Anyone had a hemicap toe surgery for hallux rigidus? Post op advice needed!

[Della1973]

I am having a hemicap hemiarthroplasty (half joint replacement) on my big toe on the NHS next week. Has anyone had one?

I am obviously am trying to organise people to walk my kids to and from school and various clubs but I am nervous about it all...

How bad will the pain be? How much will I be able to walk? Is walking the kids to school uphill possible in the first two weeks?? What about after that?

I googled getting one of those electric wheelchairs to hire but not sure it will be worth the hassle and maybe over-dramatic?

Hi Della

I was recently diagnosed with Hallux Rigidus and searching for people who have had a Hemicap fitted. Are you still out there? Would you mind sharing your results with me?

Also reviewing Hemicap, just wondering if you found anything?

My mum had this done and it was extremely painful for quite a while afterwards. Sorry you did ask! She couldn't walk on it for days (at least).
Good luck. I'd get enough help to cover the worst case scenario, if you can.

Hi there

i know this thread was years ago but could you tell me which Nhs hospital you had your surgery with please as I’m struggling to find a consultant who does it in the nhs?

I hope it went really well for you?

I had my surgery at the Whittington, Archway, North London. The surgeon was Mr Mr Charalambos Charalambides. I very much regret the surgery. I think I was the first or one of the first to have it and was rushed into it and given very little information (not hand outs or after care or anything). His general demeanour was a bit arrogant and he belittled me in the appointment. It would have been better to have tried orthapedic insoles for 6 months.

The receovery was awful with a lot of blood loss and coninuted on going swellling and delayed healing with little support. I had a lot of problems including nerve pain for at least a year. The reason for the surgery was pain relief - it has been unsuccessful because I have post operative pain instead. The idea was that after surgery in both big toes I would be able to wear any shoes without pain.

I only did one foot and still have to wear orthopedic inserts for both feet and have to wear flat shoes as before. These completely relieve the pain. if I don't wear them i get the arthritis pain in the foot that was not operated on and a different post-operative pain in the foot that now has a metal toe and a big scar.

The toe where I had the operation is now much shorter. it is crooked as the surgeon did not fix that while "in there" which another doctor has queried.

Instead of the operation you can prevent pain with insoles - first i got custom ones on NHS (would £250 + private). Then I paid a chiropodists to sourse them (£50 to £100). Then I discovered acutally ones of £7.99 on amazon work.

Please think carefully re this Op.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Z099HY6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hi there… I’m so sorry that you r had such a dreadful time with your implants. I’m very grateful to your reply as it’s really made me think very carefully where I go from here. I’ve ordered the insoles you’ve recommended too.

Wishing you the very best and thanks again🙏

For personal reasons I did a hell of a lot of research into big toe joint replacements. I spoke to patients and surgeons, joined facebook groups and dug up previous research from medical pages. I haven't had one myself but I did have a bilateral cheilectomy in Feb 2019 and I have a hospital visit tomorrow at St Georges in London to discuss bilateral fusions. My cheilectomies worked well and I was satisfied with getting the 4 years I did. My conclusion is I wouldn't touch any joint replacement other than Hemicap. But it is not suitable for my lifestyle. If I was older and not overly active I would choose a hemicap. But I am a 51 year old sporty type, male.

Hi i am 31year old male, had the hemicap implant nearly 2 years ago now. Still have a lot of pain but under the ball of the joint and just around thay arra in general. Its quite bad.... im wondering if it got better for you @della?