Bunion Surgery - first mpj arthrodesis

[Steepandeep1]

Looking for feedback or experiences with having your first metatarsal joint in your big toe fused for bunion repair. Little back story, at 17
I badly broke my right foot on a dirt bike, had to have three toes pinned and my big toe realigned. After surgery I had a severe bunion that my parents chose not to address with the surgeon. Fast forward to today (I’ll be 39 end of the month) and the last 20 years of sports, rodeo, hunting, hiking and roughnecking for work have made my bunion significantly worse to the point if I don’t correct it I will begin to destroy my other toes on that foot (my orthopedist also believes the drastic change in my gait helped wear out my left hip, which also needs replaced somewhere down the line). After seeing my podiatrist today I really have one option for a 100% fix with no chance of regression. This process would involve fusing my first metatarsal joint in my big toe, no more movement of that joint. The only limitation Expressed to me was the inability to wear any shoe with a heel ever again. My understanding was this is more directed at women and high heels, but the doc expressed to me multiple times, nothing with a heel. Although my hiking/hunting boots have a heel, it’s not a raised heel, so I don’t believe it would be an issue, I just still have my concerns with fusing the first joint in my big toe.
Does any have their first metatarsal joint fused from bunion repair, or have any feedback?
TIA
Cody C

 

[Pony Soldier]

I don't have any experience with any of this but having gone through a number of modifications - get a second opinion from another expert. If that one confirms the first diagnosis - proceed. If not, make your decision on the the options offered.

 

[yfarm]

Can’t offer an opinion about the surgery but as to the post op boot requirements it might be helpful to call Lathrop, the father is a podiatrist and of all sellers they seem to be the most technical about fitting.

 

[Idaboy]

You will lose some mobility with fusion. Arthrex and some others have developed hardware for Minimally Invasive Bunion Correctio. I know a few people that have gone that route and 6 months later they were bike to hiking and running

 

[DLSJR]

This may not be applicable, but; have you tried a bunion splint? They’re only about $25 and easy to use. While I don’t have severe bunion problems, I was frustrated at how painful a flare up can be so I looked at multiple options. Podiatrist recommended surgery, and the more I read about it, the less I liked that idea.

I tried a splint and found great relief! Now, whenever I feel either foot getting ‘that feeling’, I just wear the splint on my foot for about 30 minutes at a time, a couple times a day and after a day or two I’m back to normal.

A splint may not solve your problem; but it’s cheap, easy to use and if it doesn’t work you can always opt for a more drastic solution. One you opt for surgery, there’s no trying those easier remedies.

 

[Milestone522]

My wife had both feet done, and both big toes. Her toes had implants that were temporary and after removal and PT hasn't had any issues. I read her your post this evening and she said you definitely need a second opinion.

Best of luck.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

I broke my foot about 10 years ago in a minor dirt bike crash and developed a bunion on my right foot down the road. I ended up having foot surgery in July 2023 to address a few problems. I am no ortho but from what I recal they broke my foot / big toe in 2 places, shifted some things around, and pinned it together. It still looks like I have a minor bunion but my issues have pretty much been solved. I still do not have great mobility in that big toe and in general the inner side of my foot. For example, I have a hard time doing things like lunges that puts the majority of my body weight on those joints.

Recovery was pretty tough for me. I was in a boot for about 5 weeks and had a lot of pain and swelling for about 2 months. I did a ton of PT all the way out to 12 months post opp. I think that was my saving grace. I don't regret having surgery but I will say the recovery side was more than I bargained for.

 

[yfarm]

While head injuries kill in motorcycle accidents foot injuries due to inadequate footwear are far more frequent and can produce lifelong disability. I see bikers wearing flipflops and soft soled shoes and think how in a few seconds their life can change. Not much fun wearing motocross boots every time you hop on the scooter.

 

[Steepandeep1]

I don't have any experience with any of this but having gone through a number of modifications - get a second opinion from another expert. If that one confirms the first diagnosis - proceed. If not, make your decision on the the options offered.

I believe I will get a second opinion. I’ve seen specialists in the past and they all but told me it was beyond repair. I am happy to have found a podiatrist who has a proven track record and confidence in their ability to repair my foot, but I definitely want to know if I have other options.

 

[Steepandeep1]

Can’t offer an opinion about the surgery but as to the post op boot requirements it might be helpful to call Lathrop, the father is a podiatrist and of all sellers they seem to be the most technical about fitting.

I’ve had their mountain hunter elites, will definitely reach out to them again.

 

[Steepandeep1]

You will lose some mobility with fusion. Arthrex and some others have developed hardware for Minimally Invasive Bunion Correctio. I know a few people that have gone that route and 6 months later they were bike to hiking and running

I’ll have to look into those options and see what podiatrists relatively close to me perform them.

