Flint, it kinda depends on what you're having done. Cheilectomy? Fusion? Something else?
And as far as the Podiatrist vs. Ortho question, you'll get different opinions. It's probably best to see one of each and make your own call. It's difficult to base your decision on the letters behind a doctor's name alone. You need to get a sense of their knowledge, abilities, and experience.
I have Stage-3 Hallux Rigidus. I'm getting a cheilectomy in April. I'm having it performed by an ortho.
The Following User Says Thank You to JohnOffTheCourt For This Useful Post: Flintlock (02-16-2013)
Flint, it kinda depends on what you're having done. Cheilectomy? Fusion? Something else?
And as far as the Podiatrist vs. Ortho question, you'll get different opinions. It's probably best to see one of each and make your own call. It's difficult to base your decision on the letters behind a doctor's name alone. You need to get a sense of their knowledge, abilities, and experience.
I have Stage-3 Hallux Rigidus. I'm getting a cheilectomy in April. I'm having it performed by an ortho.
Thanks John, I may be having what you are, or the other type, an oesteotomy?? Whatever, I'm just looking to see if there's an option that doesn't prevent me from driving to my job, but it looks like that's not in the cards for this problem.
Thanks for the advice on the Podiatrist vs a Ortho guy.
The first guy I went to wanted to do an osteotomy. That made me nervous. I did some research and discovered that osteotomies are generally used in cases where there is some form of metatarsal misalignment. I didn't have that, and the second doc confirmed it.
There are different kinds of osteotomies so be sure to get more specific information about which one and why. I had a cheilectomy with osteotomy on the left big toe. The osteotomy was to remove the bump on the top of the toe that impeded the movement of the toe. So, that was needed.
I would only see a sports med ortho who is foot and ankle board certified. that's my personal preference as they see LOTS of this type of injury - common in athletes as turf toe, runner's toe, tennis toe.
As for recovery, with the left foot I was walking from day 1 and driving. I was off work from Wed to Monday. As for the right one, I was off an extra day and could not drive (it's illegal in some places to drive with a surgical shoe or boot on) for 2 weeks when I had the sutures removed. Beyond that, no PT either time as I was given exercises to do at home. With the second one, I had it on June 15 and was at a Cajun dance on Aug 5 and danced with no problems.
I am not facing either a fusion or implant on the right one. The damage turned out to be worse than the x rays showed so I may have to do something within the next year. X rays - which I have seen - show no cartilege left in that joint. Bone is jammed up to bone. I go to the doctor on Feb 28 to discuss it.
