Arthritic big toe

[Radiatorvalves]

I’ve had an issue with my foot for about 5 years. It’s painful and I can’t bend it at all. Shoes with any heel are impossible (and I loved my shoes), so I live life in trainers. I’m early 50s.

I’ve now seen a surgeon who can operate which should improve things. Question is whether he fuses the problematic joint or performs a cheilectomy (shaves top of toe joint). Both should stop the pain but I’d have less movement with the fusion. That said I think the fusion is more likely to be successful.

has anyone had any experience of either op?

Thanks!

Relative had the joint fused. Now pain free and walking normally. Don’t think the toe bends much but hasn’t been an issue regarding mobility. Follow the guidance for recovery so you don’t overdo things initially.

I had the joint fused. Took a good 6 months to heal. It's the first joint, the one closest to the foot.

I have to buy shoes that work for my foot - I need quite a wide toe box because otherwise my toe rubs the side. I can't wear anything with a heel as the toe doesn't bend, and I can't get my foot into boots or tight shoes that require your toes to bend on the way in. Walking barefoot is uncomfortable too.

So, it eventually stopped the pain, but I live life in about 4 pairs of shoes that work for me. I do wonder if I could have not bothered with the op (which was awful) and just concentrated on finding shoes that worked. The other foot is going the same way and I'm not getting surgery again.

That's good info @JellyBabiesSaveLives. I also have arthritis in my big toe joint and was offered the two surgeries mentioned in the OP. Neither sounded tempting and I can't imagine having one toe that doesn't bend at all and how limiting that would be. I suppose if the pain is constant and very bad then anything is better than that, but my pain comes and goes. It was very bad in January, but now it's fine again. Arthritis is a weird thing - or at least it is for me - it's not linear. It comes and goes.

Thank you everyone. So interesting to get the different perspectives. And I’m really sorry to hear that the procedure doesn’t sound to have been that successful. At the moment I have very limited mobility in one foot (plus pain) so an improvement on that would be a huge step forward. Although I’m not expecting to be back in 3” heels, I’d like to think there was more to life than trainers….

I have had this issue for around 10 years now - started in one foot and spread to the other after about 3 years.

The pain has reduced over the years and I have very little mobility in either joint, but I prefer very little mobility to none at all.

I have found that Skechers can work well, and Pavers do some excellent designs that are really comfy.

Hoping this thread is still live. I have the same issue - big toe has now almost 'fused' by itself. Feels like I am walking on bone and the joint at the big toe is b=very pronounced. Sever bunion on the other foot. Stress fracture last year due to the load and way I am walking. I am terrified I will end up in a wheelchair. Tried expensive trainers, physio - change of diet - no alcohol and castor oil. Pain is variable. Physio advised there is nothing more they can do and will not operate as I live alone and the bunion operation and fusion is so 'brutal' I would not cope on my own. Suggested I have the steroid injections first but still awaiting a dexa scan for osteoporosis. Hate living in wide clumpy trainers - used to love to go walking and it is really impacting on my mental health now as terrified of another fracture and losing my job

I’m going to have an op in mid April. It’s a cheilectomy but shortening the joint too. Not fusion. A friend has had similar and is happy with the outcome. I will update… I’ve been told it isn’t that painful (friend agreed) and that I’ll be able to walk in boot straight away. That said I will need to keep foot elevated most of time to aid recovery.

Nb the op is private. Nhs basically said it was wear and tear. No further action.

I went to my GP asking for this procedure, as the pain was very debilitating. He sent me for a steroid injection instead. I was sceptical, but in all honesty it’s been 95% fine ever since. I’m glad now, as I have a bit of flexibility left.

I’ve had 2 steroid injections which have been slightly effective. The pain has reduced a bit, but it’s made no difference to flexibility at all. My GP also told me that it wasn’t something they’d offer (it was Bupa). Injections aren’t something that will work repeatedly apparently.

@Radiatorvalves I have been told it is 'wear and tear' basically 'worn my feet out' at the age of 52 and no more they can do for me other than steroid injections. I can't afford to go private but may have to - was it very expensive? Keep us updated with your journey if you don't mind and good luck

Thanks @daisychains40 . Im paying for private insurance myself (post redundancy) so it’s covered (although I’m having to travel out of London for the op). I’m having the op in a couple of weeks. Happy to come back to thread and report. I don’t know cost of op but could DM you Dr name and you could email him and ask. I’m 54 and want it fixed.

Do you have to be careful about what shoes you can wear, if the steroid injection was effective?

I have this problem, and I finally got my pain down after a private othropedist game me an orthotic. Although the pain is no longer an issue in my day-to-day life, I miss being able to wear whatever shoes look nice. Am wondering if steroid injections would do the trick!

@Radiatorvalves any update on the operation? I was in A&E on Saturday as foot had swollen and big toe joint very inflamed - convinced the foot is broken again as the big toe has literally fused itself with no movement and feel I am walking on the bone

i had a hydrogel injection into my big toe joint 4 weeks ago, and it has been amazing. My range of motion has improved, but the reduction in pain is incredible. I had it done privately (gp told me it was just wear and tear, nothing could be done) by a podiatrist and unlike steroids you can keep having them. I’d def recommend investigating

Thank you for the advise. Was it expensive? Guessing you had to have a consultation first and then offered the injection?

I had a consultation before which was £70 though I was seeing her for something else - if there had been time she would have done the injection then. The injection was £300 but should last 6-12 months, so pricey but I have spent way more on that on shoes I couldn't wear because of my painful toe

@CMOTDibbler
Thank you for your reply. Oh gosh that is expensive but like you say I have been paying £160 for Hoka trainers so 2 pairs equates to your injection
researched private consultations at a hospital which is £200 so maybe I should try and look for a private podiatrist instead

Will be interesting to hear how the op goes. I’m 52 and have the same problem. Physio told me that he sees more people for whom the op doesn’t work than does so that’s totally put me off!

I had one of those steroid injections in my hip and it was really effective so I wonder if it would work on my toe (I did get the 48 hour flare up before it calmed down which was super painful).

it’s annoying the NHS won’t do much about it - not being able to walk properly affects so much and all your other joints!

Hello all! I had the op in mid April and it’s gone pretty well. I was told not to do much for about 6 weeks (dull), but after that I’ve been building back up to normal. The pain has gone and (with 2 pins) I’ve gone reasonable movement. Not as good as my other big toe, but maybe 60 degrees.

Ive worn one inch heels but tbh I’m largely to be found in trainers and flip flops. I can also wear cycling shoes. Approaching 4 months post op I don’t have any obvious swelling and the foot looks normal - the toe is a little fatter and shorter than it was.

I’m attaching a photo of my feet. Op was on my right foot (bottom in the photo).

Happy to answer any other questions.

By the way…. To give an idea of what I am doing. On recent holiday I was walking up to about 6km up and down steep hills in flip flops. I also walked up and down a very steep rocky path with scree (wearing trainers). No issues at all. I suppose toe is a little stiff but importantly there is no pain.

I had 2 of these and while there was an improvement it wasn’t very long lasting. I was told you couldn’t keep repeating for ever and expect pain to stay away.

See below. Sorry was I. Hols and only just seen your question @daisychains40

I’m investigating treatment for this. How was your arthritis diagnosed? Is it an x-Ray or do they go by symptoms? Mine is the interphalangeal joint, the one closest to the end of the toe.