Toe fusion operation anyone?

My big toe fused itself! My podiatrist made an insert which held the toe straight and after a while it fused and stopped hurting. It was all a bit odd but it's fine to walk on.

I'm on the waiting list for this op, so watch with interest. The surgeon told me that he would position my toe so that I can 'roll through my foot' when I walk and will be able to walk (or run!!) normally.

Having read Aveline's comment I'm wondering if I should spend some time investigating alternatives to surgery.

Make an appointment with a podiatrist. It's worth discussing. Could just be my odd bones. I've got fused vertebrae in my lower back which seemed to do it themselves. Not complaining. No pain any more!

Thanks Aveline I will do that. I'm pleased for you that the pain in your foot has gone.

That’s interesting Aveline. Glad it’s better now. I saw my podiatrist a few days ago and he didn’t suggest he did anything .
Thanks Richmond can ask about that.

Thanks to this thread I made called a podiatrist. WOW what a difference. So very interested, helpful and full of information, options and advice. He was confident that toe fusion can be avoided and surgery should only be a last resort. He was so interested in what is going on in my foot and body more holistically. My consultant didn't seem interested in anything other than surgery, no other options considered.

I have an appointment for a full foot and gait analysis booked and have great faith that the podiatrist will be able to help me.

Huge thanks to you for your suggestion Aveline and to silverlining48 for starting the thread.

I was advised to have this op but refused politely and three years on the toe is no longer painful I m so glad I didn’t have it done

Thank you BlueBelle you've made me feel even better about my decision to try other options before even considering surgery. I'm pleased your toe doesn't cause you pain now.

So glad to hear this feedback. I was worrying in case I'd made the wrong suggestion. I'm sure you're podiatrist will be able to offer practical help and solutions and your toe will feel fine.

Grrrr I didn't type 'you're'! My phone thinks it knows better than me!

I had both great toes fused and the joints taken out of all the other toes in one operation. I won’t pretend that it was a breeze, but I certainly don’t regret it nearly 20 years later. I do have to be careful with shoes because of the lack of flexibility in the great toes when putting my foot in a shoe.

Surely things have moved on in the last twenty years though. That seems very traumatic Lexisgranny. It must have been awful.

Gosh that sounds awful Avaline
My joint was really painful and pulled inwards towards the other toes but I didn’t feel it require fusing which I d heard conflicting good and bad about so decided to wait and see The consultant was very negative and assured me I’d regret turning the op down but after about a year I suddenly realised it was no longer a problem and there was no pain when I walked I ve no idea why/ how it changed but it’s been no trouble at all since

I had something similar to Lexigranny as the bones in my feet had crumbled.

I have been away this week so just catching up.
My pain has been for over a year but wonder now if I should wait in case it goes away on its own. Thanks for the input grans.

Try going to a podiatrist. As I said she made a simple insert which had a rigid part that held my big toe straight. She also advised icing the toe joint (frozen peas!) for a short time each day to help reduce inflammation. It worked. Took a week or so though. I moved the insert from shoes to slippers so always wearing it.

Aveline actually it was the joint removal that was more painful than the fusion as far as I recollect. When I was debating the operation, I remember the surgeon saying that several professional footballers continued to play afterwards (not the joint removal bit), so I thought it was worth taking the risk.

Hello all, well I am still in a quandary but have to make my mind up. The dr said it might make things worse, which makes me nervous as it’s bad enough now.
Have left a message fir my podiatrist to ring and talk it through so hope he can reassure me.
I enjoy walking but every step hurts at present, and my goal post op is to be able to walk without pain though was told by the dr the operation could make things worse .....not what I wanted to hear. Feeling confused.

There I go, repeating myself again.

silverlining if you have surgery and all goes well it takes up to a year for everything to return to near normal.

I hope the surgeon is not a general orthopod and only operates on feet and ankles.

I will check his credentials, thanks Charleygirl, when you say a year to fully recover, when might walking be comfortable? (Approximately of course).

After further research I am having second thoughts about this operation. It seems it’s the last resort whereas no other ‘resorts’ have been suggested or tried.
Apparently post op recovery is long and walking problems afterwards can be permanent due to lack of mobility of big toe, which is majorly important in walking. So am still in pain but more confused than ever., Help!

Had fusion of 2toes, plantar plate repair, ligament re- alignment on 21st April. Yes , six weeks in boot with external pins an absolute pain, but now back to normal and no pain. So there are success stories!

Great news about your success Nanna58

silverlining48 I too was referred for 'last resort' surgery without any other resorts being offered first. I've asked to be taken off the list for surgery and my first appointment with the podiatrist is tomorrow. If I learn anything that might help others I'll report back.