Arthritis in the Feet (Hallux Rigidus) - Anyone Else?

[alaskanseminole]

I have hallux rigidus in both feet. I'm currently being fitted for another pair of shoe inserts to see if the pain can be reduced (coupled with meds--that I, apparently, can't take daily). If these don't work, they'll fit me for some really stiff carbon fiber ones. If neither work, I'm looking at one of two types of surgery:

1. Youngswick osteotomy
2. Bone fusion surgery

Anyone else dealing with this? My concern is mobility as I get older; especially considering I'm VERY active.

 

[Hawki97]

Yep - fellow sufferer here! I'm very active and my chosen activities are very hard on my feet.

My drug dealer (ortho doc) pumps the joint full with cortisone once every 5-6 months. We both know it is a temporary fix. He says if it ever gets to more than 4 shots a year he'll need to do surgery and put that rod in that essentially fuses things together. My goal is to use cortisone as a bridge to keep me going for the major objectives I have while i'm still young. When I'm older and out of the game, I'm sure I'll slow down and surgery that requires 6-8 months of recovery won't be as big of a deal. Or who knows - maybe I'll die before it's ever needed! Either way, I'm using cortisone as long as I can to put it off.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Yep - fellow sufferer here! I'm very active and my chosen activities are very hard on my feet.

My drug dealer (ortho doc) pumps the joint full with cortisone once every 5-6 months. We both know it is a temporary fix. He says if it ever gets to more than 4 shots a year he'll need to do surgery and put that rod in that essentially fuses things together. My goal is to use cortisone as a bridge to keep me going for the major objectives I have while i'm still young. When I'm older and out of the game, I'm sure I'll slow down and surgery that requires 6-8 months of recovery won't be as big of a deal. Or who knows - maybe I'll die before it's ever needed! Either way, I'm using cortisone as long as I can to put it off.

Here's what I find odd, I've seen three different podiatrists--two in the community and one at the VA--and none of them have ever mentioned cortisone shots. It's always been orthotics and a few different meds. I thought Diclofenac was a miricle drug. As long as I didn't run, I was gtg until I found out it was supposed to be "as needed" not daily. I have it in cream form, but it doesn't seem to work as well.

I wonder if they'll offer me the shots before surgery. Have you looked into that Youngswick procedure?

 

[Hawki97]

Here's what I find odd, I've seen three different podiatrists--two in the community and one at the VA--and none of them have ever mentioned cortisone shots. It's always been orthotics and a few different meds. I thought Diclofenac was a miricle drug. As long as I didn't run, I was gtg until I found out it was supposed to be "as needed" not daily. I have it in cream form, but it doesn't seem to work as well.

I wonder if they'll offer me the shots before surgery. Have you looked into that Youngswick procedure?

For whatever reason he doesn't think I'm a good candidate for Youngswick - there's something structurally that makes the fused / rod the best option for me. Not sure why cortisone hasn't been brought up - both ortho's I went to when trying to diagnose it offered it up as an option. That said, I know some people are REALLY against it. With what I know of it so far, I have zero complaints.

 

[Joes Place]

I have hallux rigidus in both feet. I'm currently being fitted for another pair of shoe inserts to see if the pain can be reduced (coupled with meds--that I, apparently, can't take daily). If these don't work, they'll fit me for some really stiff carbon fiber ones. If neither work, I'm looking at one of two types of surgery:

1. Youngswick osteotomy
2. Bone fusion surgery

Anyone else dealing with this? My concern is mobility as I get older; especially considering I'm VERY active.

rheumatoid arthritis, or due to past injury?

They're currently developing "anti-vaccine" tech to calm the immune system for immune-related diseases.
RA, MS and diabetes

“Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases

Pritzker Molecular Engineering researchers led by Prof. Jeffrey Hubbell showed that their compound can eliminate the autoimmune reaction associated with multiple sclerosis in a laboratory setting.

pme.uchicago.edu

“Inverse vaccine” reverses autoimmune diseases like MS, diabetes & arthritis

Researchers have developed an "inverse vaccine" that reverses the damage caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy organs and tissues in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. It could pave the way to a treatment for these…

newatlas.com

If that's the root cause for you, might consider looking out for upcoming clinical trials; they finished a Phase I trial already somewhere...

Obviously, that's not going to be any immediate solution for you, though.

 

[Hawki97]

rheumatoid arthritis, or due to past injury?

