The Process

Back to “near” normal walking

Hard to believe it’s already been a year since I wrote my 1-year post-cheilectomy surgery post. Covid’s still around, vaccines are getting shot in arms are here we are.

So 730 days ago I had this surgery to remove some bone spurs that built up on my big toe due to trauma over the years as described in my previous posts.

I can tell you straight out, I would do it over again. Am I at 100% back to normal? Heck no, nobody is after you let another human use some knives and cutting tools inside your body.

But I think I am topping out around the 85% mark. I am not able to bend down or up as far as my non-surgery toe. But I can walk or run in shoes and wouldn’t even know I had surgery.

I can even do weighted walking lounges (with shoes), and for those that lift, know you need a strong flex in the big toe and the big toe cannot hurt. So that should say a lot. And for the first time, I played sand volleyball all last year with no issues, and I did actually slightly stub it too (too many of those will get you in the cheilectomy surgery club), but all was good shortly after.

And from stubbing it, I lost my big toenail, after it first turns black/blue and finally breaks apart from the toe (takes about a month). This is actually the second time in my life I lost a big toenail (both on surgery toe). You will see it has grown back about 50% in the 24-month picture in this post.

But what about barefoot (or socks) walking around the house?

I still prefer using loafers, walking without shoes is fine. What’s weird is some days are better then hours (depends on how much activity day before?). Some days may not notice it all, others I may notice the 15% of less flex compared to a non-issue toe.

But all in all, having this surgery was much better than getting the toes fused together.

I am not sure if you can tell in the pictures, but when looking at 12 months and 24 months in terms of flex, improvement is about the same now, but the pain or when it maxes its flex is near zero, or 1-2 on a pain scale if there is pain.

Keep your stretching (aka physical therapy going)….

I stated this before, as per my 12-month post, but I can’t stress this enough. My doctor stated, “As soon as possible, start stretching and activities (within pain tolerance)”. As those darn tendons just want to stay tight after they get cut up. Stretching is key, keep on doing it daily. (I even fail at this and could do better).

Stretching, (started day 6 after surgery for me), includes standing or sitting and slowly step forward or lift the foot up where it starts to throb, hold it and then stretch a tad more for 30 seconds and release. You can also use your hand to stretch it as well.

In summary, after two years post cheilectomy surgery, I think I am where I should be based on my expectations prior to surgery. You will never be back to 100%. But I think if you can make it back to the 80%+ range and all activities, that is a win and success in my beak.

View surgery wound and flexibility 24 months after surgery.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Back to “near” normal walking

I think when I planned on writing my 1 year review, I never would have thought the entire world would have a pandemic going on with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) issue. Nor have the world so locked down that we forced over 20 million people unemployed, crashed the stock market (over 30% fall) and other unpleasant elements to add. Oh, not to mention there is a toilet paper shortage.

But this blog is not about the pandemic, so I will get on with it. You probably want to know what the cheilectomy surgery results are after 1 year or 365 days of healing.

Like the title states, overall I would definitely do it again. It’s allowed me to get back to near normal operations. Back to playing indoor volleyball and gym activities (although not at this time with Covid-19). And I was about to test sand volleyball activities but since that is considered too social, that is banned at this time as well.

Ok, enough about nagging on the virus consequences, I am able to walk and do all normal activities (jogging, gym, indoor volleyball etc..) that involved wearing shoes. I do not have to adjust my walk or gait at all to compensate for a throb in the toe.

But, barefoot is still unique. A normal walk engages nearly 90-95% of the max-flex of the toe. Just video record yourself walking and you will see how much your toe bends before the foot is picked up during a stride. So because I am at around 85% max flex, I still adjust my gait slightly.

And another thing I am hoping will slowly improve some more, is the slight pain( 1-2 out of 10 scale) at the joint during flex. Note, this should not scare anyone out of it. Surgeries take a long time to heal once you get past the 70% healing mark. My shoulder surgery took almost 2 years before I could say it was at 95% back to normal. And after 10 years, it is actually better than my non-surgery shoulder. So anything can happen in terms of recovery after there has been grinding and knives involved on your skeleton.

If there happens to be no further progress then where I am at today, I am still good with it. As I still remember the day before the surgery. Where my toe could only bend about 10% upward. And because of that had a pretty large gait and adjustment to walking, even in shoes. And other things were starting to hurt due to walking abnormally.

