So, I am sitting outside, it is the middle of the night, and my Mac (actually my wife's Mac) has just announced "it's twelve o'clock". Beautiful English accent received pronunciation (but I am in the South of the United States haha, life is a cabaret, isn't it - I have lived in so many different places in the world...)
Nevertheless - 12 o'clock means that I had my cheilectomy exactly one year ago. And all I can say is that I do not even remember why. This is so good. I can do whatever I want. I know I am lucky; probably I am one of these guys in whom the surgery really worked - and brought the relief.
All I want to say is that cheilectomy can help. I do not have any statistical data to see what is the likelihood. For me, it was a miracle.
The last sip of pinot grigio and I am going to bed in a moment.
Forgive me for the lack of being "serious" on this occasion. I am European, I spent a good part of my life in England, and I learned the power of taking myself seriously, but not too seriously. Yet I am taking all of you very seriously. That's why I created this blog. No one needs to suffer if there is no need to suffer.
This is my personal experience of surgical treatment (cheilectomy) of hallux rigidus.
11 May, 2013
28 comments :
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Thanks for posting your experiences! I am deciding whether to have the surgery in the fall, but am not looking forward to the recovery. Your posts were very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to thank you for this blog. I had the surgery on my right foot at age 30 and recovery was quick. I had the surgery on my left foot 8 weeks ago, at age 41, and recovery is extremely slow. I am very active in sports and quickly frustrated with the pain I have running and walking. I will have to be patient and keep trying.
ReplyDeleteI'm 29 and had similar surgery about 16 weeks ago. I left a follow up appointment yesterday in tears because my foot is still swollen and painful and I still can't run (the whole point of doing the surgery to begin with). My doctor continues to be "hopeful," though I'm not feeling it as much anymore. You seem to have a quick, easy recovery, so hopefully my dumb foot can catch up. Thanks for sharing- it's comforting to know it may take up to a year.
ReplyDeleteMers, I was able to run after 4 months.... however I would say that full recover took approx. 6 months. One of my problems was that I gained 12 kg (that's something like 25 lbs if you are an lb person, or almost 2 stones if you are from the UK....), so it was all not to easy. Beware of getting overweight due to being less active!
DeleteIf my foot had been swollen and painful 4 months after the surgery, I am sure I would have taken a second opinion. You are young, and should expect a good recovery on the other hand, each person is different, and who knows maybe you need more time. Nevertheless, asking another specialist for second opinion will not do any harm.
I really found your blog useful. I had sudden terrible toe pain which appeared overnight 18 months ago; I was a healthy 44 year old woman. I had a minor op which didn't help so had a cheilectomy 4 months ago. I am still in pain whenever I walk and can only wear wide boots whereas I always wore heels before. Men don't have this problem! I've gained a stone and feel miserable as I really thought my recovery would be a lot quicker. My surgeon recently said it could be 8 months before the pain goes. Aaaargh!! I'm glad your op went well :)
DeleteThank you for maintaining this blog. I just had bilateral cheilectomy yesterday, and now I'm in bed with the inevitable doubts. Helps to read something other than the horror stories of most people who are motivated to write. And I appreciate your advice.
ReplyDeleteParsifal, So useful for me to see what you were able to do on each day post-surgery. Thanks. I have started a blog about my procedure with the hope that I might similarly help others: http://mycheilectomy.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteRight toe two days ago. Thursday after surgery was ok. Site but nothing too bad. I guess the needs to numb were still working. Hearsay walked les than 500 feet all day for rest room stops only. By the end of 24 his and today no way for any weight bearing. Using crutches for the moment. I'm 20 percoset into pain management with no relief in sight. I'm nearing upside down with for above head and iced. For the moment I wonder what the hell happened.
ReplyDeleteHad my chielectomy on Friday. Wow painful to start with. Need good pain relief. Today, Monday I don't need drugs just rest and patience. I am 58 and looking forward to wearing shoes with a low heel again. Could only manage flat ones before. Keeping wound clean as I can for fear of infection. All should be good. Glenda Aust.
ReplyDeleteI am 60 years old, had left toe surgery May 31 of this year. Did right toe 10 years ago and speedy recovery. This time though, never needed pain meds because top and bottom of foot remained numb for days and days. Now, almost 6 weeks later, ball of foot area still pretty swollen so walking any distance is very uncomfortable and makes it undoable. Range of motion gets better slowly but not terrific. Dr. doesn't seem to know why still swollen and numb on bottom of foot and 3 toes as well. Any input or suggestions or solutions? Should I ice, elevate - don't know what to do. Thanks.
ReplyDeletebuxtonm@verizon.net
Having a cheilectomy on August 28, and am thankful to have found your blog. My doctor has told me that pain is completely dependent on your tolerance for pain, so fingers crossed I have a high pain tolerance. I'm having it on my left foot, so should be able to drive once I'm off pain meds, and hobbling about semi-efficiently, I guess.
ReplyDeletePain can usually be very well managed with painkillers - just follow the prescription and do not wait for pain to come ("block it"). Some people seem to have problem taking painkillers, they feel they are weak if they need them, or something like that. The surgery is a major intervention (and damage) to the body, and we have the right to react with pain. And there is nothing wrong in taking medication to get rid of the pain.
DeleteOf course some people may be sensitive to some painkillers, your doctor should help switch the medication to something that is better tolerated.
I wish you a quick and uneventful recovery!
