Still doing pretty well after 5 years
Hard to believe it’s already been a there more years since I wrote my 1-year post-cheilectomy surgery post. The pandemic’s in the rearview mirror, and a hot presidential race is in progress and will come to a head this year.
So 1825 days ago I had this cheilectomy surgery to remove some (a lot) of bone spurs that built up on my big toe due to trauma over the years as described in my previous posts.
After 5 years, I am honestly happy to provide a positive update. Yes, I would still do it all over again. It gave me (so far) five years of a better and more active life. Is it perfect, not a chance and as I said many times before, you will never be perfect or as good as you were before an injury, and for sure, not after a surgery.
Two years ago, I stated I was topping out around the 85% mark in regards to being able to bend it. Today, I am probably around 75-80% mark. A little degradation, but expected considering I still put my feet and toes through trauma. If you recall, I am active in sand volleyball, working out and golfing. Believe it or not, golfing puts a tremendous load (bend) on your toe during a good swing. And since I am right hand dominant during my swing, this toe that had surgery gets bent pretty good when performing a nice good swing. Good news, I can walk or run in shoes and wouldn’t even know I had surgery.
There are good (95% good) and bad days. Bad days are mostly after some form of sporty activity. The toe hinge (where it the spurs were removed) can throb when walking, so I cater and walk on the edge of my foot. Usually, it subsides within a day or two. But I think that is going to be part of life, unless all I do is walk. And still worth it.
It’s funny looking back. It looks like in year 2 I lost my toenail after some general stubbing trauma in Volleball. Well, welcome to year 5, I lost this same toenail again and is 75% grown back (as seen in the new and updated image below). I believe this make three times now. I think this is more common with longer “finger-toes” like mine that come from a 6′ 3″ frame.
I still prefer loafers, or indoor sandles when walking around the house
I still prefer using loafers when general walking around the hard floor in the hours. Walking without padding is fine, but I feel it’s protected more when providing the hinge some more support.
I am not sure if you can tell in the pictures, but when looking at 24 and 60 months in terms of flex, I probably lost just a bit.
Stretching Reminder (aka physical therapy going)….
I stated this before, as per my 12-month and 24-month cheilectomy surgery posts, but stretching is still important. But to be honest, My toe is about where its going to be now and I rarely perform any stretches of any kind on the toe. I think stretching is still key, especially if you feel your losing more flex then 5-10% of where you were on year two.
In summary, after five 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. And after 5 years, if your in the 70%+ range, still a win. The alternative is a fusion, and that will extremely limit your happiness and activities in life.
View surgery wound and flexibility 60 months (5 years) after surgery.
Did you complete the procedure? If so did your surgery/healing thus far match mine or differ somehow? Let’s hear it in the comments below.