fusion of big toe

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi all

I am 70 and have been booked for a big toe fusion. I am 5ft 1inch and like to wear high heels. I was told at the consultation that  after the fusion I would only be able to wear  low heels. But I didnt really take it in properly and now I am wondering how high are low heels. 

Have any of you had a fusion and what size heels can you wear. Also I am wondering why I wasnt offered a joint replacement.  I am under  NHS.

  I hope someone can enlighten me 

Thanks a lot 

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    HI Denise, 

    I've had the big toe fusion on April 9th of this year.  I can't even think about a heel right now. Doc says no heels to me. I had the Cheilectomy first and that didn't work, so then the fusion. Its pretty tough to get through. A lot of pain with this one. Still can walk but a ton of pain in my foot from it. 

    You can't wear heels because that toe is not going to bend again.The only part that bends on mine is the tip of the toe.  This is the reason. I would suspect the pain would not be fun.

    Good luck, 

    Rose

  • Posted

    I had my big toe fused on June 7th of this year. I don’t want to scare anyone, but it has been a struggle. Like Rose said, lots of pain. I’m still in the surgical shoe and will be until the beginning of August. I read that the bones that have been fused will grow together (like when you break a bone and it is reset, the bones grow back together.) So if you accidentally bend your big toe after a fusion, it might break and that means more surgery. It also affects your gait. Walk around and try not bending your toe at the joint and you will know what I mean. I only had it done because I was in such excruciating pain before surgery. I just traded one type of pain for another.

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