Well guys and gals, I had my surgery in June 06 (this summer) I had an arthritic big toe joint. So I had a chelictomy done and it's not doing well at all. My doc had me go through PT and it didn't help at all. Today I went to see him and he did another X ray and as he said 2 weeks ago I'm bone on bone at the big toe joint. I may have a ruptured tendon also. I go for an MRI on Saturday to see if in deed it is that. The next thing will be another surgery and this time I will have a fusion done. What the heck is all done for that surgery? He said no weight bearing for 7 weeks. And I about cried. I thought the recovery for the chelictomy was horrible. Im not a sit down type of person. Does anyone know if you have to stay in the hospital for this surgery. Or is it out patient? When you come home is it very painful? And how long does the pain last? Im so young to have all of this. Im 39 and very active. I have 3 little ones and a lot of pets to care for. I just cant believe I have to have another surgery. Please let me know what you know about a fusion. Thanks again for all your help.

Lisa in Ohio

Lisa
I'm sorry you may need another surgery. I haven't had your procedure done, but I have had 7 surgeries on my left foot. 3 of them have been since dec 2, 2005. I had to be nwb for almost 10 months. I know it is hard. My kids are grown, but I had to have them come up sometimes to help me. Hubby had to take of a couple of weeks each time, and then he would get up early to feed the dogs, feed the horses, let them out, water etc. them he would come in and give me breakfast, and pack a lunch and snacks in the cooler and put it next to the bed. I had my meds, food, drinks, and laptop next to the bed. also all the needed remotes. I could get up to go to the bathroom using a walker or crutches, but that was it. he would call home every few hrs to make sure everyone was ok. (the dogs stay in bed with me). It has been hard, but if that is what the doc orders please do it. How old are the kids? are they in school? could a neighbor help in the mornings? Let us know. most of us have been in situations like yours, and we all have helped each other thru a lot.
Mary

Hi Lisa,

Sorry to hear about your need for another surgery. I have and will be down that road AGAIN! My first surgery was Nov. '05 with a Keller procedure on the big toe. That failed and then I had another surgery May '06 to have my big toe fused. I have to have surgery again (scheduled in 3 weeks) to have the tip of my toe done on that fused toe because the doctor fused it at too much of an angle and compromises my 2nd toe. Now.........about my fusion.
I have a plate and 4 screws in my toe. I had a graft from the bone bank put in also because the toe was shortened after my first surgery. I was NWB for 12 weeks (when one has a graft you have to be NWB for 4 weeks longer).
Typical NWB is 8 weeks. Some have casts and others (like me) had coban and a cam boot. I was not allowed to weight bear at all. I have a dog but my kids are teenagers. I don't know how I will handle the dog situation by letting her out to do her business with this upcoming surgery. Having help is key, especially the first week or two. Do you have neighbors or family or friends that can take turns watching them? There are quite a few of us on this board that has had fusions. Everybody has had different experiences but in the end it should work out for you. Don't hesitate to ask questions. We are here to help.
Janie

Hi guys, Yes I have a daughter 22 that will come and help me. And my mom will come and help me also. I do have a boyfriend, But he works a lot and he goes to school. He's going to school to be an English teacher. So when he's not at school hes working or studing. My kids are ages 5 (boy) 8 (boy) 8 (girl) My 2 eight year olds are both adopted from Russia. They are easy to care for. Its my 5 yr old that's a little thorn sometimes. Hes a mommys boy and doesn't like me sitting. He's very demanding at times. But they are in school. The youngest goes 2-3 days a week. (Depending on the week) So I do have help but Im not a person to sit. I get very bored and I get very depressed just sitting. I have a lot of pets that everyone will have to help with. And I feel bad. I have 2 large Iguanas, dogs, cat, snakes, monkey, and little chinese hampsters, ferrett. So I do have a little mini zoo here also. I love caring for all of them but not everyone likes all the time and cleaning they require.
I did want to ask do you have to stay in the hospital for this surgery? Or is it out patient? Do they put you to sleep or just a local (twilight sleep) Well please let me know. And thanks a lot for your help.

Lisa in Ohio

I had a fusion a couple of years ago. It was out-patient. I had IV sedation (twilight) with an ankle block. Every doctor has a different protocol but I was partial weight bearing for six weeks, then moved to full weight bearing after that. I don't remember the pain being to terrible, I took pain pills for the first four days then moved to just tylenol. Of course I kept it well iced and elevated. I went back to work PT at 2.5 weeks, an office job. Everyone is different though, buit I thought I'd share my experience.

The 3 surgeries I had on my foot were all outpatient. I was also under IV sedation (not general anesthesia thank goodness because that makes me severely nauseas). Weightbearing issues do vary from doctor to doctor. Ice and elevation is very important the first week. I only took pain pills the first 3 days and made sure I took them exactly as dosed because it's important to keep ahead of the pain before the pain gets ahead of you. I'm not one for sitting still either but I didn't have a choice when I was on crutches longer than I thought I would be.
Janie