Major Reconstruction Surgery on Right Foot

12/30/08 3:28am

hi im glad your doing good i would like to know more about your surgery my name is veronica i had ra seens i was 2 years old im 27 now

Penny

2/21/12 8:53pm

I too had extensive foot reconstruction surgery. Bunions removed (2), metarsal lifted, 3 fused toes. But now it is 2 years later and toes are twisted and panful, large toe starting to overlap. Second toe hurts on bottom and most of the time i feel like im walking on bones (forefoot). thinking of seeing an Orthopeodic surgeon rather then a podiatrist. How long has it been since your surgery and how is your foot now. Also who did your surgery?

Ellen Galo

2/19/09 12:09pm

Hi Marly - I had surgery just about a year ago, and I know what a long haul that can be! Mine was a tendon reconstruction at the inside of my right ankle (they took another tendon and re-routed it to reinforce the first... PTT). I seem to now get recurring plantar fasciitis, but have been learning how to deal with that. I had hoped I would be taking longer walks by now, but at least I can do what I have to do, and keep my job, do most chores at home, etc. For the couple of months (about 3 months on disability, a new experience for me), I barely went anywhere except to doctor's appointments and church on Sunday! Sat on the couch, petted the cat (who has become a lot more cuddlier since she had company for so long at home! lol) and watched the discovery health channel for hours at a time...and sewed, and sewed... with my foot up! (I've been using my left foot for sewing for years anyway...)

You really had a lot done on your foot! Wow - one of the PAs I saw beforehand at my GPs office, said, "this is very invasive surgery!" as if I had any other options... but you sound like you have a new foot! I wish you a speedy and peaceful recovery, and the patience to do what you need to do during that time.

(PS - I found that a recumbent bike at the PT office was very helpful to get some exercise once I reached that stage, without having to actually put weight on my foot. Luckily one of my in-laws had one he wasn't using and it's now in my living room!)

Ellen

PS

Angela 53510

5/12/09 1:57am

I just had my right forefoot reconstructed 3 weeks ago due to RA, and was doing really well until last Sat. I was just standing witrh my foot in the air, and my toes went numb, and now I can't feel my 3rd toe at all - no pressure, no pain - just dead. My surgeon is 3 hours away (6 hour round trip), and extremely hard to get ahold of. I went to ER, and they said there was no infection, but maybe the nerves were pinched or swollen. I have 6 pins - one in each toe, plus one behind the big toe - metataursal heads cut, and bunion shaved. I could hardly walk before, I had to even give up bike riding, so I thought anything would be better, but now I am not so sure.

How is your foot doing 5 months later?? I am really scared of losing my foot, or something. I have had RA 10 years, and am 45. Most of the damage was done in the first year, before I was properly diagnosed and put on meds. I'm scared and in pain, sick of being dependent, alone, and I can't even read or focus anymore, and back on pain killers.

Janiece

5/18/11 11:23pm

My podiatric surgeon is telling me not to have a full foot reconstruction due to a high risk of amputation. Currently, I have a very large bunion with a bone spur and all of my toes are hammertoes and the little one is curled behind the next to last toe. The second toe is quite high in the air and all of my metartarsals cause a callous that needs to be worked on every two weeks as infection occurs otherwise due to it cutting the tissues so bad. We are thinking of having a modified reconstruction by amputating the second toe and removing the metartarsal heads. I'm trying to work and I have no support. Totally alone. So I hope everyone that has the full reconstruction is successful.

RETA

8/20/09 4:35pm

I'm wondering how you are doing now? I need a foot reconstruction due to RA. It wold include fusing the big toe and removing metatarsal heads on the right foot. I'm postponing but I know it needs to be done.

Melanie

9/ 9/10 10:34am

Hi Marly,

Thanks for sharing. I just had all of the same done yesterday. So far so good, however, I havn't yet felt anything because the block that they put in behind my knee, is still working. It basically just feels like my leg is asleep. I am getting prettty nervous about when that wears off! I was wondering a few things about your experience. Did you have a pin used to secure the fusing for hammer toe? My dr was going to, but used this brand new implant instead of the pin. Also, are you using crutches of a roll-about to get around? I have been switching between the two, but like I said this just happened yesterday afternoon. Last but not least, how long are you sopposed to be non-weight bearing, and how long do you plan on being off work (or off of your feet?) Thanks again for posting your information. I am already bored, and kind of wondering what to expect.

Take good care,

Melanie

Trish

11/30/11 6:11am

Five years ago I hurt my foot, cannot remember how, I put up with it for 3 years before I had had enough. My Dr. gave me a referral to a specialist and he told me I had ruptured the ligaments and needed a foot reconstruction. The surgery consisted of having a 4" metal nail inserted into the centre of my heel he then pulled the ligaments onto this to tighten them. As I have been flat footed all my life I was then able to see some improvement to the arch. Today I find my foot free of pain but very tight, my foot is not as flexible as my other one but it certainly is an improvement as I can walk normally without pain.

Trish

11/30/11 6:11am

Five years ago I hurt my foot, cannot remember how, I put up with it for 3 years before I had had enough. My Dr. gave me a referral to a specialist and he told me I had ruptured the ligaments and needed a foot reconstruction. The surgery consisted of having a 4" metal nail inserted into the centre of my heel he then pulled the ligaments onto this to tighten them. As I have been flat footed all my life I was then able to see some improvement to the arch. Today I find my foot free of pain but very tight, my foot is not as flexible as my other one but it certainly is an improvement as I can walk normally without pain.

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