Midfoot Fusion Surgery: Process and Recovery

Persistent foot pain and mobility issues can make everybody uncomfortable; here’s a solution for you: midfoot fusion surgery. This surgery brings relief when other treatments haven’t worked. So, for the sake of foot pain relief, keep reading our article to understand everything you need to know about this surgery, including the process, recovery time, and its complications, so that you can feel informed and confident in your next steps.

What is Midfoot Fusion Surgery?

If you look at some pictures of foot fusion surgery, you can see that this procedure fuses the small bones in the middle of your foot. These bones are connected by joints that can become arthritic or damaged over time. By fusing them, the surgery eliminates movement in these joints, reducing pain and improving stability. The bones fused depend on the severity of your condition but typically involve the cuneiform bones, navicular bone, and cuboid bone.

This surgery has a success rate of around 80-90%. After your surgery, you can experience significant pain relief and improved foot function.

What Conditions Does Midfoot Fusion Surgery Treat?

This surgery can help people with:

• Severe arthritis in Arizona in the midfoot part
• Midfoot fractures that haven’t healed properly
• Collapsed arches (flatfoot)
• Severe deformities in the midfoot area
• Painful midfoot instability

This surgery may be right for you if:

• Non-surgical treatments like medication, orthotics, or physical therapy haven’t worked.
• Your foot pain limits your ability to walk or do your daily activities.
• Imaging tests show severe damage to your midfoot joints.

What Happens During a Midfoot Fusion?

Stop looking at midfoot fusion surgery videos online. They can give you the wrong impression. Here’s what happens step by step at Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers:

1. We will give you anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Depending on your case, this could be general or regional anesthesia.
2. Our surgeon will make a small, precise incision on the top of your foot. Using this incision, we access the midfoot joints to fuse them.
3. Our surgeon will carefully expose the damaged joints and remove the damaged cartilage that lines them. Cartilage removal allows the bones to fuse directly to each other without the barrier of cartilage. Our surgeon will also shape your bone surfaces to ensure better fitting during fusion.
4. Our surgeon will start the fusion by aligning your bones in the correct position. Then, we insert metal plates and screws to secure your bones in place. These hardware pieces are like internal braces and can hold the bones steady while they heal and fuse.
5. Finally, our surgeon will close the incision with stitches or sutures to carefully close your skin. Afterward, we will bandage your foot to protect the surgical site. You may also be fitted with a cast or boot to keep your foot stable.

If you have more questions about how we perform this surgery, you can call us at 480-741-1223.

Does the Metal Hardware Stay in Your Foot?

Yes, the metal hardware is usually left in your foot permanently. It helps keep the bones in place while they fuse together. In some cases, if the hardware causes discomfort later, we remove it, but this is rare.

How Long Does Midfoot Fusion Surgery Take?

The surgery duration can vary depending on how many joints need to be fused. On average, the surgery takes 2 to 4 hours. Here are more details:

• Around 1 to 2 hours if only one joint is fused.
• Around 2 to 4 hours for cases where two or more joints are fused.
• Around 4 to 6 hours or more in cases where multiple joints are affected and require extensive work.

What to Expect After Midfoot Fusion Surgery?

After the surgery, you’ll need to take it easy and let your foot heal properly. As mentioned, your foot will likely be in a cast or boot, and you’ll probably need crutches to avoid putting weight on it. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are also common during the first few weeks but should improve with time.

Here are some FAQs about after your surgery:

• When Can I Go Back to Work? Depending on the severity of your operation, you may be able to return to work within 4 to 8 weeks. If your job requires standing or walking, you may need to wait longer, up to 12 weeks or more.
• When Can I Drive? You can drive again once you can comfortably bear weight on your foot, usually after 6 to 8 weeks.
• When Will I Go Home After Surgery? If your case is mild, you can go home the same day as the surgery. In some cases, you might need to stay overnight, but this is uncommon.

Midfoot Fusion Surgery Recovery Time

Your recovery journey can take several months. Here’s what to expect:

• You’ll likely be in a cast or boot for 6 to 8 weeks during which you need to avoid putting weight on your foot.
• Most of your healing occurs in 3 to 6 months, and you may begin to bear weight gradually.
• In 6 to 12 months, you will have a full recovery and return to all activities, including sports.
• Pain after midfoot fusion surgery varies, but expect pain to be around 5 to 7 (scale of 1 to 10) in the first few days post-surgery.

Aftercare Tips

• Keep your foot elevated to reduce swelling.
• Stick to your recovery plan, including physical therapy, if our surgeons recommend it.
• Weight-bearing after midfoot fusion is forbidden for typically the first 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery.

Midfoot Fusion Complications

While this surgery is generally considered safe, complications can still arise. Let’s have a look:

• Infection can occur if germs can enter the surgical site, especially if your wound care isn’t to the point.
• The reduction of your movement after surgery can slow your blood flow and increase the risk of clots.
• Your nerves near the surgery site can become irritated and cause numbness or tingling.
• Your bones may heal slowly or not fuse if your blood flow is poor or if you put weight on your foot too soon.
• Your pain or stiffness may continue due to scar tissue or inflammation.
• Metal plates or screws in your foot might cause discomfort and, in rare cases, need to be removed.

Midfoot Fusion Surgery and Recovery in Arizona

Going through midfoot fusion and recovering from it means having access to top-notch care at Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers in Arizona. Our dedicated team helps you through every step of your recovery journey. Whether you need support with pain management, physical therapy, or follow-up care, we’re here for you. Just schedule your consultation and get started!

Conclusion

Midfoot fusion surgery is a powerful solution for your foot pain caused by arthritis, injuries, or deformities. We admit that recovery takes time and patience, but the outcome can be life-changing. If you’re considering this surgery, we hope our guide has given you the information you need to feel confident moving forward. Remember, our team at Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers is here to support you every step of the way.

FAQs

Is midfoot fusion surgery painful?

There will be some pain after surgery, but it’s manageable with medication and should decrease as you heal.

How successful is midfoot fusion?

Midfoot fusion has a high success rate, with 80-90% of patients experiencing significant pain relief.

Is midfoot fusion surgery worth it?

For many patients, this surgery provides long-term pain relief and improved mobility, making it a worthwhile option.