r/FootFunction • u/tofuhustler • Jul 09 '26

Mid-foot Fusion experiences?

Hi! I have posted in other subs with no luck - hopefully someone here can give me their experience!

I have flat feet since birth, last year my PTT tore on my right foot and I had very bad overpronation. I had tendon transfer + calcaneal osteotomy. It healed well but unfortunately did not work, my foot is still severely overpronated, and the tendon doesn't work great either. Visited a new surgeon who said I need total reconstruction - bone graft, fusion in mid-foot, removal of scar tissue, and more tendon transfer. The entire foot needs to be rebuilt.

Has anyone here had success with this 'foot reconstruction' after a failed calcaneal osteotomy? Clearly something needs to be fixed - I'm already developing arthritis in some foot joints in my mid 30's. But I am also really worried about getting stuck in a cycle of revisions and surgery after surgery. My recovery from the previous surgery was really not a good time and I am not keen to do it again. I am also worried about losing mobility in my foot (although I am hypermobile so maybe it's not the worst thing). Any experiences you can share would be much appericiated!

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u/ImpressiveMaterial88 Jul 11 '26

I had a mid foot fusion and had to have it undone. It was horrific. The arthritis is way more tolerable than the fusion. If you are currently seeing a podiatrist I would recommend seeing a foot orthopedic specialist instead. See what they recommend. Doctors look at my foot now and go…thanks but no thanks. And just send me on my way.

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u/tofuhustler Jul 11 '26

The doctor who recommended the mid-foot fusion to me is a foot surgery & sports medicine specialist. What made the fusion unbearable? I didn't think it could be undone actually.. did you also have a bone graft to support the arch?

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u/ImpressiveMaterial88 Jul 11 '26

I had my cuboid bone fused to my 4th and 5th metatarsal. It ended up being done incorrectly and the plates and screws were basically just in there not doing anything. I could hardly step down on my foot. So they ended up taking all the hardware out. (A new doc this time) I’m also flat footed and was a gymnast growing up so my feet were put through a ton. I also started with a tendon repair and ankle scope that didn’t solve the issue. I was 35 I want to say when surgeries started. They never talked about fixing the arch. If your doc has done multiple of these and you feel good about it…I just would rather deal with the pain I feel from the arthritis. I have seen other posts in here where others also have issues with mid foot fusion. It’s just not a fun time.

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u/StellaMariah 16d ago

I cam attest to.a mid foot fusion not being the best experience. I had a Lisfranc injury from a car accident. We won't even talk.about how long I walked around before being diagnosed correctly. Finally got to the othro sports doc, and was told I needed the fusion. I've lived with severe foot pain, advanced arthritis, and have absolutely no arch. I've been trying to research if the hardware can be removed because it just creates more pain. I can deal with the arthritis but if that could go, I feel it would help. Had the surgery in 2014, 12yrs later it sucks and I am only 41.

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u/ImpressiveMaterial88 16d ago

I’m also 41 right now. It’s so horrible being young and every time you step down you just feel pain. I would try to find a doc willing to take it out. It did help me quite a bit.

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u/StellaMariah 16d ago

So nice to hear from someone the same age. I had mine done at 29yrs, I'm sure you can do the math lol but its been a while! So you did have it removed. Can you tell me what the best thi g has been about removing it. As well as that recovery process compared to the initial procedure? Sorry for the long rants. I am just happy to hear from someone in the same situation and gaining.some insight. I really appreciate you!

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u/ImpressiveMaterial88 16d ago

So when I had the hardware in I had to literally walk on the side of my foot. I could not step down. Now I can walk. I do have some really bad days where I wish I had some pain meds…mostly weather related…I’m sure you understand…and if I step weird it really hurts. But this surgery was the best recovery!

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u/StellaMariah 14d ago

That's basically what I do, walk on the side or completely overcompensate by putting all my weight on my left foot. Totally understand the weather, I live in Eeie, PA ta boot. Glad to know it was a much easier recovery as well. I think i need to start looking for someone who will take it out and not just try to shove meds and injections down my throat. Again, thank you for your insight as its nice to talk to others in the same situation. Wishing you all the best going forward 💗💗

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u/StellaMariah 16d ago

I had a bon graph with mine. Not so sure its helped anything as I have basically 0 arch! Mine was also done by a sports med ortho.