Tightrope bunion surgery gone wrong
by Cathy
My doctor did HIS version of the tightrope bunion surgery. My right foot on November 5th 2011 and left foot December 28th 2011 Well that wire strangled the second metatarsal bone almost snapping it in two, literally choked it. The x-ray looks like an hour glass shaped bone. This all happened in six months. So he removed the wire and now I'm in a cam walker for 8 weeks hoping and praying the bone heals and I guess my bunion surgery is completely undone. My problem is he did this to the left foot also so he said we'll have to watch it and remove it if it does the same thing. Have you ever heard of this way of doing the tightrope surgery? I sure didn't agree to have an experimental surgery. Cathy Hi Cathy, The "classic" tightrope bunionectomy is described as putting the anchor into the second metatarsal bone and under tension, pulling the first metatarsal towards the second. Although I have never heard of the method your surgeon used I will say that there are variations on most "classic" descriptions of various surgical techniques. As techniques are developed, over time, variations are applied to them in an effort to eventually finding the best way to perform a certain procedure. Although I am totally unfamiliar with any aspect of your history, other than what you have described in this post, I would be very concerned that the same problem will also occur on the second foot (for the same reasons it occurred on the first bunionectomy). Complicating this is the fact that because you are in a cam walker on the right foot, you are probably putting more strain on the left foot which may exacerbate the situation. The only advice I can give you is to make sure your surgeon keeps a close eye on the left foot and at any indication the wire may be cutting into the second metatarsal, have it removed. Marc Mitnick DPM DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.
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