Hello again. I was just outside and noticed a small hard white spot on the side of my great toe on my left foot. I went to my primary doctor's 2 weeks ago, but hadn't noticed it then. I don't know if it is just a blister (I will try soaking the foot and see if it goes away or gets smaller) or something else. I will try soaking it andsee if it goes away or gets smaller. I am diabetic so i was wondering if I should have it checked out or wait and see what happens, it doesn't hurt wehn I walk or touch it.
Also the Right Great Toe which I had the surgery on May 6th to remove the bone spur still hurts when I walk,even when wearing the post operative sandal. I talked to the surgeon this past week and he wants me to give it a few more months before thinking about the fusion surgery. I am so sick of people asking every day and multiple times a day when I will stop wearing the post op sandal. I know that they may think that they know how I should feel and not need it anymore, but it allows me to walk without my toe bending which is when it hurts.
I'd appreciate if you would answer ASAP. Thanks.

Is this 'hard white spot' part of your great toe surgery site? Sounds like you had surgery for a first MPJ spur, but continue to have pain to the joint region. You may consider antiinflammatories and/or injection therapy to the joint. Howevere, many doctors are hesitant about giving a local steroid joint injection to diabetics. But this is a consideration.

Hallux or joint limitation can lead to progressive pain and arthritis to the joint. Many times, removing spurs may improve your condition, with the understanding, that if it doesn't, joint replacement or fusion is an option.

There are other options to surgery besides joint fusion. You may also consider joint replacement surgery if you have joint pain on motion. Our site has some good information on joint replacement surgery and hallux limitus at the following link:

Podiatry Associates

Good luck!

Al Kline DPM

Hi. Thanks for your reply. The white hard spot is on the opposite toe from the one I had surgery on for Hallaux Limitis.This spot is on the outside of the foot about inline with the bottom or the toenail if that makes sense. I have just started soaking it so we'll see if that changes it (then I guess it would be a blister if it goes away).
About the toe. Tonight I tripped on something and now it hurs a little more when I flex the toe. As I said in the original message, the surgeon said to wait a few more months before seeing him again. The PA said that they don't do joint replacements because they don't work. I had hoped this other surgery would work so I wouldn't need the fusion. I guess the arthritis will coninue to make it hurt when i walk, so I am seriously considering it. I would assume since the bone is cut and the joint drilled I will have mroe pain after the surgery than for the bone spur removal. They said i would be in a cast for 6 weeks with virtually no weight. I didn't do well with that before so that alone Is something I am not looking forward to. I have written the doctor a letter to go with a renewal request for the para transit and told him that i would need to go to a rehab(I don't have a way to be by myself on crutches for 6 weeks). Is the fusion surgery usually done as a day surgery?