Implants vs. fusion - what the doctors don't tell you - Foot Problems Message Board

Fuchsia_Lay · 11-29-2003, 07:45 AM

I feel I need to say this to everyone considering joint implant / fusion.
Because......doctors can be lousy at telling patients all the facts.
Unless you poke & prod - you will be left uninformed.

When you get an implant - the bone marrow is reamed out to make room for the
new hardware so to speak. This is true with any implant.

In the event your implant fails initially... or.... over time, reaming out the marrow isn't really an option next time..... because much or most of it is gone

Since the marrow is needed in the healing process, if you get another implant, your big to say might be 1/2 to 3/4 inches long.. and healing will be difficult.
We can call you stubby !!!!!!

This is why many doctors still believe fusion to be a viable alternative.

Remember folks - ask all the questions. Get the facts.
What can happen short term & long term.

Talk to several patients who have had both surgeries recently and long ago.
Then do it. Don't base your descision on what 1 person says that "hey I just had an implant 2 weeks ago and feel great !! - implants are the way to go !!!!)

do your homework....

szcbassoon · 11-29-2003, 06:23 PM

Hi,
I am lucky that my Dr. did tell me all of that, and since I am very active, and play tennis and run daily, I had the fusion on my big toe last Feb. Recovery was a bit long, with a cast and non-weight bearing for many weeks, but I can now run (better than before)..and wear nice dress shoes..finally!
I agree with Fuchsia_Lay, do your homework and do what is best for you. I am very glad that I opted for the fusion. No pain at all any more! And no future problems to worry about.
Best, Sue

Fuchsia_Lay · 12-01-2003, 11:15 AM

Fantastic news !!!!!!!!!!!!

JeffH · 12-01-2003, 04:30 PM

I'm having the implant done on Dec 22. I'm curious Fuchsia, how many years ago was your implant done? Technology does change, improvements are made.

Recently I spoke to our physical therapist at work, who comes in once a month to help our employees with their work related injuries. I asked her about her experience with people who had the implant. She indicated that she's only worked with one person who had the implant, about a year ago, and that the patient was doing wonderfully. She did indicate to me that she has also worked with several people who had the fusion, and some of the people had less than wonderful results. Not all fusions allow one back on the tennis courts.

I will be seeing my surgeon again next week. I did print out your prior post and will address the matter with him. However I do trust the judgement of my Dr. one hundred per cent. He has an excellent reputation in our area.

Fuchsia_Lay · 12-01-2003, 05:26 PM

My implant was done 10 years ago.

The implant is perfectly intact looking @ x-rays.

Think about the motion of walking and what could possibly happen in time.
Again you can't measure success in a few weeks, months, maybe a few years.

My only contention is that if your implant needs redone or fails-
to cut back more bone to allow a new implant could be a disaster.

Yes - do your homework and do what you feel is best.

As for me 1 fusion - total 100% success 11 years later
Implant 1996 a disaster (sorry if I mentioned 10 years ago---mistake)
1996 is correct.
Implant didn't begin to have problems until 2 years ago. Again it isn't coming apart - it's what has happened inside and how the motion of walking has altered the function of the toe.

Again the test of time can be the only real measure... and yes please please
ask your doctor if your implant had to be redone or failed----what would be the consequences.

Good luck

This is a good time gang - all positive , negative comments welcome

F-L