Fusion update... more surgery... questions... - Foot Problems Message Board

imhdab · 01-27-2006, 11:57 PM

Hello to all of my old (and new) 'fusion buddies' -- are you still out there?

Recap: I had fusion 1 (left big toe joint) done February, 2005 -- fusion 2 (left big toe joint) done June, 2005.

My left foot was still bothering me late last year (I had to consciously walk towards the outside of my foot or I would pronate a bit and the tendons/ligaments between my big toe & second toe would hurt a lot -- does this make sense?) Anyway, when my doc took out the screws on fusion 1 (Dec. 30, 2005 -- Percocet for New Years - Ha!

) he did a bone graft on the joint. He said there was still a bit of motion in the joint which is what was causing the problem -- he thinks this will take care of it.

What do you think about all of this? I just finished 4 weeks on crutches (non-weight bearing) and can start to walk on it a little now.

Was this a 'normal' problem to have after a fusion? Any words of wisdom? Anyone else experience anything like this?

Thanks,
~Heather

dlh · 01-28-2006, 06:53 PM

Heather,
Well, Happy New Year to you.............LOL!!! I actually remember this New Year, last one...04...Demerol & percocet..........slept right through it!!
Wow............didnt your Dr take any Xrays of that fusion??????? Mine did every 2 or 3 weeks, he still is whenever I go in for my shots just to look at it, he can look at it and see if it is solid or not..............my fusion took good though. That would explain the pain but it should have been noticed before!!! It does happen though, I was warned that it was possible that it would happen to me and I would have to have it redone but thank God I didn't, at least not for that reason! I am debating having my screws out, they bother me, rub on everything and one sticks out...just the thought of any surgery though gives me the chills!!! Hope your doing OK. Good to see an old buddy here! Hey, what ever happened to that song you were writing??? LOL?
Dawn

imhdab · 02-04-2006, 12:09 AM

Hi Dawn (& everyone),

Yeah... my doc DID take x-rays at practically every visit. I'm not sure why he didn't catch a potential problem with this foot before. Regardless, he did the bone graft when he went in to take the pin out (so at least it wasn't another/separate surgery) but I did have to stay on crutches for an extra 2 weeks (4 total).

But now I have a question about the other foot -- (big toe joint fused in June, 2005). I don't think this toe was positioned correctly -- I get blisters on the top/inside of the big toe because it goes up slightly higher than the other side and it rubs against the top of my shoe. Also, I get rubbing/irritation on the outside edge of the big toe... AUUUUUUGH! (Does this make sense?) Anyway, can a fused toe be adjusted to correct this? If so, what would (possibly -- I know I would need a doc to determine this) need to be done? And would this involve large saws or big mallets?

Am I looking at another loooong re-recovery on crutches, etc.?

AUUUUUUGHHH!

Well, even if I do need something more done, I would rather get it done and over with and make sure it's correct... otherwise it will always bother me.

Is this usually such a problematic surgery? Why am I having such problems? Do all fusions have some kind of continuing problem(s)? I was prepared for the 1st 2 surgeries but not for this continued mess! Any words of wisdom would be MOST appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance,

~Heather

P.S. I still plan to post my 'Fusion Song'... I was just waiting until I felt like I was REALLY on the road to recovery... and this is taking MUCH more time than I originally anticipated. Hmmmmmm.... what to do....

dlh · 02-10-2006, 09:10 PM

Heather,
No, I don't believe all fusion surgeries are complicated. Your just lucky. LOL!

I don't know why you are having such a hard time, I thought I was having a hard time but girl you have me beat for sure. When my screw came loose after my 1st fusion my Dr went ASAP and took it out and redid the fusion, that was one week after the 1st one. He said the joint had slipped and there was a ridge and there was NO WAY he would let me go on like that because it would cause too many problems down the road. I guess they could re-do it. I am not a DR (although I sometimes seem to know more than they do

) but I would imagine it can be done even at this point if it is bothering you that bad. It means going back to square one though...are you prepared for that??? Is it worth it??? Have you seen your Dr yet about it? My only problem seems to be those darn screws jabbing out...now if I wear flip flips all the time I would be able to deal..........plan to have them out in the next few months, piece of cake compared to the other surgeries though, just dont want to do it. Do you ever feel pain in the fused joint? I know it is impossible but I swear sometimes I do...must be coming from somewhere around the area but it makes me feel like a loon

Stay positive Heather...let me know what the Dr says.
Dawn

imhdab · 03-11-2006, 11:15 PM

Hello Fusion Buddies,

Quick update: I think the problems I had with the positioning of my toe was because I was walking weird. Let me explain (& ask you some more questions too!)

Did you have to 'retrain' yourself on how to walk after your fusion? I was analyzing my foot position/problem and figured out that if I consciously walk a little differently the toe is positioned a bit better. It seems like I need to walk a little more towards the outside of the back part of my foot -- not sure if this makes sense. Some of my foot/ankle muscles were really tight but they seem like they've loosed up a bit now. (I imagine this is a result of being NWB and on crutches.)

Is this walking 'analysis' something they would do in PT? I didn't have any PT but my doc says he could prescribe some if I felt I needed it.

Anyway, things seem to be going better now and I'm going to schedule the 2nd screw removal so I should be done with all of this soon (then THEN I can post my 'Fusion Song'!

Thanks and take care!

~Heather

P.S. My doc also recommened orthotics and I pick them up on Tuesday. Hopefully this will also help...