What is the First MTP Joint Fusion Surgery?
The first MTP joint is where your big toe meets your foot. It helps you walk, run, and push off the ground. When this joint gets damaged, it becomes stiff or painful. This affects balance and daily movement. One way to fix it is through a procedure called the first MTP joint fusion surgery. The goal is simple. Stop the pain. Restore function. Make walking easier.
Why Is This Surgery Done?
Damage to the MTP joint happens due to arthritis, injury, or deformity. The joint becomes worn out. Cartilage breaks down. Bones rub against each other. Pain increases with time. Shoes start to hurt. Even standing becomes difficult.
Conservative methods like painkillers, shoe inserts, and physiotherapy help in the early stages. But when pain becomes constant, surgery is the next step. Fusion surgery removes the damaged joint surfaces and joins the bones. Once healed, they become one solid piece. This stops painful movement and stabilises the toe.
What Happens During the Procedure?
The surgery is done by a trained specialist. If you are searching for a foot and ankle specialist in Mumbai, ask for someone who performs this surgery regularly. You are given anaesthesia. A small cut is made over the joint. The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage.
Then, the bones are shaped and aligned correctly. A screw or plate is used to hold the bones together. Once the joint is fused, it will not bend again. But it will support your body weight better. Pain reduces. Movement becomes smoother.
What to Expect After Surgery
You may go home the same day or stay overnight. The foot is bandaged. You wear a special boot to keep weight off the joint. The first few days require rest and elevation. Pain is managed with medicine. Swelling is normal. You use crutches or a walker for support. Follow-up visits are important. The doctor checks the healing and may take X-rays.
Your MTP joint fusion recovery time depends on how well the bone heals. Most people return to regular shoes in 6 to 8 weeks. Full healing takes 3 to 4 months. You can walk and stand comfortably after that.
You will not be able to bend the big toe again. But the other toes take over. Most patients can return to walking, driving, and light exercise. Running or high-impact sports are not advised after fusion.
Choosing the Right Surgeon Matters
Fusion surgery is a precise procedure. Bone alignment must be correct. The joint must be stable. Healing must be monitored. Look for a foot and ankle surgeon Mumbai with experience in toe and forefoot surgeries. Ask how many MTP fusion cases they handle each year. Check recovery plans and post-surgery support.
Good surgeons explain the risks, benefits, and what to expect. They guide you through each stage. They also help with shoe advice and physiotherapy after healing. If you are considering MTP joint fusion surgery in Mumbai, book a consultation. An X-ray and foot exam will help decide if fusion is the right option for you.
When to Talk to a Specialist
If your big toe hurts while walking. If the shoes no longer fit. If the joint feels stiff and swollen. It is time to get help. Fusion surgery is not the first step. But when nothing else works, it becomes the best option. It removes pain. It restores function. And it helps you stay mobile. Talk to a specialist. Know your options. Understand the procedure. With the right care, MTP joint fusion can get you back on your feet without pain.