I'm only 30 years old and have moderate/advanced Hallux Rigidus on my
right foot. After seeing the orthopedic surgeon today he recommended
surgery, otherwise it will get worse and the bone growth(spurs) will
continue on top.

I am pursuing a career that is physical in nature (military or
firefighting) and am hoping for a positive pain free outcome that will
allow me to continue with physical fitness, hopefully including
running.

He said there are basically 2 options. The Chielectomy or Fusion. He
said that he doesn't really like the Chielectomy for long term pain
relief and that my case is a little more advanced. He said I could try
it, but possibly have to come back for a fusion, or he could do a
judegement call at the time of operation.

The fusion will result in long term pain relief. However i'm a little
concerned with how i'll be able to function after.

Has anyone had either of these procedures? What were the outcomes?
Will I be able to run after the fusion? Will my toe/foot compensate
for the lack of joint movement?

Should I look for an alternate career that is less physical? Thank you.

On 8 Mar 2006 13:49:04 -0800, msamson11975@yahoo.ca wrote:

A shot of penicillin will clear that right up.

msamson11975@yahoo.ca wrote:
This is a great link that explains hallux rigidus and treatment
options:

http://www.allaboutmydoc.com/surgeon...le/docId.22009

It sounds like your doc didn't offer you joint replacement, maybe
because he doesn't perform that surgery, or maybe because he thinks
it's a bad idea for you. Scroll down in the link to read about it.
There's a nice diagram that explains how the artificial joint works,
how long it lasts, etc. Joint replacement would preserve function, but
you'd probably have to have the surgery repeated because the artificial
joint will wear out and need replacing.

Good luck,

--Patti

Well, I'm scheduled for cheilectomy in a couple of months. The surgeon
recommends fusion since he says my cartilege is in an advanced stage
but i'm apprehensive about the fusion when I need to be very active for
future career goals.

Furthermore, i've been taking quality fish oil for about a month,
working out pretty hard (running, stepper, weight lifting etc) and I
don't really have any pain anymore! I guess it takes the inflamation
down. So now i'm thinking about cancelling the surgery...but i'm not
sure.

The only limitation I have right now is range of motion.

Any advice?

On 25 Mar 2006 11:23:05 -0800, "msamson11975@yahoo.ca"
<msamson11975@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Since when do they schedule those? Aound here, they just shove a
garden hose up your arse, turn it on, and when you can't hold it
anymore that's it. Then you pay them $40.

msamson11975@yahoo.ca wrote:
I don't think advanced cartilage breakdown would prevent you from
getting a joint replacement. They remove all the cartilage and both of
the bony surfaces in the joint replacement surgery. Did your doc tell
you joint replacement was the wrong choice for you because of the stage
of your cartilage?

No, he said it was the wrong choice because he doesn't do it (or
recommend it anyway) due to the fact that they are not durable/reliable
and need to be replaced after an extremely short time. Apparently they
are designed for more sedentary or older individuals.

Have you had one implanted?

msamson11975@yahoo.ca wrote:
Nope. I found another link that agrees with your doc. You'd think if
they can make an artificial knee that lasts around 20 years, they could
do better with a toe, but I guess that shows what I know.

http://www.blackburnfeet.org.uk/hype...dus_backgr.htm

Well, I don't know what's up but I don't have any pain whatsoever.
I've been taking about 5g of quality fish oil per day in addition to
other sources of quality Omega 3 EFA's from fish and nuts. I eat
extremely clean and strict. I'm curious if I actually have more
cartilege left and a better joint than the doctor is leading me to
believe (afterall surgery is his livelihood). I suppose my symptoms
have been less and less until they have no disappeared since I stubbed
my toe real bad last Sept. I guess the body has a remarkable sense to
heal itself and the only problem are the bone spurs which don't hard
but limit the range of motion which doesn't seem to bother me.

At this point i'm thinking of cancelling the surgery and going on with
my life and moving forward with my career. If the pain comes back then
i'll have to deal with it at that time.

This almost feels like a miracle! I highly recommend fish oil for
arthritis and joints...give it a few weeks and you'll see for yourself.

<msamson11975@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:1143469206.736573.246710@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
If it hurts again...
A cheilectomy and joint distraction with extrenal fixation is also a great
option. All damaged cartilage / raw bone can also be made to bleed with a
K-wire, which will cause a pseudo-joint to form while the joint is
distracted. Once the external fixator is removed, the joint appears
narrower on X-rays, but the function of the joint is improved. If the joint
is really bad... the new KMI hemi implants are promising. The older
implants popped out, or became useless in one way or another.... The gold
standard for a bad rigidus is still fusion.

And with fusion, will I really be able to be active, do sports, and
have normal gait. I have heard mixed things on this...some say running
is no problem, other says I will need a rocker type shoe to walk
normal! Plus i'm guessing much more strain on other joints in the toe.

This is a tough decision for me...but the pain is pretty much gone. I
can only occassionally feel something (and it's not even really PAIN
per se) on the bottom of the joint when I walk with a specific shoe.
And it seems exercise is ok and even helps loosen things up. Could the
xrays not be as accurate as the doctor thinks?

Sure I don't have the flexion but it doesn't seem to be a big deal to
me.

On 31 Mar 2006 05:57:25 -0800, "msamson11975@yahoo.ca"
<msamson11975@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Do NOT let them cut you. It is a major mistake.

Really? WHY?? Please elaborate.

Furthermore, i've been taking quality fish oil for about a month,
working out pretty hard (running, stepper, weight lifting etc) and I
don't really have any pain anymore! I guess it takes the inflamation
down. So now i'm thinking about cancelling the surgery...but i'm not
sure.

The only limitation I have right now is range of motion.

Any advice?
~ msamson11975

Keep it up!
Delay surgery.

For range, try some light yoga,
the sunrise sequence of 7 or so positions
is good. 20 min worth,
check out yoga.com

for some good tips.

Keep the weights light
so you don't add weight on your bod,
that x-training is good.

Fresh fruit and veggies also reduces
inflammation,
eg, Mediterranean Diet,
lowering C-reative protein.

On 31 Mar 2006 13:24:52 -0800, "msamson11975@yahoo.ca"
<msamson11975@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Common sense. Do not let them cut you.

well I wish you could explain more, but I do understand that surgery is
a last resort. I have been meaning to get my weight down some (i'm 210
presently, and want to get down to 200), so i'll do more cardio and
circuit training instead of bodybuilding (weight lifting). It's
weird...sometimes it feels great, but also at times when I walk I can
feel it in the bottom of the joint, which leads me to believe that
cheilectomy would do absolutely nothing since the pain isn't in the
bone spurs (bunion). Even with the fusion, I think it hurts just if I
put weight on it with the joint not even moving so the fusion might not
do squat.

Right now i'm heavily leaning toward no surgery and just keep taking
the fish oil with a clean diet (fruits/veggies) and rehab it naturally.
But then I think about my future career goals and want this out of my
mind permanently.

Today the pain while walking returned. Coincidence that I ran out of
fish oil on the weekend? Or maybe due to doing some wind sprints
yesterday. I am now starting to think that surgery is the only option.
I have to get rid of this problem as it's holding back my life. I'm
thinking i'll let the surgeon decide what surgery to do depending on
the cartilage remaining - but leaning toward the Fusion as I don't want
to have anymore discomfort. I'm also starting to pronate alot (my foot
rolls in) and ball of foot is hurting more. This sucks!