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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

pain after foot fusion

by Bonnie
(Indiana)

I fell 12-25-07 and broke over 20 bones in my rt foot. I had one fusion

done. This did not take. I then went in on June 17 08 to have a revision
done. This did take however I then had to have another surgery done
because the screws were backing out. How long should I have pain and
swelling from this? I can't even do my adls without severe pain. I would
appreciate any help. I have tried rest ice elevation to no avail. Please help me.
Bonnie in Indiana

Hi Bonnie,
I would think that six months down the road you should be feeling better. If you are not quite where you want to be but are noticing slow improvement then you are probably alright. Have you had physical therapy? If not speak to you doctor about that.
If, however, you are still in as much pain as you were say two weeks following surgery then there may be an issue. I would make an appointment with your doctor and discuss your concerns, if he or she seems uninterested, then I would seek another opinion.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Apr 19, 2017
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Foot Fusion Pain
by: Mychelle

I'm not sure if anyone even reviews this anymore, but I must say I thought I was the only one suffering from this kind of condition. I had 9 surgeries on my left foot. Last surgery was to remove the hardware from my foot fusion because after 4 months of unbearable pain they said I was allergic to the hardware, plate and screws. I'm still suffering over a year later. Constant swelling/pain..it feels like if you had a rubber band around the toe. The pain is now going up my leg (below the knee). I don't like taking pain meds, but it's the only thing that helps my Quality of Life. It's sad because you have these idiots who abuse their medication and it makes it difficult for Dr's to prescribe those who truly need it. It amazes me because they are not putting a restriction on alcohol. I don't wish pain on anyone, but it is nice to know that I'm not the only one out there who suffers from this type of condition.

Feb 11, 2012
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arthrititis pain after breaking foot
by: Bonnie

I just am curious if the pain I am having could be arthritis. I feel like I have been cut to the bone and can almost feel where the hardware was at. Is this arthritis or just part of the problem which can occur after a trauma like this??

Sep 07, 2010
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healing time after removal of hardware
by: Bonnie

Just was wondering how long does it take for healing to take place after hardware has been removed?? I guess that is what is going to have to happen after all of this time and pain. I hope this helps and takes care of most of the trouble!!
Bonnie

Sep 06, 2010
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pain after fusion
by: Bonnie

I just wanted to say that I still have trouble
after 2 and a half years! I just found out that
there are more screws than I thought was put in.
I am now looking at having all of the hardware removed because of the swelling and pain as well as the nerves and tendons being caught in the hardware. My point is if you have any trouble after this type of surgery to be sure to follow up with another Dr if the first will not adress your issues. By the way I am back on pain medicine
and have lost my private insurance !! Bonnie

Jan 22, 2009
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foot pain after fusion
by: Bonnie

I have just found out that one of the fusions did
not take. I have extreme swelling in my right foot. I hhave tried ice elevation and had to go back on narcotic pain medicine to back the pain down.My Dr said that he does not want to do another surgery just yet but I wonder what my other choices are since the fusion has not took.
Bonnie from Indianapolis still hurting

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PAIN AFTER FOOT FUSION

by BONNIE
(INDIANAPOLIS)

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE AFTER A FUSION FOR THE PAIN TO GO AWAY I HAVE HAD ENOUGH DADGUM PAIN TO LAST ME A LIFETIME. I HAD THE ONE FUSION DONE IT DID NOT TAKE,SO I
HAD A REVISION DONE AND 2 OF 3 TOOK,THEN THE HARDWARE BACKED OUT AND SO I HAD 2 SCREWS TAKEN OUT , NOW THE MIDDLE FUSION STILL HAS NOT TOOK AND I HAVE TO USE A BONE STIMULATOR , AND STILLHAVE TO TAKE PAIN MEDICINE TO KEEP THE PAIN BACKED OFF!!
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THE BONE STIMULATOR TO WORK IF IT IS GOING TO AND WHAT THE HECK TO DO ABOUT STIFFNESS AND NERVE DAMAGE??? I WALK WITH A LIMP NOW AND GET
THROWED OFF BALANCE SO EASY THAT I AM SCARED TO DEATH ABOUT FALLING!! I HAVE HAD
PT AND COULD NOT DO MUCH BECAUSE OF A NON-UNION AND THE DR SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO SCRATCH HIS HEAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO TRY TO FIX MY RT FOOT!! IF I HAVE TO GO BACK TO SURGERY WILL THEY HAVE TO UNDO THE 2 FUSIONS THAT TOOK AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT A BONE GRAFT?? I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THE PAIN AND OFF
NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICINE. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE ARTHRITIS IN IT AND WHAT KIND IT IS
AND HOW DO I DEAL WITH THAT??BONNIE IN INDIANAPOLIS

