Hi - I've had bilateral bunion surgery...left foot was a great success, right foot not...so I'm looking at fusion of the MTP joint, because there's not much cartilage left there. I'm wondering where to get footwear that accommodates the 15 degree angle that the toe will be at....both ordinary footwear and something for athletic activities. Also, both my orthopedist and a second opinion orthopedist I consulted have told me that people are often able to be quite active after fusion...playing soccer, running, and so forth. Anyone out there have any experience (positive or negative) in this regard? THANKS!
My right big toe was fused in March 2003. As far as footwear goes, it has been trial and error. Tennis shoes have not been an issue as all for the most part as long as they have a roomier toe box. Other footwear, no more point toes, you'll need a boxier toe there as well. If you are female, no more high heels, heel height will be limited. Don't stock up on shoes now, wait until after surgery. At six weeks after surgery I went into a tennis shoe, I bought an inexpensive pair, a size larger and wider than I normally wore just to accomodate swelling and tenderness across the point of fusion. At about twelve weeks I started slowing doing some shoe shopping and seeing what works.
As far as activities after fusion, I have no restrictions. I am not a runner, but a walker and have not had any issues. I have heard of other who are runners who have had success.
If you have any specific questions regarding fusion, I'll do my best to answer. Good luck! -eko
__________________
"Every good has a better and every bad a worse."
Eko...thanks. So, just ordinary tennis shoes, but ones that happen to have a roomier toe box, rather than those "extra depth" shoes one sees in catalogs. Good..it's better to have more options, and not have to stick to catalog shopping. Do you have any hardware left in? I understand that are all kinds of approaches....my orthopedist currently likes a method in which a metal plate is placed on top of the fused joint, and left in....he said, though, that it could be removed after several months if it bothered me.
How long were you totally non-weight-bearing, and did you have to refrain from putting any weight on the entire foot, or just the joint that was fused? (when I had my bunions done, I was able to walk around the house in some special shoes that put all the weight in my heel).
I have come to the conclusion my fusion was an exception not the general rule. I have no hardware from my fusion. The bones were held in place by two very long pins that stuck out from the tip of my toe and were removed at six weeks. It is true, no plates, screws or wires. A lot of people have their metal removed after six months or so, after the swelling a gone, it bothers the top of their foot to feel it there.
I was never non-weight bearing, I was allowed to place weight on the foot as long as I did not attempt to roll-off the front of my foot. I wore the surgical blue shoe, flipped my foot to the side and walked like a duck.
No, you probably will not need the "extra-depth" shoes. I wear a pair of NB for tennis shoes.
If there is anything else, let me know. Good Luck!
__________________
"Every good has a better and every bad a worse."
I just recently had my joint fused...I had it done on the 29th of Dec. My Dr used a plate over the joint too but somehow a screw came loose. He said it is a rare thing that happens. So 1 week later I was back in surgery having the plate removed and 2 long screws put in that will stay in...I hope. The thought of more surgery doesn't excite me. I am non weight bearing...crutches with bathroom only. I know I have 1 more week for sure like this and maybe longer.
Eko was lucky...she seemed to have a quick recovery and no hardware. I wish you the same recovery...
dlh
