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Mid foot fusion.

Posted , 83 users are following.

michelle65897
michelle65897

Hiya. I had a mid foot fusion 2 weeks ago now. I am really struggling with non weight bearing. Has anyone else dealt with this please. I am crying with frustration. My husband and I are very keen walkers and it is really hard not being able to get out and about under my own steam.

look forward to hearing your tips.

8 likes, 252 replies

252 Replies

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  • dl56uk
    dl56uk michelle65897

    Posted

    Hi I'm 6-7 months in on a tripple bone fusion and even now i have pain. This was to rectify a flat foot with arthritis in the ankle , some days i wish i had just lived with it . Went to see my physio and she said it could take up to a year for the internal inflamation to subside. 

    • ginni96956
      ginni96956 dl56uk

      Posted

      Di, sounds like we are at about the same place. I had my triple midfoot fusion on Dec. 30, so am now 7 months out.  I'm pretty good if I wear my sneakers most of the time, but when I take them off I start to feel discomfort and stiffness.  I'd be interested in knowing more about Comfrey cream.  I've done a little research and found that it could take several applications daily for a couple of weeks before one can feel the effects of it. Did you find that to be the case? I have been using Traumeel cream which gives relief, but only temporary. 

    • dl56uk
      dl56uk ginni96956

      Posted

      yes i found i had to apply some several days beforei could feel it working. I was told about comfrey seeds many years ago and to boil then to a paste and apply as a poultice and this was for my shoulder and it worked wonders.Now they already make in to a cream which is easier and it is a herb it as no effect on ya metabalism or digestive system unlike ibuprofen gel which once in ya blood stream can cause constipation. With the pain in ya foot  thats last thing you want lol.
  • dl56uk
    dl56uk michelle65897

    Posted

     I was told about comfrey seeds many years ago and to boil then to a paste and apply as a poultice and this was for my shoulder and it worked wonders.Now they already make in to a cream which is easier and it is a herb it as no effect on ya metabalism or digestive system unlike ibuprofen gel which once in ya blood stream can cause constipation. With the pain in ya foot  thats last thing you want lol. This is available from almost all herbalist but may require several applications before you feel the benifits
  • sandi27417
    sandi27417 michelle65897

    Posted

    I have been non weight bearing for 6 1/2 weeks and have 2 or 3 to go. I finally had a screw put in Jones fractire so now healing should move along. I work out, walk trails and ride horses owning a small horse farm. It is awful being non weightbearing!! I am 67 and fit but it is still terrible!! I did purchase a knee scooter on Craig's list and highly recommend that. I can cook and get around the house nicely. Good luck and stay off that foot!! You sort of have to resign yourself to the fact that this is not life threatening and will heal.

  • sandi27417
    sandi27417 michelle65897

    Posted

    Non weight bearing at any age is awful. My surgery was different but, still could not bear weight. Can you purchase a knee scooter? I bought one on craig's list for $100. They sell new for around $250. It has saved my life around the house for cooking, dogs, etc. 

  • Nikjohnson
    Nikjohnson michelle65897

    Posted

    I too just had midfoot fusion of two joints, plus straightening of my second toe.  I am 3 1/2 weeks out from surgery.  I am now in a walking airboot, which allows me to be 50% weightbearing on crutches.  I go back in to be evaluated in 4 weeks, and will have xrays done at that time.  I just spoke to another woman who had similar surgery - she warned me that if you use the boot to walk on normally, without crutches or putting 100 % weight on the foot, and put weight on the full foot instead of just the heel, which is what she had done, you can have real problems that will extend your healing.  She had to have the surgery redone twice - again going through the 6-8 weeks of healing.  She had broken four small bones in her foot by walking on it with the boot and experienced alot of pain.  

    I am very frustrated by being so dependent on others, and by being so extremely tired all the time. Does it take alot of energy to heal bones?  I can't believe how the simplest of outings will tire me and I need to lay down or else I get very nauseous and dizzy.  And I am not even taking pain meds anymore.  Does anyone else have this experience?

    • Mother_Jo
      Mother_Jo Nikjohnson

      Posted

      Hi Nik,

      I had midfoot fusion with 3 screws and a bone graft in Feb this year. I was non WB for 6 weeks, then got the boot for PWB...yes, sleep lots and rest well as bone healing is deep healing. I took vitamin D and a bone healing herbal supplement, vit C and did not drink alcohol which in excess can interfere with bone health. Be patient with the time it takes... I also saw a medical herbalist for extra help with healing. Good luck.  

    • kelly29534
      kelly29534 Nikjohnson

      Posted

      Omg yes! It amazes me too how tired I get just hobbling to another room in my house! It's crazy but the human body is a crazy thing and so complicated hahaha. Every day gets a little better and easier so keep your head up and it'll be over soon! I just got my 3rd cast off yesterday after mid foot fusion and bunionectomy, 8wks non weight bearing and completely helpless/useless and this morning I put a little weight (with crutches still!) On my foot and I literally started tearing up because I felt almost, somewhat normal again! Ha-ha good luck with the rest of your recovery!