Hi Bonnie,
Without examining you I have no idea what you can expect, all I know is your foot problems have been filled with complications and each subsequent surgery is only going to set you back in terms of healing.
If your surgeon is scratching his head, I think it is time to get another opinion.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Jun 18, 2012
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Club foot/ankle replacemnt/infection/fushion
by: Anonymous

I was born with a club foot. I was having a little swlling. But was on no pain meds. My primary care sent me for a evalutation. They said
I had bone to bone and needed a ankle replacement.
Next thing I knew I was givrn the salto talris. Then after 8 months of complaining. They gave me a test. And then saif I had a infection. Took it out I had a antibiotic spacer for 8 weeks. Also had a bad reaction to the vancomyicin IV meds. Now 6/4 had ankle fushion. And my toes dont hardly
move the big one doesnt move at all. And I cant stand anything to touch my toes. I always feel like electricity is going through my whole foot.
And I have like shock waves. What have they done to me now. Kimla

Mar 08, 2011
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Bonnie
by: jandpbarber@bigpond.com.au

IT SEEMS TO TAKE FOREVERE, I HAVE 4 PINS IN MY FOOT,NON REMOVABLE,I AM CONSTANTLY IN PAIN,BUT BEARABLE? MY TOES HAVE NOW TURNED ARTHRITIC.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NEARLY 18 MONTHS,MY DOCTOR AT THE TIME COULD NOT PICK ANYTHING UP FROM THE FIRST E-RAY,HENCE WHY SHE SENT ME OFF TO PHYSIO,,NOW RESULTING THAT I HAD TO HAVE MY FOOT SLICED OPEN 4 METAL SCREWS PUT IN AND NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A PERMANENT DISABILITY.I DON'T TAKE MEDICATION,I HAVE A GREAT SURGEON AND PODIADRIST IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THEIR CONTACTS???Good Luck

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pain after foot fusion

by Bonnie
(Indianapolis)

My problem is I still am having foot pain after a fusion and a revision
and having some hardware took out. My Dr said that I still have a non-union and we are trying a bone stimulator. I have used the stimulator for about 2 months and the
x-rays still show the non-union.How long will it take to work if it is going to?
Do these stimulators always work? I have had this for over 15 months now. I just want to be done with this. The pain is very severe at times and none on some days.
Please help me !! Bonnie in Indianapolis

Hi Bonnie,
Bone stimulators do work, but not on everyone. I would give it at least four months to see if it will close the non-union, because your other option is probably less enticing, which would be a bone graft requiring further surgery.
VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you are compliant in the use of the stimulator, do not get lazy about it, otherwise I can almost guarantee you the fracture will not heal.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Apr 15, 2009
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alternate treatment of non-union
by: Bonnie

Hi. I was just wondering if you have any suggestions for alternate treatment of the non-union fracture in my rt foot. I've had 3 surgeries
and have been doing the bone stimulator faithfully
but it does not seem to help. Was curious if you had any other ideals except for surgery? Bonnie

Hi Bonnie,
There are different types of non-unions but the one thing they all have in common is that there is scar tissue between the two ends of bone, this scar tissue is not as strong as bone and therefore there is constant pain.
Unfortunately I have not heard of any alternative means to "bridging the gap" between the two bones, but just because I have not heard of any does not mean they do not exist. If someone does suggest some alternative form of treatment be very cautious before you consent to any of these treatments; there are a lot of snake oil salesmen out there.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

First, thanks for putting together this website. Its the most informative site I have found dealing with foot problems. Last June I started having pain and swelling at …….

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Madison, Alabama

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Denison, TX

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Tampa, Florida 33624

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Regards,

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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South Carolina

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location unknown

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location unknown

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location unknown

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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San Diego, CA

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location unknown

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Florida

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Lynne T.

location unknown

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New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

pain after foot fusion

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PAIN AFTER FOOT FUSION

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pain after foot fusion

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