I am not sure if you can tell in the pictures, but when looking at 6 months and 12 months in terms of flex, improvement is there, but the pain or discomfort is just about the same.

Keep your stretching (aka physical therapy going)….

As per my six-month post, I can’t stress this enough. My doctor stated, “As soon as possible, start stretching and activities (within pain tolerance)”. As those darn tendons just want to stay tight after they get cut up. Stretching is key, keep on doing it daily. (I even fail at this and could do better).

Stretching, (started day 6 after surgery for me), includes standing or sitting and slowly step forward or lift the foot up where it starts to throb, hold it and then stretch a tad more for 30 seconds and release. You can also use your hand to stretch it as well.

If you make a habit of doing this each time in the morning (and evening), it typically feels much better for the day. A habit that needs to be formed daily, and then eventually can be relaxed to every couple days or so to keep improving. And remember, until your at 100% flex, there is room for improvement.

In summary, I don’t have anything fancy to say, but I will say if you are having issues with your toe due to previous injuries or stubbed toes (like me) and your doctor recommends cheilectomy surgery, go for it. The results and data for recovery and back to near normal activities are very promising. It beats the alternative which is fusing your toe. Then you can kiss your normalness good by.

View surgery wound and flexibility 12 months after surgery.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Flex is around 85-90% upward motion

It’s hard to believe it has been three months since I last posted a status, which was on purpose. As after month 3, I feel the majority of progress is made, but it is ever so slightly. But the good news is that it actually progressed in a good way every month.

I am now able to work out in the gym with gym shoes on and have NO discomfort, took about 5 months post surgery for that to occur. Around 6 months, I did my first lunge (requires ton of flex/weight on toe) successfully. Still don’t have full flex, but enough to do this exercise, which says a lot. As remember, prior to surgery, my upward motion was around 20-30%.

“Pushing” off on the toe is much better and I can do large jumps pushing off toe. Doing full workouts, with no limitations (even lunges as mentioned previously) is great.

I would say I am at 85-90% recovered (based on flex)

And I compare this to my perfectly good left toe. Remind you, it is already 100% better then what it was prior to the surgery.

I am now able to walk bare feet and in sandals without needing to adjust much or at all. Reason I say that as with any surgery on a body part, how it feels can change a bit daily. I notice if I do stretching of the toe the night before and in morning, it really helps with how it feels. As it seems like the muscles that got cut up to get to the bone, still want to stay tight/shorten.

I am not sure if you can tell in the pictures, but when look at 3 months and 6 months the flex improved by at least 10%, and the pain or discomfort decreased a lot. To be honest I was hoping for faster recover, faster flexibility, but It just is not the case. Good news is it’s going in the right direction during this time.

I can now put weight, jump off of it etc.. with very little discomfort. But there is some still there. Which I hope goes away, but there’s no guarantee really. Either way, it again, is 100% better then what state I was in previously.

Keep your stretching (aka physical therapy going)….

As per my three month post, I realize this stretching talk is even more important. Stretching is key, keep on doing it daily. Which includes standing or sitting and slowly step forward or lift the foot up where it starts to throb, hold it and then stretch a tad more for 30 seconds and release.

As I mentioned a couple times (if your taking notes) I do notice when I make time in the morning (and evening) for flexing and bending of the toe (5 x 30 seconds both ways), it typically feels much better for the day. Habit that needs to be formed daily. At least for morning and evening.

When wearing shoes, I feel no discomfort and walk around as if nothing happen, which is super cool to be honest. As you have to remember, prior to surgery (6 months ago) I was limping/adjusting my stride for a good 10 months prior to surgery.

View surgery wound and flexibility six months after surgery.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Flex continues to increase slightly

I believe the past four weeks since last update has going well. I still continue to do PT, although not nearly as much as I should. I do walk 4-5 miles a day, workout and depending on shoe worn, has little affect.

“Pushing” off on the toe is a bit better and I can do small jumps pushing off toe. Doing full workouts, with the exception of doing walking lunges (which requires 100% toe flexibility) and I haven’t been able to do those for over a year now.

I would say I am at 80-85% recovered

And I compare this to my perfectly good left toe. Remind you, it is already better then what it was prior to the surgery. Prior to the surgery, I would say pain and flex was at 20-30% compared to a healthy toe.

