angelap
06-22-2007, 12:04 PM
Current position: Pain when walking for a few minutes (or driving) in both first MTP joints and start of bunions. Wearing flat supportive shoes with stiffener in to reduce flex in forefoot.
Helps to reduce inflammation but doesn't enable me to do the things I want to do which is runningand rock climbing.
History: About 3 yrs ago I got a severe pain in my big toe when on walking in Kalymnos. I could not put any weight on my big toe and after 6 weeks of physio, had two hydrocortisone injections into the first MTP (one from underneath followed a week after by one on top when pain not gone). Xrays had shown no fracture or arthritis but some degradation of cartilage.
Orthopeodic surgeon recommended fusion of MPT, saying it had a 90% success rate. I wasn't keen and did some research which suggested that for atheltic types the success rate id much worse about 40%. When I returned to see him he agreed that this was the case. I therefore went to a podiatrist instead and had a gait analysis and orthotics made which helped to keep the inflamation under control and was able to do easy climbing but no running.
Took glucosamine and chondroitin and did the exercises from the podiatrist for a couple of years.
Now, the pain has increased again in walking (even short distances in stiff soled shoes) and started in the other toe over the last week, culminating in last Sunday suddenly being unable to put any pressure on my big toe.
It also hurt with no weight on it and pressing on the outside edge was very painful. This lasted for the next few hours and stopped completely after taking 3 neurofen and two Mefenamic Acid tablets ( anti-inflamatory given to me by my doctor for endometriosis).
Since then the pain levels in both toes are gradually increasing, despite walking only short distances. (Sit at desk so feet resting all day).
I have returned to the idea that surgery is the only option left to me but need to be sure that I:
A) have the correct procedure
B) will be able to return to climbing and walking, (but preferably running)
C) understand the success rate for athletic people. Is it still poor?
D) understand the knock-on effects on other parts of the body
E) find a surgeon that specialises in athletes (registered with PPP, as that is my insurer) and preferably in the east midlands.
Anyone got any ideas, or am I destined for a lifetime of knitting?
Helps to reduce inflammation but doesn't enable me to do the things I want to do which is runningand rock climbing.
History: About 3 yrs ago I got a severe pain in my big toe when on walking in Kalymnos. I could not put any weight on my big toe and after 6 weeks of physio, had two hydrocortisone injections into the first MTP (one from underneath followed a week after by one on top when pain not gone). Xrays had shown no fracture or arthritis but some degradation of cartilage.
Orthopeodic surgeon recommended fusion of MPT, saying it had a 90% success rate. I wasn't keen and did some research which suggested that for atheltic types the success rate id much worse about 40%. When I returned to see him he agreed that this was the case. I therefore went to a podiatrist instead and had a gait analysis and orthotics made which helped to keep the inflamation under control and was able to do easy climbing but no running.
Took glucosamine and chondroitin and did the exercises from the podiatrist for a couple of years.
Now, the pain has increased again in walking (even short distances in stiff soled shoes) and started in the other toe over the last week, culminating in last Sunday suddenly being unable to put any pressure on my big toe.
It also hurt with no weight on it and pressing on the outside edge was very painful. This lasted for the next few hours and stopped completely after taking 3 neurofen and two Mefenamic Acid tablets ( anti-inflamatory given to me by my doctor for endometriosis).
Since then the pain levels in both toes are gradually increasing, despite walking only short distances. (Sit at desk so feet resting all day).
I have returned to the idea that surgery is the only option left to me but need to be sure that I:
A) have the correct procedure
B) will be able to return to climbing and walking, (but preferably running)
C) understand the success rate for athletic people. Is it still poor?
D) understand the knock-on effects on other parts of the body
E) find a surgeon that specialises in athletes (registered with PPP, as that is my insurer) and preferably in the east midlands.
Anyone got any ideas, or am I destined for a lifetime of knitting?