They're currently developing "anti-vaccine" tech to calm the immune system for immune-related diseases.
RA, MS and diabetes

“Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases

Pritzker Molecular Engineering researchers led by Prof. Jeffrey Hubbell showed that their compound can eliminate the autoimmune reaction associated with multiple sclerosis in a laboratory setting.

pme.uchicago.edu

“Inverse vaccine” reverses autoimmune diseases like MS, diabetes & arthritis

Researchers have developed an "inverse vaccine" that reverses the damage caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy organs and tissues in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. It could pave the way to a treatment for these…

newatlas.com

If that's the root cause for you, might consider looking out for upcoming clinical trials; they finished a Phase I trial already somewhere...

Obviously, that's not going to be any immediate solution for you, though.

Can’t speak for Alaska - but mine is from years of beating the shit out of it. Which may be why I’m getting recommended to go straight to cortisone until surgery.

 

[Thunderlips71]

For whatever reason he doesn't think I'm a good candidate for Youngswick - there's something structurally that makes the fused / rod the best option for me. Not sure why cortisone hasn't been brought up - both ortho's I went to when trying to diagnose it offered it up as an option. That said, I know some people are REALLY against it. With what I know of it so far, I have zero complaints.

Wow that sounds awful - best of luck to you and @alaskanseminole . Having bad wheels is not a good thing. I occasionally have gout-like flare ups but that’s nothing compared to what you both are dealing with.

What symptoms were you guys having and did it take a while to diagnose?

 

[Kelsers]

I have hallux rigidus in both feet. I'm currently being fitted for another pair of shoe inserts to see if the pain can be reduced (coupled with meds--that I, apparently, can't take daily). If these don't work, they'll fit me for some really stiff carbon fiber ones. If neither work, I'm looking at one of two types of surgery:

1. Youngswick osteotomy
2. Bone fusion surgery

Anyone else dealing with this? My concern is mobility as I get older; especially considering I'm VERY active.

Is it possible to have Cheilectomy surgery? I had that in both toes ten years ago and I'm not having any problems.

 

[alaskanseminole]

rheumatoid arthritis, or due to past injury?

Can’t speak for Alaska - but mine is from years of beating the shit out of it. Which may be why I’m getting recommended to go straight to cortisone until surgery.

It's not RA or injury per se, but more like what Hawki97 said, years of being rough on them. Running in combat boots on a concrete flight line, water/snow skiing, running, soccer and I squat a lot which I'm sure is hard on that 1st MTG joint.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Wow that sounds awful - best of luck to you and @alaskanseminole . Having bad wheels is not a good thing. I occasionally have gout-like flare ups but that’s nothing compared to what you both are dealing with.

What symptoms were you guys having and did it take a while to diagnose?

Pain in directly in the First Metatarsophalangeal joint, both in movement and to the touch. Didn't take but one appt to diagnose...just took me a while to actually go see the podiatrist.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Is it possible to have Cheilectomy surgery? I had that in both toes ten years ago and I'm not having any problems.

They haven't mentioned it, I don't have any bone spurs...just good ole fashion dying cartilage.

 

[l.todd]

Podiatrist here. It's actually a fairly common phenomenon. Pretty much your entire body weight goes through that relatively small joint every time you take a step. As to Joe up above, those types of things won't really work with this. The drugs you are discussing are for inflammatory arthritides, like psoriatic, RA, etc. Hallux Limitus/Rigidus is more of a degenerative disease, typically caused by previous trauma to the joint or biomechanical. Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation for awhile, but are typically not a long term solution, as discussed above. Some do well with topical anti-inflammatories, like Voltaren gel. Typically presents as pain and stiffness within the joint with motion and often with hypertrophic bone spurring around the joint. Treatment depends on severity of the disease and patient profile. Early on, orthotic devices can help, particularly if they are made with a first ray cut out, to allow the first metatarsal to drop down, putting it in a better position for function. If the joint is too far gone, we go the opposite way, with some sort of rigid extension (Morton's extension) to reduce motion in the joint. If those are not successful, patients often go on to surgery, again, depending on the nature and severity of their pain. If a patient is only having pain from a shoe rubbing against the hypertrophic bone, a cheilectomy (basically just removing the spurring) is indicated. If they are having pain in the joint due to alignment issues (the most common cause) a Youngwick or a more agressive Lapidus procedure may work (they shorten and drop the first metatarsal down, decrompressing the joint and hopefully putting the first metatarsal in a better position for function). If the joint is pretty well shot, we fuse (eliminate the joint by making the 2 bones heal together into one bone) it with a plate and screws. There have been many different joint implants produced through the years, but I don't like them. Too unpredictable. I love the fusion. High rate of success and patient satisfaction. I know what it's going to look like in 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, etc.

