Foot surgery is complex, painful and recovers slowly. And it has knocked on effects on how you stand and walk which can bring their own problems.
I was offered, and discussed in detail with the surgeon, a repair of my heel bone where an avulsion fracture has left me with a piece of floating bone. Eventually I decided against and have settled for the status quo in spite of its drawbacks.
It may be that your proposed I retention does not carry so many negatives, but there is something to be said for settling for just a small amount of pain.
Feet are complex structures and fundamental to so.much.