post fusion question - Foot Problems Message Board

alyb · 03-28-2007, 12:52 AM

Hi everyone! i have a quesion.i am 1 week post fusion in my big toe. Everything went fine, still in pain with my meds but due to the fact that they lengthened my toe by 1 cm my doc said expect extra pain!!! (nerves) I was told 1 week absolute bed rest and then week 2 i can start to move around a bit. I am not allowed to put any weight on my foot for 6 weeks,(after xrays) then i will have a walking cast. Does this all sound normal? What was your recovery like?:

Alyson

janieab · 03-28-2007, 07:39 AM

I'm sure you are glad that the surgery is done and now is the healing process.
I re-read your other post and wondered if they ended up doing the iliac crest graft? Also, did they use plate and screws? I had frozen bone bank bone used and plate and screws and a pin sticking out that was removed at 8 weeks. I was non-weightbearing for 12 weeks because of the bone graft used for my lengthening. Ice and elevation is the key. Pain meds as needed at this point. Be careful because some pain meds cause constipation after use for several days. The fusion surgery was 5 months post failed Keller procedure on my toe so I was right back into the "foot surgery mode" right away and knew to keep the foot up and iced. I used my desk chair to wheel around in the kitchen. Crutches after awhile are painful for the other joints! Some people used walkers or wheelchairs for their recovery (I couldn't use those because of my house). Ok......pain is to be still expected at this point but will get better. Keep us posted on your recovery.
Janie

alyb · 03-28-2007, 11:59 AM

hey Janie,
No bone taken from my hip, they used it from my toe, thankgod!! That was my first question after the operation. Things have been fine alot of pain in the nerves because they lengthened my toe 1 cm, so the nervers were lengthened too. I have one plate and 2 screws!!I have had 1 week strict bed rest which is over on thursday!! I can then move around with crutches a bit, just have to watch the swelling. next week i have my 2 week post op and will find out a bit more from the xrays what is going on. I am hoping for a walking cast

!! Would be nice. talk to you soon

a

debbie g · 04-01-2007, 02:54 PM

i had big toe fusion, but was put in a cast immeditely. what do you have on now and i could not put any weight on it. i hope the healing process goes wee and would you let me know. thanks, debbie g

me2007 · 04-01-2007, 09:06 PM

Hello everyone, I have a question about big toe fusion. Im going to have to face this procedure sooner or later, along with pins down the 2nd,3rd, and 4th toes all at the same time. The Dr. who wants to do this procedure says its called the Clayton-Hoffman procedure. I believe, the way he sounded, was the fusion is like the Keller procedure though. Did anyone have pins (K-wires) put in anywhere? I know they are doing implants now but this Dr. didnt mention that. I think he will use plate and screws in the big toe. I had 3 pins drilled in my heals and one through the top of the big toe joint when I was 19 yrs (im 48 now) to build me arches. I remember that when they took out the pins it was VERY painful. This Dr. who wants to do my surgery now didnt mention a cast right after but he said no weight bearing for 6 weeks. I didnt want to go through this procedure right now because of the time Id have to take off work along with the pain and discomfort. This is a scary procedure for me considering my left foot it so deformed and damaged from all the other surgeries in the past. Also, my second toe is completely off its joint, ouch, I cant even begin to imagine how painful that will be when they break it and shift it onto its joint. I know when I decide to go through anymore Ill have to be mentally and spiritually conditioned.