I was wondering if anyone has any imput as to what its like now that your fusion has been post op for at least 8 weeks or more. Is it hard to walk without bending your toe anymore. Im not even sure if anyone on the board has been through their healing time for at least 8 weeks now. Just thought Id check and see. :cool:

i have with my big toe. its very weird because it sticks up. walking will be fine- i just wish i could wear shoes debbie g

Sorry to hear about your toe. My left big toe is severely hammered in which the tip of the toe points down. Plus I have a huge corn on the top of the second joint. I heard that the surgeon who does a fusion has to make sure its lined up perfectly before fusing it in place or it can cause a problem. Is this what happened to you? I cant imagine the toe pointing upwards. What type of shoe can you wear? Im limited as to what I can wear.

ufindme-

My big toe was fused three years ago, so you say I am completely healed. You say you big toe is a hammer toe? If so, what joints are they fusing? My toe is fused at the joint where the toe meets the foot, I can still bend the "knuckle". My toe is raise slightly, about 15 degrees, for rolling off when walking and allows me to wear a slight heel (up to 1.25 inches). It took a long time for me to get use to it because it does feel different and my toe was sensitive for awhile. Now, not too much bothers it. It was one of those things that just took a lot of time.

~eko

how much time eko and what about the hardware? my whole toe is fuses so it doesnt move at all. debbie g

Debbie-

My toe was fused with no hardware, I had to temporary pins that held it in place for six weeks and were removed as which point I was allowed to be FWB. It took about 9 month for it to feel "normal."

Now I believe from reading the posts that you have a hardware issue in that the plate used was to big for your foot. Your fusion was months ago, so you should be fused by now and the hardware should be able to come out. You'd be NWB for a short period of time while the screw holes fill in and strengthen.

I don't know if your insurance cover any doctors in Rockford, IL or not. If so, there is a DPM I might suggest you have take a look at your foot and give you an opinion.

i am not near rockford. the metal plate is the problem. i cant believe your fusion sounds so simple. are you wearing regular shoes now? debbie g

Yes, I am in regular shoes, have been for a couple of years now. The only thing I have to watch sometimes is if the shoe has a seam on top that cut across the exact point where the toe was fused. It is just extra sensative right there. I wear regular tennis shoes, rented bowling shoes, and low heeled dress shoes.

eko- you are very lucky. i still dont know if i should go for another opinion. my dr want to wait as long as possible to take the plate out. he doesnt want to open me up again because i am still tender and swollen. when the plate comes out that would be my 4th surgery on this foot in 2 and ahalf years. debbie