Anyone with encouraging words on toe fusion - Foot Problems Message Board

my sore feet · 01-12-2009, 12:00 PM

I will be having a long overdue fusion of the right 1st metatarsal with a bone graft from my hip to lengthen the toe just as soon as the cheilectomy i had on my left foot last week is healed. I am getting more apprehensive after reading the horror stories from these forums. Does anyone have any positive feedback on a fusion with grafting from the hip. From what i've read, some say the hip was never the same. My ortho surgeon said he packs the hip with some sort of gel for a more painless healing process. Also, what can I expect for healing of the fusion. This is procedure long overdue, but am still quite nervous. Any words of encouragement out there?
Brenda

debbie g · 01-12-2009, 02:01 PM

hi brenda, i had big toe fusion a little over 2 years ago. i did find from these boards a lot of the fusions are done differently. i had a bone graft from my heel and i was in a hard cast for 11 weeks. i then went to a rocker boot for 4 weeks. after a few days of recovery there really was no pain. after the boot came off i found that to be the hardest time of all. my foot was very swollen and finding shoes was horrible. i learned from that experience. buy wide gym shoes and maybe go up a size. the swelling can last up to a year and for me it took almost 2 years. my toe sticks up so finding shoes is difficult. i have found great brands now and they are for the most part cute. you did not mention what type of recovery process your dr has told you. good luck and post again.

my sore feet · 01-12-2009, 06:46 PM

Debbie
My doctor said a splint for two weeks, then cast for 4 weeks, then a boot for god only knows after that. Non weight bearing for at least 8 weeks. I wonder why some doctors take graft from the hip and others from the heel? Do you know anything about that? I'm glad to hear you didn't have alot of pain after a few days. I had an osteotomy with a cheilectomy two years ago on this same foot from a podiatrist who i think really botched things, so i'm a little gun shy. I was in pain for sooo long after that and things were never quite right. I've now found a ortho surgeon specializing in feet that so far seems to have done a great job with a cheilectomy last wed. on my "good foot". I've only had about 1 nite of burning pain and for the most part it's just an inconvenience until the stitches come out. So i have faith in my new doc, thank goodness! I'd love to hear more about your activity level and how things are better/worse than before the surgery. Thanks and hope to hear from you again.
Brenda

debbie g · 01-13-2009, 03:56 PM

hi, my activity level went downhill after surgery, but went up after the swelling was gone. i still find it hard to walk outside for a long time. i went back to tennis, skiing and all exercise. i dont know why drs take from the hip or heel. sounds like you will have a faster recovery than mine and DONT try to walk on it! when is the surgery?

my sore feet · 01-13-2009, 07:54 PM

I go in next Thursday to get stitches out from my cheilectomy last wed. and will be talking to the dr. about proceeding with fusion on other foot. i hope he agrees to do it asap. the sooner the better with spring coming and all. i'm assuming it'll be close to a year before i'm resuming physical activities like the old days. i'm a runner at heart and haven' t been able to jog for at least the last two yrs so took to the elliptical and bike, but there is nothing better for weight management than jogging. i would look forward to even a jog/walk session. i plan on recouping to the T and would stand on my head for 8 weeks if the doc said to.:0). take care and thanks for the help.
brenda