 

[Steepandeep1]

This may not be applicable, but; have you tried a bunion splint? They’re only about $25 and easy to use. While I don’t have severe bunion problems, I was frustrated at how painful a flare up can be so I looked at multiple options. Podiatrist recommended surgery, and the more I read about it, the less I liked that idea.

I tried a splint and found great relief! Now, whenever I feel either foot getting ‘that feeling’, I just wear the splint on my foot for about 30 minutes at a time, a couple times a day and after a day or two I’m back to normal.

A splint may not solve your problem; but it’s cheap, easy to use and if it doesn’t work you can always opt for a more drastic solution. One you opt for surgery, there’s no trying those easier remedies.

I have tried them, KT tape, spacers, etc. Unfortunately for me, my foot is bad enough that my big toe on my bad foot can’t be manually straightened to the correct position. When my toe is straightened to the correct position it tracks wrong and pulls straight up.

 

[Steepandeep1]

My wife had both feet done, and both big toes. Her toes had implants that were temporary and after removal and PT hasn't had any issues. I read her your post this evening and she said you definitely need a second opinion.

Best of luck.

I see your in MT, and recommendations on a podiatrist? I’m way over in eastern MT now but have no problem traveling.

 

[Steepandeep1]

I broke my foot about 10 years ago in a minor dirt bike crash and developed a bunion on my right foot down the road. I ended up having foot surgery in July 2023 to address a few problems. I am no ortho but from what I recal they broke my foot / big toe in 2 places, shifted some things around, and pinned it together. It still looks like I have a minor bunion but my issues have pretty much been solved. I still do not have great mobility in that big toe and in general the inner side of my foot. For example, I have a hard time doing things like lunges that puts the majority of my body weight on those joints.

Recovery was pretty tough for me. I was in a boot for about 5 weeks and had a lot of pain and swelling for about 2 months. I did a ton of PT all the way out to 12 months post opp. I think that was my saving grace. I don't regret having surgery but I will say the recovery side was more than I bargained for.

If I go the surgery route the recovery is a bit of a concern for me. First two weeks no weight bearing except trips to the John with a walking boot. Walking boot the next four weeks with any movement. X rays at six weeks, if they look good I can return to light duty work. Six months full release pending X rays. That being said it was expressed to me some people take a full year or more to be back at 100%. My work is very flexible for medical issues, but the recovery time still concerns me.

 

[Steepandeep1]

While head injuries kill in motorcycle accidents foot injuries due to inadequate footwear are far more frequent and can produce lifelong disability. I see bikers wearing flipflops and soft soled shoes and think how in a few seconds their life can change. Not much fun wearing motocross boots every time you hop on the scooter.

Mine was a pretty good wreck, and I had Alpine Stars Tech 8’s on. If I had tennis shoes or flip flops on I probably would have lost my foot.

 

[ol490]

I had my 1st mpj fused at the end of April in 2024. 1 month zero weight bearing. 1 month in a walking boot, which meant I was released at the end of June. There was residual swelling for a few more weeks but really no pain after starting normal walking. I elk hunted like normal in September. I have had big toe issues for 20 years and it’s now much better and I can walk without thinking about it or favoring it. I did have to get used to trusting that rolling through my step with the toe fused was fine. I wear stiff shanked hunting boots, that have heels, such as Crispi Briksdal, Crispi mountain SF, and Meindles with zero issues.

I’m with others in advising getting a 2nd or even 3rd opinion to make sure a fusion is the right decision, but if you do it, it’s a highly successful procedure.

One thing that my doctor did, and some don’t, is to drill a hole on the outside of my heel to harvest bone and marrow to put in the fusion to aid the fusion itself. Kind of an insurance policy.

 

[mcr-85]

I didn't have work done that far down on my foot but I did have the talus navicular joint fused. I have bad feet with degeneration of the bones/joints and arthritis. Not fun for 39. I had the fusion done in 2016 on my left foot. They took bone from up by my knee and used that for the fusion as well.

The recovery was a long time. I think I was around 10 weeks non weight bearing and then in a walking boot but still on crutches. I had it done the beginning of March and I wasn't walking til mid to late June.

Good luck! Foot pain sucks!

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[ztc92]

I see your in MT, and recommendations on a podiatrist? I’m way over in eastern MT now but have no problem traveling.

PM sent regarding docs in this region to consider.

 

[Milestone522]

I see your in MT, and recommendations on a podiatrist? I’m way over in eastern MT now but have no problem traveling.

I'm in Ravalli County so Missoula Bone & Joint is really the best option nearby. There has got to be some good place closer to you though, perhaps Billings or Bozeman.

 

[Steepandeep1]

I'm in Ravalli County so Missoula Bone & Joint is really the best option nearby. There has got to be some good place closer to you though, perhaps Billings or Bozeman.

Bit of a drive for me. Ortho MT in Billings is good, and the local podiatrist is also very good.