Mid foot fusion advice needed

I have just had a fusion of the talonavicular joint in my right foot due to arthritis, I'm at clinic tomorrow to hopefully get this pot off and a moonboot on, I found it difficult to mobilise with crutches and they gave me a zimmer (too young for that) or the physio wouldn't let me go home. Fingers crossed I get to be more mobile tomorrow 

Please let me know how your recovery is going! I have horrible big bumps on top of both feet, right on top of feet, that seem to be bone spurs from arthritis. I can barely walk sometimes, and my left foot (toes) have gone numb all the time. I am terrified about fusion surgery, as was told it is a LONG recovery from fustion and that it does not always work and arthritis returns, etc Please advise if you have any more thoughts on the subject. I am a58 year old pre k teacher and on my feet a lot. I no longer exercise because I am in such pain when on my feet. By the way, had left knee replacement in 2007, and strangely it is my left toes that are numb, but could just be a coincidence.

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Can you share your location and hospital? I live in the Baltimore area and would love to know which Drs. are best for this on the east coast, in the Balt/D.C. area....

Hi
I had a talonavicular fusion on my left foot just over 8 weeks ago. I have had long term arthritis too. I bought a wheelchair to get about as i am hopeless on crutches and hate the zimmer. I also use a typist's chair in the house. I got a boot at 6 weeks but was told not to weight bear just to touch with my toes. I am now recovering really well and can get about with one crutch to take the weight on my left side for a little walking. My surgeon told me that they found that totally non weight bearing wasn't entirely helpful but he didn't mean I could walk about. he said I could stand in the shower but try to keep my weight on other foot. I see him again at 12 weeks. Actually i had this done on my right foot 10 years ago and have never looked back. At that time I was non weight-bearing for 12 weeks. It does take a number of months to get back into 'normal' shoes but it will come. Having a boot is great because you feel your ankle is well supported. Good luck! I'm hoping to return to teaching in 4 weeks.

Hello, glad I found this site! Reading a few of the postings- I get comfort in knowing others have gone through , ae going through or preparing to have a similar got surgery. 29 yrs ago I had my first surgery- was a bunionectomy, removal of bunions on both feet. Unfortunately, being young and not researching enough or have resources readily available like today- I went to recommended doctor. I remained in a lot of pain, even with cordizone shots which really hurt, for the next five years until I had to have surgery again! So I had surgery on both feet again, had three pins in each foot, bones cut and replaced and was in casts for four months:( casts got replaced every week. Survived in a wheelchair and on my bums after 5-6 weeks with the help of my husband, who was working full time, traveling and completing his masters! God is good we managed but not easy- definitely thought I would never ever ever do it again!!! Although my dr told me I would probably need surgery again ----This time - one foot at a time- 3/4/13 I had 1st Toe bone fusion. Two large screws placed where my large joint is/was no longer mobile joint . And I had bone fusion to upper mid foot, one large screw and lastly a hammer toe on fourth toe, incision on bottom . ALL very painful and ian no longer 30-40 or 50 years old!!! AAA matters Age-Attitude -Action does matter!! :)have been using a scooter and small boot from dr to get around. First 4 weeks pretty much laid up in bed, iced foot and kept it up. Progress is good, dr told me to put little pressure on foot and hopefully can get shoe on this week - I don't think I am ready for that but so far progress everyday. I just hope I can walk, walk enough and properly to enjoy a good afternoon 3 miles, workout with equipment elypitical, bicycle and weights and that I don't drag or lo on my foot. Right now I think I will hold off on left foot. My wonderful son is taking care of me , I am blessed!! Truly anxious to get back on my feet;) no weight bearing , driving or flying 9wks. if all hoes well then slow weight bearing and therapy five months! :(. good luck to all, glad we can share! I pray for a complete recovery for all.

Im so happy this forum is here. I am 33yrs old, a single active mom of 3 and I work on my feet 12 hours a day, up and down stairs, on top and under rail cars. The pain became too much, and my doctor is also leaning to the fusion my navicular bone is now beyond shape, and he says arthritis is setting in. To be quite honest, reading these posts are scary. I guess I had the thought that I could have surgery and be back to normal (work, volleyball, softball) I skimmed through pretty quick but Im interested in any stories months or years post op? Has it affected you?

Hi Rach79, Ive been reading the posts from over 5 or so years ago until current. I'm not savvy with all the hardware, joint and bone names, so here i go. I really cannot give you information for the long term, but I can give you some really good info that it seems that most of the other posts have left out. I had a plate and four screws to secure the bones in my left foot from a fall at the bottom of my stairs on 12/24/12. My Doctor repaired my first two toe bones and I completely tore my arch. Kinda the normal scheme i've been reading. This is what I wanted you to know. You will NEED help with your large family, keeping house and forget the working! I went into this surgery with bright hopes and a non chalant attitude, which all is good but soon realized I've spent easy 3 weeks in bed and you do not want to forget the Ibuprophen for the swelling which can be miserable. You seem like a smart level headed gal, so take the Percocet at least for a solid week. My surgery was outpatient so I went home and was fine, The problem was I wasn't well informed of the pain blocker administered before surgery and how you will feel WHEN it wears off! Oh my goodness is what I will say about the first wave of pain that hits you so you will want to make passionate but short term best friends with your pain meds. Not using a foot on a daily bases is harder than you think! Just make sure you have someone to step in and up for you during this time. I'm pretty bullheaded and independent but I realized truly how serious this type of surgery was ( thanks to the internet and posts like this one) you must take time for your body to heal right, you will need your foot UP, alot of tlc and a devoted loving family that has been properly educated to the type of needs you will have. Don't forget lots of hugs and kisses, you'll need them.

