Mid foot fusion.

Hello Janice. I am sorry to hear your recovery isn't going very well. It is the most frustrating thing, I do know as I had mid foot fusion and bunionectromy on left foot four months ago. Like you mentioned, the swelling for me comes towards the end of the day and all those sharp, dull, achy annoying pains when I lay down. My doctor's told me I will not be completely healed probably for a year, which no one wants to hear especially when they tell you pre op that you'll be walking perfect in 8wks!!! Yes , everybody heals differently, so I would suggest if you feel it isn't "normal" (only YOU know your body and what it's telling you!) Then for sure call doctors!! Another set of xrays may be needed...I have heard/read of many people having an infection due to metal in them or what have you. Good luck with remainder of this long road and I hope you feel relief soon!

Thank you, Kelly, so much, for replying.  "Normal" for me on my operated foot is still some pain, mainly towards the end of the day, though not as bad as prior to the surgery.  The swelling is there, as before, though moreso on my operated foot.  I think I realise that if I want to continue leading a somewhat active life, I will have to have my other foot done.  My problem is just osteo-arthritis.  My arches have been collapsed for several years now and very painful mid-foot but I was always reluctant to have surgery.  However, after having had my foot surgery, I do know, realistically, that my other foot needs to be done; the pressure on the unoperated foot is intense, obviously because I have been using it while favouring the operated foot.  I do note several people  here saying that they would not go and have the other foot done.  If I don't have the other foot surgery done, I think I will see out the rest of my life sitting at home, or relying on somebody to wheel me around.  So, commonsense tells me that I really have no choice.

I note all the post-op posts. My problem was that I didn't have a good other foot to support me.  I would have been so much better with a reliant other foot.  I think, too, that my new four-year-old knees need to have both feet working better, or they will not last.

When I look back on what I couldn't (and still can't) do, walk far with the grandchildren, I realise that I had/have no choice but to have the surgery.  I can agree with all the posts, re showering, toiletting, feeding, etc etc.etc, but it doesn't last.

The posts that I have read have been so very helpful.  I just decided to google post op foot surgery recovery yesterday and came across this site, so, thank you all for posting your experiences.

Thank you, Kelly, so much, for replying.  "Normal" for me on my operated foot is still some pain, mainly towards the end of the day, though not as bad as prior to the surgery.  The swelling is there, as before, though moreso on my operated foot.  I think I realise that if I want to continue leading a somewhat active life, I will have to have my other foot done.  My problem is just osteo-arthritis.  My arches have been collapsed for several years now and very painful mid-foot but I was always reluctant to have surgery.  However, after having had my foot surgery, I do know, realistically, that my other foot needs to be done; the pressure on the unoperated foot is intense, obviously because I have been using it while favouring the operated foot.  I do note several people  here saying that they would not go and have the other foot done.  If I don't have the other foot surgery done, I think I will see out the rest of my life sitting at home, or relying on somebody to wheel me around.  So, commonsense tells me that I really have no choice.

I note all the post-op posts. My problem was that I didn't have a good other foot to support me.  I would have been so much better with a reliant other foot.  I think, too, that my new four-year-old knees need to have both feet working better, or they will not last.

When I look back on what I couldn't (and still can't) do, walk far with the greandchildren, I realise that I had/have no choice but to have the surgery.  I can agree with all the posts, re showering, toiletting, feeding, etc etc.etc, but it doesn't last.

The posts that I have read have been so very helpful.  I just decided to google "post-op foot surgery recovery" yesterday and came across this site, so, thank you all for posting your experiences.

 

I had too many falls with crutches so the hospital gave me a walking frame (without wheels) and I hopped around at home. After a couple of weeks I moved to a knee scooter. It was a Godsend. Ditch the crutches - they are too dangerous when you are non weight bearing. I am happy with my surgery, albeit a long recovery. I am having more surgery on my foot again next Monday as I had a fall and did some damage. And no, I do not suffer from osteoporosis but arthritis in my foot which has caused the problems. Out comes my walking frame and knee scooter again and the same recovery process as before. You have to be positive and follow your doctor's advice. Plates and screws annoyed me at first but that took about 12 months to settle down. Good luck 😊

Hi Readybluedragon

I notice In your article that you said you fell several times with crutches. I fell today trying to switch from my wheelchair to my walker to get down the step to my living room Somehow I lost my balance and fell full throttle on my surgical foot after Fusion surgery. Did you have any damage to your foot after your falls And if so what happened next

