Yes, it has been four years now. The foot is in perfect shape, only occasionally giving me some faint reminders of the past problem. In spite of the rather gloomy prognosis the surgeon gave me after the surgery, I cannot see any recurrent signs or symptoms of arthritis. On the contrary, I think that the foot is getting better and better every year - thus my answer to everyone who is asking the question:
How long does it take to fully recover?
is:
While the initial recovery may and probably will take a few months, some people may experience further improvement over the following months or even years.
22 May, 2016
4 comments :
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Hello! Thank you so much for writing this informative blog. I found it not long after my surgery, and it has helped me throughout my recovery process. I am 23 years old and had a cheilectomy in early February of this year. I am very active so this has been a big change for me. My initial recovery was very difficult and painful, and I didn't leave my bed for almost a week after. I had it wrapped for 4 weeks after, and was in a recovery shoe for about 6 weeks. It was my right foot so I was unable to drive for a while. I'm now a little less than 4 months out from my surgery and still have pain with increased activity and limited range of motion. I am starting physical therapy soon to try to improve that. I am only just beginning to run again, so I am envious of your quick entry back into your normal workout routine. But, it is encouraging that you say that it could take a few months to fully recover. Initially I felt like I was way behind in my recovery process, especially because I am fairly young for this procedure and otherwise healthy. Anyways, I just want to thank you for writing this blog and congrats on 4 arthritis free years!
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you for your comment and good luck with your recovery!
ReplyDeleteParsifal, I'm glad you updated this. Mine is bad news. I had a cheilectomy in March 2016; 9 months later I still have considerable pain and stiffness. Worse, bone spurs have already returned. The toe arthritis is now "severe." We are now trying custom orthotics; next step is fusion.
ReplyDeleteI never really regained any bend in the toe, despite months of PT, and the pain still radiates pretty much all over the tendons leading up to the toe. It has been extremely discouraging.
I know orthos like to recommend cheilectomy before fusion, but it is sure hard when you are worse after the cheilectomy than before. I wish I had better news for my own case!
I had a cheliectomy 3 years ago. Right foot. I held off until it was so rigid. Stupid decision. That said, I thought I would never recover. But I did. MY toe seems to get better and better too. I just have the odd 'pain twinge' to the side of the ball of my toe. I stopped running though because of additional back surgery. Also my surgeon said there is high degeneration in the toe so suggested I switched to another aerobic activity. This was a recent assessment. I have done a lot of yoga in 3 years and actively worked on making my foot better. I found the tendon underneath was a big issue. Ensuring I stretched that out and massaged it really helped. I still have balance issue when I do yoga though. It is apparent when I do anything standing on the right leg. I also have another issue has developed on my right foot, a numbness under the 3-4th toe. Just had an injection of cortisone to see if it will help. Possible mortons neuroma. 2 weeks ago I had the same operation on my left foot. This time, I did it about 1.5-2 years after the symptomlns started to appear. It was almost identical prognosis. Op was 2 hours. Flew home next day with boot on. 2 hour flight 24 hours after surgery. This time post op I have started moving earlier because I don't want things tightening up. Really did not 'rest up' just did elevation as and when. I took my boot off after 5 days and walked around in soft slippers. Outside the house I ditched it after maybe 7-8. I did Pilates 2 days after the op, yoga 4 days. All adapted for my condition. I have continued since then 4 times in week 1-2 hours. Have also done a lot of exercise to stimulate good circulation in the legs and foot. I am seeing a faster recovery. I am walking around not really noticing my toe, but definitely guarding it from being bashed. I am going up and down the stairs and notice my foot is bending. I remember last time the stairs were harder and my foot less flexible. Maybe my foot flex before hand has helped. One down point, I live in the tropics and my stitches got infected. So am on more antibiotics and haven't attempted Sports shoes. Stitches came out, mid infection, after 10 days. At mo the main incision is swollen and red thats it. I have a second incision which is fine. No pain in bed unless I lie in odd position. And sometimes got cramp in calf in first week in bed. Bit alarming. Am going to swim today and start biking. Only issue with biking is footwear. We will see.
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