Foot bones Query

[fastrack1966]

I have been diagnosed with arthritis in the joint that is above the ball of the foot. I've often puzzled over the issue of should the rower's heel be flat at the end of the glide and the consensus seems to be that a bit of lift is permissible in terms of efficiency and power.
However if I opt for the dreaded fusion of the metatarsophalangeal joints, which form the ball of your foot, having seen the lurid cartoons and photos I'm a bit wary that I won't be able to bend my foot at all.
It seems to me no-one can even walk let alone run or glide forward on the erg if that joint is fused with solid engineering. Has anyone had this surgery and is foot-flexibility an issue? Obviously eventually if surgery seems imminent I'll ask the medics but they may not be erg-rowers.
Cannot upload an image for some reason, all I get is [img][/img]

[Citroen]

Cannot upload an image for some reason, all I get is [img][/img]

Put your image on a sharing site, get a URL that includes the file type (*.gif, *.jpg, *.png), post that on here.

Some images will need to be shrunk to fit the forum software.

[fastrack1966]

Sorry Citroen once again my alerts for replies received has stopped, it comes and goes as it pleases

[pjago]

I have some some ankle arthritis as well as an ankle injury and bone spurs that prevent me fully extending and flexing my ankle. I have to row with one foot out of the clog and also in a sculling. On the erg, I usually row with both feet out. No bad thing.I manage the ankle injury and arthritis and am not anywhere near surgery yet. Just had a friend who has had an ankle replacement. I would agree that fusing the ankle joint would definately restrict what movement and flexibility you have and I would be wary of going down that route unless no other option. It is all about mobility and quality of life at the end of the day.