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Removal of fusion metal

Posted , 5 users are following.

joanne11243
joanne11243

Hi guys, I had a fusion in 2016 of my big toe. I have suffered with excruciating pain in it since, moving to my knee, hip and back. I have been seeing a pain management specialist who wanted to do a spinal cord stimulator. I have seen so many different orthopaedic docs and have been asking them to take the metal work out, all said no as it wouldn’t change anything. I eventually saw a different doc who said he would do a CT scan to look at the metal work. Finally they have seen that something is wrong with 1 of the screws and I have a bone growing over. They are taking the metal work out. Has anyone had this done as I was in agony after the fusion and numerous ops? Thank you. 

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • RD_Swede
    RD_Swede joanne11243

    Posted

    I have had an operation for hallux rigidus and have a metal or plastic plate and we call it a stiff operation. I have had X-Ray taken and it is OK. But I have pain around the big toe in front of the plate. I also have Morton's neuroma and have pain for that and it is only this part they care about and not the pain in the big toe. For Morton's I have had two steroid injections but it doesn't reduce the pain in the big toe.

    • joanne11243
      joanne11243 RD_Swede

      Posted

      That’s why I had the operation, for hallux rigidus. I also got a Morton’s neuroma which I had removed along with the nerve last March. 
  • elizabethjonn
    elizabethjonn joanne11243

    Posted

    i had a fusion 1 year ago and i've been living on pain killers ever since sad went back and they offered to take the screws out but then after the x-ray they realized it hadnt fused the screws had forced the bones too far apart, they could never fuse and one of the screws had gone through and was hitting the next toe bone sad wish i had never had it done, I now need the operation re done but cant afford the 6 plus weeks off being self employed so im dependant on pain killers, its crap! 

    • RD_Swede
      RD_Swede elizabethjonn

      Posted

      So sorry. My fusion is OK. Are you from the US? In Sweden we have sick pay.
    • joanne11243
      joanne11243 elizabethjonn

      Posted

      I honestly feel your pain. I’ve ended up having 4 operations on my foot and leg and now just been in the worst pain ever. I’m not on Tramadol every day. They said it had fused properly ages ago but that was just with an x ray. I had the CT scan and 1 of the screws is a different colour to the rest so he said it’s either lose or there could be an infection. So frustrating. Hope you get it sorted. 
  • linda35818
    linda35818 joanne11243

    Posted

    I had, for the 3rd time last week, a revision of a revision. They removed hardware and put some new in... I'll be in a cast, toe-knee again and will be praying for a (3rd-time charm).  I will be thinking of you and will be praying, if you wish, for a speedy solution for your recovery.  No one knows anymore if prayers are PC. Like you, I've had 4 ortho docs and 3 podiatrists.  They've all been very respected and caring doctors. But not much consolation when you still can't walk without pain. 

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