I have arthritis throughout my feet. Any other sufferers out there?

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Arthritis (Gout) in ankle, due to old break. I had a sudden severe flare-up which was so painful (as Gout can be) that, for an hour, I felt sick and faint and could not touch my skin. Later I was unable to stretch, bend, walk, weight bear, point toes, wear shoes, sleep at night. For 2 weeks. Then residual pain, constant limping and unable to walk any distance especially on uneven ground.
I had been used to taking the odd anti-inflammatory pill, maybe 2 a month for instant relief. Many years ago my Osteopath told me that it was senseless using heat on painful joints. Heat on inflammation was never going to help, even if it was comforting. Always ice packs when problems, Turmeric & Black Pepper daily, Glucosamine & Chondroitin daily - especially helpful with back problems. Anti-inflammatories must be taken as a course and under medical supervision since stronger doses are not necessarily safe for older people.
I never take Ibuprofen any more - not even for a headache - since my Doctor confirmed that all anti-inflammatories raise blood pressure.
Referred to Rheumatologist, examined. I thought I would have to start a special diet and avoid things like tomatoes. He said not and was very optimistic he could help. He gave me a prescription for Anti-inflammatories for 10 days and then asked me to make arrangements for the treatment prescribed, according to the prescriptions he wrote. I arranged for a full blood test, followed in sync by an Arthroscopy of the ankle joint with an iodine infusion to show up the damage on the x rays, then an infiltration/injection of corticosteroids to 'wash over' the joint. I then was taken to the Scanner unit at another site within half an hour in order to have a scan. Resting for 2 days meant that the anti-inflammatory didn't disperse away from the problem site. I could then walk normally. By the time I visited the Rheumatologist again a week later, I could walk normally and even dance! This was 3 months ago. If/when I have another problem, I have to contact the Rheumatologist immediately so that, as he says, he can sort it out!

It was only the flare-up of Arthritis/Gout and the serious pain of that that forced me to speak to my Doctor, otherwise I would possibly still be complaining of pain and stiffness in my ankle which was limiting all my activities at some time or another. I feel very grateful that I was able to access treatment easily and I've been told that there are further things that can be done if my ankle should deteriorate any time soon.

Meanwhile I have a CD of 60 small images of my foot and prints of same from the scanner, together with 6 large x-rays and a Consultant's notes regarding treatment and diagnosis which I keep on a file with other medical results in case I need further treatment.

I wish that I had sought help sooner, because it is available.

This post is not advice - but maybe this information about my own particular foot problem could be helpful to someone on this thread.

As Judy54 says we don’t hear much about arthritis in feet but there are clearly a lot of us out there having to live with it. As several posters have said trainers are a must. I get mine from Widerfit shoes as they do ones that are extra wide and extra deep so they accommodate my orthotics and thickish socks over my support tights. There are bits of me that work well but they’re decreasing in number and I’m beginning to feel decrepit but also rather guilty for complaining as there are clearly a lot of people out there having a much worse time than I am.

Hello teabagwoman, I feel your pain! I had a triple bone fusion in my ankle many years ago, which had been great up until the last year or so, however I'm now starting to get muscle cramps in the night which is really horrible. The other foot isn't much better I've fractured it twice and I have arthritis in the big toe joint and it can be quite painful to walk at times. I find wearing trainers a big help.

I’ve had awful pain in my lower legs for several months now. Not actually my feet. More my shin bones and ankles. But the pain does keep me awake at night. I do have arthritis in my knee. I’ve started taking turmeric again in the form of golden paste. Voltarol on my knee. I was using a weaker Voltarol but now I’ve bought the stronger one it seems to be helping. I sleep with a hot water bottle on my knee or feet. I did put Vicks vapour rub on my feet the other night which I think helped. Tiger balm might be as good. I’d be very careful about taking ibuprofen because of stomach ulcers. I live in trainers that have good arch support. I saw an ad for Epsom salts with cannabis oil the other day which I’m going to get to use as a foot soak. I also have Ledderhose in my feet but, thus far it hasn’t progressed so the lumps are tiny. And I’ve had a bunion forever so I can’t remember a time when my feet didn’t hurt!

Sorry for you teabag, mine is hands/thumbs and very cruel when it gets cold. Also my back and shoulders. Would be nice to live somewhere warm in the winter just for the pain relief.

Hello Teabagwoman Yes Mr J has severe arthritis in his foot and has had joints fused. It is less well known about than hip and knee operations and I do empathise with your situation. It is not easy to be in constant pain and I don't have an answer but just wanted to let you know that yes there are other sufferers out there. I do hope that things improve for you

I have it in my hands, some days it is so painful to even dress myself. I've just finished a course of physio and I'm surprised at the difference it has made. Maybe if you haven't it would be worth seeing one.

You are welcome! I do hope you can find somewhere.

Thank you Nannarose for your very helpful information about hydrotherapy and exercise pools. I will contact a physio for advice about exercises and any local facilities. All this talk about warm water made me decide to try heat packs instead of ice packs. Heat packs don’t give any longer lasting relief but it’s bliss while my feet are on one!

Hello teabagwoman. I wanted to post some helpful thins I have found out about doing hydrotherapy, and my apologies if you and others already know this.

