Toe fusion questions - Foot Problems Message Board

imhdab · 01-21-2005, 03:35 PM

Hi again,

I have a few more toe fusion questions (thanks in advance for your help!):

- My doc said my big toe would be shorter (obviously) but how much shorter are we talking? I haven't had any previous foot surgeries...

- One ortho surgeon said he cuts the ends of the bones before fusing the other said he scrapes the cartilage away before fusing -- is one technique better than the other? Or are they both basically the same?

- Are there certain types of shoes you can no longer wear -- like thongs? I don't wear heels now so I don't really mind that limitation. For that matter, if a fusion will eliminate the pain the shoe type doesn't really matter! (Actually, I'm used to wearing only Birkenstocks -- I guess I'm just a little curious in general!

- What is the best angle to use for the fusion? I've heard 10% and 15% -- how is it determined? I want the most functional angle -- I don't care about wearing heels (I haven't worn them for about 12 years anyway...)

Thanks again for your assistance! This board is great!

P.S. My 1st fusion is scheduled for the end of February...

I'm still researching the procedure and my doc too. I don't live in the same town and am trying to find out what his 'reputation' is!

~Heather

dlh · 01-21-2005, 04:02 PM

I hope this helps...My DR never mentioned that my toe would be shorter...very intersting. I believe the norm for a women is 15* That is so you can at least wear a tiny heal...I don't wear them much either, I have a 15* but I am still swollen so I can't tell. Can't wait to go shoe shopping though! I don't see why you couldn't waer thongs...the only thing I was told is no heals higher than 1/2 inch and I might need a boxier toe and not the pointed ones that are so popular that I don't wear anyway.
As far as scraping or removing bone...my Dr cleaned up the cartladge and chisled some bone...not real sure about if one way is better...guess they all do it differently.
Good luck in Feb with your 1st fusion......
dlh

eko · 01-23-2005, 03:52 PM

Yes, your big toe will be shorter due to the fact they are removing the joint. It is not that noticable unless you really look at it closely. Besides in my family the second toes tends to be slightly longer the the big toe anyway.

When they prepare the bones for fusion, they remove any cartilage and trim off then ends of the two bones so that they can come together.

You will be able to wear thongs and sandels with no problems. As you already know, heel height will be the restriction. My Dr. was aiming for 15 to 20 degree angle, we ended up at 17 degrees, so my heel height is 1 1/4 inches max.

If you have any other questions, let us know and we'll do our best to answer them.

Good luck with your surgery! -eko

imhdab · 01-23-2005, 06:32 PM

Thank you so much for your responses!

I do have a few more questions about the angle:

- Do you have a choice on what angle they use?

- How is this determined?

- What are the pros and cons of different angles?

- Is there some angle that is the best for walking, stairs, etc.? I haven't worn heels in about 12 years so that's not a big issue but do work out regularily and want keep doing that. I am/was active and would like to stay that way!

I feel like totally obsessing about this upcoming surgery. Sometimes I can't believe that I have to have something this extreme done and other times I feel like it's no big deal. I guess part of it is the fact that (other than this board) I don't know of anyone whose ever had to have this done!

When I told my boss and coworkers what type of surgery I had to have, they all gave me this weird (horrified?) look!

Oh well! Life never seems to get boring!

Thanks again!
~Heather

P.S. Thanks again! I'll probably have a few more questions soon...

dlh · 01-23-2005, 06:53 PM

I know how you feel...people seem to think it is a strange thing to do but if it will take away the pain it is worth it. I just am begining to realise that my toe will not move...I am finding it really weird but people say you get use to it.
My Dr did give me a choice but we went with the 15* because it will enable me to walk right but still wear a bit of a heel...I am like you though and really don't wear them. I live in a 2 story home and wonder if stairs will be hard...EKO said she found it somewhat hard...I imagine I will learn as I have to use them everyday. Talk with your DR. and ask him about the angles...decide what is best for you. Some one else on the board may know more about that, I just wanted to walk without pain and not have my toe really sticking up...so far it looks OK...guess time will tell what we finally ended up with. Any more questions???
dlh