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[Catcc]

Hi

I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who has OA in their toes, and any tips on how they have managed it?

I have always been a very active person - ski, dance, gym, walk (long walks up hills/mountains).  I was told I had wear and tear arthritis in my big toe about 6 years ago, but the pain was only occasional and went quickly.  I guess I've also been in a bit of denial about it - thinking that the doctor got it wrong when she told me it was OA.

Until this month - having been pain-free for ages, it suddenly started niggling whenever I went walking ... and then wham ... severe pain and have been hobbling round like an old lady for 2 weeks.  I assumed that the pain would go away like it did in the past.  But instead I ended up at an (excellent) podiatrist today .... who confirmed OA.  I am now petrified that I am going to be hobbling around for the rest of my life and will no longer be able to walk far or do the things I love.  Is there anyone out that who can give me any hope?

The irony is that doctors keep telling me to keep active/exercise for all my other menopausal ailments (including osteopenia diagnosed last month - oh the joys!).  I love exercise - they don't need to tell me.  But how can I do it now?

I'm going to a specialist shoe shop this week and will possibly get custom insoles too (yet another massive expense on top of all the other meno-related expenses).   Has anyone managed to lead an active life with OA in their big toes?

Thanks!

[CLKD]

Ouch.  that's the balancing digit of course so gets a lot of pressure.

OA - wear and tear.  Because the liquid between the joints has worn/popped.  We need WD40 

How about seeing whether your Surgery has a podiatrist that visits for advice?  Otherwise, over the counter pain relief or gel prior to exercise as well as correct support.  Have your arches dropped which can happen in peri.?

[Catcc]

Hi CLKD

Thanks for the quick reply.  Yes, my arches have dropped and all my shoes are too small all of a sudden (there will be bags full of shoes going to the charity shop soon).  I'm a dancer (by profession) so my feet have had a lot of wear and tear.   The podiatrist I saw today was brilliant (a specialist in sport-related issues) so I feel that I have seen a good person for advice. 

I was just wondering if there are people out there who could just cheer me up a bit by telling me that they still manage to walk long distances/lead active lives etc with OA in their toes?

[CLKD]

What did the podiatrist suggest?

[Catcc]

She recommended specific types of shoes (designed to take the pressure of the big toe joint) - I'm going to a specialist shoe shop this week anyway as all my other shoes have been hurting me.  I won't be coming out until I have a pair of comfy shoes :-).  She said to wear them for a few weeks and then decide whether I would like to try custom insoles (which I probably will do - as I am keen to do everything I can to look after my feet). 

The scary bit was when she mentioned that in some people, if the pain is unbearable and stops them doing the things they have to do/love to do, then they may end up needing surgery (fusing of the toe joint - I really don't like the sound of that!).  She didn't say that would happen to me .... but it did scare the life out of me!

[CLKD]

Oh don't be scared!  If movement is causing pain, it stands to reason that once the joint is arthrodesesed [sp], it can't hurt ;-). 

en pointe certainly ruins feet, my teacher wouldn't let any of us go up on our toes unless we were off to the College. 

[Catcc]

Thanks for listening CLKD. I just wanted a bit of a moan last night.  My poor (supportive) partner must be sick of me complaining about all my menopausal ailments .... and now this :-)

As my mother in law keeps saying to me, I should count my blessings.  She's right. I need to find a way of managing it ... one day at a time.

It's the bitter irony of it that gets me though.  Every time I see a doctor about one of my other meno- related issues their answer is .... "Exercise more, walk a lot" (things I've always done).  I can hardly stand up at the moment :-).

X

[CLKD]

Not gout ? 

You moan away, that joint is the balancing joint ......... do consider arthrodesis if it is too painful to bear, with current restrictions it might be years B4 you even get an appt..

Ignore your MinL - apart from the fact that we aren't in Aleppo where they don't know if they will have water or electricity i.e. during lockdown across the UK - you probably do already! 

Even cycling would put pressure on the feet ......... 

[Catcc]

The thought of me on a bike made me laugh  .  It's probably the only form of exercise I've never done - not since the age of about 11 :-). I can just see myself falling off and being back at doctor's with yet another issue :-)

[CLKD]

  

I used to cycle but R roads are too bad and there's too much traffic, I can't even remember what the colour is.

R U taking pain relief?

[Cat71]

Hi there ...

You’re not alone. I have hallux rigidus in both of my big toes. Started years ago and I’m only 49 now. It has progressively worsened in the last few years and I ended up being referred and having X-rays. Sometimes I have no pain for months on end. Sometimes it hurts a lot, even with my quilt touching my toes in bed. I went to a podriatrist who did a scan of my feet and I purchased some specialist insoles for my shoes/boots. I bought a fairly stylish pair of boots from Hotter and with the insoles combined the pressure has come off my toes when I’m out and about. The specialist wanted me to get some rocker shoes but I didn’t like the way they looked. Some chiropodists sell some lovely looking shoes and will measure you properly for them. They are quite expensive though x

[CLKD]

 

[Catcc]

Hi Cat71

Thanks for this.  I'm going to a specialist shoe shop tomorrow to get some shoes that I'll hopefully be able to walk in.  Do you still manage to walk much, exercise etc?

Are the insoles you wear the custom made ones from the podiatrist?

Thanks again x

[Cat71]

Hi Catcc. Yes they are ‘custom made’ insoles but really they come in different sizes and shapes, ready made. You should be given a foot scan tomorrow.

At the moment I’m able to exercise (when I haven’t got menopause migraines/headaches/dizziness and being dopey!). I found the inflammation around the joints eased right off when I started wearing better shoes & boots with insoles. The FLY brand of footwear do some nice stylish shoes and boots which are comfortable. Hotter do some half decent ones too and they have removable insoles so that you can put your own ones in. EBay sell these brands cheaper than the actual firms. You just need to have a good look around. I did buy a lovely pair of shoes from the chiropodists but they were very expensive and didn’t fit well across the top of my foot. I took them back. I have narrow feet. I find the shoes with straps across the top to be the most comfortable. Wedge style shoes and boots are best though. Hard to find these type that don’t look frumpy. Let me know how you get on tomorrow.

Ps - I use alvogel on my toes when they are bad. It’s a natural gel which is meant to be as good as ibuprofen. Xx

[Catcc]

Thanks Cat71

I'm just about to leave to go shoe shopping. 

I like Fly shoes (I have some wedge boots that I love). My feet seem to have got bigger since Meno though so they're not as comfortable as they used to be.

I use a lot of A Vogel products too so I'll look into the cream.

I'll let you know how I get on. X