I've had some pain and swelling around my big toe for years now. Last year it got bad, I saw a doctor, said bone spur/hallux limitus, not bad enough for surgery yet, let's try orthotics.
And I tried orthotics, and I didn't like them, but eventually the pain decreased to the point that it wasn't interfering in my life.
Now, though, it's much worse. I'm having trouble walking enough to get through the day, forget about fun or exercise. I limp noticeably sometimes, and my other hip has started to hurt from it. I have to do something, and it really sounds like chilectomy (removing the bone spur) is the most reasonable option.
I'm scared, though. I've had surgery several times before (not on my feet), and all of them except the smallest ones involved severe uncontrolled pain. In addition, I have two jobs and two kids, the younger a toddler, and I'm worried about downtime.
My next appointment is a couple weeks away, and I want to be ready. Anyone ever have chilectomy or similar procedure? How much did it hurt, and for how long? How long until you were able to, for example, stand for an hour or two at a time?
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Feb 25, 2019
Welcome to Connect, @sarahkane.
I moved your message to this existing discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who are discussing much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
@sarahkane, have you ruled out other conservative measures – orthotics, special shoe styles, shoe pads – to get some relief? Do you have family or friends who might be able to help out with the kids if you opt for surgery?
Welcome to Connect, @sarahkane.
I moved your message to this existing discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who are discussing much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
@sarahkane, have you ruled out other conservative measures – orthotics, special shoe styles, shoe pads – to get some relief? Do you have family or friends who might be able to help out with the kids if you opt for surgery?
Thanks, Kanazz. I have tried changes in footwear and custom orthotics. It helped for a while, but it's not doing enough any more. Maybe a cortisone shot could at least buy a little more time.
I can probably get some help, but maybe not for very long, and I'd have to schedule it carefully.
Well, I did get a cortisone shot last week. It definitely helped, and I can now walk without limping noticeably. It still hurts, and I'm almost certainly going to have surgery eventually, but for now, I'm in less pain.
Still interested in any prior experiences with this surgery.
Are there any other dancers in the group? I have avoided cheilectomy for years because it is more important to me to preserve function than to eliminate pain (although I sure would like to do so). I need to be able to do toe raises, jumps, leaps, and take long strides post surgery. Is that possible?
I've had some pain and swelling around my big toe for years now. Last year it got bad, I saw a doctor, said bone spur/hallux limitus, not bad enough for surgery yet, let's try orthotics.
And I tried orthotics, and I didn't like them, but eventually the pain decreased to the point that it wasn't interfering in my life.
Now, though, it's much worse. I'm having trouble walking enough to get through the day, forget about fun or exercise. I limp noticeably sometimes, and my other hip has started to hurt from it. I have to do something, and it really sounds like chilectomy (removing the bone spur) is the most reasonable option.
I'm scared, though. I've had surgery several times before (not on my feet), and all of them except the smallest ones involved severe uncontrolled pain. In addition, I have two jobs and two kids, the younger a toddler, and I'm worried about downtime.
My next appointment is a couple weeks away, and I want to be ready. Anyone ever have chilectomy or similar procedure? How much did it hurt, and for how long? How long until you were able to, for example, stand for an hour or two at a time?
I just had chilectomy on my right foot by Mayo. Pain was about a 3 at the most. I didn't need narcotics. Get a scooter to get around. 2 weeks of bed, rest non weight bearing. I was walking in a special sandal for a couple weeks. Started PT the same week. I honestly had very little pain. It was a positive experience. I wish I had done it sooner.
I just had chilectomy on my right foot by Mayo. Pain was about a 3 at the most. I didn't need narcotics. Get a scooter to get around. 2 weeks of bed, rest non weight bearing. I was walking in a special sandal for a couple weeks. Started PT the same week. I honestly had very little pain. It was a positive experience. I wish I had done it sooner.
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I've had some pain and swelling around my big toe for years now. Last year it got bad, I saw a doctor, said bone spur/hallux limitus, not bad enough for surgery yet, let's try orthotics.
And I tried orthotics, and I didn't like them, but eventually the pain decreased to the point that it wasn't interfering in my life.
Now, though, it's much worse. I'm having trouble walking enough to get through the day, forget about fun or exercise. I limp noticeably sometimes, and my other hip has started to hurt from it. I have to do something, and it really sounds like chilectomy (removing the bone spur) is the most reasonable option.
I'm scared, though. I've had surgery several times before (not on my feet), and all of them except the smallest ones involved severe uncontrolled pain. In addition, I have two jobs and two kids, the younger a toddler, and I'm worried about downtime.
My next appointment is a couple weeks away, and I want to be ready. Anyone ever have chilectomy or similar procedure? How much did it hurt, and for how long? How long until you were able to, for example, stand for an hour or two at a time?
Welcome to Connect, @sarahkane.
I moved your message to this existing discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who are discussing much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
While we wait for members to join in, here are two studies, both of which conclude that, "Cheilectomy has demonstrated excellent outcomes for early stages of hallux rigidus, while arthrodesis is the gold standard for end-stage hallux rigidus.”
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5434342/
– https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2473011418764461
@sarahkane, have you ruled out other conservative measures – orthotics, special shoe styles, shoe pads – to get some relief? Do you have family or friends who might be able to help out with the kids if you opt for surgery?
Thanks, Kanazz. I have tried changes in footwear and custom orthotics. It helped for a while, but it's not doing enough any more. Maybe a cortisone shot could at least buy a little more time.
I can probably get some help, but maybe not for very long, and I'd have to schedule it carefully.
Well, I did get a cortisone shot last week. It definitely helped, and I can now walk without limping noticeably. It still hurts, and I'm almost certainly going to have surgery eventually, but for now, I'm in less pain.
Still interested in any prior experiences with this surgery.
Are there any other dancers in the group? I have avoided cheilectomy for years because it is more important to me to preserve function than to eliminate pain (although I sure would like to do so). I need to be able to do toe raises, jumps, leaps, and take long strides post surgery. Is that possible?
I just had chilectomy on my right foot by Mayo. Pain was about a 3 at the most. I didn't need narcotics. Get a scooter to get around. 2 weeks of bed, rest non weight bearing. I was walking in a special sandal for a couple weeks. Started PT the same week. I honestly had very little pain. It was a positive experience. I wish I had done it sooner.
Can I ask your age? I've suffered with this for 16 years and thinking about surgery now.
I am 51. I just had the left foot done as well. Very positive experience again.