I need to express something to counter what I keep reading. One thing they say is a negative effect of having the big toe fused is that it alters the gait of the person and causes more problems as a result. I wish that myth would go away.
I had my big toe fused three months ago. My gait had altered to accomodate the pain, so I was walking more on the side of my foot, and my foot was beding a wrong way when toeing off. My hip was sore. My knee was becoming sore.
Now that I have had the surgery, I can walk in a more normal manner, and my hip is feeling much better.
I was afraid that having the surgery would cause more problems. It did not. I want others to know this too.
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Life is too short to wear tight shoes. ~ May you have happy feet in 2012.
The Following User Says Thank You to Northwind For This Useful Post: sunseeker (11-25-2010)
North, this is Chubstercat in Upstate New York. I had the surgery on Jan 25. I am in a cast and get the stitches removed and 1st x-ray on Thursday. So far, so good - will keep you posted.
I had 2 foot surgeries prior to my fusion and I wish I had done the fusion first. It has been the best thing I have done. I am able to everything I want to do (except wear high heels but shouldn't be wearing those anyway). I most likely need to get my right foot done and I am actually looking forward to it.
When did you have the fusion done? It is nice to hear that from you. I decided to go with the fusion first because it seemed to be the direction I was heading in anyway. I did not want another foot surgery in a year. I had it done in Oct 09, and so far so good. I went for a walk with the dog today and it feels pretty good. I do have stiff soled boots, which helps in this snowy clime.
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Life is too short to wear tight shoes. ~ May you have happy feet in 2012.
My fusion was in 04. I first started with surgery in Dec. 99. My doc wouldn't fuse becasue of my age (29 at that time). It was a long recovery. I had a bone graft from my hip and that almost hurt worse than my toe. The hard part was the NWB for almost 6 weeks. The only reason that I am putting off the other surgery on the right foot is that I have to have someone come take care of me for 6 weeks.
