<p>If you don’t know, hallux rigidus is the big toe hurting like heck as the main joint deteriorates. It’s usually associated with arthritis and/or injury to the joint. </p>
<p>I’m looking at surgical options along with wraps and splits, etc. to manage the pain. Surgery is either cutting away bone to let the joint move a little more or putting in screws to fuse the joint. </p>
<p>Thoughts? Experience? </p>
<p>My H is probably going to have surgery this summer to fuse the joint. He says it is full of bone spurs and bone chips. (In his case, he injured it about 30 years ago, and now has significant arthritis in it.) The surgeon wold him that he would not be able to drive for SIX WEEKS! This means that I will have to drive him to and from work every day. Apparently he will be able to go to the gym, although obviously he will have to adjust for it. At this point, he is visibly limping when he walks in most shoes, and does things like walk down hills backwards to relieve the pain. Clearly, it is time.</p>
<p>I had a cortisone shot yesterday and have a meeting with a surgeon next month. But I don’t want surgery. I can’t be a burden for 6 weeks. The shot caused a “cortisone flare”, meaning I gather crystals formed in the joint. It’s about a 9 on the 1-10 pain scale but should get better over the next day. I can’t even touch my foot and that of course means my animals have an intense need to rub against it. </p>
<p>6 weeks or months to years more of problems followed by those 6 weeks…? If it is so painful it interferes with your daily life now there is good reason to take care of it sooner rather than later. </p>
<p>Ive had surgery to remove a bunion & have three screws holding it in place. I was able to get around with crutches pretty soon after & since it was my left foot, I even drove to work.
It hurt less than advertised as well.
I agree that there is never going to be a perfect time for surgery, but you will wish you had done it earlier when you are recovered.</p>
<p>I doubt it will take you six weeks to recover. It didnt take that long when I had my knee replacement last year.
( full recovery was longer, but when I was really dependent was only about a week)</p>
<p>Consolation, my H just had spinal fusion surgery and wasn’t able to drive for 7 weeks. He was off work for 3 and then I drive him to work for 4. It was much preferable to take him to work than sit around the house all day ;). </p>
<p>emerald, unfortunately it is H’s right foot, hence the driving problem. I admit that I find it hard to believe that a full 6 weeks will be required for just a toe, but I suppose it is better to be prepared for it, just in case.</p>
<p>If he had to slam on the brakes, it could be a problem.
They probably are thinking better safe than sorry.</p>
<p>Just had mid foot fusion in Jan. Best decision ever. The arthritis was causing me to avoid any activity which required walking, hence really affecting my quality of life . This surgery was far less painful than the initial surgery to fix shattered metatarsals, which resulted from the injury that triggered the arthritis, due to a slip and fall injury. I was able to be fully independent at 2 weeks. However, it was my left foot. Best wishes…it really is worth it, but oh so inconvenient!</p>
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<p>That is exactly what they told him. :)</p>
<p>I would add, lergnom, that if you have a problem like this you will inevitably compensate for it in your movement, which is likely to cause further problems elsewhere, such as in your hips.</p>
<p>What Consolation said, x100. I had my first surgery in Mar '13, and although it fixed the shattered bones, it did not address the joint issues ( arthritis was exacerbated by injury, so at the time it didn’t appear to need surgical intervention). Fast forward to Dec '13, and my hip was in severe pain from the favoring of my good foot while walking. My gait/limp was now so bad that the issues in my mid foot joint had to be addressed. Cortisone shots in the joint were useless, so in Jan '14 I had the mid foot fusion. All hip pain is gone now that I am no longer limping. In hindsight I wish I hadn’t waited so long. Lots of missed opportunities for fun family outings and just feeling my age, instead of like an old lady!</p>