Lapidus Bunionectomy Non Union

I had a 2nd digit hammer toe repaired about 5 years ago and in doing so they thought the big toe should be realigned. Like you, after 12 weeks in a boot with heel walking only the xray showed the big toe bone had unioned. So I went to the pool and when I steped on the very first step into the water, I felt the pain.  The big toe had in fact not unioned.  My doctor also decided, after releasing me to do anything , that I had probably pushed it too much and referred me to another doctor.  Not a name, mind you.  Just you might need to see another specialist.  I now have a permanent pin in my second digit and a plate and pin in the big toe.  I used to be able to pick up a pencil with my toes and now they won't even bend.  Mid mid foot fusion is not fairing that well either. Almost 6 months post-op and I'm still in a walking shoe and have a metal plate on top of my foot that will make me have to buy a half size bigger shoe and somehow try to keep the other shoe on the normal size foot.

BTW. This all started when a ortho foot surgeon shaved off too much bone from bunion surgery about 20 years ago. It caused my toes to pronate and that's what caused the hammering.

I know how frustrated you must be ? Try to keep positive.  

Ali, Sorry to hear that the fusion failed. My fusion was in a different area and I had to be non weight bearing for a full six weeks, probably the longest six weeks of my life. After that I was allowed 25% of my weight in weekly increments. Getting up and down the stairs was a nightmare. I have several screws and staples in the area.  

Did you have the revision surgery yet?  If so how is it going?

I had the same surgery April 12th and was non weigh bearing for 3 months. I had 2 screws put in and was in a cast for 3 weeks then a boot , but again non weight bearing.   I'm walking now but slowly.  I have a fabulous doctor but he works for Kaiser.  I'm sorry you're dealing with this.  

I had bunion surgery on left foot almost 2 years ago. Had 2 screws and a staple put in. Within 2 weeks of op my bunion was as bad as ever. I asked to be referred to another surgeon. I had op 6 weeks ago, had bunion shaved, the toe fused and a metal plate put in quite high up my foot. Also had the next 2 toes shortened and screws put in. Had a small foot cast on for 2 weeks but was walking using a heel bearing shoe within an hour of operation. Stitches out and only a small bandage on from second till 6th week still heel bearing shoe. On 6th week the Surgeon said as long as I can get my foot into a shoe I can carry on as normal. I have 2 abcesses which I queried as they are really sore, red and weeping pus all the time. He told me it's normal. Told me to come back in 3 months. The bunion is still there. I am considering going to my own GP for help with abcesses but as far as the bunion surgery, it's another failed op and I will never put myself through this pain again. Twice was enough. Oh and I am also "clicking" when I walk lol.

Sorry to hear so many of these surgeries go wrong. I had a bunionectomy and hammertoe surgery on my right foot on feb 9 and again on feb 12 the same week. Like you the doc said I didn't follow orders and stay ff foot but I did. When I asked to see the post op xray he said he didn't take one. So how des he know he aligned the bone correctl?? The second surgery he did just on the bunion again to re-algn the bone and he took an xrsy this time. However it still wasnt lined up. Then he told me I would need a 3rd surgery in about 9 months to a year. I left his practice and have been on a hunt for a doctor who could fix this. I now have a doc who says he can fix this (i am in a lot of pain). My big toe on my right foot turns out to the left. No shoes fit , can't walk, quality of life has gone down hill This doc wants to use a device called RELine. it goes into the bone on the side of the foot. This is instead of a bone fusion which would really freak me out. He also wants to straighten my 2nd toe out with an implant. Not sure about that yet. Has anyone dealt with these devices??

I'm amazed at how many of us have had such poor quality results with foot surgery.  Kinda makes you think if poditrist might be the scurge of the earth.  I'm actually, after 7 months post-op, beginning to have some positive results.  Hoping to be able to wear two real shoes soon without swelling.

 

Hi.

I had a right big toe fusion operation 3 months ago, and was sent home afterwards with a post-operation shoe to keep the weight on my heel, and instructions to keep my foot raised as much as possible. The dressing was removed after 2 weeks and everything seemed OK. However, after 6 weeks I was x-rayed and the fusion was going poorly. After another 4 weeks of wearing the heel-bearing shoe and keeping my foot raised I was x-rayed again. It hadn't progressed so I now need to wait until December for another x-ray. If it has not fused sufficiently I will need another operation. I have been told I can stop wearing the orthopaedic shoe and wear loose trainers, unless it becomes too painful. I can walk (I need to use a stick) but I am in pain a lot. No one is blaming me, and I know I have followed the instructions all the way - but I am still very disappointed. I am very worried that walking in trainers will undo any fusion that has already happened and I will have suffered both the operation and long recovery for nothing. Fingers crossed...

Andy