To rach79. I am a mother of 2. And had 2 bone fusion to my right foot 4 weeks ago. I am non weight bearing for at least 10 weeks. I actually got a knee walker which is great. The first 2 weeks are the worst however with 2 kids under 4 yrs old somedays are harder than ever. I did this surgery for my kids. So I can take better care of them. The foot pain was getting worse and I couldn't walk right anymore. I just hope 6 more weeks it fused. Then onto the next phase. I wish u the best and I will let u know if it was all worth it.

Afternoon all. Im asking on behalf of my Husband aged 58 who had a right foot navicular cuneiform fusion on 28th March 2013 because of arthritic pain over 3 years.  He was in a plaster cast for 7 weeks then told to use his crutches for another 3 weeks and no driving for 6 weeks.

Since his operation he seems to be in a lot of post operative pain and im wondering how long it took those who have had the same operation to recover and be pain free ?

I might add my Husband didnt take his consultants advise by using his crutches for 3 weeks post op or driving for 6 weeks post op. He was back driving within 1 week and he didnt use his crutches after 4 days

Any adivse on your story and how long it took to feel the benifits of your operation would be much appreciated

Many thanks Mary x

I found this site while I was doing some research on arthodesis of navicular-cuneiform joint on my left foot.  I have a disease called polymyalgia rheumatica which is a hereditary disease of women of northern European descent.  My mom was full German, my Dad from Sicily.  It can turn into rheumatoid arthritis which I'm assuming mine has.  My toe joints are beginning to deform.  Don't remember my Mom in real pain but she used to complain about "old arthur" visiting her when she rose from her chair

One Thursday in mid-May I was walking when I felt a pop on the top of my left foot.  Then my foot began hurting.  The top of my left foot started swelling and I could not walk w/o pain. So, on Saturday I went to the Emergency room and they told me I had sprained my foot.  I didn't believe them, so I made an appt. to see my podiatrist.  At first when my podiatrist saw the x-rays he couldn't find anything but as he explored the x-ray he found a bone cyst that had burst (the pop I felt) which in turn fractured the underlying bone.  I immediately went into a boot.  If I stay in the boot, it doesn't hurt too bad but walking w/o the boot is painful.  

I could go the conservative route and get a cortisone injection and then wait until the pain returns.  I and my podiatrist think it will just be wasting my time since the shots don't last forever and the pain will return as before because the arthritis is rampant in this joint.  So, I've made the decision to forget the foreplay and go straight to the fusing of the bones to at least stop the arthritis in that joint.  

My surgery won't be until mid-July 2013 but I am now doubting my decision.  Just a year ago, I had bunion surgery.  Then in August broke a bone in my right foot and was off my feet for 8 weeks.  Do I want to spend another 12 weeks off my feet?  I guess I'm getting cold feet!

I'll keep you guys informed of what I wind up doing.

Thanks for listening--Any advise is welcome.

FANCYKATS LAST JULY 2012 I HAD DJD DONE TO MY RIGHT FOOT AND IT WAS FUSED WITH CADEAVER BONES. I HAVE OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS LUPUS, RA, AND BECAUSE MY IMMUNE SYSTEM IS SO BAD MY FUSION NEVER TOOK. THE DR AND I HAVE TALKED AND WE BOTH FEEL IT WOULDN'T BE A GREAT IDEA TO REDO IT UNLESS THEY USE PART OF MY HIP BONE. MY ORTHO DR SAYS HE WOULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE OF MY MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS. IF YOU ARE TOTALLY HEALTHY WITH NO OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS YOU MIGHT FIND SUCCESS IN THE SURGERY. WISHING YOU THE BEST. IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER IN THE LORD PRAY ABOUT IT AND SEEK HIS ANSWER.. BLESSING

You are very lucky to have your surgery of that midfoot fusion. My husband had been suffering of 8 years now because they cant do it to him even though they could because of his work cover sitution. And now he is suffering more on his back as he walk imbalance. He has a ripping off tissue on the middle of his foot that needs to be done and doctors recommend him to have a midfoot fusion but when they saw his file that he is a work cover they trying pub him off. You are very lucky. Go for it because later on it will be more worst than ever. Just pray to God when they will be done your surgery that they wont falter because if they do you wont gonna get better anymore.

hi. I had mid foot fusion two years ago.. I was wary about the surgery but instead of listening to everyones opinion I just ignored all my friends so called advice and read up on it and decided to have it to both feet.....some pain but nothing I could not handle but the day after surgery I had trouble moving my leg as it was very weak and this disappeared in about a week or so. now I have had a total knee replacement which was titanium again I had doubts but it outcome has made my pain less that before surgery.......if you need to know more just contact me. maureen

Can anyone reply to the burned by metal post

Hi to you all I'm wondering how are you all after your ops I'm having my foot fuse next month, getting little nervous   

It be nice to hear from you all on how your doing and any tips.

kim