Any fusion buddies...info needed - Foot Problems Message Board

sorefootsophie · 09-28-2005, 05:55 PM

Can anyone give me any information about first tmt joint fusion?? I had bunion surgery (osteotomy) 15 years ago and the mtp joint is not too bad....but the first tarsometatarsal joint is the problem. What can I expect with regard to surgery and recuperation? (Non weightbearing, casting etc.)

I am very worried about what to expect...please let me know the good and the bad. Thanks in advance!

dlh · 09-29-2005, 02:48 PM

Hi,
I had my FMT joint fused about 10 months ago. I can say life is different but it is OK. I am not in constant pain anymore and I have learned to deal with a stiff toe, its really not so bad aferall! I wasnt in a cast because I had bad tissue breakdown, uncommon I might add so I was wrapped and in a splint and my hubby had to change my dressing 2x a day. I was NWB for 5 weeks.........I had a walker to use as crutches and me didnt get along! I went into a surgical shoe for about 3 or 3 weeks after that then into a sneaker. I am now wearing sandles, flip flpos and a half inch heal should I chhose too. I also have 2 screws which I am going to have taken out soon as they bother me. If you read through any of the fusion post you will see that all DR's dealw this differently...........sone are NWB longer, some can walk on the heel.........they all seem to have thier own method. I will tell you the recovery was awful...........it was my 5th foot surgery on the same foot so I had a hard time BUT it is worth it!!!!! I have NO REGRETS AT ALL!!!!!!! I will answer any questions you may have, I am not on all the time anymore but will subcribe to see if you post. Good luck to you............have you sheduled this yet?
Dlh

SoCalSharon · 09-29-2005, 03:43 PM

I'm 11 weeks post op today. Like Dlh, I was NWB for 5 weeks. I thought it would be for 8, I also had no cast, which I thought I would. I wore a wierd sloping boot from week 5 - 8 and then whatever shoes tolerable. I also had a bone graft from my hip into my foot, so I was hospitalized over night. I needed 1 - 3 Vicodin a day for the first several weeks but only an anti-inflamant every couple of days now. The hip has been really sore but now feels more like it's just bruised. I walked in sand pain free for the first time in a few years the other day and can wear some of my old shoes. I still can't do much but more each week. Do what the Dr. says, take it REAL EASY and don't rush anything. When it hurts, I stop. Sometimes I still use the electric cart for shopping and I usually don't go to stores that don't have them. Get some books and DVD's and give yourself this break, it will be better in time. These boards helped me a lot and I hope this helps you. By the way, I had a bunionectomy in 1/03 for cartilage damage, not a bunion, and then a joint implant in 9/03 that didn't "seat properly" so haven't been pain free for a long time. It's actually better now than since before the first surgery, thank God.

sorefootsophie · 09-29-2005, 05:40 PM

Thank you so much for your replies. Just so I can get it straight, it is not the mtp (toe) joint where the bunion was but the first tarsometatarsal joint (which seems sort of on top of the arch). I have been having such pain especially since April and have been in and out of the boot. It seems there are bone spurs and/or arthritis there. From what...I don't know! Is that the same place you had the fusion? I don't see how this makes the big toe stiff if it's not the big toe joint (ie not the mtp joint)?? Really mixed up right now...all I know is something has to be done. This is my third doctor (a board certified podiatrist) and I really like him. If I call the office he always returns my calls. The other (an OS) told me there were no more problems with my foot. Thanks again. Why did you have the fusion?? Sorry for so many questions!

sew4you2 · 09-29-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorefootsophie

Thank you so much for your replies. Just so I can get it straight, it is not the mtp (toe) joint where the bunion was but the first tarsometatarsal joint (which seems sort of on top of the arch). I have been having such pain especially since April and have been in and out of the boot. It seems there are bone spurs and/or arthritis there. From what...I don't know! Is that the same place you had the fusion? I don't see how this makes the big toe stiff if it's not the big toe joint (ie not the mtp joint)?? Really mixed up right now...all I know is something has to be done. This is my third doctor (a board certified podiatrist) and I really like him. If I call the office he always returns my calls. The other (an OS) told me there were no more problems with my foot. Thanks again. Why did you have the fusion?? Sorry for so many questions!

I have had that joint and a few others fused in the mid foot. The cast was on 13 week and then the boot for 2 weeks all absolutely no weight bearing. I was then about 9 weeks walking in the boot. the foot does look good

Janet