What is the recovery time after hallux rigidus/bone spur operations?

Depends: It depends on the surgery. Most commonly, the first surgery is a cheilectomy which is shaving of the spur. This is a "clean up" procedure and there is usually no restrictions in weight bearing. Most of my patients take about a month to get into reasonable shoes and resume most activities.

4-6 weeks: Most of the time patients are back into a comfortable shoe in 4 weeks and back to most fitness activities in 10 -12 weeks. A lot depends on damage present, patients healing and compliance and patients expectations. Discuss your paticular situation with your foot specialists. Dr l.

About 4 to 8 weeks: In a hallux rigidus condition the motion in the great toe joint is severely reduced. Only removing the spurring around the joint doesn't improve motion. The best approach is to perform a procedure that will address this severe degenerative or arthritic process. This can take somewhat longer to heal but the results are very gratifying. Experienced podiatrists have specific procedures for this.

Recovery time varies: Recover time will vary depending on many factors including age, general health of the patient, infection control, smoker or not, blood sugar control, the exact type of procedure, and post-operative and follow up care. Discuss it with your surgeon and get their opinion as to what they feel is a reasonable recovery time for you.