Arthritis in Feet

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I too have osteoarthritis in my feet, and had a lot of pain in one foot. I saw a podiatrist who referred me to a consultant. After scans showed that the joints in my right foot had split, the consultant performed surgery to fuse the joints. Now I have no pain at all in the foot and I walk a fair amount.
I am not in the UK, though, so not sure of your options there.

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Thank you everyone for your help and advice.

I have osteoarthritis in my feet and was referred to a podiatrist who prescribed inserts for my shoes and boots. There’s no way you should be paying for special footwear. Podiatrists will also have access to orthopaedic consultants so if they feel it’s necessary they’ll refer you on but usually after you’ve given the inserts a try. I have found them really helpful and have helped ease the pain but you do have to give them some time.

Sparklefizz if you are ever referred to an orthopaedic consultant please ask for a foot surgeon or otherwise heaven knows what may happen. Some are gung ho and think they can operate on anything and everything but at the end of the day, you have to be able to walk.

There is NHS podiatry available, the waiting list in my area is around 3 months but not everybody is eligible.

Yes its very painful. I see the NHS podiatrist and have been prescribed insoles which help. I have also had injections directly into the toe joints which help keep me on my feet literally.

As for footwear I find Reiker boots good. They have a raised and shaped insole reducing pressure, but it depends on your feet.

I saw a Consultant sometime ago with arthritis and other foot problems. I had to agree that I was prepared to have an op if that was suggested before the GP would refer me, as the Consultants were finding to many people asking to be referred but then refusing the advised op. I was prescribed insoles which were made. After a few years I need new ones but am now told that the NHS won't deal with it for simple foot problems. Interested in how it is now simple when it wasn't first time round.

I was taking Turmeric but I am someone with a lot of allergies and intolerances, and I've developed a problem with Turmeric now.

I use Rhus Tox & Ruta cream on the arthritis in my fingers which has worked well to keep the pain at bay over the last 5 years. I am waiting for the results of my foot X-rays and meanwhile smothering my feet with the cream too, which has got rid of the stabbing pain, but I have quite a large swelling on the ball of one foot which makes it painful to walk, and I don't know what the answer is for that.

Should add - you can start off taking less a day - half a teaspoon.

Are you taking turmeric for pain of arthritis?? Best way is ''golden paste-'' as on face book's Turmeric Users Group. (capsules are not as good)
Recipe
1 cup organic turmeric powder
1/4 '' '' coconut oil
1 '' water (or more if needed)
1 teasp. freshly ground organic black pepper
Mix together and very low simmer for about 7 mins.
Store in jar in fridge and freezer. Take for pain - 1 -3 teasp. a day.

BrentFoust -
Many of us with various med. conditions are told not to take Ibuprofen, or any NSI meds, orally.
Dangerous advice.

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Has anyone successfully used acupuncture to reduce pain and swelling in their feet?

Maybe he/she had a similar problem, Watermeadow.
Our last GP in France said "everyone over 60 has osteoarthritis in some shape or form" .
Or french words to that effect.

I’ve given up asking doctors to help with my arthritic feet and ankles. The last one didn’t so much as glance at them.
That way it’s cheaper for the NHS to ignore anyone over 65 and when we can’t walk or leave the house we’ll stop bothering them.

If your feet are wider or if you need more room to fit orthotics, then Widerfit Shoes (online and selected retailers) do a fair range of boots.
Their shoes, boots and sandals have removable insoles if you need the extra room and also an extra, soft insole.

I have osteoarthritis in my feet. We are fortunate to have an NHS walk in podiatry clinic in my area. They measured me for orthotic insoles and recommended Sandpiper shoes which have been great. Look them up online, they do boots.

I had surgery on my left foot in February to fuse the Taylor navicular joint. I also have OA in my right foot but not as bad. I love shoes but now wear what is comfortable and recommended by Consultant.

It's a podiatrist and biomechanics that you'll need. Still available on the NHS but currently being sold off to the cheapest buyer. Don't let anyone tell you the NHS isn't being privatised.

I have inflammatory (rheumatoid) arthritis which means high risk for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. I've had orthotics made at our biomechanics department for years, they really help but it does mean shopping at Sketchers, Hotters etc. You may find that Fly boots are a good buy Sparklefizz. I love them and they will take an orthotic so I get to wear boots I like as well as take care of my ageing feet.

I've had arthritis in my feet and toes for some time. Plus corns on the toes which hve curled under. The worst pain was in the left arch and GP gave me a cortisone injection which helped.
I only wear Skechers trainers now, much less pressure/friction.
Another thing that works temporarily is Flector Gel. Contains a strong painkiller.

Oh dear Labaik, sorry to hear that.

Marydoll I have checked regarding self-referral but my practice doesn't include podiatry.

Jane10 I would be very pleased if I could carry on wearing my normal shoes and boots.

Teetime - you say your bones had crumbled. Did you already have a diagnosis of Osteoporosis?

I was just given some thick, rock hard insoles that hurt my feet and didn't even fit inside my shoes...

I can't get back in to see my GP for another 3 weeks so will have to wait till then, and plan to ask him about an NHS podiatrist.

I am not feeling madly confident as about 10 years ago I had a different foot problem and was referred to orthopaedics at the hospital. The consultant I saw had no idea what to do with me, and began to click on her computer screen, and I could see over her shoulder that she was clicking on Wikipedia, of all things. Not even a medical website. Then she cut out a piece of foam to fit into my shoe - it didn't fit - the whole session was a waste of time.

If I am sent there again, I shall cancel!!

I wish we could self-refer. We have to remember to make another appointment within a certain time slot otherwise, even if a week over, we have to go back to the GP for a re-referral and go on the waiting list.
A waste of time and resources.

In my health board area, you can self refer to NHS podiatry.
I was referred by my rheumatologist and had special insoles made on the NHS after an MRI of my feet.