I had a buionectomy about 8 weeks ago. It was a severe bunion that could only be corrected by fusing my big toe straight as my whole foot was deformed. While it looks better I am still very swolen and can not wear any shoes. Will I ever be able to run or dance again since I will never be able to bend my toe at the joint. Any advise would be so appreciated.
Hello
I had the same surgery plus forefoot reconstruction also about 8 weeks ago. My foot is still quite tender and swells a little so I am in post op shoe and do not expect to be in shoes for another 4-6 weeks. I expect to have swelling for another may be 6 months and hopefully return back to more or less normal within a year post surgery. I have had a lot of orthopeadic surgery in my life and had to learn to be patient and realistic. I do believe that a big toe fusion should not stop you from dancing and runing but perhaps not at a competition level. However, in my expereince it is most likely that there will be other difficulties to arise later like arthritis in other joints. This is simply because fusion puts extra pressure on other joints.
Thanks much!!! I will keep a good attitude and believe it will all be well. I am not competitive at all and only use those things to stay in shape and for sanity. When did you start putting weight on your foot. I have been in a boot after cast since surgery on Dec 1 but he says I can try to walk about an hour a day. I try walking around the house a little but toe is not flat on the ground and I certainly can wear no shoes.
So I shall just think wellness thoughts and again thanks for your feedback.
I was not allowed to weight bear for 6 weeks and then I started gradually.
I cannot put full weight on the big toe and the bones in my mid foot are not healed yet so I do limp around and only in a post op boot which has completely stiff sole
My big toe hurts a lot if I move it even slightly eg while washing my feet.
But I consider it normal and am not worried.
The part under your toe will lose sensitivity over time so don't force anything, slowly and gently is really the way. I walk probably 3 hours per day and that is quite a lot so if you do less it is fine too. The main thing is to note how much you do today and compare it to may be a week or two ago and you should see that you are making progress just perhaps not as speedy as you would like. To be honest I find the progress slow too but what choice do we have. So onwards and upwards and remember how it was two weeks ago.
All the best
I had the same procedure as you almost a year ago. I was able to start golfing again at three months post-op and started jogging again at 4 months. The fusion of the smaller toes has actually given me more trouble than the big toes. I've had no trouble at all with the bunion removal. So take heart, be patient and don't push it. I realize my feet will never be as flexible as they were before, but I'd do it all over again. Good luck!
It will be ten weeks on Monday from my scarf op, it's a long and slow recovery for me. It seems to vary from person to person. Some seem to make speedy recoverys. Others like me are slower to see any progress. I've only just been able to get into a very loose unlaced shoe. For short periods only. The rest of the time soft mules in a large side. See my backwards discussion and you will see the probs I had. I keep looking into the shoe cupboard and seeing all my shoes I can't get into......... Even now I've still got a swollen joint that really does not want to bend, this is with doing exercises . Keep looking at this site, it's so helpful, I would have been so lost without it, so many people are helpful and come up with advice and support.
It will be 9 weeks from my big toe fusion and forefoot reconstruction. I am still in post op shoe as there is no chance to even consider normal shoe of any sort. But I walk at least 3 hours a day and even though I do have pain I noticed that my foot tolerates more and more every week. In other words, there is progress, slow but consistent. My previous orthopeadic surgery expereince (and I had quite a few of them due to being born with club foot) taught me that the recovery takes many months but in the end it is always an improvement even if only for few years. It is very hard to be patient yet what choice do we have 
I know it is some time since you had your operation; I had the same done three and a half years ago. Recovery was very slow, I was told to keep off if for 6 weeks but found I still couldn't put my weight on it. I bought a diver's weighted belt and walked in my local pool where the water was up to my chest every day for a few weeks. I had trouble finding shoes to fit as the swelling took months to fully subside. However I am now so pleased I had the operation, the pain went completely, I have more of a choice of shoes than before but can't say that I feel comfortable in high heels or ones that press down on my toe.
I started running again after about 9 months, I had to get used to running differentlyand took it very conservatively as I wasn't sure I should be doing this. The toe was set with a slight turn up at the end so that I could still round off but I had a flat footed sort of gait - probably I was protecting it unkinowingly. I had used to run Half and full marathons but am really happy at 59 years to still be able to run. I tend to run distance between 3 and 10 miles and am currently coaching a group of beginners.
