Hi
I've just seen a Surgeon who said the only option for my bunions is fusion. However, this would mean that I had to wear absolutely flat shoes. I wore shoes with about 1 inch heels to the consultation and was told that these would not be suitable - ever! Is this really true? One of the reasons (apart from the pain) that I want my bumps sorted is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find shoes to fit over them and also fit well at the heel. Will fusion actually get rid of the bump, so if I have to wear flat shoes, I can at least wear 'normal' width fittings?
Any help/advice/experiences would be great. Thank you.
Sally, I had bunions on both feet done with both big toes fused. I have very flat feet and my surgeon said this was the only way he could guarantee that I didn't have to have it done again. I have finally gotten used to the fact that I can't bend my toes, but I'm able to golf and jog and do everything I was doing before. Yes, it's feels different, but I'd do it again. I have no bunions anymore and went shoe shopping yesterday. Since my toes are now straight, I'm wearing a half size larger, same width than before my surgery. I tried on a pair of shoes with a 1" heel and I think I would be able to wear them, but not sure about much higher than that. I also had two toes on the left foot and one toe on the right fused and honestly, they're the ones that are slower for me to get used to. If you have doubts about what your doctor is telling you, get a second opinion. If there's one thing I've learned, every surgeon has his/her opinion. Good luck to you.
i am 46 and have just had my bunion done and three other toes shortened. Although I have some arthritis in my toe joints my surgeon said that he felt i was too young to be restricted to flat shoes and has left me with bends in my toes. He did say that when i got older and the arthritis might be a bigger problem that he could do something to the joints but i would have no movement in the toes. It sounds like what you are talking about. I assume that the bumps of the bunions would be removed. Good luck with your decision.
Sally, I really think that you should get a second opinion. Fusion sounds rather drastic.
Thanks Hilly, Yes, I think I will have to, although fusion was the only option a few years ago too - I am thinking it must be the local Health Authority policy. I did ask about going private, but the response was that the only difference would be the waiting list. I am going to have a think and maybe revisit my GP. Thanks for your help and everyone else's thoughts. 
Hi Sally, I agree, it sounds drastic. I am 49 and have just had a scarf osteotomy with Aiken , I will have full movement of my joints ( recovery willing!) my surgeon said fusion is always a last resort because it restricts movement and walking will not distribute the weight evenly! Get a second opinion. Good luck
I ve had bunions done on both feet in the last eighteen months. Also had two toes fused at the same time. I could only wear very flat shoes before as I had an ankle fusion five years ago. Honestly it's not a problem. You will get used to it. I now wear really nice flats, mainly with trousers. Far better than having ugly bunions and not being able to get in the shoes you want to wear
Lynn, how long ago did you have your surgeries? thanks.
Joyce, it's been 6 1/2 months for me. My surgeon told me it takes a full year to be completely healed.
Thank you. I'm hoping the pain in my big toe will go away within the next three months. Is your foot still swelling at 61/2 months? Thank you.
Thank you, Lynn. I'm hoping the pain in the big toe will go away by 6 mos. Is your foot still swelling at six months? Thanks, Joyce.
No, my feet haven't swelled for several months, even after jogging and walking the golf course. Uneven ground is still difficult for me to walk but I think that's because the toes that were fused don't bend. I can live with it, because my feet look so much better now. I am 67 years old and have just painted my toenails for the first time! I can wear any shoes I like as long as they're not too high, but again, no big deal. So glad I had this done.
Congratulations on the toe painiting! I am 67 years old, too.
I'm happy you had a good result. I don't think I'll do the other.
Hi there,
i have had my big toe fused due to bunion and second toes fused at second joint, but I am 7 wks post op and finding it difficult walking on the foot properly, I am also flat footed, and seem to walk with a limp, as I cannot get the balance right. My ankle is hurting because of it. How are you walking? Not sure if I need to see someone on how to walk now, though that sounds really stupid.