Good luck to all who are suffering from it!

 

[Hawki97]

If the joint is pretty well shot, we fuse (eliminate the joint by making the 2 bones heal together into one bone) it with a plate and screws. There have been many different joint implants produced through the years, but I don't like them. Too unpredictable. I love the fusion. High rate of success and patient satisfaction. I know what it's going to look like in 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, etc.

This is what they’ve told me I’m headed for based on where I am today. So it’s cortisone until it doesn’t work anymore! Evidently years and years of this are no bueno on your big toe.

 

[ping72]

I’ve never heard of hallux rigidus. But OP’s mom loves when I give her the phallus rigidus.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Podiatrist here. It's actually a fairly common phenomenon. Pretty much your entire body weight goes through that relatively small joint every time you take a step. As to Joe up above, those types of things won't really work with this. The drugs you are discussing are for inflammatory arthritides, like psoriatic, RA, etc. Hallux Limitus/Rigidus is more of a degenerative disease, typically caused by previous trauma to the joint or biomechanical. Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation for awhile, but are typically not a long term solution, as discussed above. Some do well with topical anti-inflammatories, like Voltaren gel. Typically presents as pain and stiffness within the joint with motion and often with hypertrophic bone spurring around the joint. Treatment depends on severity of the disease and patient profile. Early on, orthotic devices can help, particularly if they are made with a first ray cut out, to allow the first metatarsal to drop down, putting it in a better position for function. If the joint is too far gone, we go the opposite way, with some sort of rigid extension (Morton's extension) to reduce motion in the joint. If those are not successful, patients often go on to surgery, again, depending on the nature and severity of their pain. If a patient is only having pain from a shoe rubbing against the hypertrophic bone, a cheilectomy (basically just removing the spurring) is indicated. If they are having pain in the joint due to alignment issues (the most common cause) a Youngwick or a more agressive Lapidus procedure may work (they shorten and drop the first metatarsal down, decrompressing the joint and hopefully putting the first metatarsal in a better position for function). If the joint is pretty well shot, we fuse (eliminate the joint by making the 2 bones heal together into one bone) it with a plate and screws. There have been many different joint implants produced through the years, but I don't like them. Too unpredictable. I love the fusion. High rate of success and patient satisfaction. I know what it's going to look like in 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, etc.

Good luck to all who are suffering from it!

Man, that's great information, thank you for the input. I have degenerative arthritis in both the aforementioned toe joins, one of my hips, my right shoulder and L4/L5. I've been told I have hypermobility in my joints (like my ligaments are old stretched out bungy cords), so maybe I was just born predispositioned for this (I'm no doctor).

I'm waiting for my x-rays to hit the system, then I was going to drop them in here in case someone like you popped in.

 

[NoleATL]

Podiatrist here. It's actually a fairly common phenomenon. Pretty much your entire body weight goes through that relatively small joint every time you take a step. As to Joe up above, those types of things won't really work with this. The drugs you are discussing are for inflammatory arthritides, like psoriatic, RA, etc. Hallux Limitus/Rigidus is more of a degenerative disease, typically caused by previous trauma to the joint or biomechanical. Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation for awhile, but are typically not a long term solution, as discussed above. Some do well with topical anti-inflammatories, like Voltaren gel. Typically presents as pain and stiffness within the joint with motion and often with hypertrophic bone spurring around the joint. Treatment depends on severity of the disease and patient profile. Early on, orthotic devices can help, particularly if they are made with a first ray cut out, to allow the first metatarsal to drop down, putting it in a better position for function. If the joint is too far gone, we go the opposite way, with some sort of rigid extension (Morton's extension) to reduce motion in the joint. If those are not successful, patients often go on to surgery, again, depending on the nature and severity of their pain. If a patient is only having pain from a shoe rubbing against the hypertrophic bone, a cheilectomy (basically just removing the spurring) is indicated. If they are having pain in the joint due to alignment issues (the most common cause) a Youngwick or a more agressive Lapidus procedure may work (they shorten and drop the first metatarsal down, decrompressing the joint and hopefully putting the first metatarsal in a better position for function). If the joint is pretty well shot, we fuse (eliminate the joint by making the 2 bones heal together into one bone) it with a plate and screws. There have been many different joint implants produced through the years, but I don't like them. Too unpredictable. I love the fusion. High rate of success and patient satisfaction. I know what it's going to look like in 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, etc.

