Big toe arthritis & Pinky toe bunion surgery - Foot Problems Message Board

RubyRedHead · 07-19-2006, 09:52 PM

Wow, doesn't seem like it's been 10 weeks since my first surgery! Went to the pod today and am set for the left foot fix next Wed, 7/26. My right foot is doing well. The left one will be more of a challenge because both big toe and #5 will be operated on. Both will be broken and re-set with screws. Double time in the shoe which will be approx. 8 weeks. I did get the right one done first, which was the better of the evils, and survived it and I think that I am ready for this one.

I'm told that #5 takes twice as long as the big toe to heal. My big toe is being repaired from arthritis and #5 has a Taylor (?) bunion. Has anyone ever had this procedure done?? Don't see any posts referring to a bunion on the pinky toe.

Hope you are all doing well and are healthy! Would appreciate any input. Thanks!

wakkochic17 · 07-20-2006, 01:23 PM

hey! I have had both feet operated on for the Taylor bunions. Form me, I found that the bunionectomy on my big toe (that I had last year) took LONGER to heal than the Taylor bunion. The bone by the pinkie toe is smaller and heals quicker. When I had mine done I didn't have screws, my pod just put a removable pin in. I was non-weight bearing for 3-4 weeks until the pin could be pulled, but once the pin was pulled I was walking around within a day or two. I had an easy recovery. I wish my bunion surgery (big toe) had gone that well!!

SoCalSharon · 07-20-2006, 07:08 PM

I also had both 1st and 5th MTP done at the same time. I have two permanent screws in the little toe bone which resulted in being nwb for 6 weeks initially. He said the screws are about the size of eyeglass screws in a tiny bone so it would be easy to break it before it heals. Had it just been the big toe (Keller procudure for arthritis) he said I wouldn't have been nwb at all. Now it's 3 1/2 years later and that part of my foot doesn't bother me a bit. Monday I'm having surgery #5 on the big toe though from a non-union of a bone graft fusion done last summer. But the little toe is just fine so far...

Best wishes for your recovery.
Sharon

RubyRedHead · 07-21-2006, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the responses

. Nice (

) to hear that I'm not the only one! Can't say that I'm looking forward to being in "the shoe" again. My pod put me straight in the angled thick sole shoe immediately in the recovery room the day of my last surgery & I walked on it that day. As far as I know, I will be doing the same thing this time. He has not said that I will be nwb. I too would think that the pinky toe, being smaller, would heal faster. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Wakko, wonder why they choose pins over screws? Didn't think to ask my pod. Glad to know your recovery time wasn't too long. Any discomfort from it now?
Sharon, my foot problems sound a lot like yours. Sorry you're having to repeat/have more surgeries

. I only agreed to do this once for each foot!!!

I think the anticipation for the upcoming sometimes gets the best of me. I walk around now and count down the days till I'm gonna be out of commission. Not looking forward to it but once it's done, hopefully, it's over! Gotta keep my chin up so I can be "high steppin' " before long.

lol

Good luck on your upcoming surgery Sharon, keep us posted. I'll check back soon.

wakkochic17 · 07-21-2006, 12:58 PM

hey! It sounds like the pin maybe sturdier than the small screw in that part of the toe, but I'm not sure. Maybe he prefers it because it's not permanent. I asked about a removable pin for my big toe but my pod said that it doesn't work as well for the big toe because of the size of the bone (although it was still an option). Maybe some go the screw route so people can be weight bearing. I'm having too many problems in the areas of the screws with my bunionectomy that I WISH he had used a pin!