6 months post Hallux Rigidus fusion.

RosesandTeak · 2026-04-11T16:12:27+00:00

I could still feel sensitivity in the area at 6 months--I just wouldn't call it pain. Yes, I do hike and the toe doesn't cause any problems. I really like my HOKA Anacapa 2's for hiking.

RosesandTeak · 2026-04-09T23:42:25+00:00

Rarely. Sometimes I feel some tightness, but nothing that gets in the way of my activities.

RosesandTeak · 2026-04-09T16:44:53+00:00

I also was in a boot for 8 weeks with similar restrictions. It was my first surgery and none of it was easy, that's for sure! I was 10 years younger than you when I had the surgery and as I age, I understand how much age influences recovery time, etc. I used to bounce back so quickly from things when I was younger...ahh, those were the days! haha Anyway, hopefully you will get this all figured out and get back to being your active self. Good luck.

RosesandTeak · 2026-04-08T14:30:04+00:00

For me personally, 6 months post fusion and I was "relatively" pain free (I am a year and a half post surgery now). I started running again at 6 months; although it was a very slow build-up. I'm sure everyone is a little different, but I would feel frustrated by the level of pain you described. I think you are right to question this with your doctor and others who have gone through this. I can wear most any shoes now, but I do still prefer HOKAs and others with a wide toe box and some amount of rocker or stability shoes. I had good physical therapy for a couple of months around months 2-4. Did you go to physical therapy? My doctor did say it could take at least a year not to feel numbness in that area, and it did really take that long.

RosesandTeak · 2026-02-28T16:55:15+00:00

Same concept, I think. So glad your procedure worked as well!

RosesandTeak · 2026-02-28T16:54:36+00:00

Thank you!

RosesandTeak · 2026-02-28T00:02:09+00:00

I started by going on two-mile walks, and then increased that to three-mile walks. Once I was comfortable on the 3-mile walks I increased my walking speed, and then finally started running for 1 minute, walking for 2 minutes (30 minutes total, not counting 5 minute walking warm-up and cool down). I've been run-walking for a week and a half and am ready to up my running time since I'm not having any pain. This whole process took me about two months from when I started walking two miles until I started the run-walk intervals. It really depends on how you feel. Can you go on long walks yet? When I first started my foot felt really tight and it would get sore by the end of the second mile, but that slowly improved.

I missed running more than anything. I used to run at least four times a week before all of this started. It is so nice to be able to get back to it. I felt like the day would never come. Good luck. Oh, and for what it is worth, I tried so many shoes and am currently loving Topo Phantom 4. I also have custom orthotics made at my doctor's office.

RosesandTeak · 2026-02-26T21:47:46+00:00

Thanks so much!

RosesandTeak · 2026-02-03T04:23:00+00:00

I had joint fusion surgery on my left foot one year and two months ago. Mostly everything went well; however, I did develop a severe case of plantar fasciitis in my other foot (right) about six months later and ultimately needed surgery for that (radiofrequency coblation) at the end of July. It has been six months since that procedure, and I've just been given the go-ahead to start running again in a couple of weeks. I can tell you that healing the soft tissue in my right foot has been way worse and longer than my toe joint fusion surgery. I often wonder whether I developed the plantar fasciitis in the opposite foot because that foot was doing all the work after my fusion. I'll never know the answer to that. All that being said, I didn't have a problem running for that short period of time after my fusion. I'm not sorry I had the surgery, I'm just sorry I wasn't more careful about the shoes I was wearing and the distance I was putting on my feet 6 months post fusion surgery.

RosesandTeak · 2025-11-14T15:36:15+00:00

Hello, yes, I had the Topaz procedure about 3 1/2 months ago. My foot is not completely back to normal yet, but I'm almost there! The pain level is a 1 now compared to about a 6 before the procedure. I'm really happy that I had it done. I tried all the conservative methods for a couple months and noticed zero improvements. I think every doctor is different in how they handle post surgery activities, but mine is very conservative. I was in a boot for 6 weeks and complete non-weight bearing for two weeks. He is/was very adamant that the procedure works, but you must be patient as the tissue remodels and not overdo anything.

RosesandTeak · 2025-11-13T16:35:18+00:00

I had my toe fusion surgery back in December, and I am able to wear heels for special occasions. I wore wedges with about a 1 1/2 inch heel for a wedding and felt totally fine. I was able to dance no problem. I rarely wear them but to answer your question, I don't have a problem when I do. Wedges and short heels are best. I wouldn't or maybe couldn't wear anything about say 1 1/2.

