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Big Toe Joint Fusion - Will the arthritis return?

Posted , 11 users are following.

susan71757
susan71757

2 weeks ago I had surgery on my big toe joint.....a fusion was done due to arthritis. Does anyone know if the arthritis will eventually return?

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • claire49732
    claire49732 susan71757

    Posted

    Hi Susan.

    Had this done myself two years ago. In the operation they remove the arthritic joint and fuse the two bones together by use of a plate or screws. So no, the arthritis will not come back in thar part of your toe.  

    • susan71757
      susan71757 claire49732

      Posted

      thanks for the response, Claire! that makes sense....no joint-no arthritis. Are you happy with the results of your operation and are you able to be as active as you want to be?
  • claire49732
    claire49732 susan71757

    Posted

    Hi Susan. glad that helped. I still have some lack of feeling in my toe (end of toe and round the side), but that only bothers me if something touches my toe. Most of the time I don't notice it.  Overall, I am really happy with the results. Can walk miles, which I couldn't before. Can't wear heels, couldn't wear them for years before anyway.  Most of all, there's no pain, so for me it was well worth going through with it. Hope your recovery goes well. It takes a while, but don't rush it, and just focus on the end result. 

    • susan71757
      susan71757 claire49732

      Posted

      That is great you are able to walk so much with no pain. I had so much pain before the surgery, I couldn't wear any shoes at all.....so anything will be an improvement. I am very encouraged and inspired by your experience, Claire.....thank you for sharing!

       

  • monica48418
    monica48418 susan71757

    Posted

    Susan, I am considering having my big toe joint fused and was wondering how you are doing now that you are a few months out from having yours done. Could you update us with your results? Thank you!!
    • susan71757
      susan71757 monica48418

      Posted

      Hi Monica,

      It's been 3 months and 1 week since my big toe joint fusion surgery. I am absolutely thrilled with the results. I've had little to no pain the last few weeks....it's just a bit stiff at times. Today I went for a 1 hour hike - the first half uphill and downhill coming home. I can do about 15000 steps a day now. I would highly recommend having it done.....just make sure you have a good surgeon.

      Best wishes, Monica!

      Sue

    • monica48418
      monica48418 susan71757

      Posted

      Thank you for the update! This is an encouraging report. Best wishes to you and thank you for responding.
  • Jude0259
    Jude0259 susan71757

    Posted

    Hi Susan, I am new here and was looking for people who have had big toe fusion with good results. I am 2 months post fusion. I am still having a lot of swelling and some pain. I was given the ok by my surgeon to wear a good walking shoe this week but I cannot get my foot to feel comfortable in a shoe. I bought a pair of good walking shoes in wide width as suggested by my surgeon but I just can’t handle the pain when wearing it. At what point were you comfortably in a shoe and what kind of shoe did you buy? I’m not sure if we are allowed to name brands on here but the one my doctor suggested I just could not wear. My physical therapist says he feels I am rushing getting into a shoe and should just continue in the walking boot. 
    • RD_Swede
      RD_Swede Jude0259

      Posted

      There is a type of shoes called MBT shoes that would probably be of help for you. Just Google and read about it. I myself have rocker soles on three different types of shoes. One for every day use, one for parties etc and one for my walking/sports shoes. Through Swedish NHS we get three rocker soles free of charge. I also use on soles. I hope this will help.

      Ragnar

    • Jude0259
      Jude0259 RD_Swede

      Posted

      Thank you RD Swede, I will definitely check these shoes out. Just a bit concerned with them being rocker tupe shoes, I have a back injury and in the past rocker shoes gave me terrible back pain, but worth investigating if they would be good for my feet.
    • susan71757
      susan71757 Jude0259

      Posted

      Hi Jude

      The widest women's shoe I have is a New Balance 840 extra wide EE. Before the surgery I had to buy Men's shoes because I couldn't get into any women's shoes. It was 8 1/2 weeks post op before I tried on my first shoe (NB 840s) . I removed my orthotics and did not lace up the shoes and only walked around inside for about 5 minutes. I increased the time each day. Keep elevating and icing and it will get better. The pain is normal. I recently bought a pair of Hoka Bondi 5s (rockers)  I have never worn rockers before and it took me awhile to get used to them but I want to protect my big toe long term.

      Best wishes, Jude!

      Sue

    • Jude0259
      Jude0259 susan71757

      Posted

      Thanks for the helpful reply Sue,  I had to return the New Balance shoes I bought, the tongue of the shoe had extra fabric that rested right on top of my incision and caused severe pain. My surgeon suggested NB and a few others. Over the weekend I bought a pair og Abeo shoes and love them, had them on for 4 hours yesterday, I need a lot of metatarsal support and these are great. I judt can’t do rockers, wish I could but they mess with my back issues. 

  • ignacio50075
    ignacio50075 susan71757

    Posted

    Hi Susan, I had a revision big toe joint fusion in early January. i.e. I had one initially in Feb 2016 which did not work well as (among other things) the toe was cocked up and rubbed the shoes and sesamoid pain. I also had metatarsalgia in toes 2 and 3 (which were far too long as compared to the big toe). So now I had my fusion re-done to ring the toe to a more plantar flexed position (just off the ground). IS your toe also plantar flexed? I saw that you are pretty much recovered and wanted to know whether your toe is in a similar position. Thanks a lot for your help. Ignacio. 
    • ignacio50075
      ignacio50075

      Posted

      If anyone else had related insights I'd appreciate as well! Thanks!

  • mohammadre17145
    mohammadre17145 susan71757

    Posted

    Hi i have 2 years of pain on my big toe doctors advise me 2 have fusion of the joint but i'm not sure about the after surgery .can i walk properly after fusion ? can i run? can i hike ?can i do sports? please let me know i don't trust doctors if you can send me a video or link to see how you walk after fusion im 35 you know i feel i'm steel young please help me.

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