debbie g
01-07-2008, 06:28 PM
hi, i went to the dr today for a final check up after i year and a few months. everything is fine and i go on with my life. i am quite relieved and very happy. shoes will always be a problem, but as long as i can do what i want in terms of activity, i am so pleased. i have more swelling to go down so thats good. the downside is my good foot is becoming my bad foot. the 2nd toe is too long and may have to be shortened due to the terrible pain i have. its called metatarsal something, but we are going to play with orthodics first. i hope those work for this type of problem. my 2nd toe on my fused foot is still sticking up, but the dr said he is working on an experimental procedure so it can lay flat. i dont want to be the experimentee! i dont know if i should go back to this dr because if i have to have surgery on my good foot, i dont want the 2nd toe to stick up like my fused toe foot. any thoughts? thanks everyone, debbie
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Dark_Light
01-08-2008, 05:09 PM
I am happy you are been released from hospital and you can finally get on with your life. Swelling isn't so bad, at least it isn't painful but it sure does take a while to go down! I was wondering why you will still have a problem with shoes, I assume it is because your big toe still sticks up. I am shocked that you mentioned your surgeon was experimenting, did he even get your permission? I certainly wouldn't go back to him for the following reasons 1) if you aren't happy with your results and 2) if you can even trust him. Whose interests is he putting first?
Is there any signs of his procedure working? I noticed my toe would be lower than the rest, since doing the toe exercises, it has settled into a better position, although it is still lower than the rest but not as bad. Hmm I feel angry with your surgeon, but that is my personal feeling.
I am sorry you are experiencing pain in your good foot. I think it is a good idea to play with the orthodics before considering surgery, this will give you more time to consider whether you would use the same surgeon.
I hope everything works out, you have been very strong so far.
:)
Is there any signs of his procedure working? I noticed my toe would be lower than the rest, since doing the toe exercises, it has settled into a better position, although it is still lower than the rest but not as bad. Hmm I feel angry with your surgeon, but that is my personal feeling.
I am sorry you are experiencing pain in your good foot. I think it is a good idea to play with the orthodics before considering surgery, this will give you more time to consider whether you would use the same surgeon.
I hope everything works out, you have been very strong so far.
:)
debbie g
01-08-2008, 06:42 PM
thanks dl. he is not experimenting really. there is a new procedure and he wants to see how it goes with other people to see if there is a long lasting outcome. he knows i would kill him if i had surgery and it didnt work. i am going to go to another dr regardless. i went on the treadmill today for 15 min. my bad foot was fine and my good foot was not. i think i am at the end of my rope.
Dark_Light
01-10-2008, 01:05 PM
I a glad you will be going to a different dr for your other foot. I hope your surgery is successful, but this can vary with other people depending on their lifetyles, career, the way they walk and the type of shoes they wear!
15mins is a long time on teh treadmill, but it is good to know that your bad foot was fine, otherwise you'll have doubts about teh outcome of your surgery. Unfortunately, as for your good foot, there is a reason for it to be bad, but this can be repaired, there is hope. Don't give up, the whole process is slow and very frustrating, I had no idea just how annoying it could be!
Take care
:)
15mins is a long time on teh treadmill, but it is good to know that your bad foot was fine, otherwise you'll have doubts about teh outcome of your surgery. Unfortunately, as for your good foot, there is a reason for it to be bad, but this can be repaired, there is hope. Don't give up, the whole process is slow and very frustrating, I had no idea just how annoying it could be!
Take care
:)
debbie g
01-10-2008, 05:50 PM
thanks dl. you really have turned out to be a great supporter.
dbgoalie
01-10-2008, 09:45 PM
Debbie, sorry to hear about your other foot acting up on you. I also feel some discomfort in my other foot, but nothing like what you are describing. Do you have any access to a swimming pool, maybe walking in a pool would help you for a while, the water being able to support your body weight while still working on exercising your feet.
Like you have told me before, try and be patient, keep up with it and it will come around, maybe not as quickly as we want, but it will.