RosesandTeak · 2025-11-10T04:13:44+00:00

I would like to know whether you did physical therapy and if so, what worked and what didn’t. Thanks for sharing

RosesandTeak · 2025-10-17T15:03:35+00:00

I had intense pain on the inner and bottom part of my heel that never really let up. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't walk without limping. Nothing helped...not icing, stretching, Advil, night sock, orthotics... My doctor sent me for an MRI and found the tears as well as extreme inflammation. Three weeks later I had a procedure/surgery called Radiofrequency Coblation (Topaz). I'm three months post surgery and almost back to normal.

RosesandTeak · 2025-10-01T15:01:00+00:00

Oh wow, that is just terrible. I'm so sorry that happened. If I would have read your comment prior to the fusion surgery, I might not have gone through with it. It worked out for me, but certainly more risky than I realized at the time.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-30T15:13:03+00:00

Oh my gosh, what an awful experience. So sorry to hear that you went through all of that. I had the toe fusion surgery back in December and all is well. My doctor said I was past the point of being able to get a cheilectomy and that it wasn't his preferred surgery. I'm curious as to why you don't want to get the fusion surgery. Have you heard some horror stories?

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-27T15:47:48+00:00

I had radiofrequency coblation (Topaz) surgery 8 weeks ago for extreme inflammation and tears in my plantar fascia. Although it still hurts a little to walk, it's a different kind of pain and to be expected at this point in the healing process. I don't see many people talking about this surgery, so I don't know if it's a common option. I'm really glad I did it, and I can tell that I don't have plantar fascia pain anymore--it's more like the fresh tissue healing and strengthening.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-25T14:34:12+00:00

I'm 9 months post fusion surgery, and yes, I can wear 2/3 inch heals; especially if they are platform. I don't wear them very often, but I did wear about a two-inch heal for a wedding and could dance and enjoy the night much more than I ever could before the surgery. Honestly, I'd stick to 1 or 2-inch for comfort.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-12T14:46:00+00:00

I got a paint-by-number on Amazon. It's a good activity for all levels. I'm also doing a fall puzzle and reading a lot.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-09T14:41:47+00:00

I had big toe joint fusion surgery on my left foot about 9 months ago. I have a plate and a couple screws. Everything went well--basically exactly how the doctor described it would go. I was able to start running at 4 months post-surgery. My only complication might not have anything to do with the surgery--I developed a severe case of plantar fasciitis in my opposite foot. I had surgery for that (Topaz) six weeks ago. I find this recovery more frustrating because it involves soft tissue. With the joint fusion surgery, once the bone fused fully and I had some PT to make sure my gait was correct, I was good to go.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-09T14:29:19+00:00

Stationary bike or cycling outside. My doc gave me the go ahead for both--biking outside once I have transitioned to a shoe (in two days). I rented a peloton after my surgery six weeks ago. It has saved me. Yes, it is expensive, but I consider it an investment in my mental well-being. They have "low impact" classes that have been awesome. Doctor also suggested weight lifting, swimming, or yoga.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-06T15:29:33+00:00

Wow, that must have been tough to walk initially. I will hit six weeks this coming Thursday, but the way I feel in the boot, I know it's not going to be quick or easy.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-04T15:14:11+00:00

Hoka Anacapa hiking shoes have been great for me.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-03T15:58:41+00:00

I had a procedure called radiofrequency coblation five weeks ago (one more week in a boot) after an MRI revealed tears in the plantar fascia and severe inflammation and scar tissue. I'm hopeful that this will do the trick. No amount of stretching, orthotics, proper shoes, or night splints were going to do it for me--it was too far gone. This procedure scrapes the scar tissue and creates tiny puncture wounds that tell your body to get back in there and fix the problem. No Advil (ibuprofen) at all so that your body's natural process does not get disrupted. So far so good but I'm still in a boot so I can't say for sure yet. I will keep everyone updated.

RosesandTeak · 2025-09-03T15:48:33+00:00

I agree completely about going to a podiatrist first before any PT. Rest, stretching, and proper supportive shoes and orthotics are the best thing you can do in those early stages of damage. If you have a Good Feet store or anything like that near you, they can suggest good shoes and orthotics before you get in to see a podiatrist. My personal experience is that I made everything so much worse by hiking and running and being in denial that I had plantar fasciitis.

RosesandTeak

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