I've been suffering from severe foot pain since november. I've been wearing a boot since march. I am contemplating having 2nd metatarsal shortening to help with my pain. My 2nd toes ligaments are all stretched out and causing it to turn towards my great toe. I'm just curious...who has had this surgery and are you pain free now? I'm a little nervous
Hi there dani. I had my fourth and fifth toes shortened and straightened as they were both turning sideways. These operations are a much bigger deal than surgeon's would lead you to believe. I am 17 weeks post op and still off work and walking with a stick. The surgery side of things is pretty much dealt with by about 6 to 8 weeks and your bones will be fused together again nicely. What they don't tell you is that you can swelling and pain for up to 12 months in some cases. It is very important to get physio as soon as possible after the surgery. I didn't and my shin, ankle and top of foot froze up solid and it is excruciatingly painful trying to get it all freed up again. I would not say don't have this surgery but what I would say is that it is a big deal and you need to be well prepared to deal with possible long recovery. Best of luck to you. I hope if you do have it done you have an uncomplicated speedy recovery.😁👍😁👍
Thank you so much Pauline for your input. I have pretty much tried everything and the surgeon is not pushing me to have surgery. I currently have orthotics that I've had for nine years. When I asked the surgeon if there is anything else at all that I can try, he gave me the name and number of a particular orthotist to go get new orthotics made. The orthotist seems to think that he can help me, however in the meantime I have to wear a boot for a month until the new orthotics come in, which is making my legs uneven and hurting my knees and back. Then I have to wear the orthotics for two months and see how they work. I guess I'm just not willing to wait for three months and I don't see how orthotics is going to get away from that pain in the bottom of my foot.
Thank you
You are most welcome. I have worn orthotics for about 9 years. Gradually my foot just got all out of whack and surgery was the only option to straighten things out, literally. I was pain free before the op but my 5th toe had turned over so far that it created a bunion and then pulled the 4th toe over too. If I had done nothing I risked the outer side of my foot collapsing. It was a hard decision to have the surgery as I was pain free. I have had a very poor recovery but that is mostly down to having no post op physio. I have been having physio for 3 weeks now and have improved more than I did in the whole of the previous 13 weeks. I hope you make the right decision for you. I am 52 by the way and I think the recovery is easier if are younger. Best of luck to you.😀😀