First the back story. October 2024 I fell and twisted my right foot. By the beginning of 2025 I was hobbling around. Went to the doctor had x-rays and ultra sound, and it showed nothing. The odd thing the pain was coming from the top of my foot not the bottom. Went to the chiropodist and she said it was a bone spur, so had shock therapy, which is a mini jack hammer that pounds the area. Yes it hurt first time but after the three treatments, I was asking her if she had turned down the machine.
Regardless, I wasn't feeling the benefit. Meanwhile the doctor had booked me in for a MRI, which was for October 18th, 2025. I had the MRI and was talking to another doctor about something else, and he pulled up my MRI results and I have severe arthritis in my foot.
So I am feeling a bit better with my foot. I have good days and bad days. I can't explain why I have those days, but I do. I can walk 4,000 steps without a problem one day, another day I will be hobbling. We did a long day at Dollywood and had plenty of rest stops and sitting down; and I think we walked at least 12k in steps.
Now as I have been hobbling with my right foot, I have of course been favouring my left foot. Suffice to say my left foot and knee are now giving me trouble.
In between all of this my doctor sent a referral to see a specialist that deals with feet. I get an automated telephone call on Thursday to see this guy in a couple of weeks time. I also have a telephone appointment with our family doctor on Monday.
So that's the story, here is where you guys come in.
The specialist that I am booked to see has horrible reviews........I will talk to my doctor regarding this. I know the specialist is going to suggest a cortisone injection in my foot. I feel as though that should be a last resort when I can't stand the pain anymore. At this point as I said I have good days and bad, but I don't think I am at the point where something has to be done. Am I right to be thinking this?
The specialist wants all film's and cd's from the test's I have had done on my right foot, which is fine. But now my left side is playing up I feel as though I should have a MRI done on my left knee and foot before seeing this specialist? Do you think this is a way to go? I could be waiting at least six months for this. I waited around 9+ months for the one on my right foot.
My plan of action is to talk to our family doctor on Monday, and talk to him about booking me a MRI for the left side. Talk to him about why this specialist has such horrible reviews? If he insists I see this guy talk to him about pushing the appointment out to next year after I have had this second MRI.
Any other suggestions what I should do about my feet? I have been wearing Birkenstocks all summer, and I have two pairs of fancy running shoes, to make me walk properly and have special insoles. However as winter approaches, I will be back to two pairs of winter shoes/boots from Land's End which are stretchy over the top of my feet, as I can't have anything tight against the top of my feet.
As I said any other suggestions greatly appreciated. I also have arthritis in my back and hands but neither are classed as severe, they're just general aging, and wear and tear.
What works for you, if you have arthritis?
19 comments:
Several years ago I was walking and my left foot popped on the top. It was so painful. I finally went to the doctor. He sent me for xray or MRI, forgot which. He said he thought I had broken a bone in my foot. When I went back, he said I had age-related arthritis! LOVELY! This happens on and off. That has been diagnosis for every single ache I have after investigation. Now, arthritis is setting up in my torn rotator cuff. I don't take anything for this. I am happy that it is not a worse form of arthritis. I usually get MRI the same day or within a few days. I don't understand why you must wait months for tests.
I had severe osteoarthritis in my knees before they were replaced and the Voltarin crème, which you can now buy over the counter, worked very well for me in relieving the pain.
I'm sorry that I don't have any suggestions for you but I will be interested in reading what others have to say. I have 'arthur' in my hands and I suspect it's in one shoulder/upper arm too and it seems that the weather conditions play a large part in the degree of stiffness/pain. At the moment I am just carrying on and if it gets too bad I take Advil For Arthritis. There are two schools of thought when it comes to having it in hands - either keep working them or rest them. I subscribe to the first theory because a friend I once had was well into her 90's and she crocheted until the end. She maintained it helped keep her hands from seizing up. I figure if it worked for her there must be something to it. That's not foot-related so really has no bearing on your issue (sorry!).
Yes, I DO have a suggestion. Find a good podiatrist or pedorthic specialist who can make you custom orthotics. These inserts for your shoes will be built to work around the tricky parts of your foot -- including your heel spurs. They help balance you weight and gait more appropriately. I have heel spurs on both feet (and arthritis) and until I did this was in a world of hurt. Now they are well under control. Many years later, the spurs only bother me when I wear shoes that the orthotics don't fit in for any length of time. The MRI will show if you also have a tendonitis, a tear or stress fracture but the XR should be adequate for spurs or arthritis. If it was me, I would pursue the orthotics immediately but continue to follow up with your doc for the imaging. Also, I would ask about physical therapy. If you are walking oddly, you may well be throwing off your biomechanics (I know I am right now with my tendonitis in my foot) and that other side will take a hit. Feel free to email me if you need to co-miserate!
PS -- If you can take anti-inflammatories, they may well help if you have a tendonitis or arthritis (not the spurs, although often with spurs you develop plantar fascitis, and that IS inflammation). Even prednisone, which is a steroid, but not a shot. I'm with you on the cortisone injections. Last choice.
Find a good homeopath. I use one for my severe scolisis of the back and arthritis and I highly suggest it.
Mother in Law believed in warm soaks in Epsom salts. A friend mentioned magnesium cream recently.
I would not be happy going to a consultant with poor results, but could cope with a poor bedside manner if his work was good.
here in Canada you have to wait for those sorts of things unless it's urgent, for like cancer etc.
Hubby has tried voltarin for his neck but he doesn't like it. I do use it on my knee when it's bad and I do agree it works for me.
I agree with you; if you don't use it, you lose it!!
Prednisone hikes up our travel insurance here in Canada by a LOT. Hubby takes it maybe once a year, and his travel insurance was $460 for 10 days, and mine was under $60 for ten days. So that won't be an option. I will look into orthotics though.
thanks, I have a friend who swears by homeopath's.
we take magnesium as a tablet, but didn't know that you could get it in a cream. I have Epsom salts, so can do that.
Heres a different thought for you have you tried Vitamin D ? it can help worlds for some people with muscular skeletal niggles
Yes I take vitamin D, Iron and Magnesium, thanks for the suggestion though.
Fortunately, no arthritis for me (yet). Sorry to hear this. What I will say is that I've been patient several times in the last three years, and I have learned you MUST advocate for yourself. In other words, I encourage you to request the tests you believe you need whether or not they are recommended. Unlike many of the Canadians who do not have a family doctor, I have one, and she's terrific, and we approach my health collaboratively. After all, I'm the one who has to manage the symptoms, results, and outcomes.
No real thoughts for you. But I will say my specialist that did my cancer treatment had some bad reviews and I found him to be just lovely. I have hip and back pain and rub either comfrey salve or mint salve and that does seem to help a bit. You will also find a change in weather sometimes aggravates your arthritis, it does mine.
God bless.
I'm sorry to read this.
I don't know if any of these three links will be helpful?
Arthritis Can Be Painful : Ten Foods To Eat Which May Help
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/2023/05/arthritis-can-be-painful-ten-foods-to.html
The UK's NHS site
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
The UK's Arthritis UK site may also help
https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support?msclkid=050665f56eb317cdbbf90cf3c8be5441
All the best Jan
I must be a very fortunate, no arthritis problems for me even though I am of age. So sorry Gil, I cannot offer any suggestions for you regarding your arthritis issues, however, the comments show things that might be helpful for you.
Good luck.
Very long waiting times for tests here. Two referrals for an ENT Dr. were denied, finally saw one last week after a year and a half wait.
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