Big toe fusion recovery Day 1

I am Documenting the recovery of having my big toe joint fused along with the breaking of the three toes next to it to make room for a Morton neuroma.

[@Donald0828]

get well soon!

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

How is the pain after that ? Were you numb when you woke up?

[@daveelliott2055]

I am still recovering from ring finger amputation in May.Never ending battle.Stay strong!!

[@ankyspondy771]

Oh my that sounds very brutal. Are you getting a lot of phantom limb pain?

[@daveelliott2055]

@@ankyspondy771 Yes and its crazy.The end of my finger hurts like heck but its not even there.Nerves are calming down a little but first couple months were a wild ride.

[@ankyspondy771]

@@daveelliott2055 Thank you for sharing that experience. I have a lot of nerve pain right now in between two of my toes where they had to bring the nerve to as an exit. It feels like someone is cutting me with a Jagged hot knife

[@NathanChisholm041]

Geez, you have it bad! And I thought my AS was bad. Anyway hope it's getting better...

[@lindasmith308]

How are you doing? I've heard the pain is terrible for the first few days. I am facing this surgery soon. I have a couple of bone spurs. Good luck!

[@sadafamini8615]

Hi, I am at 4 weeks post opt from big toe fusion. I was told that I wont be able to bend my toe after this and it will alter the way I walk. Do you limp when you walk? I saw all of your videos but couldn't find your video walking. I feel really depressed. Please share your experiences.

[@knasheed8092]

Hi! Thank you for sharing. I am having this procedure later this month. I have a VERY low tolerance for pain and I was wondering what pain level (from 1 - 10) I should expect post-surgery. Also, what pain medication did your doctor prescribe, for how long, and did it help? Lastly, how did you keep that small area iced, and were you able to sleep. Any guidance you are willing to provide would be appreciated.

[@ankyspondy771]

I found it only hurt when I put pressure on it Pain around 9 when you accidentally put pressure in. Otherwise a 4. The walking cast boot is the best.

[@rayfabian9488]

Sorry, but her voice makes me want to go back on pain meds….yikes

[@edadan]

Hi Anky, my podiatrist is recommending fusion on my big toe. I have a lot of pain just walking but I'm concerned that it's going to affect my ability to walk, run, etc. How has your fusion affected your everyday life? Thanks!

[@ankyspondy771]

The fusion itself did not affect my ability to do Pickleball or cycling or walking. I don't run, so I'm not sure, but I do run quite a bit and Pickleball. it took about a year before I could do that though. The Toe does not have as much pivot, but it still works. You just have to adapt.

[@lindasmith308]

How are you doing? I hear the pain is terrible the first few days. I am facing this surgery soon. I have hallux rigidus stage 4 in my left big toe. Good luck!

[@ankyspondy771]

Hi Linda. Thank you for asking. I would say the first few weeks were quite bad but I found most of my pain was in my four smaller toes that they broke and not so much in my big toe. So if you're just getting fusion on the big toe you will probably be better off than me. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and let me know how you're doing

[@margotsteele2855]

For me it was the first night. Today had the dressing changed. I was horrified at the length and thickness of the scar. And also the toe next to it with a pin in to straighten looked pretty awful too. I rang the surgeons secretary who put me in contact with one of the nurses and apparently it is normal to look like this immediately after and over time the scar heals. I joined a Facebook Big toe fusion website. They have all been so great posting postop scars and several weeks later and the difference was quite amazing. Sadly I have to have the other toe done at some point and also I need an ankle fusion too which is really worrying me. I was born with rigid big toes which have got worse over time and caused other problems. I am a wreck!

[@ankyspondy771]

@@margotsteele2855 I wish you a speedy recovery. I need to get the other side done as well. Hang in there. The good news is they can keep putting us back together

[@margotsteele2855]

@@ankyspondy771 Thanks Anky. I wish you a great recovery.

[@lunacadence6050]

How many weeks were you non weight bearing on the foot? Did u use crutches or anything special? Thank you.

[@ankyspondy771]

good morning. I used an Aircast and I think it was over three months before I compare weight on it without the cast

[@garygoldstein9528]

How are you doing now?

[@ankyspondy771]

thank you for asking. It's been a rough year and I keep saying I'm going to get on here and make a video but it doesn't seem to happen. Maybe soon I put on about 15 pounds from the steroid they added to my infusion and not only does that make me feel not so great about myself, but it also adds to my pain because of the extra weight. I'm trying to lose it now.

[@Link-wp5pl]

I’m getting bone fusion done on my left big toe in 8 days looks like it will be a good time🤦

[@ankyspondy771]

Oh I wish you a speedy recovery. You should have a bit of a better time than I did because in my bone fusion they had to break all of my toes. Hopefully it's just a big one. It has taken all the pain away in my toe so that's a good thing

[@Link-wp5pl]

@@ankyspondy771 yes the Dr is saying 3 to 4 weeks off work, mine doesn’t move at all now so other than no more pain not much will change I’ve been kicking the can down the road for 3 years. I got no one to blame but me for not getting an easier surgery done sooner

[@nuttysigns7113]

reconsider

[@Link-wp5pl]

@@nuttysigns7113 can’t it’s been 10 years of pain time to fix it

[@sknuts2783]

How is it now? My fusion ruined my life.

[@ankyspondy771]

Good morning. I have been very disappointed in my toe fusion. The big toe itself is not bad, but the rest of the foot that they broke to make room for the neuroma hurts every day. I am afraid to get the other side done until I get another opinion.

[@annwalters4335]

@@ankyspondy771 I’m so sorry to hear that you are still suffering with your foot. It is so frustrating. I had a screw inserted into my left big toe months ago to form an artificial joint and had a large bone spur removed. It hurts worse now than before so I may be looking at fusion as well. I had a podiatrist do my surgery but wondering if I should now go to an orthopedic surgeon. Which did you have? Also, as a woman who needs to wear dress clothes for work, I was wondering if you have found any shoes you can wear other than sneakers.

[@ankyspondy771]

@@annwalters4335 hi Ann. In the fall I wear flat below my knee, riding tight boots with my dresses and pants. They are comfortable on my feet, and it looks very classy and a bit sexy so I like that look. Very Ralph Lauren in the nicer weather, I buy my sandals that are platforms so they have the impression of being high heels, but are comfortable on my feet. Let me see if I can add a picture here. Shoot, I can't attach a photo. They are made by Sam Edelman circus and they come in lots of pretty colours and they have a chunky look.

[@ankyspondy771]

@@annwalters4335 I forgot to answer your question about my surgeon. It was an orthopaedic surgeon that specializes in feet.

[@annwalters4335]

@@ankyspondy771 Thanks so much for the info! Best of luck to you with your foot.

[@nuttysigns7113]

Having my great toe fused was the worst thing I could have ever done. I am desperately searching for a surgeon who has been successful in fusion reversal. I was an athlete and now I have trouble walking. I absolutely hate it.

[@ankyspondy771]

When I had my first problem with my toe I got what was called the keller procedure. It removed the toe joint but left the gap in the bone and within a year the scar tissue and ligament allowed me to move my toe like normal and it was great because I could do yoga and be athletic. They warned me that it would last about 20 years. So it did, and now I had to get the rod put in. I can't walk that well yet because it still hurts but I have heard that you have to learn a new way of walking.

[@ankyspondy771]

How long ago?

[@nuttysigns7113]

@@ankyspondy771 December, 2019