Like you have told me before, try and be patient, keep up with it and it will come around, maybe not as quickly as we want, but it will.
debbie g
01-11-2008, 09:49 PM
glad to hear from you db. i thought you were ignoring me! i am going to go for a 2nd opinion and if surgery needs to be done, at least it is not toe fusion. what is wrong with your other foot? swimming is fine and my adjusted orthodics help. but, this will not take the pain away from walking in shoes that the big orthodics will not fit in. i want to go to aspen in 2 weeks, but i am afraid my toe will hurt skiing. i also want to go to LA in nice shoes to see my son and now i dont know when to have the surgery. actually, i would like 2 new feet. i am sorry to vent like this, but i am so frustrated. i want to be normal again. i know you understand this. i want to be able to walk pain free and go back to my regular life which includes tennis and skiing. what do we do when we feel like this?
dancing feet
01-11-2008, 10:17 PM
debbie g, I really feel for you. After reading some of the posts, I'm starting to think that maybe I shouldn't have my implant removed and just stay the way that I am, at least I'm able to walk with little pain in my flat ugly shoes. Maybe I'm being too vain (I've got weddings to attend, etc.) and should just settle and be satisfied with what I've got. I am so worried that after all is said and done not only won't I be able to wear a small heel, but I may not even be able to walk in my ugly flat shoes without pain. After the long, painful, depressing recovery from last year's surgery, I wonder if I can go through this again. The other thing is what if this implant keeps wearing down whatever bone I have left in my foot? The Ortho I saw in NYC told me that that was inevitable and then even bone fusion wouldn't be an option. (Of course, my Podiatrist didn't agree with that assessment.) I just don't know who to believe. I think I want to believe my Podiatrist because he gave me the most hope without my having to undergo the more difficult surgery. I just feel so undecisive right now and my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.
dbgoalie
01-11-2008, 11:16 PM
Hi Debbie, I wasn't ignoring you silly, I just didn't know what to say. My other foot feels a little tired sometimes, but it never gets to a point where it feels like pain, just tired, if that makes sense.
What do we do when we feel depressed? That seems to be such an issue during recovery, and I am no exception. It gets compounded because a common tool to fight depression is exercise, but with a foot injury, that can be a problem. First, work on your diet. Make it a point to eat fuits and vegetables and drink lots of water. Next, seek out an activity that feeds your soul. For me, once I was able to move around a little easier, I really enjoyed going to watch my adult team play ice hockey. I also help coach a youth team, so I was able to get out and catch a game there too, and that made me feel better. The guys I play with are good friends and they were happy to see me too, so that made me feel better.
My surgery was done on a Monday, and the Sunday prior to that, I spent all day, from sun up to sundown working outside around the house, lots of walking, lifting, pushing, moving, etc. Part of it was to give one final push to getting as much done around the house as I could before getting laid up, but the other was to make sure it was implanted into my brain how bad off I was without surgery. And I was. That night and the next morning, I was HURTING. Foot swollen, toe painful, hard time walking, when I finally got in that night and showered and sat down, my foot was throbbing. And that was a great reminder to me that no matter how much I didn't want to have surgery, no matter how much pity I was going to have on myself after it was done, no matter how much the recovery would hurt, there was no way that I could ever go on the way I was. There was no choice, it is something that had to be done, and now I have to deal with this new set of cards I've been dealt.
So if you are feeling down, try and think back to what it was like before, and realize that you couldn't go on like that, this had to be done, and now you've got to play this hand. I don't know, it's certainly easier to say than to do. Believe me, it's not always rosy and upbeat on this end. I have my spells that I go through. It is easier to hear it from someone who knows what you are going through. I got short with my wife one night prior to Christmas. I always like to get a real tree, and we weren't going to go out and get one until the Doc cleared me to walk without crutches. Well, that was on Thursday the 20th I think, so it was close to the day. We had a hard time finding a tree the night we went out, the cut and carry places were closed, and she started in on me about waiting until the last minute, and now what are we going to do, and on and on, and finally I had enough. I asked her if she thinks I enjoy sitting around all day while others do for me, if I enjoy sitting and worrying that maybe this surgery isn't going to help, if the pain I'm going through is for nothing, if I have to do it all over again, if I enjoy watching her take care of the entire family and house from top to bottom. But she just doesn't understand, no one who isn't dealing with this can understand that when your feet hurt like this for years, it gets to be such a burden. So I know what you are going through. Maybe think of this, that had we lived 100 years ago and had this kind of foot problems, what would we be dealing with. Be thankful we live in an age of modern medicine that can do things that couldn't even be dreamed of 100 years ago.