It may be possible at your local pool, depending on facilities. But beware of 'ordinary' Aqua exercise which I doubt would suit you - though you can ask to go and view the class and talk to the instructor.
Some public pools put aside time for folk who want to walk & exercise, and have 'lifts' to get you in. My local pool used to do that, but it was still a bit cool for us arthritics, and they have suspended this facility since Covid.

It is often a good idea to contact a physio as they often know local facilities, and will of course, advise you on exercises:
www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/find-physiotherapist/physio2u

True hydrotherapy pools are expensive to build and maintain - they usually have flat access and are maintained at about 34 degC. They are sometimes found attached to specialist schools and hospices. Some of these will allow occasional, vetted access in return for a donation. They are wonderful - I have been lucky enough to use 2 in my time!

Exercise pools can often be found in gyms and hotels. The one I use is at a gym that costs me £36 a month. It has a constant flat floor, at about my chest height (I am 163cms) which is about right. It is kept at about 31 degC (a normal pool is about 28/29) and it is accessed by wide, shallow steps that have railings.
It is easy to use without getting the head and neck wet, so folk do keep glasses & hearing aids on.

Be aware that some of these, in an attempt to drum up custom, will describe themselves as 'hydrotherapy' pools - although I don't think the term is protected, I think you do have to ask exactly what is provided, and ask to view the pool.
Also ask what changing facilities there are, and what are the best times to use the pool. Mine has protected times for private exercise, but a friend uses one (in a prestigious gym) that is very busy and has no protected times.
Mine is also a small pool (about 15x10 metres) so not really the kind of pool a 'real' swimmer would want to use. so it is mostly used for exercise, or for gentle swimming. Anyone who wants a proper swim would use a 'proper pool', so that keeps it a little quieter.

Good luck!

Lexisgranny

Spice I wonder if the shock wave treatment you have received is a vastly updated 21st century version of the galvanic bath treatment that my grandmother had for her arthritis in the 1940s? Apparently she sat with her legs in a bath and some sort of electric current went through the water.

This is like a massage albeit a strong one. I call it the jackhammer. A gel is put on my foot and then a probe which has an adjustable electrical current is used. I guess it is a bit like a TENS machine. It is pretty much painless.

How dreadful, teabagwoman. I've not heard of OA in the feet. It must make walking very difficult..
Mine is in my spine. It's driving me mad!

Thank you all for your replies. I will contact my GP about it, it’s rather been on the back burner while I dealt with other health problems. I don’t think there are any hydrotherapy or exercise pools in my area but will look again in case. I’m wary of normal swimming pools as I can’t wear my hearing aids and my very limited field of vision makes it difficult to see people until they are right in front of me. However it has made me think that maybe I could do some of my exercises with my feet in a bowl of warm water and see if that helps. At least it osteoarthritis rather than rheumatoid so it’s more limited.

I broke two bones in my foot about 7 years ago and fusion was suggested then. I weighed up the pros and cons and decided against it. But now it has become very painful again and I can only assume that arthritis has set in to the broken bones - one of which did not heal properly.

I also have a failed hip replacement.

But I think my problems pale into insignificance compared with yours OP - I am sorry you are enduring this pain.

I have it starting! I take Turmeric and also zero sugar and very low carb eating, both of which are supposed to reduce inflammation, we will see.

Yes, I do, and agree that hydrotherapy is enormously helpful. I use a local 'exercise' pool - I don't have a true hydrotherapy pool nearby - but it is easier to use than a conventional swimming pool.
I do a lot of water walking, and some specific exercises to keep mobility as much as possible.

I think mine is not (yet!) as bad as yours, as I can also walk up to 2 miles if I use Norwegian poles, on a good day. I do that occasionally to keep my strength up, and to be out in the fresh air - but I do suffer afterwards.

I am recently diagnosed with moderate OA in a hip, also the opposite knee and most painful of all the foot primarily the big toe which has badly affected my ability to walk.
I have never needed painkillers up to now so have been lucky, but am mixing and matching meds on a daily basis but reluctant to overdo things.
I had a guided hip jab recently but pain has increased so made matters worse.
You are not alone and have my. Sympathy.

Spice I wonder if the shock wave treatment you have received is a vastly updated 21st century version of the galvanic bath treatment that my grandmother had for her arthritis in the 1940s? Apparently she sat with her legs in a bath and some sort of electric current went through the water.

0ver 20 years ago I had my both great toes fused, the joints removed from all my toes and nodules removed from the soles of my feet, there was obviously quite a long recovery period. I too had previously had inserts for my shoes, and even lace up shoes made for me by the hospital which frankly did not particularly help. I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, (rheumatoid for nearly 30 years) and have had numerous operations, none of which I regret.

I was surprised to see that you are using Ibruprofen rather than a specific arthritis drug. It can take some time to find the right one to fit your needs. Since I was originally diagnosed, there have been so many on the market. If you are not being seen regularly by a consultant, I would suggest asking your GP for a referral. In the current climate this may take awhile, but knowing the kind of pain you are suffering, I would really recommend it.

Me too teabagwoman and now I have a slipped disc to go with it and the arthritis in my spine, neck and hands. Miserable isn't it. However I am very lucky to have a lovely caring husband who does loads of work for us.

Shock wave treatment sounds very interesting Spice