eko about the weight thing. I am not overweight, but have heard that weight doesn't have any bearing on this procedure.
Good luck with everything :) Have you set a date yet or are you still trying to decide on whether or not to go through with it?

:wave:
Liz

Hey Liz;your skepticism is "totally" understandable. I might even go so far as to say that it may be unhealthy for you to not have doubts! You must question and you must have control over it too. It is hard when it takes us away to places that are not fun but with what happened it is understandable and expected. Think of the opposite! Aren't you glad you are concerned? Far better than blind trust and not caring.
I too was told that scar tissue could form in the place and hold it enough to have it give the same effect.
No I don't have a date, I am still thinking about my work schedule as well as the time of year. I just don't want to go thru another winter with these toes! But don't want to maneuver on ice and snow on crutches! Eventhough they will do just one at a time the theory is that is only one is hurting that will bother me far less than two! I agree since the left is worse. How long does the procedure take anyway and is it outpatient? Thanx again.
Eko is a great resource isn't she?
Hey Eko, I read some of the other threads! The ones about your ankle ordeal!! Man oh man, you have endured. Where do you get your spunk? And you just keep sharing it over and over. How sweet for those of us on the receiving end!:) ciao for now

Hey Eko, I read some of the other threads! The ones about your ankle ordeal!! Man oh man, you have endured. Where do you get your spunk? And you just keep sharing it over and over. How sweet for those of us on the receiving end!:) ciao for now

I am not sure where my spunk comes from. Maybe it comes from if no one else is going to take care of me, I'd better do it, and why should I settle for anything less. I am also trying to keep up with two growing sons, and a husband who relies on my creativity and resourcefulness (he's just not mechanically inclined at all, poor guy.) I also could wallow in self pity, and sometimes I do, but then it some times to move up and onward, I have things I want to do.

I also want to share my experiences with other, knowledge is power, and I was to appreciative of those who shares with me in the past:angel: . I am just paying back what I received when I needed it (and I still need it).

Anyway, onto your question, my fusion was done outpatient, local with twilight sedation. Procedure took less than an hour. Drank some pop, ate a cracker or two, went to the bathroom and was out of there. If you can avoid general anesthesia, I'd consider going for it.

Thanks for all your kind words and have a great day.

Everyone who is experiencing this heat - stay cool!
~eko

Hi everyone :) I was wondering....does a fusion last a lifetime or does it have to be redone at another point?

Thanks :wave:
Liz

A fusion is for a lifetime .... who'd want to go through it again:jester:
~eko

Very true! :D That is very good to know, b/c I would never want to go through this again :jester:

Thanks eko...I don't know what we would all do without you. Honestly, you are a big resource for me and I am sure many others on here. Thank you :)

:wave:
Liz

Good to hear from you all, I am trying to stay cool but boy oh boy! Today I called the OS that I saw a couple months ago. He specializes in this in the Boston area. Decided I am too close to the medical hub of this country to not take advantage of it! If I am going to do this I am going to them. I had been wondering who would I go with and where would I have it done blahblahblah...well it seems that an OS probably does a few of these procedures a month and a POD maybe a few a quarter. I donno but I am going on that until I find out different. I have the appt in a couple weeks to consult with him and ask questions which I usually have no problem coming up with but I am hoping you can send a few my way and I will take them with me. I will schedule the fusion in the sept timeframe providing I can get a few things done at work that would require me to be ambulatory before hand. So if you can think of some questions that you would send my way, I O U! and really appreciate it. And Eko, you are so right...it is the general I am always so nervous of. Tell me again what the heck it is you had. It sounds nice anyway; twilight...hmm. I'll ask about it when I see him. Gotta run, ciao for now

Nino,

The anesthesia I had for my fusion was a local with twilight sedation. It was great, like I had taken a nap. I came to in the OR as they were bandaging my foot, I was talking to my Dr. - it was a good thing.

Actually, on the DPM issue, if you find a DPM who does surgical procedures, they do a lot of fusions, probably more than an OS. Go out to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and do a Dr. search for your area and consider talking to one of them as well when collecting opinions.

