hemi implant removed?? - Foot Problems Message Board

piggygirl · 08-15-2007, 04:41 PM

Has anyone ever had a hemi joint implant removed??

Titchou · 08-15-2007, 06:07 PM

My understanding is that you have to have a fusion at that point.

piggygirl · 08-15-2007, 06:40 PM

So, it can only be replaced and not removed..am I correct on this

Titchou · 08-15-2007, 07:43 PM

That's my understanding...replace or fusion. And from what I'm told, replacement doesn't usually work due the way it has to be installed. If the implant fails, the standard next step is fusion.

SoCalSharon · 08-16-2007, 03:12 PM

In 1/03 I had a Keller Bunionectomy for cartilage damage in the joint, I didn't have a bunion. My toe stuck up, was really short and still very painful so in 9/03 I got a hemi implant. The "metal hemi-toe" implant was removed 7/05 because it hadn't seated properly. I was told another implant would eventually need to be replaced so a fusion was done (1st MTP) with a bone graft from my hip. In 4/06 after removing hardware it was discovered the fusion failed so I had a revision in 7/06 which has healed. 3 weeks ago I had the plate and 6 screws removed due to nerve irritation and am healing well. This was my 6th surgery. FYI - I would never want a bone graft from my hip again, it failed anyway and now my hip hurts daily, which I've since learned is quite common. So if you need a fusion with graft talk to doc about donor bone. Hope this is useful and please let me know if you have any other questions. Also, keep us posted.