At Wits End 5 Months After Bunionectomy! - Foot Problems Message Board

myjo · 01-02-2007, 09:50 AM

Hello, I need advice. I'm 5 months post-op L bunionectomy with 2nd hammer toe repair. I still can't walk without considerable pain at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint. There's a screw in the metatarsal to correct the angle, the bunion was shaved and the tendon between grt toe and second toe was cut, 2nd toe was fused.
There is little difference in the angle of the grt toe (22 degrees) before and after surgery. For some reason, my surgeon didn't feel the need to correct the grt toe angle...just the metatarsal.
He finally agreed to PT and they're surprised by the angle of the toe.
I am truly at wits end! The foot hurts more than it did prior to surgery. My job requires a great deal of walking and I haven't been able to return to work.
Has anyone had the great toe re-aligned without having it fused? What options do I have?
Thanks for any advice.

debbie g · 01-02-2007, 11:06 AM

hi, i just had abig toe fusion after 2 failed bunionectomies. thats 3 surgeries in just over 2 years. my hammertoe was taken care of at the 1st surgery, but it never worked. it sticks straight up. my big toe was never on an angle, but it sure is now. i am 9 weeks post-op and got my cast off last week and i am in a walker boot. i had such horrible pain after the 1st surgery, but it got better. then after a while the pain was so bad again i had to have another surgery with an implant. that didnt work so now i had the fusion and will never be able to move the big toe again. you must speak with your doctor and get a 2nd opinion. there should not be pain after so many months. the angle of the toe ia msure can be fixed, but you may require another surgery. dont let it go like i did-life is too short. please let me know what happens. debbie

myjo · 01-02-2007, 02:45 PM

Thanks Debbie. I see my surgeon next week. Depending on what he says I'll consider a second opinion. It's like picking a pig in a poke with these doctors. You never know how things will turn out. The thought of another surgery makes me cringe! After seeing how the fused toe is behaving I dred having the grt toe fused. Can you tell me about the implant you had? Did it replace the joint? Why did it fail? Thanks/

RightFootMary · 01-02-2007, 04:29 PM

Gee myjo I'm sorry to hear you are having such pain 5 months after surgery. I had a Lapidus buionectomy with second toe shortened 11 weeks ago and I feel great. No pain at all. I also had the 1st metatarsul fused but at the joint closest to my ankle. I have one permanent pin and one external which was removed at 6 weeks post op. I asked the podiatrist if the fusion "took" and he told me it did.

Which end of your metatarsul was fused? My dr also removed a lot of arthritis when he did my surgery. I was very frustrated at first with the slow healing but now I can say it was well worth it. My incision looks great, the horrible bunion is gone and I'm looking foward to sandals in the summer.

I would also think a second opinion is in order. You shouldn't be having pain this far past your surgery.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Mary

myjo · 01-02-2007, 10:15 PM

Thanks RFM...the second joint (phalangeal) of the 2nd toe (Hammer) was fused. It's the base of the grt toe (1st poximal joint) that's the problem. All the ortho did to that joint was remove the protruding bunion. He also broke and screwed the 1st metatarsal to a new angle...but it seems that did not correct the angle much since the grt toe still registers at 22 degrees lateral.
From my research, that angle alone would require corrective surgery. The PT agrees that the toe was not corrected sufficiently. Perhaps the surgeon felt the medial tendon would pull it back to a neutral position and didn't want to over correct it. At any rate, I'm extremely frustrated, to say the least!
I'm just afraid to undergo surgery again that's why I'm asking if anyone had the grt toe fused? I'm concerned that would really impair my ability to walk.
The earliest I can see the dr is next tuesday. Thanks for your good wishes.