Cushy walking shoes is still my best friend at this point. Walking bare feet and in sandals, I still need to pick up foot prior to full flex of big toe, as one, it doesn’t flex fully, and two it throbs when at its max flex upwards.

I think these past four weeks have again been slow, but looking at the pictures, my flex has increased slightly and pain has been reduced. All good signs.

Keep your stretching (aka physical therapy going)….

Will be honest, some days I slack on doing the stretching and bending of the toe. Which includes standing or sitting and slowly step forward or lift the foot up where it starts to throb, hold it and then stretch a tad more for 30 seconds and release.

I think at this point we slack at doing its PT as it seems to be at the point where it only throbs a bit with shoes, and worst, the walk has adjusted it to account for limited flexibility (leg lifting up prior to toe flexing completely to prevent throb).

I do notice when I push myself in the morning by flexing and bend of the toe (5 x 30 seconds both ways) in the morning, the rest of the day is much better. Habit that needs to be formed daily. At least for morning and dinner.

Its like it gets stiff simply overnight, which considering there is still some pain there, it is still healing and in the final stretch (pun intended).

As stated last time, not really close to be able to walk 100% normal yet (flat sandels etc..) , still throb a bit when toe flexes during normal walk. I believe this is getting slightly better, time will tell. Flat foot you can definitely feel the surgery area both bottom and top, which is still healing.

When wearing shoes, its way better, as the shoe typically helps reduce the flex needed when walking.

View surgery wound and flexibility three months after surgery.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Less pain but flex is near same as before

So with any surgery recovery, there may be times it feels stuck, well I’m at this point now. Although the pain (when flexing/walking) is down to about a 2-3, almost where it was prior to surgery which is good.

Now I am waiting for that to go away, not sure I will get much more flex then what I have as it feels like it hits a wall when I force it stretching. But will keep trying. There is less pain when “pushing” off on the toe, and I can also do calf raises with slight pain. (this was a no go just weeks ago)

Walking in shoes little less throbbing

Cushy walking shoes is still my best friend at this point. Walking bare feet and in sandals, I still need to pick up foot prior to full flex of big toe, as one, it doesn’t flex fully, and two it throbs when at its max flex upwards.

But looking back to week 6, I do believe it is doing better, and at times, can flex (if I keep at it).

Physical Therapy Continues….

Still doing the same physical therapy to improve flexing up by pushing on toe right where I feel stretch and slight pain and hold it there for 30 seconds. But I am also at that point where its touch to press it with hand, so I stand and slowly step forward to give toe a big stretch with my weight. That seems to be helping more now.

As stated last time, not really close to be able to walk 100% normal yet (flat sandels etc..) , still throb a bit when toe flexes during normal walk. I believe this is getting slightly better, time will tell. Flat foot you can definitely feel the surgery area both bottom and top, which is still healing.

When wearing shoes, its way better, as the shoe typically helps reduce the flex needed when walking.

View surgery wound and flexibility two months after surgery.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Avid Gym Doer

So like many of you, I enjoy working out and getting some exercising in (great stress reliever). And I typically go to the gym around 3 days a week, and pretty active other days. So as you can expect, that was cut off for a couple weeks which was almost harder then dealing with the pain and not able to walk well.

Recover Expectation

Good news, I was able to start back up at the gym around week 3, doing upper body exercises and was limited to leg extensions and leg curls on the machines (no foot needed for those).

I am happy to announce, I was able to start more foot involved leg workouts pretty decent this week. First time back on the calf machine, doing about 50% of my normal weight, able to flex the foot and put pressure on the toe. Anymore then that, I could feel the toe joint (you know, where the bone was cut up) pain a bit.

I was also able to start on the hipsled and put pretty decent flat foot pressure on it, doing about 60-70% of normal weight (about 700 lbs). Felt good to get back into doing some normal leg exercises that require having feet.

So I touched on this the last couple weeks, the recovery feels a bit slower then I want. But I do have to remind myself (its only been 6 weeks since major toe surgery) and I am able to do mostly anything, just not barefoot or walk 100% normal yet.

Physical Therapy Continues….

Still doing the same physical therapy to improve flexing up by pushing on toe right where I feel stretch and slight pain and hold it there for 30 seconds. Then repeat that several times. But am also pushing/stretching the toe down for periods of time, as I noticed some severe limitations in that department. I think mainly due to the incision and when it healed, the muscle/tendons got tight and lost some flexibility.