Gosh, I remember that like it was yesterday. I had my triple arthrodesis and navicular fusion last June 2nd. I cannot believe it is almost a year. I, too, have steps in my house. "Crawled" up backwards, or "buttedup" the stairs using my good leg and arms, with my surgery foot as high in the air as I could get it. I had to take breaks along the way, as the surgery made me EXHAUSTED! Hang in. Things will get better. This is a loooong road to recovery. My surgeon told me 1 1/2 years, and I believe him, as I am STILL recovering. Godspeed. You'll do great! Listen to your foot, and body, and don't try to rush recovery. Everybody is different. Sending you healing thoughts! :-)

Tracy. How long did the doctor say originally that you would be out of commission My doctor told me 3 months for a full recovery. I'm presuming my surgery wasn't as difficult as yours

I had Fusion surgery on a metatarsal ,two lateral and medial cuneiforms plus a Taylor bunion

Hi Hellofagal,

I honestly done remember how long my Dr told me. I was in bed solid, for 2 weeks with it elevated 23 hrs a day, then in a cast with it elevated at least waistbhigh for 6weeks, then in a walking boot gradually weight bearing for about another two -three months, and still wear it today when I need extra support. I'm having other, new issues now since my surgery, and am struggling with lateral column pain. I could cry... Hope you are doing better.

Hi, I am 17 weeks post op and am still using the boot as despite the actual pain going I now have healing pain which is like someone cutting my foot in half and also its still swelling after about an hour.

I was a size 4 shoe but now none of my shoes fit me as it is a size 5! and the Dr said it may never change.

Dr also said that your own body will decide when to not use an aid as everyone is different, he said, 3 months fair, 6 months ok ,9 months good but he also said pain will carry on for about a year whilst it heals.

let your body tell you when and how much you can do, dont rush its not worth it.

I am due to return to work after 20 weeks off in a couple of weeks and am not looking forward to it and am having to go back with a mobility scooter as my other foot is awaiting surgery but they have said until this one is completely healed they cant do.

in this case "time is a healer", dont let anyone push you to far, know your own body limits and hopefully youll be fine.  It can be very demorilising when you feel like your going backwards but its a hard surgery to go through but hopefully at the end it will all be worth it

kind regards

jane 

 

Hi Jane,

Thanks very much for your reply. Wow, 17 weeks! I was told that I should be able to walk at 12. But they never say much when you ask when the pain will be gone. I'm only middle aged and normally very active and healthy.

I do the PT as much as I can and as much as I don't think it will make it hurt more later. I find that the pain isn't always immediate....it happens the next day...that doesn't help me in determining 'what's too much'.

I do know that healing will take up to 18months and will need to continue to rehab, but I was expecting to be out of the boot by now. I need to get back to work as well and need to be able to drive. (Right foot fusion)

I go back next week for the last followup.

My foot isn't very swollen, just a bit....I guess I'm lucky there, but I do have a shoe that is a size bigger than normal for my transition shoe.

Thanks again Jane.

Best wishes to your recovery.

Hi my name is clay and I live in the US and had a left midfoot fusion done 12 weeks ago.

Much symapthy to everyone in this group.Full dislosure-I am an orthopaedic surgeon and  I came to this operation with a more  extensive  understanding of the magnitude of this surgery. Despite that,I was still unprepared for the severity of the pain, the limitations on my life, and the length of the recovery. My colleague in anesthesia told me before the surgery that midfoot fuion is the most painful of all the elective surgeries done in our hospital. The pain is not in your head

Good news is it's usually successful.

Bad news, as noted by other authors in this space- it's a long recovery.

Things I've learned:

Ask your doctor about an external bone fusion stimulator. Its a medical device that speeds bone healing. You wear it for 30 min a day, its painless and makes you feel like you are doing something to help yourself besides laying around.

Ibuprofen inhibits bone healing. Use acetaminophen instead.

Get a knee scooter. Period. You are worth it.

Get a wedge foam leg elevator on amazon. It beats having to prop up pillows and contiually readjust. Cuts healing time by reducing swelling.

Get an extra pair of crutches-one for upstairs, one for down.

If you can swing it finacially, get an electric 3 wheeled power scooter. You will learn how valuable it is as you enjoy festivals, personal freedom to take the bus, get to the grocery store for light shopping, and even take the dog for a "walk". In the US it's about $250/month and the med supply shops deliver right to your home. It's best for post op weeks 6-12 because you feel good enough to go out at that point.

