Getting the big toe fused today!

[cgarr]

I sure hope this works, going in to repair an old injury, grind out all the old arthritis and fuse the toe in about 3 hours. He said it will not limit any activities so here we go!!

[masraum]

good luck. I hope the rehab after isn't too long.

[lendaddy]

I had a whole bunch of bones in my right foot fused after I shattered it racing motocross years ago. I forget how many but it was a bunch.... anyway, I really can't notice any difference from the other so maybe that eases your mind a bit.

[Jim Richards]

Excellent! Weld that baby up.

[Pazuzu]

If it's the right foot, having him glue in a nice big extra piece on the outside edge...makes for better heel/toe action

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

If it's the right foot, having him glue in a nice big extra piece on the outside edge...makes for better heel/toe action

funny you say that: My brother and I were just talking about having some mounting points added to attach different accessories.

[cgarr]

All Done and home, that was not so bad, now if I can just get down stairs into the workshop I will be all set!!

[HardDrive]

I think you have a new weapon at your disposal in the bedroom.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I think you have a new weapon at your disposal in the bedroom.

[slakjaw]

You do know that "Big Toe" is slang for your junk right?

LOL

[pavulon]

I hope you were offered a popliteal block...bupivacaine, epi, tetracaine, clonidine please.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I hope you were offered a popliteal block...bupivacaine, epi, tetracaine, clonidine please.

No, ankle block or field block would be preferable for this, bupivicaine, and if using this, what would you want tetracaine for, which practically nobody uses.

Elevate your foot, use your surgical shoe/boot.

When I do these, I like to use a fully threaded screw, and overdrill the distal phalanx so you get good compression. I usually remove the screw, because if you don't, they tend to cause trouble, and will often break. Easier to remove fully threaded than partially threaded cancellous screw. Herbert screw is nice for this too, headless, with different pitch on the two threaded areas to give compression.

[pavulon]

When I do a popliteal block as described, it's one pre-op poke (no sedation necessary) resulting in surgical anesthesia (bupivacaine w/ epi as a vascular marker and block extender) and 30-36 hours of analgesia (tetracaine w/ clonidine). The patient can walk on it if necessary. Ultrasound guidance makes it as close to 100% successful (and safe) as you can get. Works so well that it's a surgeon reqeust for EVERY foot and/or ankle case I do.

Originally Posted by Tobra

No, ankle block or field block would be preferable for this, bupivicaine, and if using this, what would you want tetracaine for, which practically nobody uses.

[Tobra]

Sorry, don't mean to hijack; I have never had an anesthesiologist even mention a popliteal block, and my mother is one. They would be able to walk, but I would expect you would have a tough time walking after that block, and you don't want them stubbing that toe after a fusion.

That is not how folks do it in California or Texas. The podiatrists do ankle blocks and the ortho guys do their stuff under general or spinal(which I always thought was a bad idea, why add risk to a procedure)If you do a popliteal block with epi, it will last pretty damn long, probably 24 hours, why would you use tetracaine and clonidine in the first place?

Good luck on the surgery, hope you remembered to skip breakfast.

[Jim Richards]

I love hurling after the anesthesia wears off.

[cgarr]

I don't know what it was but they called it a MAC and I don't remember anything, I was out and the feeling is now starting to come back in the toe and did say he was going to freeze that area too.

What ever it was, I was up and out of there within a hour or less.

Here is what they fixed, couldn't even ware my dress shoes anymore with that big ole bump.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Tobra

When I do these, I like to use a fully threaded screw, and overdrill the distal phalanx so you get good compression. I usually remove the screw, because if you don't, they tend to cause trouble, and will often break. Easier to remove fully threaded than partially threaded cancellous screw. Herbert screw is nice for this too, headless, with different pitch on the two threaded areas to give compression.

Ever try an Acutrak screw?

Best of luck with the healing, cgarr. I've been toying with the idea, myself, as I've been stuck with a case of gout this past week. Can't even sleep through a full night with this pain.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Here is what they fixed, couldn't even ware my dress shoes anymore with that big ole bump.

Is that a "before" shot or swelling after the procedure? I am thinking I may not be far behind you.

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by Halm

Is that a "before" shot or swelling after the procedure? I am thinking I may not be far behind you.

that's the "before"

Here is the after, have it done, I wish I had years ago now.

[Halm]

How long in the walking boot? And then how long until full activity again?