I had a bunion ectomy last December, have been in so much pain when walking and unable to bend or stretc the toe, had my three month check up last week, had x Rays taken which showed a lot of degeneration of the big toe, now need Forefoot Osteotomy ..... Oh dear !
Hi Terri,
do you mean osteotomy to decompress the big toe joint?
What is the pain generator ?
The surgeon will be fusing the bone in my big toe which will restrict the movement but will ease the pain and stop me limping, the leaflet I have been given is on Forefoot Osteotomy, I'm not sure if that is re-enlinement of the toe, but im also having that done. I still have the bunion there as the surgeon took bone away from the top of my toe and not the side.
Sounds like the surgeon have you a cheilectomy for big toe Arthritis. This is the removal of a dorsal bunion or bone spurs.
Has he said this has failed?
Are you experiencing more pain now the primary surgery?
Are you using a Podiatrist or an Orthopeadic surgeon?
Big toe fusion should be the answer to eliminate pain.
Hi Terri,
I have nothing comforting to say, but I feel for you and know your pain. I had my right bunionectomy last June 9, and have just been waiting for the swelling to go down and the pain to go away. Looks like that is not going to happen. The pain is not so bad all the time, but my foot looks the same or worse than it did before. All that agony and disability for nothing. My left bunion is now in pain, but the thought of going through this again is more than I can bear. I will wait until it gets bad enough to do this procedure again, hopefully never. I hope you will recover quickly next time. God bless.
Thanks Joyce x
Thats what I'm thinking, that I've been through all this pain, getting worse every day and then having more surgery !
Yes Steve, the consultant apologised that the op failed as the bump is still there and have more pain post op. Orthopaedic surgeon.
I'm so very sorry for you. The guy who does my pedicures says my foot looks worse than ever......so discouraging, but now the other one hurts really badly. Let us know when you have the surgery and I will pray for you.
I am so sorry to hear that.
Thinking of you. X
Are you Uk based?
Was your Ortho a foot and ankle specialist?
Did the surgeon say how much cartilage was left?
Try to find out what the osteotomy is actually for and where they intend to do the bone cut.
I'm no surgeon but I believe the big toe fusion though hard recovery is good for pain relief. You may be able to get some feed back on this site from people who have had this.
I will, Thank you x
Thank you Sus x
#Sue 😃
Not much was said pre and post surgery, I am UK based, foot surgeon.
The consultant said this will be the best pain relief for me.
If you trust him and my belief is Ortho Foot & Ankle surgeons are who I would put my trust in.
Go with what he says hope it all works out.
Thank you.
Hi Terri
fussing joints works for pain as it removes the cause of it completely. It is, however, always the last resort surgery and it inevitably will create more pressure on adjustent joints and therefore they are likely to deteriorate quicker than they would with normal ageing. But if you are in pain which cannot be controlled and effects your daily functionning that is definitely a viable option. In fact I am in similar postition and am seeing my surgeon tomorrow to discuss the options. I had my bunion surgery and forefoot reconstrucion in the beginning of December and I am still in significant pain and unable to wear anything but Ugg boots. I also have a screw sticking out uder the skin so the only attempt of wearing normal joggers ended after 20 minutes and with significant pain and a red patch on my skin where the screw rubbed against the shoe. Upsetting does not describe it.
I do hope that your next surgery will bring some relief. I have a fussed ankle in my other foot and that was done due to arthritic changes being very painful. It has given me 10 years of relief so far - not pain free as I have pain in remining joints in my foot but it is much more meanagable.
All the best, stay in touch please.
It's difficult deciding if I need the surgery or not, my last experience being very painful and hard work getting back to almost normal !
Thank you x
Mishe,
Sorry to hear of your symptoms. I would be keen to hear how you get on at the surgeons in relation to your big toe fusion. I'm also keen to know how he thinks it will affect the adjacent toe joints ? I also wonder if foot surgeons ever consider the work they are doing could affect your knees and hips and if they discuss this with you as part of the risks. It may well be worth asking the question.
I to may have to consider big toe fusion after some recent surgery.
Best of luck.
I saw the surgeon today and was told the following:
it looks as though there is a non union at one or two fractures in the mid foot and since I am still in so much pain we can remove the screws from the big toe and see if that helps but realistically it is unlikely to do so. The only other option is big toe fussion but that also may not work
When I asked him why he did not fuse the big toe straight away as he told me he was going to do it when we spoke prior to surgery. He responded that he examined my toe when I was under general anestheatic and did not feel that the fussion was necessary. I was upset and angry but on reflection I decided that there is not much point to cultivate those feelings as I need to find a path to getting better.
I have made appointment with another orthopeadic surgeon who previously operated very successfully on my other foot and will see him on the 4th of May.
He is 3.5 hours drive away but considering the outcome of the current surgery I will travell as far as I have to in order to find solutions. This is a terrible set back but as they say: if you are in hell, don't stop, keep going
So that is exactly what I am planning to do.