Good luck to all who are suffering from it!

Wow... an actual expert on HORT that didn't have to book a room at the Holiday Inn Express and eat a Trad breakfast.

 

[Kelsers]

They haven't mentioned it, I don't have any bone spurs...just good ole fashion dying cartilage.

The doctor removed as much arthritis as possible while he was in there.

 

[Thunderlips71]

Does this thread in any way dovetail in the foot fetish thread started by @THE_DEVIL ?

 

[alaskanseminole]

Does this thread in any way dovetail in the foot fetish thread started by @THE_DEVIL ?

Depends:

 

[Thunderlips71]

Depends:

That picture is in no way, shape, or form arousing

 

[Tenacious E]

I have hallux rigidus in both feet. I'm currently being fitted for another pair of shoe inserts to see if the pain can be reduced (coupled with meds--that I, apparently, can't take daily). If these don't work, they'll fit me for some really stiff carbon fiber ones. If neither work, I'm looking at one of two types of surgery:

1. Youngswick osteotomy
2. Bone fusion surgery

Anyone else dealing with this? My concern is mobility as I get older; especially considering I'm VERY active.

Had to look up the technical term only to realize you're talking about a bunion...

I had a football injury in high school were my foot got bent weirdly while tackling. About 3 or 4 years later it turned into a severe pain at the base of the big toe and foot. It got progressively worse and got to the point where if I played hoops over the lunch hour, as a 25-year old USAF officer, I could hardly walk for 2 weeks. So I go to the base medical office, and that bastard started thumbing through a book of ailments, and thought I had gout. So he put me on colchicine, and said, this will make you sick, and it if helps you, you have gout, but if it doesn't help you, it doesn't mean you don't have gout. So I took it and it made me incredibly sick, and didn't help the foot. So I asked him to send me to an off-base specialist. He said they would aspirate my foot (code for jamming a huge needle into the base of my big toe and drawing out tissue to see if there are the crystals). I said I don't care, this is killing me. So I get to the foot specialist, and he looks at my foot for about 1 second and says you don't have gout, you have a bunion.

So I had surgery, and I will not sugar coat it for you, it SUUUCCKKED. They cut open my foot, basically broke my bones up, and put them back together in a straight line with a rod. It hurt like a motherf*cker after the surgery for weeks. But, when I healed after 6 weeks or so, it worked. fast forward almost 25 years and it is still working.

Csb, but the moral of the story is if you have a bad bunion, go ahead and get the surgery. There are fewer sure bets in medicine than orthopedic surgery human carpentry.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Had to look up the technical term only to realize you're talking about a bunion...

I had a football injury in high school were my foot got bent weirdly while tackling. About 3 or 4 years later it turned into a severe pain at the base of the big toe and foot. It got progressively worse and got to the point where if I played hoops over the lunch hour, as a 25-year old USAF officer, I could hardly walk for 2 weeks. So I go to the base medical office, and that bastard started thumbing through a book of ailments, and thought I had gout. So he put me on colchicine, and said, this will make you sick, and it if helps you, you have gout, but if it doesn't help you, it doesn't mean you don't have gout. So I took it and it made me incredibly sick, and didn't help the foot. So I asked him to send me to an off-base specialist. He said they would aspirate my foot (code for jamming a huge needle into the base of my big toe and drawing out tissue to see if there are the crystals). I said I don't care, this is killing me. So I get to the foot specialist, and he looks at my foot for about 1 second and says you don't have gout, you have a bunion.

So I had surgery, and I will not sugar coat it for you, it SUUUCCKKED. They cut open my foot, basically broke my bones up, and put them back together in a straight line with a rod. It hurt like a motherf*cker after the surgery for weeks. But, when I healed after 6 weeks or so, it worked. fast forward almost 25 years and it is still working.

Csb, but the moral of the story is if you have a bad bunion, go ahead and get the surgery. There are fewer sure bets in medicine than orthopedic surgery human carpentry.

I don't have a bunion. ...at least not yet.

 

[Tenacious E]

I don't have a bunion. ...at least not yet.

