how long for my cast? big toe fusion - Foot Problems Message Board

doglover123 · 01-09-2008, 09:57 AM

It's been 3 weeks and one day since my big toe fusion. How long should I expect to be in this awful cast? Then, what is the adjustment to a boot like?
Background:Had a chielectomy about 1 1/2 years ago. I dropped a large mayonnaise jar from top of my frig. (Ouch!) Foot was broken, didn't heal well, etc. Needed bone scraped off top of big joint of toe. Surgery wasn't successful for long- much pain and opted for the fusion.The pain is gone, but I hate these darn crutches!!! I'm just hoping to get into the boot soon!!!

dbgoalie · 01-09-2008, 12:01 PM

Doglover, welcome to the boards. Sorry to hear about your big toe fusion, I just went through the same thing. If you search by my username, you will find the string that I started detailing what I am going through.

My doc had me in bandages for the first two weeks; after that, he took out the stitches and then put me in a cast for 3 weeks. I was surprised, I thought it would be longer than that. I was then NWB on my foot in a removable, inflatable cast (a big boot like device with a rockered foot so I couldn't put weight on my toe, and a bunch of velcro straps to get it tight) for another 3 weeks. He then released me to walking without crutches as tolerated, but still in the removable cast.

The boot isn't real hard to walk in. My biggest problem with it was that the sole of it is high, so it throws your walking off balance. You sort of walk like a penguin, bouncing back and forth. But, you are at least walking on your own, so it's better than a cast and crutches.

Good luck, keep posting and letting us know how you are doing. Give a little more background on what you procedure was and why, and what your prognosis is.

debbie g · 01-09-2008, 01:58 PM

did your dr tell you how long? i was in a cast after big toe fusion for 9 weeks and the boot for 4. i hated crutches. hope it is soon for you to get out of the cast.

doglover123 · 01-10-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debbie g

did your dr tell you how long? i was in a cast after big toe fusion for 9 weeks and the boot for 4. i hated crutches. hope it is soon for you to get out of the cast.

Holy moly!! At my first post-op checkup, 10 days later, he said about 5 weeks total in the cast. Since I was complaining so much about the crutches, he said maybe 4 1/2 weeks. Well, with the doctor's schedule limitations, my next appt. is 4 wks and 1 day post-op. I sincerely DOUBT it will come off! But, the most important thing is for it to heal- I don't want to re-injure it by taking the cast off prematurely! I admit I am adapting a little more each day to living with the cast at work and at home. Fortunately, I have a rather sedentary job. It's just a pain getting into my building- no elevator! I now have access to indoor carpeted steps- all 19 of them! I go up and down on my bottem- it's just too scary to negotiate all those steps on crutches!!! Also, someone lent me one of those walkers on wheels with a SEAT! I keep it in the kitchen- it's fantastic! I can help myself in the kitchen. No heavy cooking for me, however- I tend to drop things! At least I can make breakfast for myself. My 2 daughters, 17 & 21 are a big help now that my hubby went out of town on business. I will get through this!!!

vicher59 · 01-10-2008, 09:06 AM

I'm 5 weeks into an ankle fusion, and I know what you're going thru! I haven't been able to go back to work, as I'm on my feet most of the time....and I'm three days past bored out of my mind...I hope to get a walking boot in 2 more weeks...my foot seems to be sore when I wiggle it in the cast....is it going to be painful when I get the walking boot??