10 months post-op and still in pain. Had a bunionectomy and titanium rod implant in large toe on 10/18/06. Went to Orthopaedic doctor in NYC for 2nd opinion. Dr. said bone never formed around implant. I'm now dealing with a loose implant and it is wearing down the bone in my toe. I was told that the best option was to remove the implant and have a bone fusion. The doctor wants to take bone from below my knee and fuse it in my toe. I was told that if I wait too long to have this surgery, bone fusion will no longer be an option because there will be no bone left in the toe to fuse. I so don't want to go through the agony of another surgery and recuperation period. The pain after surgery was excruciating. I had to sleep on a couch for 7 weeks in order to keep my foot elevated and reduce the swelling. I couldn't wear a sneaker until 6 months after the surgery. However, the pain is getting worse and seems to be moving up the side of my foot, not to mention the back pain due to walking improperly. One thing I know for sure is that I am not going back to the Podiatrist who performed my surgery. I am thinking of getting another Orthopaedic doctor's opinion to see if he concurs with the one I just went to. Has anyone had to have a bone fusion after a failed implant? I am so distraught over this and I would appreciate any comments you might have.:(

Your story sounds like mine. I had my first surgery in Dec. 99 to remove a bone spur a repair an old fracture in the joint. That surgey didn't work, so a year later I had a joint replacement in the big toe. A few months after the surgery, we knew that it wasn't successful. However, there was no pain so I ignored it. Finally in Jan. 04 the pain increased and I went to an ortho surgeon who specializes in feet and ankles. Best thing I ever did. She recommended a fusion with a bone graft from the hip. It was the best thing I ever did. I won't kid you, the recovery was hard and long. For the first few days, the graft hurt worse than the foot. I couldn't sit by myself. I was out of work for 8 weeks. with the fusion, I had a plate and three screws put in. I was told that 40% of the people have them removed. I was in the 40%. In june of 05, I had the hardware removed. That recovery was much easier.
I would do the fusion all over again. It was the best thing I did. If I can help with anything else, let me know.

Jennie

I'm facing the same surgery in about 6 weeks. Any suggestions to make the post operative time easier?

Thanks

I'm facing the same surgery in about 6 weeks. Any suggestions to make the post operative time easier?

Thanks

are yo having replacement or toe fusion? ice and elevate. listen to the dr and make sure what pain meds you can take.

He will be removing the implant that didn't work and fusing the toe with bone from the hip.

i wonder if the dr can use the ankle instead of the hip. i had toe fusion and my dr used the ankle which really did not hurt. when is your surgery?

I had a 1st MTP fusion done at the beginning of May. I was nwb for 8 weeks. This was the 3rd attempt at fusing this joint. I had problems with an allergy to the stainless steel screws that were originally used and then on the second attempt, donor bone was used and that didn't work either. :( I now have a plate and 5 screws (all titanium) and a bone graft was taken from my heel! The difference is remarkable. :D :D It has been 15 weeks and I am in running shoes and sandals and this joint feels better than it has in years! There is still some minor pain and minor swelling but I cannot emphasize enough that when it works....you WILL KNOW IT! I also used a bone stimulator from 1 week post surgery faithfully until week 8.
The bone graft was taken from the ipsilateral heel.....the same foot as the fusion. There is some mild residual numbness but nerves take a long time to regenerate. The scar is only about 1/2 inch and there is no pain there. You may want to ask your surgeon about taking the graft from the heel as there is a lot less pain than taking it from the hip.
Also for those that are months out and still suffering horrible pain in the fused joint.....I have been there. My doctor kept telling me that the joint felt fused clinically (manual manipulation). The xray showed only partial fusion. When my doctor went in for the second attempt, he said visually the joint looked fused. I disagreed! We DO know our own bodies! Thankfully I have a wonderful doctor who LISTENS and he suggested a CT scan which CAN be done with titanium hardware in place! The CT scan verified a non union!
This surgery takes time and patience! Ice and elevation are key. Also key is NO MOVEMENT in the joint while it heals! Do everything your doctor says to do and above all listen to your own body! If you have any other questions....I will try to help!
By the way, I can wear running shoes, crocs, Ecco sandals which have velcro straps (a great feature because they can be loosened and tightened as needed), flip flops (but I got a blister between the first and second toe) and I can wear dressier sandals for a very limited time (at this point). I do not need a rocker bar but sure do love my Dansko professionals. Sophie :angel:

The Orthopedist told me there was a 10% chance of the bone fusion being unsuccessful. That sounds like pretty good odds. However, if I fall into the 10% category - then what? He claims taking bone from below the knee will not affect the motion in my knee. He did say he could take it from my ankle, however, my ankle tends to turn in now and then and I don't want to take the chance of weakening it any more than it is.
The worst thing that I dread is the long recovery period; and not knowing if the surgery will be successful. (I've already had 10 months of disappointing results, was out of work 7 weeks with the last surgery, 9 weeks of PT plus all the PT I did at home; not to mention the pain and suffering.)
I took my X-Ray from the Orthopedist and I made another appt. with the Podiatrist who performed my surgery. I want him to look at the X-Ray and see what his diagnosis is; if he concurs with the Orthopedist - or if he comes up with some other type of corrective surgery. I am very curious. If he concurs with the Orthopedist; that I need a bone fusion, I am going to have the Orthopedist perform the surgery. At this point, I am feeling very apprehensive about the whole thing but I know I have to do something.
I am thankful for your responses; people were very encouraging the last time I had my surgery even though the surgery went sour.

sophie, what kind of dress sandals fit and isnt your big toe sticking up and rubs against the top of the shoe? its hard for me to wear flip flops because the big toe doesnt bend and the flip flop keeps coming off my foot when i walk. it also hurts between the toes.

Regarding taking bone from different sights - I was told by my podiatrist that he was not allowed to operate above the knee therefore his graft would have had to have been from the ankle. My ortho could take the bone from anywhere. My bone graft was from the hip. Although there was pain, I didn't have to worry about damaging an ankle, knee, etc. My advice for those having a graft form the hip, keep a pillow handing at all times for the first few days. If you laugh, cry, sneeze, etc, place it over the site a gently press down. For about the first 3 days I had to be either completely laying down or lounging in a recliner. I couldn't sit up straight.

As far as the foot recovery, elevate, elevate, elevate. I was NWB and followed the directions of my dr. Don't push it.

Mu fusion was 3 1/2 years ago and the hardware removal was about 2 years ago. I can't wear really high heels, but I can wear most of what I want. I was fused at a 15 degree angle which gives me a little more options for shoes. If you look hard, you will notice that my big toe is slightly off the ground, but you have to know to look for it. However, I am party tricks. If my foot is wet and I put in straight down on the ground without rolling, there is not a big toe print.

I am actaully facing another surgery this December. It will be #5, but at least it is a new foot. :) I am having an osteotomy on the right foot to correct the movement in that joint so hopefully we won't have to get to a fusion there.
Good Luck!
Jennie

hey dancing feet, i think the fusion is your only answer. it is a long recovery, but i think in the long run it will be worth it. does anyone with toe fusion get pains on the bottom of your foot?