decision

I am trying to decide which is the best way to go. I have osteoarthritis in my foot, and I have to decide between an joint replacement or a fusion in my right great toe. I would like to know the pros and cons to both so I can make an informed decision.

[geminigirl1963]

I also am trying to make this type of decision, with the exception that mine is with my knee.  the way it was described to me is that with a fusion, you will no longer be able to bend/straighten the joint, but you also will no longer have pain since you're not able to move the joint to create the pain.  In my case, they are suggesting fusion as opposed to replacement because of a combination of my relatively young age (I'm 46) and also because I have other health issues (severe arthritis is ALL my joints, fibromyalgia, lupus, asthma)  The doctors feel that in my case a fusion would work better because since I am relatively young (according to them - not according to how I feel most days!) there is a very high likelihood that I would need to have a replacement redone at least once, if not several times, as I get older.
Another things to consider is how the fusion will affect how you walk.  Since you will not be able to move your toe, it probably will affect your gait and if it does and you have arthritis in any other joints, it may eventually cause more wear and tear on them because of the adjustments you have to make walking.  this is the main reason that I am hesitant to do the fusion - with me already having the arthritis in all my joints and already noticing my alternate side's knee and ankle giving me more problems because of me favoring my currently worse left knee, I worry that doing a fusion would make things even worse - and I definitely cannot picture myself with TWO fused knees being unable to bend or straighten them again - having one will be hard enough for getting in and out of cars, bed, sitting and standing from a seated position, etc.
the main Pro that I can see is that since your joint is no longer moving, your pain would be gone.

[LG55901]

What type of joint replacement are you considering?   Are you seeing a podiatrist or a Orthopedist?   Make sure it is the latter.   That is the biggest lesson I have learned.  

I had the Arthrosurface ® HemiCAP ® resurfacing in June 2009 and have had a lot of complications.  

[Shelly59]

I had two unsuccessful joint replacements in the big toe.  I would not do it again.  Now I need the fusion, and I have gotten four opinions.  I did not research the first time.  This time I want to be sure.  I never realized how risky foot surgery is.  Most doctors now tell me that they won't do the implants anymore.  I feel like a guinea pig.  My toe is now in the air and the rest of my foot is being stressed.  The toes next to the big toe are turning under it.  It's a mess.  I should have never done anything.  I would be better off.