Questions to ask in no particular order:
How long NWB, PWB?
What kind of fixation will you use (plates, screws, etc.)?
What degree of angle do you hope to achieve?
How long will the procedure take?
What should I do to prepare myself?
Anesthesia?

~Ellen

Janie and Lizzie, Well since I had to go to my doctor for this broken 5th metatarsal, he did followup xrays again on my right fusion foot. He didn't see any bridging at all yet but told me it has only been 3 weeks and it is way too early to start worrying about anything!! He did bump my appointment back by a week to the same week in August as the two of you. I also found out I will have the cast removed then and start weight bearing as tolerated with the boot or possibly another walking hard cast like I have on the left foot now! The left cast will be on until Sept. 7 as it stands right now!! I think it is possible to walk with a cast like this as long as you have one good foot!! I can't even imagine walking with two casts like this with a peg on each bottom!! Oh well...that is way off in the future...I think I have more immediate things to worry about for now! I haven't even figured out how to bathe at this point!! I don't have a second cast cover and probably wouldn't be able to manoever to the shower stool. So I may try a bath with both legs up!! I am trying not to think too far ahead at this point...the whole thing is still sinking in!!

How are the two of you doing?? Sophie:angel:

At the expense of sounding really stupid, I thought POS was a DPM; guess not? I saw a podiatrist who is a member of the ACFAS; I just saw his name with other alphabet soup after his name as well. Course when I saw him it was when I didn't know what I didn't know so I had fewer questions. I could make a fulltime job out of doc hopping just to ask questions. I wonder if I call him he will answer a few questions on the phone. I'll try that tomorrow. I wanna compare apples to apples so alteast asking making sure the questions I ask of one I try to ask of the others. I also will ask about the twilight sedation. I am liking the sounds of that more and more. back to google to take a look at the scooter. AND yup I have been thinking about the bathing thing. I don't have a tub! I had to keep my foot dry when I had the cheilectormy too and basically wrapped the foot in plastic bags to keep it dry; thing is I have a corner shower stall, (with door not curtain'd no tub and when I tried the shower with the stool and hand held shower, it was really funny cuz it isn't all that big in there and I sat on it and had everything I needed on my lap with nowhere to put my foot and bumping my elbows on the walls and then I dropped the shampoo! and couldn't reach the floor to pick it up. Well that was the end of that! I threw the stool out and just stood in the shower without it. we'll see! I could grow dirty dreds and sponge bathe....who knows maybe I'm on to something....anyone have just a shower stall?

Nino,

I only have a shower stall also. After my surgery it was a choice of either become disgustingly dirty laying in bed all day or get all hot and tired trying to shower. I don't know about you, but neither of those appealed to me. I chose the second one. In order for me to shower it required two stools and a bucket. The first was a regular stool (tall with no back) and the seccond was a stool that came with my vanity set. I put the larger stool in the shower with me and flipped the bucket face down on the shower floor. I put all my shampoo and conditioners and soap on the turned over bucket and sat on the other stool. I used the second stool out side of the shower to rest my other foot on to prevent it from getting wet. Even though my leg was wrapped in two garbage bags and duct tape, I did not feel comfortable getting it at all wet. I through the shower curtain over my leg and put towels on the floor outside the shower incase the water leaked out! It was such a production that I only showered 1-2 times a week! :eek:
The only other suggestions I have is to limit your time in the shower by buy and electric shaver. You can use it where ever you want because you don't need water to shave. And to invest in those shower organizers that hang by suction cups on walls of the shower. I use the shower orgnanizers for my sponge, razor, and comb for the shower. It really maximizes small space. If you get a strong one with big suction cups you may even be able to put your shampoo and soap in it, then just lower it down to where you can reach while you are in the shower.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. I am right now 7wks 5 days post-op and enjoying my showers again! People look at me funny when I tell them I take multiple showers a day, now! I have to make up for the time it was difficult to shower and really really enjoy relaxing showers (although, I still bring one crutch into the shower with me incase my foot gets tired). Ahh, the things we take for granted in life!

Well, enough about my stall-showering saga... LOL Hope it's not to difficult for you!

-Britt