So one tip I have to offer, is to not only focus on flexibility of the toe going up, but to work on it going down as well as early as possible, may have better results.

I am not able to walk 100% normal yet, still throb a bit when toe flexes during normal walk. I believe this is getting slightly better, time will tell. Flat foot you can definitely feel the surgery area (mainly bottom of joint) is still healing, as it feels like dull knife if you try to walk normally bare feet (where major flex of toe is required).

When wearing shoes, its way better, as the shoe typically helps reduce the flex needed when walking.

View surgery wound and flexibility after 6 weeks after surgery and stitches removed.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Increasing Physical Therapy

Now that we past the 1 month milestone from last week, on to month two. Week 5 is a pretty good improvement over week 4. But will be honest, doesn’t seem like its healing as fast as I would have hoped.

Recover Expectation

But I guess what do we expect when your skin and bones are cut up. Takes some time to heal. My battle scar (as seen in picture below) is showing up nicely (can you tell I’m a guy) , which is way better then the alternative of it getting infected and having to work through that issue.

So I touched on this a bit last week, the recovery still feels slow and only seen some slight progress regarding flexibility, but the pain felt when flexing it or putting weight on while flexing it has been improved by at least another 5% when walking on it.

Although it still requires me to not put full weight on it during walk, as the pain in the joint/wound is still healing as expected and not getting worst, which is the alternative right?

Physical Therapy Continues….

I continue to do work on the flexibility on the toe. Since I sit at a computer for my job, I take breaks and push on my toe, picking up my heel as far as feasible, right where I feel stretch and slight pain and hold it there for 30 seconds. Then repeat that several times. Try to get this in at least 3-5 times a day.

I am not able to walk 100% normal yet, still throb a bit when toe flexes during normal walk. I believe this is getting slightly better, time will tell. Flat foot you can definitely feel the surgery area (mainly bottom of joint) is still healing, as it feels like dull knife if you try to walk normally bare feet (where major flex of toe is required).

When wearing shoes, its way better, as the shoe typically helps reduce the flex needed when walking.

View surgery wound after 5 weeks after surgery and stitches removed.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Walking with Less Hobble

I believe its a milestone for anyone getting through 1 month after a surgery. Typically that means your wound is well on its way to healing, your stitches have been removed and you have several days into your physical therapy.

I feel improvements have slowed just a bit regarding flexibility, but the pain felt when flexing it or putting weight on while flexing it has been improved by at least 20% when walking on it.

Although it still requires me to not put full weight on it during walk, as the pain in the joint/wound is still healing.

Physical Therapy

So what am I doing for PT? I am not seeing any therapist, just doing what my surgeon said I should have to do, that is return to normal activities and work on its flex by sitting on chair then lifting foot up trying to work more flex into the muscles so they don’t stiffen up, retract during its healing.

I even push down on my toe, as that has limited movement vs before the surgery. But there is progress, both flexibility and reduced pain.

Still not able to work normal with no pain yet of course. But can get around pretty good, just knowing there is a throb of pain that will occur when walking.

View surgery wound after 28 days after surgery and stitches removed.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.

Pain is Slightly Better

Hard to believe just 3 short weeks ago my toe was under the knife. I am wearing normal shoes again, but with the laces very loose in this shoe.

I am also wearing a large band aid like these, just to keep the rubbing/irritation on the wound down during walking. I still hobble some, even though the toe is getting some flex back, when pressure/weight is put on it, still feels like a knife underneath the joint occurs.

I think this is mainly due to not only needing the normal cutting (cheilectomy) of the bone on top, but in my case surgeon had to also do some scraping of the bottom of the bone he said, as tendons were tight against it preventing it from bending as much. I assume due to other trauma.

Whats next?

So far its going well. Wound seems to be healing, no infections, occasion ibuprofen here and there. I continue to flex the toe (like standing on tippy toes until it starts to hurt slightly, then stay there for 20 seconds, slowly put foot down, repeat about 5 times. Several times througout the day seems to do the trick.

By evening it flexes the most, then in mornings it loses some of the flex it seems and is achy to get flexibility back in the morning.

View surgery wound after 21 days after surgery and stitches removed.

Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ in someway? Lets hear it in the comments below.