Well, then what I posted may be irrelevant, or maybe I had both. All I know is they did a surgery which was horrible to recover from, but which had amazing results, and I have a huge scar about 3 inches long where they cut me open.

 

[joelbc1]

Wow….when my gout flares I’m a miserable sumbitch but it’s treatable and temporary.
Sore feet ain’t nothing to scoff. Hang in there.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Well, then what I posted may be irrelevant, or maybe I had both. All I know is they did a surgery which was horrible to recover from, but which had amazing results, and I have a huge scar about 3 inches long where they cut me open.

Ya, either way, foot surgery doesn't look real appealing. Did you at least get some VA disability out of it?

 

[Tenacious E]

Ya, either way, foot surgery doesn't look real appealing. Did you at least get some VA disability out of it?

Oh shit, I totally blew that opportunity!

 

[auntie_fah]

I had surgery to clear arthritis out of an area around my ankle. It was my second surgery (they thought something else was causing my pain) and they cleared out the arthritis and fused the joints together.

The healing process sucked with both surgeries but quality of life was a lot better after as the only time i wasn’t in pain prior to surgery (when i had a job that kept me on my feet all day) was when i was sleeping.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Oh shit, I totally blew that opportunity!

Never too late (if serious)

(if sarcasm detected)

 

[ping72]

That picture is in no way, shape, or form arousing

Prude

 

[NoleATL]

Y’all are slacking

 

[l.todd]

Had to look up the technical term only to realize you're talking about a bunion...

I had a football injury in high school were my foot got bent weirdly while tackling. About 3 or 4 years later it turned into a severe pain at the base of the big toe and foot. It got progressively worse and got to the point where if I played hoops over the lunch hour, as a 25-year old USAF officer, I could hardly walk for 2 weeks. So I go to the base medical office, and that bastard started thumbing through a book of ailments, and thought I had gout. So he put me on colchicine, and said, this will make you sick, and it if helps you, you have gout, but if it doesn't help you, it doesn't mean you don't have gout. So I took it and it made me incredibly sick, and didn't help the foot. So I asked him to send me to an off-base specialist. He said they would aspirate my foot (code for jamming a huge needle into the base of my big toe and drawing out tissue to see if there are the crystals). I said I don't care, this is killing me. So I get to the foot specialist, and he looks at my foot for about 1 second and says you don't have gout, you have a bunion.

So I had surgery, and I will not sugar coat it for you, it SUUUCCKKED. They cut open my foot, basically broke my bones up, and put them back together in a straight line with a rod. It hurt like a motherf*cker after the surgery for weeks. But, when I healed after 6 weeks or so, it worked. fast forward almost 25 years and it is still working.

Csb, but the moral of the story is if you have a bad bunion, go ahead and get the surgery. There are fewer sure bets in medicine than orthopedic surgery human carpentry.

Not really, as referenced above. When medical specialists refer to a bunion, we are usually talking about a prominence at the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head, or toward the midline. That is typically part of an alignment issue with the first metatarsal and the big toe. Most bunions are not associated with hallux limits/rigidus. They are associated with hallux abductovalgus. Occasionally we will refer to the hypertrophic bone typically on TOP of the joint, which is where it typically is with hallux limits/rigidus, as a dorsal bunion, but the typical classic bunion is not associated with hl/hr.

 

[Tenacious E]

Not really, as referenced above. When medical specialists refer to a bunion, we are usually talking about a prominence at the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head, or toward the midline. That is typically part of an alignment issue with the first metatarsal and the big toe. Most bunions are not associated with hallux limits/rigidus. They are associated with hallux abductovalgus. Occasionally we will refer to the hypertrophic bone typically on TOP of the joint, which is where it typically is with hallux limits/rigidus, as a dorsal bunion, but the typical classic bunion is not associated with hl/hr.

Good info. My overarching point is that if you have an orthopedic issue, human carpentry, while painful, is worth it.

 

[Hawki97]

Y’all are slacking

I will never understand this fetish. Gross.

 

[Hawki97]

Had to look up the technical term only to realize you're talking about a bunion...

