Before the surgery vs. 7 weeks after the surgery - showing improvement.
Week 9 - range of upward movement (active)
The scar - week 4
The scar - week 6
The scar - week 12
The scar - week 12
Pictures below are provided courtesy of Chi Judo, blog reader and contributor:
12 weeks post surgery
5 months after surgery
My own photos - 9 years after the surgery.
They show this difference in the range of motion between the right foot (after surgery) vs. the left foot (healthy, normal joint).
As you can see, the difference is very small.
Can you post a photo comparing your good toe vs your surgery toe? I’m terribly worried I’ll not have my full range of motion due to the scar again.
ReplyDeleteI will post mine shortly.
DeletePosted now, as requested.
DeleteThank you so much. Did you do any physical therapy such or Graston to help with scar tissue? Your ROM is incredible and I thank you so much these photos and sharing your story. It gives me hope.
DeleteNo, I did not have any physical therapy, nor anything else. I gave it a lot of time and patience, and I followed my normal - at that time - exercise schedule. I ran, as much as it was possible. I played competitive badminton - this was a great challenge for the toe. But I never forced anything. It took at least a year, or perhaps even longer, to get to the current range of motion. When did you have your surgery?
DeleteI’ll have my surgery on the 9th of April. It will be a bone shaving to remove the spur with no bone cutting. On yours, do you know if they cut the bone and used any screws or just removed the spur and extra bone growth?
ReplyDeleteNo cutting, no screws. They just removed the spurs and the necrotic cartilage. The surgeon said that it looked really bad, and that I would likely need another surgery or fusion in a few years. But so far so good - 9 years later. But my sister had bilateral cheilectomy a year later or so, she cannot wear high heels. Every person is different really and it is impossible to predict the outcome. Be patient! Any joint surgery takes long months to heal, be prepared to wait. You cannot accelerate the healing, it is a matter of biology. Good luck and please let me know how it goes!
DeleteDid you have the surgery yesterday? How are you today?
DeleteI’ve been resting and sleeping a lot the past few days and thank you so much for following up with me. My ROM is much better on day now for upwards flexion. In fact, I hade nearly full ROM on day three. The podiatrist was shocked at my healing on my day 3-post op appointment, with my ROM and how good the wound looked. I’m still in a surgical sandal right now and it’s day 12 for me. No sutures, but glue was used so the scar may not be as visible but I only care about the pain and ROM. I’ve got scars all over from a previous line of work saving people, so one more doesn’t affect me. I followed a strict anti-inflammatory diet following surgery with a lot of tumeric soup, meals, and tea in addition to my ibuprofen. I kept my foot up above my heart while I slept at all times. Wasn’t too hard really, since as soon as I was comfortable, my wife said I was out like a rock in a few minutes.
DeleteYou inspired me and I plan on creating a blog as well to describe my journey as you are the only one I know, or could find, that was responsive and had so much detail. I’ve been put through the ringer in life with my previous line of work, so it was honestly helpful and reassuring to read all your information and see the pictures because I was terrified of the thought of never walking and chasing my kids again. You have no idea how much this has helped me.
I am very happy to hear that everything went well for you. It seems to me that you can expect a quick, uneventful recovery. I wish you a quick return to your usual activities. I am glad that you found this blog helpful; once you start your one, I will be happy for us to cross-link.
DeleteOnce again, my best wishes for a speedy recovery!
I see my Podiatrist tomorrow afternoon at 2pm HST no see if the surgery sandal is no longer a requirement for me to wear. It’s been 24 days post surgery and so far I m doing very well. My ROM seems great too, and only slightly less than my good left toe. If I get out of my sandal, I’ll start on my blog this week. I’ve got all my photos, food, medicine, sleep, no elevation documented for it from day one. Should be cool to help explain and extend the story so others can feel comfortable if they have to have a Cheilectomy as well. So glad I found your blog and can’t wait to connect ours!
DeleteI had my surgery on March 30, 2021.
ReplyDeleteI am still in a post op boot
Some days I have a lot of pain , and this boot is causing pain to my leg, foot hip and other leg!
I have very little range of motion and after my staples were taken out the doctor said only to exercise my toe back and forth 3-4 times a day!
As far as the scar, I am use YL frankincense oil and it is healing nicely