Just wanted to say "Thank you," for posting your blog, which has already been so helpful to me! I had my cheilectomy surgery 4 days ago, and my need for painkillers has diminished quite a bit today (7 hours between doses of 1 percocet only). Thank you for posting timely words of true encouragement! Being a mom of 3, and hoping to relish a bit more of what is left of summertime, it helps to hear that I can reasonably anticipate feeling better soon! Thanks for making a difference! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteHi had my op on 10th April 2013 - recovery ok but still hurts a bit when walking. Can't wear any type of heeled shoe yet so am hoping I will be able to by xmas. am doing pilates and zumba again and hurts a bit after but am determined to carry on my activities. hope I can wear my heels at xmas :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you will be able to do all your activities. I am almost 18 months after my cheilectomy now, and I can hardly remember ever having a problem with my foot. Even though the orthopaedic surgeon was not too optimistic about the outcome of the surgery (lots of damage to the cartilage).
DeleteI posted above on May 29 as Anonymous, still hopeful. However, 7 months after surgery, the pain is much worse than before the surgery. I can only wear hiking boots and can barely walk in any other type of shoe. After new x-rays, the verdict is in: arthrodesis (fusing the joints) will now be scheduled. Apparantly the normal bleeding occurring during surgery actually made the arthritis progress further, and there is also now a cyst on the joint. Does this make any sense? Does anyone know of any blogs about arthrodesis? I would love to read about others who have had this done.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone taken arnica montana to reduce the swelling ? I had one toe done when i was 28, now will get the other one done at 57. Thanks for any comments on the arnica
ReplyDeleteMy thanks as well for your account. I have been considering this surgery, and this has made up my mind.
ReplyDeleteMy condition is longstanding, I just did not know that anything could be done other than fusion; finally getting a second opinion introduced me to this option.
I am 65 years, so I know my recovery may not be rapid. I will probably wait until after the next new year, as I still work and we are very busy through the holidays. And winter is a good time to be off and then work from home when you live in Rochester, NY.
Interesting blog: I am scheduled to have surgery at the end of June 14. A fusion was proposed initially but have since had reservations due to both period of recovery needed and the joint not being that severe. I have an appointment with my consultant next week to discuss matters and perhaps opt for the cheilectomy; or maybe be put off all-together and put up with the discomfort. I cycle a great deal now which lessens this anyway. Peter
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteDid you go through with the surgery? How are you?
Hi! This blog has been very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI had the surgery on my right foot just under 1 year ago at age 30. I can't say I'm in quite as good shape at this point as you describe here, but still happy I did it. Range of motion greatly improved - pain gone at the point of the spur which had been the worst, but different - usually lesser - pain in other parts of the joint that comes and goes. Hoping as I get more active and use it more, this will subside.
I'm about 5 months post right toe chielectomy. I still have some pain walking and always am aware of the toe as I walk. Still I can walk, and run, and it gets better once I get going. The toe is still numb in areas. My doctor can't tell me much except that it is a "wait and see". It is helpful to know that others aren't fully recovered at this point, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to post a detailed blog on your cheilectomy surgery and recovery. I'm 18 days post surgery and it has been incredibly helpful to read your posts and others' comments as well. This was, by far, the best resource I was able to find on the web regarding this surgery. I know every case is different and I don't expect to have the same results as you in the same time frame but I still like checking back to see where you were on different days of your recovery. It's helpful to see a success story such as yours and I'm hopeful that my recovery will be just as successful. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteIt's been three years -- and yesterday I wore three inch heels for five hours. I never ever thought I could say that. I'm so glad I had the cheillectomy -- and not a fusion, as two very distinguished doctors recommended. I still feel a bit of stiffness in my big toe, but no where near the pain --the burning pain -- I felt before the surgery. No regrets.
ReplyDeleteNot perfect, but no regrets.
Next week will celebrate my one year anniversary. NO regrets! While my toe will never be perfect (arthritis still exists), I have a decent range of motion and my activities are not limited except for some yoga movements. I have run a strong half marathon and full marathon (with a BQ time) since the surgery, and even can wear some of my high heeled shoes (but not all). Overall, I'm thrilled. Thank you for maintaining this blog!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had good luck with your operation. I had my first probably 15 years ago with great success. My second was 1 year ago. I'm sorry to say I haven't had pain relief this time. I love to walk and I'm not able to do that without pain. Since the pain has affected my gait I'm having trouble with my hip, back, etc. After getting a cortisone shot, I'm guessing my next step is fusion. :(
ReplyDeleteFinally its my 1 year anniversary - exactly 1 year ago i had the operation on my right toe. Before the operation my toe would hardly move was sore and i hobbled around most days . long walks resulted in evening of pain and in many cases walking or running had to be cut short . this was really bad over the last 5 years but really i suffered with this for 20 years before doing something about it
ReplyDeletetoday those days are gone - i can walk for hours and there is no resistance in the joint it moves smoothly and painlessly . it is exactly the same on movement as my other toe which is perfect. the toe clicks occassionally and i can feel it is non perfect but its 95% resolved and pain free
ill post some pics later today
getting this done was a great idea and i couldnt be happier with the result - best wishes to all Rob
I am a fit-as-I'll-ever-be-50-year-old-man, and had my 1 year anniversary yesterday, same as Rob. I cannot do deep lunges, but I can jog, jump, do downward dog, walk all day, balance on one leg, do toe raises, bend my toe upwards, etc. (This summer I walked 10 +/- miles in NYC on three successive days, and am now finishing an 8-week HIIT exercise program, just to give you a sense of my activity level.) But because I limped for five months post surgery, I have pain in my opposite side hip. I expect that this new pain will go away once I correct the glute weakness and imbalance, but it's worth calling everyone's attention to the fact that the toe is part of a chain of movements, and if your toe had limited ROM for years like mine did, there are likely to be plenty of compensatory changes in your body that will reveal themselves post surgery. My toe hurt constantly before surgery, and now almost never. Knowing what I now know 1 year later, would I still choose to have a cheilectomy? Yes, but I had expected to be as good as new, and I'm only 90% better. That's a huge improvement, and a more realistic one too.
ReplyDelete