Bunion operation to fuse toe joint anyone?

[Ownedbykitties]

Has anyone had this done?what result did you get?

I've not had my joint fused. I did have a bilateral Scarf-Akin osteotomy and I'm wondering whether that's a possibility for you?

I had mine done more than 10 yrs ago - had reached the stage that I could barely walk. (I have flat feet and the orthotics could only do so much.)

My feet aren't perfect, but last week at the age of 66 I ran my first 5k.

https://publicdocuments.sth.nhs.uk/pil2846.pdf

I had the joint of my big toe fused 3 months ago and the second toe (which had dislocated and crossed over the big toe) straightened and pinned. I was not looking forward to it as I was worried about pain afterwards. I was fortunate that I had very little bunion pain but needed the operation as the crossed toe meant it was impossible for me to find shoes. The op was done as day surgery. I had a wire in my second toe that stuck out but was removed after 4 weeks. Dressing more or less removed after 2 weeks. I had zero pain. They put a block in when they performed the operation and I just never had any pain! Saw the surgeon at 6 weeks and discharged. Driving once I was sure I could perform an emergency stop. Walking fine now.

my big toe is much, much straighter. I am very happy with the result and plan to get the other foot done as soon as I can.

Thank you both for your replies. It’s good to hear that there wasn’t pain. I wasn’t expecting that! I will have a look at the Scarf-Akin as I’ve no idea what it is. The surgeon didn’t mention it and just safe fused toe joint and shave bone from the bunion. I have been wondering whether to have it done all day today. I’ve read that some people still have a lot of swelling a year later. I don’t have too much pain as long as I take pain medication and do not walk far and avoid uneven surfaces. I have been thinking that I could manage as I am but also worried that it may progress and then I will be too old for surgery.

My dad had surgery on all his toes, but I don't know what the procedure was - I recall that he had a rod protruding from each toe. (Yes, I did inherit Dad's feet, but they're not as bad as his.)

He was in his 40s. By his 70s, he again had trouble with them.

When I asked my consultant whether that was what was going to happen with me - the thick rods, I mean - he looked horrified and said "We've come on a bit since then!" (Dad got his done in 1972.)

I'll add that I do now have to wear wide-fitting shoes. For me, the most important aspect is that I can walk and run again.

It may be that the fused toe is a better option - that wasn't mentioned as a possibility to me, but I had mine done in 2011 or 2012. (I've been trying to work it out.)

I still have some swelling. I was very surprised at lack of pain but the surgeon said afterwards if they get a good block in then it can really help. I was given oramorph on discharge from hospital but never needed it. You must spend about 2 weeks after surgery with your foot raised as much as possible. Even now I find if I’ve been on my feet all day that the foot gets swollen and I need to raise it. But I have been really surprised how soon afterwards I was able to walk normally. I don’t do huge amount of exercise but was able to do over 20000 steps in a day wandering around Copenhagen 2 months after surgery. I swithered a lot about whether to have it done as was so worried about pain but now am looking forward to getting the other foot done.