Beachybeach, I hope this finds you well. I am curious how you are getting along and if you are running again. I had surgery Dec 2 2015. Before surgery I ran some but became too painful. I also swam laps. I guess if the running doesn't work out I will swim more. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences. Other's, please let me know how your doing as well.
I had the same surgery in October of 2014 and is still having swellings at the end of the day, my foot also feels like there is a rubberband around it when I wear my shoes. I used to wear very high heels but was told that I can only wear about 1-1 1/2 inches heel, in the last month I have worn about a two inch and had no pain except for the feeling that a band was around my to, I also feel like when I am walking I am walking on a ball at the bottom of my foot. I told my doctor but all he is concerned about is that the fusion looks really and he wish he had more clients whose fusion healed as well as mine, I don't think he hears my concerns at all. I am at the point of going to another orthopedic to find out if there was a problem during this surgery that I am not aware of, cause I was told that I should have no swelling after about six months but it is over a year. and I find that I cannot even wear some of my formal dresses cause I cannot find any shoes that looks good with them.
I had bunion surgery December 2014 and 4 months later still had pain. I went to three more doctors who told me the joint was shot, and the dr took too much bone to perform a joint replacement. December 17 I had fusion done and just got the cast off and I am now in a walking boot. Sitting for 6 weeks was brutle on my waistline but I am anxious to get back out walking again. I am curious about long term results.
Hi Pat. I hope you are doing better. I had big toe fusion in my left foot in December and should have read all these posts beforehand. I am panic stricken right now as it is irreversible and I can never wear any of the shoes I own again. I am 62 but have been hiking five to ten miles daily until now. My whole life has been altered and I am scared of the rest of my body falling out of alignment. Please let me know how you are doing now. Thanks!
Hi Penelope. I am right where you are but in a panic. All I do is cry. This has altered my entire life. I can no longer wear boots or heels of any sort and the rest of my foot has started to hurt badly where it never did before. Please let me know how you are doing.
are you receiving physical therapy? It is very important, I learned alot. They are working on my range of movement and I didn't know that the scar can adhere to the bone underneath and cause problems. They manipulate the scar to keep it loose. I agree, it has altered my life too forever. I found I can walk in a 2" heel but no more. I had my surgery December 17, when was yours?
how are you doing?
Hi, I have just read your post re big toe fusion, I have had both my toes done over 18months ago and am wanting to run but wondered if there is a special shoe that needs to be worn to protect the toe?
thank you
Mine was December 28th. I am really struggling with depression as I blame myself for not doing enough research. It is very difficult to adjust to not being able to roll up on the ball of my foot. I have a metal plate over the bones and truthfully, the surgery site does not hurt but because I now have to roll over to other areas of my foot, those areas do. Plus, none of the shoes in my closet fit. I have been buying and trying and returning shoes. Hope you are doing better.
HI
I tried the minimalist trainers in a bigger size than my old ones as still had some sensitivity and swelling but found the soles too thin as my foot did not like uneven or stony ground so went back to ordinary running shoes.
I wear Saucony Omni, they are well padded underneath and have plenty of room in the toe box for the slight raise to the end of the big toe that allows you to "round off" as your foot leaves the ground. I think I run flatter footed - just go very gently at first and follow a beginner's programme e.g. walk 1 min. jog 1 min repeat a few times - do this 3 times a week and gradually increase the amount of time jogging and walking and eventually decrease the amount of walking.
Good luck
Thank you that is some great advise there, I will start my training this week so fingers crossed its pain free x
I had severe bunion repair surgery 4 years ago, and now the large toe on my left foot is deviating the opposite direction (away from other toes).....my options are surgery to realign soft tissues and straighten the toe again, or a toe fusion. I am hesitant to fuse the joint, since I believe joints were meant to be mobile and fusion could cause issues elsewhere in my foot or ankle.......anyone else have this situation? My doctor feels fusion would "fix" it and believes the joint is very loose and that has caused the mobility.....