I had a football injury in high school were my foot got bent weirdly while tackling. About 3 or 4 years later it turned into a severe pain at the base of the big toe and foot. It got progressively worse and got to the point where if I played hoops over the lunch hour, as a 25-year old USAF officer, I could hardly walk for 2 weeks. So I go to the base medical office, and that bastard started thumbing through a book of ailments, and thought I had gout. So he put me on colchicine, and said, this will make you sick, and it if helps you, you have gout, but if it doesn't help you, it doesn't mean you don't have gout. So I took it and it made me incredibly sick, and didn't help the foot. So I asked him to send me to an off-base specialist. He said they would aspirate my foot (code for jamming a huge needle into the base of my big toe and drawing out tissue to see if there are the crystals). I said I don't care, this is killing me. So I get to the foot specialist, and he looks at my foot for about 1 second and says you don't have gout, you have a bunion.

So I had surgery, and I will not sugar coat it for you, it SUUUCCKKED. They cut open my foot, basically broke my bones up, and put them back together in a straight line with a rod. It hurt like a motherf*cker after the surgery for weeks. But, when I healed after 6 weeks or so, it worked. fast forward almost 25 years and it is still working.

Csb, but the moral of the story is if you have a bad bunion, go ahead and get the surgery. There are fewer sure bets in medicine than orthopedic surgery human carpentry.

And cortisone. I’m the world’s leading proponent of cortisone. Inject baby, inject!

 

[Tenacious E]

I will never understand this fetish. Gross.

Blonde hottie with a big rack. Checks out for me.

 

[ericram]

Here's what I find odd, I've seen three different podiatrists--two in the community and one at the VA--and none of them have ever mentioned cortisone shots. It's always been orthotics and a few different meds. I thought Diclofenac was a miricle drug. As long as I didn't run, I was gtg until I found out it was supposed to be "as needed" not daily. I have it in cream form, but it doesn't seem to work as well.

I wonder if they'll offer me the shots before surgery. Have you looked into that Youngswick procedure?

Because podiatrist are not really doctors.

 

[littlez]

Podiatrist here. It's actually a fairly common phenomenon. Pretty much your entire body weight goes through that relatively small joint every time you take a step. As to Joe up above, those types of things won't really work with this. The drugs you are discussing are for inflammatory arthritides, like psoriatic, RA, etc. Hallux Limitus/Rigidus is more of a degenerative disease, typically caused by previous trauma to the joint or biomechanical. Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation for awhile, but are typically not a long term solution, as discussed above. Some do well with topical anti-inflammatories, like Voltaren gel. Typically presents as pain and stiffness within the joint with motion and often with hypertrophic bone spurring around the joint. Treatment depends on severity of the disease and patient profile. Early on, orthotic devices can help, particularly if they are made with a first ray cut out, to allow the first metatarsal to drop down, putting it in a better position for function. If the joint is too far gone, we go the opposite way, with some sort of rigid extension (Morton's extension) to reduce motion in the joint. If those are not successful, patients often go on to surgery, again, depending on the nature and severity of their pain. If a patient is only having pain from a shoe rubbing against the hypertrophic bone, a cheilectomy (basically just removing the spurring) is indicated. If they are having pain in the joint due to alignment issues (the most common cause) a Youngwick or a more agressive Lapidus procedure may work (they shorten and drop the first metatarsal down, decrompressing the joint and hopefully putting the first metatarsal in a better position for function). If the joint is pretty well shot, we fuse (eliminate the joint by making the 2 bones heal together into one bone) it with a plate and screws. There have been many different joint implants produced through the years, but I don't like them. Too unpredictable. I love the fusion. High rate of success and patient satisfaction. I know what it's going to look like in 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, etc.

Good luck to all who are suffering from it!

What about joint replacement? I’m looking at that over fusion. Fusion if you’re active seems like a terrible option.

 

[Hawki97]

What about joint replacement? I’m looking at that over fusion. Fusion if you’re active seems like a terrible option.

If I wanted to continue running later in life I’ve thought about this as well. Seems like it would really be rough to fuse it. Not going to be an issue for me because I honestly can’t wait to stop running…but if you loved it I would have reservations.

 

[littlez]

If I wanted to continue running later in life I’ve thought about this as well. Seems like it would really be rough to fuse it. Not going to be an issue for me because I honestly can’t wait to stop running…but if you loved it I would have reservations.

Still very active in tennis and pickle ball, my guy seems to think the joint replacement is the way to go. It’s where I’m leaning.

 

[SSG T]

That's one thing I actually don't have. I do have a couple of torn ligaments/tendons and 3 broken metatarsals (one never healed and is in 2 pieces). But no arthritis, well, in my feet/ankles.