Hello Lynn,
My problem isn't bunions, although they seem to be forming slowly, my issue is arthritis and bone spurs in both big toes. I've seen two doctors and they both suggest the fusion for both. I've been trying to find someone who has had both toes done. What I wanted to know is did you have both done at the same time? if not how long did you need to wait until the second one was done. I have constant pain in both, ironically, more so in my right, however they said my left is worse. The doctor I spoke to for my second opinion was more for the fusion than the first, however the first was going to clean the spurs and told me that eventually when the arthritis got worse that I would have to have the fusion done sooner or later. The second doctor told me that if it were his mother or sister in the same position as me, he would strongly suggest they do it as well. I guess another question I have for you is, how long after the surgery were you able to function and get back to normal walking? I don't wear heels now and haven't in a very long time and not being able to wear the shoes I wore in previous seasons, I'm afraid I won't even be able to wear my 2 inch cushion shoes I am wearing now, which are the only shoes I am able to wear, so knowing I will never ever wear heels again is already something I have gotten used to. However, my doctor has told me that I will be able to wear anything as long as it is no more than an inch heel. I just don't want to have to wear old lady looking orthopedic shoes for the rest of my life since I'm only 52. Are you able to wear what you want (cute flat shoes) without pain and compensating for your "stiff" toes and lack of mobility, does it bother other areas of your feet?
Lee, I had both bunions and big toes fused at the same time. I also had the next two toes on the left foot and one on the other foot fused at the same time. I can wear any flat that I want but a 1 inch heel is about the maximum because my toes don't bend. About 7 weeks after the surgery I was able to resume light jogging and golfing without swelling or pain. It's been about 5 years since my surgery and I don't regret it. My bunions were very bad, so you may have even an easier time than I did. My best advice is to do EXACTLY what the doctor tells you. Keep your feet elevated and enlist help for the first week at least. If you have any other questions, just ask.
Hi i.ve had fusion done on the big toe on the right foot 8 weeks ago it's healing well but now i.ve been told that the big toe on the left foot has to be fused as well . i.m getting a bit worried that if the operation is soon i.ll not be able walk ? or maybe they will let the right foot heal for about 6 mouths before they do the left toe. Can anyone help with information as i.m getting a little bit worried as it's happening to fast and I don't know what to do.
I had both big toes fused at the same time. My doctor didn't want to do them both, but I told her I didn't want to go through recovery twice, and I didn't have the time to do it either. I made sure I had someone with me who could do things like cook meals, wash laundry, get mail, take out trash, drive me to appointments, and feed the cats for at least 3 weeks. She's my angel! I bought a mini-fridge and placed it right next to the recliner where I planned to spend the next 6 weeks of my life with my laptop and the TV. The doctor put me in rocking surgical boots so that I could get from my recliner to the bathroom and to bed, and I used a walker to make sure I wouldn't fall over.
It's been 7 weeks since my surgery. I started driving this week. I still wear my surgical boots when I'm shopping, etc., and I use the walker whenever I'm not in the house because I'm still catching my balance on my new feet. I had to buy shoes that are two sizes larger, not because of the width, but because it's hard to get your feet into shoes when your toes won't bend.
If I had to do it over, I would definitely do both feet at once. Just plan on going nowhere and figure out what you're going to do with the time before the surgery so you can have everything right next to you. Take your pain medicines - don't tough it out, and elevate and ice all the time.
Best of luck!
There are other options, that may leave you with some flexibility in the toe, BUT the arthritis will return, and eventually you will have to have the toes fused (I have a degree in physiology and did lots of research on this). Personally, I did not want to end up going through surgery again. I've already lived 6 years without bending my toes because of the pain, so I didn't see any reason that being able to bend my toes for a few more years could warrant more surgery. I had both great toes fused at once, and am almost fully recovered. Finding shoes will probably be my biggest challenge, but that would have happened anyways, and I can deal with it.
Lynn - and everyone on here! Thanks for sharing. When you say you had your big toes fused, do you mean at the base of the toe or the top of the metatarsal bone where the bunion sticks out, or were they fused down at the base of the metatarsal (about two inches below the base of your toe)? Two of the surgeons I've talked to are suggesting lapidus fusion at that lower joint (and this forum makes me realize I need to get clarity on the exact procedure they suggest at the top of the metatarsal).... and I am trying to understand how inhibiting it would be to not be able to flex that part of my foot. A third surgeon is recommending osteotomies at both joints that don't involve fusion and I'm wondering if that is the better way to go. I appreciate any insights.Thanks a ton in advance.