Keep posting though, you always say it to me, so right back at you. Keep writing, it will help, it helps me to write my story and to offer up a little something to all of you. I have faith in you, you are stronger than you think you are.
What do we do when we feel depressed? That seems to be such an issue during recovery, and I am no exception. It gets compounded because a common tool to fight depression is exercise, but with a foot injury, that can be a problem. First, work on your diet. Make it a point to eat fuits and vegetables and drink lots of water. Next, seek out an activity that feeds your soul. For me, once I was able to move around a little easier, I really enjoyed going to watch my adult team play ice hockey. I also help coach a youth team, so I was able to get out and catch a game there too, and that made me feel better. The guys I play with are good friends and they were happy to see me too, so that made me feel better.
My surgery was done on a Monday, and the Sunday prior to that, I spent all day, from sun up to sundown working outside around the house, lots of walking, lifting, pushing, moving, etc. Part of it was to give one final push to getting as much done around the house as I could before getting laid up, but the other was to make sure it was implanted into my brain how bad off I was without surgery. And I was. That night and the next morning, I was HURTING. Foot swollen, toe painful, hard time walking, when I finally got in that night and showered and sat down, my foot was throbbing. And that was a great reminder to me that no matter how much I didn't want to have surgery, no matter how much pity I was going to have on myself after it was done, no matter how much the recovery would hurt, there was no way that I could ever go on the way I was. There was no choice, it is something that had to be done, and now I have to deal with this new set of cards I've been dealt.
So if you are feeling down, try and think back to what it was like before, and realize that you couldn't go on like that, this had to be done, and now you've got to play this hand. I don't know, it's certainly easier to say than to do. Believe me, it's not always rosy and upbeat on this end. I have my spells that I go through. It is easier to hear it from someone who knows what you are going through. I got short with my wife one night prior to Christmas. I always like to get a real tree, and we weren't going to go out and get one until the Doc cleared me to walk without crutches. Well, that was on Thursday the 20th I think, so it was close to the day. We had a hard time finding a tree the night we went out, the cut and carry places were closed, and she started in on me about waiting until the last minute, and now what are we going to do, and on and on, and finally I had enough. I asked her if she thinks I enjoy sitting around all day while others do for me, if I enjoy sitting and worrying that maybe this surgery isn't going to help, if the pain I'm going through is for nothing, if I have to do it all over again, if I enjoy watching her take care of the entire family and house from top to bottom. But she just doesn't understand, no one who isn't dealing with this can understand that when your feet hurt like this for years, it gets to be such a burden. So I know what you are going through. Maybe think of this, that had we lived 100 years ago and had this kind of foot problems, what would we be dealing with. Be thankful we live in an age of modern medicine that can do things that couldn't even be dreamed of 100 years ago.
Keep posting though, you always say it to me, so right back at you. Keep writing, it will help, it helps me to write my story and to offer up a little something to all of you. I have faith in you, you are stronger than you think you are.
debbie g
01-12-2008, 04:55 PM
thanks so much db. i have to deal with whatever comes up. if i need another surgery to relieve the pain - so be it. my fused toe foot is doing so well. i did play tennis the other day and felt nothing in that foot. iwas so happy. i did have pain in my toe on the other foot, but ignored it. it wont go away by itself so thats what is killing me. i know you will reach your goal of running the marathon. i just cant make the decision when to have the next surgery. the 2nd toe will be shortened and the bone spur on top of my foot will be removed as much as possible. there are so many people who participate in sports with no problems and i am just thinking"why does this have to happen to me". hey dancer, my foot with the fused toe is fine and i will never complain about that foot again(i hope). i still say find an ortho in your network who has great references and get that opinion, also. i think this will help make up your mind.
Dark_Light
01-13-2008, 02:55 PM
Hi db, what dbgoalie wrote was true and thoughtful.
