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Hallux Rigidus & Joint replacement in big toe.

Posted by tennisbum1000 @tennisbum1000, Mar 1 11:08am

I am 76 and a fairly active walker. I have severe arthritis, bone on bone, in big toe joint. Surgical podiatrist recommended joint replacement over fusion. Thoughts/recommendations.

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bigeasyinlax | @bigeasyinlax | Nov 3 6:57pm
In reply to @shark "I had surgery for hallux rigidus at the age of 60. The surgical podiatrist did a..." + (show)
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I had surgery for hallux rigidus at the age of 60. The surgical podiatrist did a cheilectomy and also repositioned the metatarsal bones. I was quite active physically at age 60 and Doc said that I would likely disintegrate any artificial joint and did not recommend that for me. Recovery took a full year but it improved my condition greatly. Every year I would think that some improvements are made in artificial joints, but I am glad that I took his advice back then. We discussed fusion initially but we both decided that we did not want to go that way, at least not then.

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@shark Hi there, I would appreciate hearing more of your experience. I'm considering having this done as I'm at my ropes end with the pain. Are you back to being as active as you were before? I'm 60 as well.

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shark | @shark | Nov 4 9:23am

Yes quite active. I let my condition go longer than what I should have maybe. Big knot on the top of the base of my big toe. I do treack and field competitions and it made sprinting out of the blocks VERY painful and nearly impossible to use the blocks. My podiatrist thought that a synthetic joint would not last vewry well for me although his associate did an artifical joint for a female friend of mine and to my knowledge she is doing well. She is at least as active as I am although not the violent sprinting and throwing like I do. But she bikes everty day and is a powerful cyclist so I think her surgery and repair went well. I have not spoken to he in a while so I do not knowe if her repair is still good shape but I have not heard anything otherwise so far. The cheilectomy and repair went well for me however I did not like being in that boot for a month or whatever it was. It took probably right at a year before I really felt back to normal in that foot and my gait. But yes, like you, I had to do something, the pain was pretty bad before correction. I remember just walking across the football field or the infield even when I just "threw" like shot put and discus, it hurt like hell, especially when aggravated. Since my surgery I would think that implant design and longevity might have improved but I do not know that for certain. I did know that I did not want it fused. That just rubbed me the wrong way.

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cplunkett2242 | @cplunkett2242 | Dec 5 8:16am
In reply to @kbmielke "Once a joint has been opened, you will never have the original back. Your body was..." + (show)
Profile picture for kbmielke @kbmielke

Once a joint has been opened, you will never have the original back. Your body was unkind to the original and continues to work its evil on that joint. Fusion will eliminate the motion and, once healed, end the pain. Learn about what folks have to say about life after fusion. Consider your goals and proceed with those in mind. Blessings to you and prayers for comfortable ambulation.

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@kbmielke I had a bunion removed a year ago . They did a fusion and now it’s failed . So much pain and swelling . I can’t get shoes to fit . Now he wants to do it again and he only does fusions . He doesn’t like implants . He’s asking another Dr who does implants . I heard they don’t work so now I don’t know what to do . I can’t go on like this . I go to a podiatrist surgeon

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