Cold therapy is used to actively chill the surgical site via a water filled thin plastic "radiator" that the surgeon puts under your cast while you are still in the OR. The hoses that exit your cast are connected to a compressor pump that contnuously circulates 43degree water chilling your surgical site and reducing or eliminating need for pain meds. Used only in the cast phase but it allowed me to do this recovery without any narcotic pills. Ask your doctor. Some insurances cover it, some don't. I encourage all of my back surgery patients to use it and we have cut down tremendously on narcotic prescribing.

Thanks to anyone in the group who's had the other side done...I'm scheduled for the other side at 16 weeks after the frst....too soon? Thoughts?

Thanks for welcoming me to the group...

 

dear clay i had fusion april 2016 and is has not been successfuol as plantar side not fused  i walk in mbt shoes which help but can no longer play tennis i soak in epsom salts warm and then cold water and use a magnet medicur each evening i am witing now for injections in the foot but the nhs is not happy with injecting the foot  not much pain in shoes but cannot  run  and would lov to get back to tennis iam 79 and live in central london  would value your opinion  regards and best wishes for you full recovery jean barker

Hi Clay

I would say definitely 16 weeks to have your other foot done is way too soon.  I am 38 weeks post-op, and my foot has not recovered anough yet for me to go ahead with the op for the second foot.  I had a plate and screws inserted into my foot.  On following this forum, I can see that people are mostly saying 12 months or longer to wait to have the second foot done; I would agree with that, unless you are young and super-fit and don't have any other arthritic joints to hold you back.  I am retired.

 

Hello senior cit,

If you are over one year post op and still havent fused.....hate to say it...but repeat surgery may be your only option...

Not familiar with the "magent medicur" u mentioned-is that an external bone fusion stimulator or a weaker, non prescription "knock off"? If you send me a website for the unit. I'll research it for you and get back to you.

Best,

Clay

H Janice,

I looked back on my post and realize that I didn't share that I am 52 yo and in excleent physical health except oseoarthirits in hip and knee (and feet) 

I "pre-habbed" for 4 months before my 1st side and am "training" for the second side almost daily. I'm comitted to the 16 week idea at this point and will keep the group udated as to progress/complications.

This will truly be a physical and emotional challenge.

If I can help others with questions (pre-op or post-op), please reach out.

Best, 

Clay

 

magnet is called medicur pro the better choice was exogen but thiS WAS FAR TOO EXPENSIVE NOW CONSIDERIDNG foot injections  i appreciate your help regards jean barker

Hi Clay,

Appreciating your post and that you are a surgeon yourself. Letting you know I am 18 months post first tmtj fusion with 3 screws and a bone graft. I had all screws removed 6 months ago. I had an lisfranc ligament rupture to that foot 14 years ago that was missed and then became very arthritic. I can swim, walk 5 miles a day now...dance for 90 mins etc. Tips are - I used deep oscillation therapy machine daily, an aircast foot cuff for cold therapy, lots of elevation, self massage, osteopathy to integrate the impact of the fusion on my whole body, gait etc and to recover from the trauma of surgery. I even used hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce the chance of a return of complex regional pain syndrome - which I did. I used silicone tape on my scars....I also use serrapeptase and tumeric to reduce inflammation. I have done yoga and swimming to rehabilitate and reconnect with my body soon after the operations. I am now with low levels of midfoot pain and almost feel like the foot is mine again but it's taken 18 months....I am very happy to follow your progress further and support you if I can. I would say mine is a successful fusion...I fused after 12 months. I also took herbal supplements from a medical herbalist to help me fuse and did not drink any alcohol at all when fusing....Be careful not to overwhelm yourself with the 2nd foot surgery too soon...but also trust your intuition and believe that you can heal...visualise yourself healing. This op takes 2 years really to settle down - and that's just one foot. Good luck! I hope you become more comfortable in your feet and that you can find your way home to them again. Jo

I am on week 11 of 12 of non weight bearing. I had 2, 3 & 4th TMTJ fusion with bone graft due to the amount of osteoarthritis and bone spurs. I also needed to have Strayer procedure due to inability to walk properly. Next week my cast comes off. This is all due to trauma from a fall off a ladder. I have been a compliant patient. Pain has been moderate to minimal. Used a wheelchair the whole time. Kept foot elevated and iced 20 hrs a day during the 8 weeks. I'm ready to weight bear.bi can crunch my toes in my cast. I know this process will be 12 months. At least I know I will be able to go shopping again!

Hello Clay, did you have your second foot done yet?  And do you still have odd feelings in your first operated foot?  I am holding off having my second foot done yet.  I do note on this forum that many people are saying more  than twelve months after the op, they are still having discomfort in that foot, and it can take up to two years for complete recovery.  I am retired, so obviously my bones will not heal as quickly as those of younger people.