We are very lucky to live in the age of modern medicine especially aesthetic and pain relievers! You are lucky you aren't experiencing pain in both feet and as you said, at least it isn't another fusion, so your recovery is likely to be fast. I understand that you want to go to Aspen and to see your son in LA, but if anything can be put on hold, so you can have your surgery, and then do what is best. I had to cancel two very important events that would’ve helped my career and was a dream job. I have got over it now ad I don’t regret it, because I knew my foot was more important, there will be other opportunities. So, if you can bear the pain, take a little break from having surgery and a live a little. If the pain is unbearable, and you don't need to attend anything anytime soon, than perhaps you can have the surgery a little sooner. This is easier said than done, but I am for sure, going to have my life back for a while before I have the other foot done.
I am rally sorry I can help you as much as I would like. But I have hope that things will eventually get better. Pain isn't for life; there are people who can help :)
Take care
:)
We are very lucky to live in the age of modern medicine especially aesthetic and pain relievers! You are lucky you aren't experiencing pain in both feet and as you said, at least it isn't another fusion, so your recovery is likely to be fast. I understand that you want to go to Aspen and to see your son in LA, but if anything can be put on hold, so you can have your surgery, and then do what is best. I had to cancel two very important events that would’ve helped my career and was a dream job. I have got over it now ad I don’t regret it, because I knew my foot was more important, there will be other opportunities. So, if you can bear the pain, take a little break from having surgery and a live a little. If the pain is unbearable, and you don't need to attend anything anytime soon, than perhaps you can have the surgery a little sooner. This is easier said than done, but I am for sure, going to have my life back for a while before I have the other foot done.
I am rally sorry I can help you as much as I would like. But I have hope that things will eventually get better. Pain isn't for life; there are people who can help :)
Take care
:)
higgy01
01-14-2008, 08:42 PM
Hi all,
I have just had bilateral big toe joint fusion. There is a history of bunion problems in my family but i appeared to have avoided them and had perfect shaped feet. However my sporting passion since schooldays has been running. I've basically run 3 miles most days for 25 years and never once given any thought to any damage i may have inflicted on myself. (road running, poor quality trainers etc).
My other sporting passions are golfing and skiing, both of which have issues surrounding biomechanics of the foot.
Golfing shoes tend to have a "flex groove" to allow the forefoot to bend during the swing.
Ski boots were the one footwear my condition was aided by (no flexing of big toe joint), but i wonder how my fused pointy uppy toe will manage in ski boots.
Does anyone have any experience/advice on golf shoe/ski boot fitting for toe fusion recipients?
I have just had bilateral big toe joint fusion. There is a history of bunion problems in my family but i appeared to have avoided them and had perfect shaped feet. However my sporting passion since schooldays has been running. I've basically run 3 miles most days for 25 years and never once given any thought to any damage i may have inflicted on myself. (road running, poor quality trainers etc).
My other sporting passions are golfing and skiing, both of which have issues surrounding biomechanics of the foot.
Golfing shoes tend to have a "flex groove" to allow the forefoot to bend during the swing.
Ski boots were the one footwear my condition was aided by (no flexing of big toe joint), but i wonder how my fused pointy uppy toe will manage in ski boots.
Does anyone have any experience/advice on golf shoe/ski boot fitting for toe fusion recipients?
debbie g
01-15-2008, 06:45 PM
hi higgy, i have skiied after my big toe fusion. the boot was great. it felt funny at first and i thought i wouldnt have balance, but i did. it turned out to be great except at the end of the day my foot was tired. i skiied 6 days in a row and i am going next month. you will do fine. how long has it been since fusion? where do you ski?
dbgoalie
01-16-2008, 12:20 AM
Debbie, I didn't know you were a skiier. I don't know why, I haven't skiied in 15 years, but I have the urge again. However, I was wondering how I would be able to get my foot with the fused toe in the boot. So far it has gotten a little easier each time to slide my foot into my shoes, I remember trying it a month ago and I couldn't even bear to go halfway in. But now, a slight discomfort and on it goes. But a ski boot, I don't see how you can get your foot to bend down around the heel and in. However, like I said, I haven't skiied in 15 years, so maybe the boots now are a little better? I don't own skis, maybe if I really have the urge, a trip to the ski shop and purchasing my own pair would be in order. That way I can try on a bunch of different pairs and find something that works.
