Arthritis/hallux rigidus

[Storm2010x]

Hi everyone, been doing the job for 30 years , and have developed arthritis of the big toes/ hallux rigidus, which requires fusing with metal, anyone else have this issue ,coz the operation looks horrendous takes about three years to recover with physio as you have to adjust walking, common in athletes ,but seeing as us postie's do more steps than any athlete in a week, it's not surprising and combined with SAFETY shoes it's gonna cause damage over time, having to retire at 48 can't wear shoes unless I have my feet fused.Have spoken briefly with local politician about industrial disease/ injury contact me as soon as possible if your suffering from ANY type of arthritis.

[Belgium]

Hi everyone, been doing the job for 30 years , and have developed arthritis of the big toes/ hallux rigidus, which requires fusing with metal, anyone else have this issue ,coz the operation looks horrendous takes about three years to recover with physio as you have to adjust walking, common in athletes ,but seeing as us postie's do more steps than any athlete in a week, it's not surprising and combined with SAFETY shoes it's gonna cause damage over time, having to retire at 48 can't wear shoes unless I have my feet fused.Have spoken briefly with local politician about industrial disease/ injury contact me as soon as possible if your suffering from ANY type of arthritis.

I was diagnosed with arthritis in both of my thumbs and after 2 years of treatment (steroid injections ) was offered an operation to have both thumb joints fused, looked into the pros and cons and decided the cons far outweighed the pros and turned it down, now 6 years later the pain in my thumbs has amazingly cleared up by about 80%, it was a long road but i'm so relieved i never had the operation

[farstrider]

Hi everyone, been doing the job for 30 years , and have developed arthritis of the big toes/ hallux rigidus, which requires fusing with metal, anyone else have this issue ,coz the operation looks horrendous takes about three years to recover with physio as you have to adjust walking, common in athletes ,but seeing as us postie's do more steps than any athlete in a week, it's not surprising and combined with SAFETY shoes it's gonna cause damage over time, having to retire at 48 can't wear shoes unless I have my feet fused.Have spoken briefly with local politician about industrial disease/ injury contact me as soon as possible if your suffering from ANY type of arthritis.

have arthritis in both knees but worse in left done 34 years in job .with pain of walking and this crap way of working this is the worst time I have ever had in this job

[olilew]

I have Freiberg disease in my toes, diagnosed by my rheumatologist, GP had never heard of it (Look it up). Quite painful and hurts more now walks are getting longer!

[Slim2none]

Had right big toe fusion last April. Toe is still painful. Still walk on outside of foot to compensate, which is what I did for 2 years leading up to surgery. All this from slipping of a curb and catching the "knuckle" on the curb.

This has now caused problems in my knee. Cartilage and cruciate both have tears. Knee joint has collapsed to bone on bone. Finally referred to orthopaedics for surgical consultation which could be up to 6 months for the consultation and possibly 2 years for actual surgery! No one seems to be in any rush. Told I'm too young for a new knee (56), so now, wasting time with physio exercises to rebuild muscle strength to support the knee. RM just want to know when I'll be back to full duties. No pain free day for 3 years! Nov a lot of fun let me tell you. Hope you have better luck. Fingers crossed for you.

[pieoftheday]

Hi everyone, been doing the job for 30 years , and have developed arthritis of the big toes/ hallux rigidus, which requires fusing with metal, anyone else have this issue ,coz the operation looks horrendous takes about three years to recover with physio as you have to adjust walking, common in athletes ,but seeing as us postie's do more steps than any athlete in a week, it's not surprising and combined with SAFETY shoes it's gonna cause damage over time, having to retire at 48 can't wear shoes unless I have my feet fused.Have spoken briefly with local politician about industrial disease/ injury contact me as soon as possible if your suffering from ANY type of arthritis.

When you say safety shoes do you mean those with a metal toe cap? You surely dont wear those on delivery? I need my metatarsal fusing, around 5 months recovery, so I have an idea of the pain.

[SMS1969]

Had right big toe fusion last April. Toe is still painful. Still walk on outside of foot to compensate, which is what I did for 2 years leading up to surgery. All this from slipping of a curb and catching the "knuckle" on the curb.

This has now caused problems in my knee. Cartilage and cruciate both have tears. Knee joint has collapsed to bone on bone. Finally referred to orthopaedics for surgical consultation which could be up to 6 months for the consultation and possibly 2 years for actual surgery! No one seems to be in any rush. Told I'm too young for a new knee (56), so now, wasting time with physio exercises to rebuild muscle strength to support the knee. RM just want to know when I'll be back to full duties. No pain free day for 3 years! Nov a lot of fun let me tell you. Hope you have better luck. Fingers crossed for you.

That’s a joke I had two new knees and a hip at 42. If it’s bone on bone then you need a replacement knee end of, don’t let them fob you off.

[realitybites]

Had both big toes done. Walked around for @ 5 years in pain. Took about 4 months to recover but for me personally glad I did. A bit of numbness around the incisions and one toe slightly more mobile than the other. Pain after the op for a few days but after that just stayed off them and let them recover. (Had both done on different occasions, not together)

[Ali831]

My father had his big toes fused many years ago, adapted to walking differently very quickly but it has caught up with him more now in his 80's because his step when walking isn't as flexible as normal due to the fusion and being older and less steady on his feet it has potential added to him tripping more

[knackeredneedadayoff]

I have had both toes fused years ago was best thing I could of done now pain free

[rambo1]

Had right big toe fusion last April. Toe is still painful. Still walk on outside of foot to compensate, which is what I did for 2 years leading up to surgery. All this from slipping of a curb and catching the "knuckle" on the curb.

This has now caused problems in my knee. Cartilage and cruciate both have tears. Knee joint has collapsed to bone on bone. Finally referred to orthopaedics for surgical consultation which could be up to 6 months for the consultation and possibly 2 years for actual surgery! No one seems to be in any rush. Told I'm too young for a new knee (56), so now, wasting time with physio exercises to rebuild muscle strength to support the knee. RM just want to know when I'll be back to full duties. No pain free day for 3 years! Nov a lot of fun let me tell you. Hope you have better luck. Fingers crossed for you.

I'd just say physio exercises aren't a waste of time, stick with it. I tore cartalige in knee getting up from gardening of all things. Was recommended I have surgery but carried on with physio and went from only being able to bend leg 90degrees can now sit full back on my heels.