Floppy Toe - Foot Problems Message Board

dancing feet · 01-12-2008, 06:24 PM

Does anyone out there have a "Floppy Toe" (great toe)? I am having a failed implant removed from my great toe and was told that I will remain with a floppy toe. I'm interested in knowing if having this floppy toe limits physical activity, i.e. walking, running, etc. and, will I be able to wear a shoe with a 2inch heel. Will I be pain free? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. I have opted for the removal of this implant iand dealing with a floppy toe instead of having a bone fusion. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.

JeffH · 01-12-2008, 09:04 PM

I had an implant removed from my left great toe on Oct 15th. The implant was in about three years, but really never worked out. With the implant I had a "floppy toe." It was bad. My big toe supported very little of my weight. Most of my weight ended up on the ball of my foot, which over time, became very sore. I ended up with custom made orthotics, which didn't help either. I hope this isn't going to happen to you with your new "floppy toe."

When it was decided that we should remove the implant, no thought was even given to just ending up with a "floppy toe." We did the fusion. I also had the second toe shortened. Three months after surgery everything is wonderful!! I just started full weight bearing walking with regular shoes. Sore, yes, but that's to be expected. Both the doctor and myself are very happy with the results.

If I were you I would get answers to your questions from the doctor PRIOR to undergoing any surgery. Call him Monday. If you don't get answers and aren't clear about the expected results, postpone the surgery until you do get the information.

Good luck.....

dancing feet · 01-13-2008, 07:54 PM

Jeff H: Did I understand you correctly? You say you had a floppy toe while the implant was in place? My Podiatrist told me I would have a floppy toe after he removes the implant. He did mention that it could pose a problem in another area of my foot as the great toe would no longer be bearing all of my weight. He did say that it could be corrected with Orthodics. Did your doctor ever offer the Orthodics to you to ease the pain?

JeffH · 01-13-2008, 08:21 PM

My toe was not exactly floppy with the implant in, but it stuck up so much that I would assume that it acted exactly as a floppy toe would, not being able to bear any weight.

I believe I had the problem as your doctor is alluding to, problems in other areas of the foot because the big toe would not be able to handle any weight.

That caused me MAJOR problems, which special orthotics was NOT able to solve. We tried to resolve this issue for about two years with different orthotics. NOTHING worked. I finally decided this past Sept to have the implant removed, and the toe fused. So far so good.

At the least, believe your doctor when he warns you about potential problems. They ARE real. Maybe you will be ok with a floppy toe. On the other hand, a toe fusion is not the end of the world.

See my other comments on a few related threads that I made yesterday.

dancing feet · 01-13-2008, 08:55 PM

Thanks, Jeff for responding. I guess I am going to have to give this a try. At this point, I really do not want to be out of work for 8 weeks (which is what my Podiatrist told me it would we with a bone fusion). The thought of even being out 4 weeks is hard to bear. When I had the implant done, I was out of work 7 weeks. That tells me that I am probably a slow healer. It took 5 months before II could get my foot into a sneaker. The bone fusion may take me twice as long to heal. I thought I would go stark raving mad with the last surgery. If it wasn't for this healthboard, I don't know what I would have done. Thank God, I can turn to you good people, again for support and understanding. This has got to work. I have put myself in God's hands. I will post after surgery as soon as I am able. This Wednesday is the day.