Higgy, I hope you can return to golf. I just started playing a few years ago, and to give you a little story, I am right handed, and my right foot (back foot) is the bad one. So on the follow through, I wouldn't really push off my back foot, because it just hurt too much. I knew I was supposed to, I have taken enough lessons and had enough arguements with the instructors as to why I am not following through the right way. But the few times I would follow through and push off my toe, I would just about yell out in pain. The best part was the friends I would golf with would constantly want to tell me that I was not following through in my swing. After like the 10th time of hearing it, I would finally have to tell them to get a sharp rock, jam it under their toe, and then take a swing, that's what I feel like every time. And eventually they would let up on me.
Higgy, I hope you can return to golf. I just started playing a few years ago, and to give you a little story, I am right handed, and my right foot (back foot) is the bad one. So on the follow through, I wouldn't really push off my back foot, because it just hurt too much. I knew I was supposed to, I have taken enough lessons and had enough arguements with the instructors as to why I am not following through the right way. But the few times I would follow through and push off my toe, I would just about yell out in pain. The best part was the friends I would golf with would constantly want to tell me that I was not following through in my swing. After like the 10th time of hearing it, I would finally have to tell them to get a sharp rock, jam it under their toe, and then take a swing, that's what I feel like every time. And eventually they would let up on me.
higgy01
01-16-2008, 11:02 AM
Thx for replies.
Had my op on 08/01/08 so 1 week ago. Been NWB since and am now completely off painkillers. Stitches out on 22/01 then in a splint for 4 weeks i believe.
I normally ski in Europe -- Pyrenees and various places in the Alps. Went to Banff Canada 2 years ago, that was a nice place, little quiet for aprez-ski but best snow ever.
I'm not sure how long it takes for the fusion to heal enough to put it under skiing stress, i imagine it will take until april which will rule out most of europe so i quite fancy trying America. Have my own custom boots, will prob have to have liners remoulded but it's great to know you have skied since your op Debbie.
Dbgoalie, the main thing with the golfing was the walking, (no carts on my course) i would play fine for about 13 holes then the sheer pain of hobbling around for the next 5 would ruin the game. Golf shoes are made to have lots of flex at the sole mainly for the followthrough as you say. I suppose i need a stiff version.
Incidentally you need that followthrough with a "classic" swing but you'll find there are compensations you can make that allows you to hit a ball miles even with a damaged foot. Dont bother with lessons, get hold of a copy of a video/dvd called the truth about golf by A J Bonar. It opened my eyes and changed my game (no more pain). He demonstrates hitting balls with dodgy left/right feet etc.
Had my op on 08/01/08 so 1 week ago. Been NWB since and am now completely off painkillers. Stitches out on 22/01 then in a splint for 4 weeks i believe.
I normally ski in Europe -- Pyrenees and various places in the Alps. Went to Banff Canada 2 years ago, that was a nice place, little quiet for aprez-ski but best snow ever.
I'm not sure how long it takes for the fusion to heal enough to put it under skiing stress, i imagine it will take until april which will rule out most of europe so i quite fancy trying America. Have my own custom boots, will prob have to have liners remoulded but it's great to know you have skied since your op Debbie.
Dbgoalie, the main thing with the golfing was the walking, (no carts on my course) i would play fine for about 13 holes then the sheer pain of hobbling around for the next 5 would ruin the game. Golf shoes are made to have lots of flex at the sole mainly for the followthrough as you say. I suppose i need a stiff version.
Incidentally you need that followthrough with a "classic" swing but you'll find there are compensations you can make that allows you to hit a ball miles even with a damaged foot. Dont bother with lessons, get hold of a copy of a video/dvd called the truth about golf by A J Bonar. It opened my eyes and changed my game (no more pain). He demonstrates hitting balls with dodgy left/right feet etc.
debbie g
01-16-2008, 05:20 PM
hi db and higgie, i love to ski. i have my own boots and so far the orthodics in those do not have to be changed. the most important part of skiing in my opinion is the boots. your foot has to form in them and then see how comfortable they are. i think it took me 4 months to get the ski boot on. it happens to be the best thing you can put on your foot. the foot doesnt move so you just flex at the ankle. do not attempt until your dr says its ok. i have never skiied in europe, just colorado. i have a 2nd home in aspen and i havent been there yet. feb and march i will go on 3 ski trips. as for golfing-no comment!