Cheilectomy for Hallux Rigidus

I have osteoarthritis in my feet and, combined with very flat feet, over the years this has resulted in almost no movement in my big toe, a painful swollen knuckle and a large bony growth on top of the knuckle on both feet. I already have orthotics in my shoes which have helped my knee pan caused by my flat pronating feet and I should have taken out shares in ibuprofen manufacturers!

Last Thursday I had bilateral (both at once) dorsal cheilectomys - removal of the bony growth and additional material around the joint. It was day surgery 20 minutes per foot and I was home all bandaged up by 6pm! Whilst uncomfortable it's OK to walk gently. I have to keep them totally dry and mobile. The stitches come out next Thursday, a fortnight after the operation, and then I can start to build up walking to a gentle jog etc...

Has anyone else had this done? I'm really interested in how quickly or slowly to build up the movement and distance. Plus any advice that might help the chances of this being a good long term solution would be most welcome ;)

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Originally Posted by Livi

I have osteoarthritis in my feet and, combined with very flat feet, over the years this has resulted in almost no movement in my big toe, a painful swollen knuckle and a large bony growth on top of the knuckle on both feet. I already have orthotics in my shoes which have helped my knee pan caused by my flat pronating feet and I should have taken out shares in ibuprofen manufacturers!

Last Thursday I had bilateral (both at once) dorsal cheilectomys - removal of the bony growth and additional material around the joint. It was day surgery 20 minutes per foot and I was home all bandaged up by 6pm! Whilst uncomfortable it's OK to walk gently. I have to keep them totally dry and mobile. The stitches come out next Thursday, a fortnight after the operation, and then I can start to build up walking to a gentle jog etc...

Has anyone else had this done? I'm really interested in how quickly or slowly to build up the movement and distance. Plus any advice that might help the chances of this being a good long term solution would be most welcome ;)

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let us know how you get on, I'm not far behind you for the op.

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Originally Posted by wycoller

let us know how you get on, I'm not far behind you for the op.

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I will do Wycoller. Day 8 and it's all good progress but I can't wait to get to putting a pair of runners on and seeing how it is really. Stitches out on Thursday then build up from there.

There must be someone else on here that's had this done already or has some knowledge about recovery tips?!?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Livi

I have osteoarthritis in my feet and, combined with very flat feet, over the years this has resulted in almost no movement in my big toe, a painful swollen knuckle and a large bony growth on top of the knuckle on both feet. I already have orthotics in my shoes which have helped my knee pan caused by my flat pronating feet and I should have taken out shares in ibuprofen manufacturers!

Last Thursday I had bilateral (both at once) dorsal cheilectomys - removal of the bony growth and additional material around the joint. It was day surgery 20 minutes per foot and I was home all bandaged up by 6pm! Whilst uncomfortable it's OK to walk gently. I have to keep them totally dry and mobile. The stitches come out next Thursday, a fortnight after the operation, and then I can start to build up walking to a gentle jog etc...

Has anyone else had this done? I'm really interested in how quickly or slowly to build up the movement and distance. Plus any advice that might help the chances of this being a good long term solution would be most welcome ;)

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Hi Livi,

Yes been there done that got the T shirt! I had the same done, both feet done at the same time to speed recovery. I had 0 degree bend in right foot and 10 degree bend in left foot with bone spurs on both. Plenty of Physio would be my recommendation and do the exercises! The pain never really goes away (much less painful obviously) as it's arthritis which is the cause in the first place. I have moved up a shoe size to make sure my toes don't hit the front of my trainers when descending and take NSAID's when necessary. NSAID's were recommended to be taken daily not only for post op pain but the surgeon said the would help stop the bone spurs regrow! Recovery can be as quick as you make it, very painful short runs at first, lots of NSAID's. I ran the London marathon less than 10 months after my op's (2:58) so it can be done. Good luck with the recovery! I hope this gives you some encouragement, please feelfree to ask any questions.

Ady

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Originally Posted by Ady

Hi Livi,

Yes been there done that got the T shirt! I had the same done, both feet done at the same time to speed recovery. I had 0 degree bend in right foot and 10 degree bend in left foot with bone spurs on both. Plenty of Physio would be my recommendation and do the exercises! The pain never really goes away (much less painful obviously) as it's arthritis which is the cause in the first place. I have moved up a shoe size to make sure my toes don't hit the front of my trainers when descending and take NSAID's when necessary. NSAID's were recommended to be taken daily not only for post op pain but the surgeon said the would help stop the bone spurs regrow! Recovery can be as quick as you make it, very painful short runs at first, lots of NSAID's. I ran the London marathon less than 10 months after my op's (2:58) so it can be done. Good luck with the recovery! I hope this gives you some encouragement, please feelfree to ask any questions.

Ady

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did you have physio before surgery? I had zero degrees in one toe and about fifteen in the other, but physo has got it to fifteen and thirty. Not sure how long this will last though, bone growth definitely affecting the worst one

Ady - thanks that's a great boost to read, I really appreciate you sharing.
I had the stitches out on Thursday and, although I can't get shoes on due to swelling, I'm almost walking normally and have been manipulating both toes/joints to try and encourage it! I've definitely got more movement now even with the swelling :thumbup:

How long did you leave it before trying a gentle jog?

Hi Livi,

Glad to help. I can't remember off hand how long it took before I started running post op, I'll have to check my Garmin connect calendar that'll show me how long I was out of action for and what length of runs I started back with, I'll see if I can get that info for you.
One thing I forgot to mention before was the need to work the tendons on the sole of your foot, the tendons to the hallux toe joint won't have been stretched as your toe wasn't bending. Post op the Physio will be working on stretching these to get your toes to bend up. I exercised these as much as I could im my own time and eventually exceeded the surgeons hope for a "at best hoped for 45 degree angle of bend". My joints had a "locking up" and "clicking point" which was painful to get past but worth it in the end.

It sounds like you are recovering quickly so don't worry you'll be fine just takes time.

Ady

Livi,

As promised I can tell you that I had my operations on the 27th of June 2011 and my first run (just under 2 very painful miles) on the 16th of August. I managed a couple of runs a week from then until mid September when I moved to normal weekly milage. Hope this gives you encouragement rather than dissappointment.

Ady

Thanks Ady
I'm hopeful! I have physio booked for a fortnights time and I'm making sure I manipulate, stretch and bend as much as possible!
Still hopeful that I'll manage the Saunders ..... but we'll see :o

2 months post op and I've run 9 moorland miles mostly ok!
My worst problem in that I have infections in both feet due to the internal stitches that my body doesn't seem to like! It means that they are just vey sore / burnt skin type feeling but the joints both feel fine :thumbup:

I'm setting off on the Saunders MM on Saturday with my boy - fingers crossed we'll be ok!

13 weeks post op - 1 MM and Snowdon Mountain race and although a little sore my feet are definitely a huge improvement on their pre-op state. Less pain, more mobility, less cramp.
Whilst I was a little apprehensive about whether the operation route was the right one I am now in no doubt that it was the best choice :thumbup: