Toe fusion operation anyone?

Nanna 58 thanks for that, so pleased you are now pain-free. Are you abke to put shoes on easily and walk normally?

Richmond like you I plan to see my podiatrist who I have akready spoken to on the phone. Will be holding back on the operation and will report back. Do let us know what is suggested bt the podiatrist, I dont yet have an appointment.
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My DH had a different problem. A pain in the centre of the underside of his foot which hurt so much he could hardly walk. We saw lots of podiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons etc final solution was to take a piece of bone out of every toe on his foot. In effect he now has 5 fused toes on one foot. They don’t move or bend and are so close together you couldn’t get a pice of paper between them. I won’t say he’s problem free but at least he can walk without pain now so that’s a big plus.
Not sure that is an answer to your question or not. Hope you get a solution to your problem

Thanks Doodle, that sounds like some serious surgery. Glad your dh is pain free but sorry he has remaining problems. Don’t want to pry and don’t feel you must respond but wonder what difficulties he has been left with.

Hi Silverlining no not prying at all. Nothing serious but because his toes on that foot don’t bend he finds it difficult to kneel down and get up again. You use your toes to push yourself up in a way. The only other thing is drying between the toes after a shower. His toes are so tight and rigid together he can’t separate them to dry between them. That’s about it really. He needed the op as he had a pain in the ball of his foot that couldn’t be relieved by any other means. DH has hardly any padding under his feet. He is flat footed and had great pain on walking. Since the op he has been able to walk well again. Those of a nervous disposition do not read any further…
He had to have his toes broken, shortened and then put back together again. They were held in place by 8” long “skewers” until the bones set then the skewers were removed. Despite the fact we were both dreading this process he said it didn’t hurt at all. It was a successful operation for him.

Gosh that sounds scary surgery! Glad it's worked out well.

Just back from my podiatrist appointment and what a revelation and relief.

I had a really thorough examination and gait analysis which took in everything from my hips to my toes plus a detailed look at the history of my legs and feet (for want of a better description). I was filmed walking and talked through the problems.

It made me realise the consultant surgeon I saw hadn't even examined my feet - not even touched them - before recommending surgery!!

The podiatrist was excellent. Gave a very detailed description of the problem, exercises to loosen muscles and made temporary orthotics to change my gait. I honestly walked out of there with more bounce in my step than I've had in years. Follow up appointment in 8 weeks. Cost £180 but this might have saved me two surgeries and 6 months in a boot with no driving.

She told me the hospital I'd been referred to, despite being under an NHS logo, is privately owned by an American company. The company get money for surgery performed and referring patients for less invasive measures is not in their financial interests. What an eye opener!!

I'd recommend anyone to see a podiatrist before having surgery.

OH I should have said, she told me that surgery was almost certainly not the solution. Fusing the toe would mean I would put my weight through the next toe along and this would then become the problem.

That’s really interesting Richmond thanks. Will definitely see my podiatrist who Is or sounds, knowledgeable about these things. Will report back.

So glad to hear this RichmondPark1. Sounds like it was £180 well spent!

I have an appointment booked fir a gait analysis etc in early August and have started strapping big tie and it’s neighbour together to see if that helps and use volterol on the toe.
I know that solid shoes are needed, not the flexible ones like Skechers etc. Here’s to pain free walking.

Toe not tie ...

The Bionic Woman.
"We can rebuild her...."

I've read this with interest. My DH is 6 weeks post toe fusion surgery. He had the joints in two toes (no. 2 & no. 3) fused and was in plaster for 6 weeks. He is now in a 'moon' boot for 2 months.

Prior to surgery had bad arthritis, which was very painful and hurt him to walk. The bones in his foot had crumbled and he was taking pain killers everyday. He is now no longer in pain and stopped taking pain killers two days post surgery. He is walking on crutches now and everyday there is some improvement.

Great news that you don't have to wait long for your appointment silverlining48. Do let us know how you get on.

Interesting what you say about soft shoes like Sketchers. I've been wearing them thinking they'd help the pain but I don't think they've done me any good.

The podiatrist told me that 'rocker' type shoes are good for stiff, arthritic toes.

Brilliant that your husband's op has relieved the pain RainbowsAndUnicorns1. It sounds like it's really worked for him and he's on the up.

I agree re Skechers. They feel so comfortable but just don't offer the support that stiffer boots and shoes do. My ugly old boots help me walk so much better. The insert my podiatrist made when I was having trouble with my big toe was rigid and prevented the joint moving. The 'rocker' effect really helped.

What a really interesting and informative thread, I had metatarsal fusion in Oct 21 and really regret it, I'm in much more pain now and I'm still recovering.

Elless so very sorry to hear that. How upsetting for you. Assume the big toe?
Did anything go wrong? Is there anything that can be done to rectify it?

I had 2 hammer toes straightened and later a bunion removed, all of which left me with fused toes which I was not expecting.
Removal of the bunion made my very wide foot even wider so it’s hard to find shoes. It’s awkward having toes which don’t bend but I’ve got used to it.

Can you say how it is awkward watermeadow?
Is it putting shoes on or walking or something else? I am on a waiting list fir fusion but nervous about it so in the meantine am looking at alternative treatment.

Maybe I have just been lucky but have had both my big toes fused and have had no problems. My first op was about 9 years ago and was done by a podiatric surgeon under an epidural and the second three years ago by an orthopaedic surgeon under general anaesthetic. Can’t say I had much pain after either op and apart from having to keep off my feet for three days afterwards and then wear a Velcro sandal that elevated my toe for about 6 weeks my recovery was fairly swift. I had been in considerable pain when walking before and that has now gone.I have never been one to wear high heels so can’t say if this would be uncomfortable. I have very large feet so my choice of shoes has always been very limited so tend to wear something like Skechers for everyday and sandals in the Summer.Think it very important that you get a good surgeon. My ops were on the NHS and both times the surgeons were very good and I had confidence in them.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mine wasn't the toes it was the metatarsals. It's taken the original pain away but caused pain in other parts of my foot. I need the other foot doing but don't know whether to go ahead.

Metatarsals were mentioned on the operation form I signed. Will need to check paperwork. do you have plates and screws Elless?

Yes I do, and I had a bone graft. I was informed that the metalwork can sometimes irritate the tendons and may need removing.
The metatarsals are the long bones that run up to the toes, my pain was worst if you squeezed your foot sideways.