For years i've had pain when walking anything more than a couple of miles due arthritis in both my big toe joints. At rest no problem. Given I enjoy hill walking it's annoying! Saw a consultant who recommended toe joint replacements or fusion but I'm worried about the quality of the outcome versus where I am now. I wonder if anyone out there has got any experience. (particularly hikers! - actually any views gratefully received) thanks
Might another option be physical therapy, or a combo of cortisone shots and PT?
Hi Alrick, I think that fusion will be very restrictive, physio is a waste of time but will kepp an NHS worker in job, I suppose :-(, and cortisone injections are a short term fix. Curios about the toe joint replacement though. I think that is worth finding out more about as I really do not know enough about it.
I say, "Don't do it." Unless you are in your 20's or 30's. I had bunion pain for a couple of years so went for the surgery June 9. I am still praying that I'll go back to the simple pain I had before the surgery, compared to the discomfort and hassle of this operation. I still cannot fit into any normal shoe, and my foot still swells and is in pain. I wish someone had told me not to do it. I'm very athletic and haven't worked out in 12 weeks! Torture for me.
Joyce
Keep going- the pain does go eventually! I'm now 6 months post op and my feet have finally settled down. I'm back to walking and managed two three mile walks this weekend without my feet hurting at all. It's taken a very long time for my feet to settle and I was surprised at this but it does get better.
I had both feet done at once -aitken and scarf osteomy done by the NHS in Perth, Scotland. My toes were pinned rather than fused but I think it depends on how bad your toes are.
Thank you so much, Eileen. That's encouraging. Unfortunately I only had one done and after all this, I doubt I'll have the other done unless it becomes painful. Good luck!