My name is Jace, and I will walk you through the experience of the surgery I had to have to rectify my hallux rigidus (bone spurs on joint preventing full functionality of movement).
I am pretty active and play quite a bit of volleyball (sand/outdoor/no shoes) and during that time, had a fair share of big toe injuries (stubbing toe, stepped on, slammed on etc..), all on my right foot. That combination of sports injuries is perfect to develop this so called hallux rigidus (hallux = big toe, rigidus = limited motion).
I am in my early 40’s and this finally caught up to me and started affecting my walking as my big toe lost enough flexibility movement upward making me shift my walk. Knowing something had to be done, I went to the podiatry office and got xrays, sure enough it was super easy to see I was stage I (there’s 3 stages of this type of arthritis), I is the best stage to be in, meaning the joint itself was pretty good, but the rest had bone spurs growing like weeds in a garden.
So after talking through options (wear stiff sole, continue as is etc..) surgery was the obvious choice to get back to normal life. So surgery was scheduled. See Day 0 to see what surgery day was like.
Hi I’m scheduled to have chilectomy surgery in 10 days and after reading, I’m now having serious doubts. Doctor made it seem like a walk-in-the-park and I’d be back playing tennis in no time—6-10 weeks. Does not seem to be the case with most of you. My story and x-rays are similar to Jace’s and pain in right toe has taken me out of playing sports. I can take easy-moderate hikes with little discomfort. If I get this surgery in late April, what is my summer looking like? I’m a 61 year old “dinosaur dad” with two young boys (7 and 9) who don’t want to hear about my aches and pains. After reading this AMAZING blog, I’m tempted to pull out of surgery. Please advise. Anyone? Most beholden. L
Hey Lex, did you have the surgery? I totally get your concerns—surgery is a big deal! Everyone’s recovery is different, but many do find it takes longer than expected. If you go through with it in late April, you might be able to do light activities by summer, but tennis and more intense sports could be a stretch. Maybe get a second opinion or chat more with your doc about your specific case. Best of luck, and keep us posted!
Hi Jace!
I just had my Cheilectomy on 11-22-21. Your blog was instrumental in helping me decide to go through with surgery. I am 52 yrs old and doing suprisingly well! I have not had to use pain meds and swelling has been minimal. The hardest part is keeping foot elevated above heart. To others who are pondering surgery, just do it! I waited 6 yrs too long.
Just had this surgery 5 days ago. This blog has been really helpful in setting expectations. Currently things seem to be going well. The doc wants me to keep the foot dressed until the stitches are removed in 9 days. So far it’s been very pain free and not used any meds after the nerve block wore off. Keeping my foot elevated is getting tiring but will stick with it. Heel walking is ok, really looking forward to getting some walking going and working the joint a little.
How is going Matt? I am 7 days post op and I feel like my foot is swelling too much for this surgical dressing . This just started today this bad . I’m instructing you leave this on until Friday when he removes my sutures . Maybe I walked too much on it today (well with the boot and weight on the heel only today)
Hello,
I am 32, very active and a dancer. I had my surgery on Nov 11, 2020. I’ve been able to get back to moderate stair running and long walks (with my rigid hiking boots), my concern is mostly how stiff my toe is trying to bend it down, not up. I’ve been stretching it since I got my bandages off but it is so stiff which causes pain. Unfortunately I have been delayed in starting PT due to insurance, Covid, and holidays.. but better late than never!
Just wanted to say thank you for making this blog, as there doesn’t seem to be a lot of first hand experience information out there on post surgery recovery. My surgeon greatly undersold how long the recovery would be, so this blog has been comforting. Wishing everyone speedy healing!
Hi Justine, Yes I was expecting the downward motion to be affected as much either. I think because they cut near the top, the tissue really tightens up there, limiting downward flexibility. So my biggest tip is to spend just as much time stretching the toe/joint downward as much as we spend flexing it upward. We don’t think of needing downward flex much, but without that flexibility, we are more prone to stubbing it much easier as it wont be able to flex/down without a potential injury. I still stretch it today. It will be two years in April for me, and I plan to post up a recap/recovery at that time. Stay tuned.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’m 32 and play soccer and basketball. Similar to you, repeat impact injuries on my big, right toe (dominant foot) lead to hallux rigidus. Bone spurs in my big toe were starting to cause issues (inability to sprint, couldn’t do lunges without discomfort, difficulty maintaining normal workout routine) so we opted for surgery. I had surgery last week and I’m currently on day 5 of my recovery.
It’s super helpful tracking your recovery versus mine. Appreciate it.
Glad to see sharing my experience is helpful. Speedy recovery to you.
I wanted to say thank you for your blog! My cheilectomy surgery is tomorrow! I am stressed but your blog help me to calm my nerves down! Wish me luck!
Thank you for sharing your experience. What made you decide to do this surgery? I have hallux limitus and been dealing with it for 2 years now with cortisone shots. Last one was 4 months ago but pain is coming back. I was told I need either fusion or implant. But really don’t want to do either and feel chilectomy may be the better option for me. My Bone spur looks very similar to yours.