  • Readybluedragon
    Readybluedragon michelle65897

    Posted

     I had mid foot fusion surgery of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals on my right foot.  Bone grafts were taken from my heal.  Pain wasn’t too bad after surgery, more so frustration as no weight bearing for 8 plus weeks.  Everything was going reasonably well with the common problems of pins and needs in the two toes affected, swelling, tendon pain in the arch and on the right side of my foot, the latter which is excruciating at times, but albeit, not too bad until recently.  I am having severe pain at the operation site on the top of my foot.  Not sure if it is the hardware (two plates and about 12 screws) but the pain is becoming unbearable (it is coming and going in phases).  Wearing shoes is painful and I am considering returning to my last moonboot until something is done.  My podiatrist has told me to get x-rays and bone scans, which I am in the process of arranging.  My foot where the plates are in does not feel right.  But in general, I was happy with the result considering the pain and problems I had pre-surgery.  I had read up about the long drawn out healing process, possible complications, etc.  That was until the last week or so where the mechanics of my foot seem to have changed for the worse. Will keep you up-to-date of the outcome.  I do feel it is the plates causing the issues and might end up requesting the hardware be removed. 
    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 Readybluedragon

      Posted

      OH MAN, that sounds so painful and confining. I am so sorry.  My surgery was so easy but, one fracture, non displaced. I have heard about all the plates put in from the top of the foot. Please keep us informed. I wish you quicker healing now. 
    • mary43550
      mary43550 Readybluedragon

      Posted

      Hi Michelle,

      I had 1st & 2nd metetarsals fused with a plate & numerous screws on 6/29/16. I had esevere pain for 5 yrs and I work on my feet 12 hrs/day. I was looking forwardto the surgery, it was a success and haven't had any pain since surgery. Lately it is sore after about 2-3hrs on it, but I rest it & it's OK again. I was total no-weight bearing, wheel chair w/air boot for 8 weeks, it drove me crazy! Then wt bearing with boot & then had to find a shoe in which the sole did Not bend @ all. The only 1 I could find was a hiking boot @ REI. I really hope your hardware is not pushing thru. For now I would suggest to get off of it, No wt bearing until you see an Orthopedic Surgeon, Not a podiatrist! I really feel for you, take care of yourself. Please keep me updated

      Mary

    • Readybluedragon
      Readybluedragon mary43550

      Posted

      I just had my regular appointment with my podiatrist and mentioned it to him yesterday at my appt. I definitely will go back to my surgeon. Thanks.😊

    • janice43028
      janice43028 Readybluedragon

      Posted

      Hello Readybluedragon, I am 12 months out, November 2016, from my foot surgery, which sounds very much similar to yours.  How are you now?  I, too, have plate and several screws.  I have hesitated in having my second foot done, as I feel I am not ready to go through it again.  I still do have some discomfort on the foot, mainly on the top of the foot; and I am wondering if it is the metal I am feeling.  I can not wear closed-in shoes because of my big toes sticking up, so I am wearing an orthotic sandal-type shoe with a rocker sole, to limit the amount of bend in my feet while walking.  This forum has been most informative and I notice a lot of people won't front up again to have their other foot done.  Also, I notice that people are saying they have had the metal removed: my surgeon never said anything about that. My foot still swells on the top after wearing my shoe.  How are you now?

    • Readybluedragon
      Readybluedragon janice43028

      Posted

      Thanks for following up on me. Unfortunately I had urgent surgery on 22 November on my foot as one of the two new bone fusions I had performed in March this year had not fused. Damn!

      My first 2nd and 3rd metatarsal fusion surgery done in Sept 2015 was a success though. Unfortunately I had to have navicula cuniform arthrodesis fusion surgery in March, as well as old bone break fragments removed. Everything was going okay but the foot swelling worsened over a few months and had moderate pain too. At my six month review with my surgeon recently it was noted a screw was coming out and he thought that was all that needed removed. He orderef a CT scan to confirm before he booked me in for surgery. Unfortunately it was worst case scenario, and was rushed into hospital to have one of the fusions done earlier this year pulled apart, and redone, this time with donor bone. Damn!

      I am 3 weeks post surgery (3rd time) and know what to expect. This time no weight bearing until end of January 2018 (at earliest). Cannot work until after then as surgeon has ordered that I rest and keep my leg elevated.

      I am reasonably active, but this happened so quickly with little time to prepare. Lucky I have a supportive workplace (and hubby who has taken time off to care for me). At times I get really upset/fepressed but realise there are people worse off than me.

      Luckily I kept all my mobility aids from my previous two surgeries, including the knee scooter. The knee scooter is a life saver. I highly recommend it as it gives you freedom.

      Wishing ypu a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2018.

    • Readybluedragon
      Readybluedragon janice43028

      Posted

      Yes, the swelling was an ongoing issue and was limited to what shoes I could wear. You poor thing - know totally what you are going through too. Have you been back to your surgeon and had a CT scan? Lucky I did as it picked up the new issues. I was starting to think it was in my mind the swelling and pain!
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