I went to foot orthopedic surgeon about maybe finally taking the plunge to fix one of my bunions (he won’t do both at same time). It turns out most of my toe pain is due to arthritis (bone spur) in my big toe. He said I had moderate arthritis in the toe (a 5 on scale 1 to 10). He told me I could do shots but those are a temp fix so I don’t want that. Or he could do a cheilectomy which would provide relief but not forever as arthritis would come back most likely. I agree there as I have had knee surgery on both knees for meniscus and cleaning up and know the arthritis part of my knee issue is back. So why do this surgery only to have to have something else done in few years time… So the other options are a joint replacement, but this scares me a lot and he said that is something could be done down the road if necessary and other surgical options before that would not preclude getting this done in future so think that is off the table for now. So the last option, which I think may be the best is a joint fusion surgery and would get the bunion fixed at same time in there. A fusion scares me a lot too, but the doctor said it is not as bad as it sounds. He said recovery time is really no different than cheilectomy (about 3 months). He said I can still run, XC ski, bike, basically do anything after I heal. Said only thing is no heels > 1.5 inches which I am OK with.
Soooo, has anyone else had the big toe fusion done and been back to doing all their athletic activities without issue? It seems like the best choice as who wants to have another foot surgery in 3 or 5 years! But, I also do not want to not be able to run, do lunges and other body strengthening type stuff, hike, XC ski etc! So any words of wisdom here would be appreciated! Also were you back in action in 3 to 4 months? I know that all depends on how each person heals as we are all different but a ballpark is always good to know. Just the word fusion scare me a lot so would like to hear real world experience!
I had a case of hallux rigidus about 6 years ago. A sequence of 3 cortisone injections bought me a good 2 years of relief. But it got so bad I had to have it fixed. Was told a fusion would really alter my running gate. So I had a cheilectomy and capsular interposition done. The latter is so the joint is not bone on bone. While not perfect the toe does not limit the amount of running I currently do which is about 25-30 miles a week.
Thanks for you feedback. My doc did give me 2 websites just to read a little about both procedures - footcaremd.org and orthoinfo.org. After looking at those and hearing your story, I think I am jumping the gun too much by thinking of a fusion. My arthritis is moderate and he had suggested the fusion only to prevent a further surgery down the line. I am thinking maybe I should take my chances that a future surgery is later rather than sooner! Maybe a cheilectomy with the bunion surgery is the answer for a less risk adverse person. I also have lower back issues I am able to keep in check but if a fusion did anything to my gait I am worried I will open up a whole different can of worms!
Thank you for the info. The Cartiva sounds very promising. I Googled it and found an article in the Detroit paper about a surgeon here doing the procedure (I am in Detroit area). I requested info about doctors in the area doing the procedure on the Cartiva website. I definitely want to go for a second opinion with someone and ask about this. Hopefully also needing bunion surgery would not prevent the procedure if I am a candidate otherwise. If the newspaper article is to be believed, it says having a cheilectomy rules out being able to get Cartiva, so for sure want to make the right decision.
As far as second opinions ask ask ask around and find out who is THE BEST toe surgeon in your area that treats athletes. He’s likely very busy. Then pull strings (or beg) and get in to see him. Take your time.
rroof, I have limited mobility of my right big toe, I saw a highly recommended specialist a couple of years ago and he
said fusion was the only option given the destruction in the xray that he saw. I run about 40 - 50km week with no pain including speed work 1 day week still able to run around 38min 10k. I find running in Newtons with toe lugs takes pressure off big toe along with carbon plate in right shoe. I have a bony growth over right toe which is gradually getting larger.
I was wondering what your thoughts are regarding my continued running with this condition? I saw the synthetic cartilage option but
thought it might be better to wait a few more years for the procedure to get a better track record.
Nothing at all wrong with waiting - I would based on your post.
You are running fine and doing the right stuff so far: Newtons with lugs to “roll off” and a stiff carbon insert in other shoes. You dorsal bony exostosis is going to slowly get larger though as the joint jams.
It is WAY too early to know how the Cartiva implant is going to do, but the early studies do look promising. It is an implant though and ALL implants fail at some point. The reason I like the Cartiva is that it should be superior to a cheilectomy in a lot of patients and then I have options after for fusion if need be down the road. Fixing a failed traditional implant is much more difficult.