Saw the Podiatrist yesterday. Firstly, I no longer have plantar fasciitis in both feet! I did at the start of the RA 4 years ago but he said that would normally have cleared up within a matter of months and I don't have it now.
But I do have arthritic changes in the bones of my feet and the reason the ball of the foot is so painful, is that the middle bones have dropped.
So he is making me some special insoles which will lift the middle of the foot and take the pressure off the ball and also lift the toes slightly which should help with the hammer toes.
Felt pleased with the results of the examination - one less thing to worry about. Had been afraid I would end up in old lady clumpy lace ups (over my dead body!) I can still wear my high heels to go out in the evening but to limit the amount of time I wear them and keep to low heels in shoes which support the feet during the day,.
He was happy with my ankle boots (one inch heel), my knee boots which are a broad heel and well supported round the ankle and foot, and my loafers (although they could have had better support across the top of the foot).
So all in all, a good result. The insoles will take 2 - 4 weeks to arrive and I am to start off wearing them only for an hour or two each day and gradually build up the wearing time. And let him know if there are any problems with them and they will re examine.
Shoulder is also top notch again since it was injected just over a week ago. It took a few days to settle down and on Sunday afternoon, my back muscles went into spasm - excrutiatingly painful followed by my neck and spine (I whiplashed my neck in a bad accident some years ago and have two crushed vertebrae at the top of the spine (some whiplash is genuine!) which for some unknown reason flared up as well.) So in a lot of pain in the back of my neck and across the shoulders for 4 days and it gradually eased up with Nurofen and ice packs.
Couldn't even wash my hair as I couldn't lift my arms up. Went to the hairdresser yesterday who sorted me out. Also did my nails and toe nails with bright red polish so feel I have made an effort this week.
LavendarLady x
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LavendarLady
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No not only are you calle Lavender Lady, with all you have had done this week you look like a lady. I am pleased for you LL as you have had a hard time of it laterly.
I have an appointment next friday re; my knees,hopefully i'll get a date for when i go in and get it sorted at long last.
Now that is exciting as I thought once you got plantar fascitis you had it for life. What good news! I have insoles and don't go anywhere without them as makes a huge difference. I got an extra big pair made for my welly boots, and then the other pair I move from shoe to shoe. My biggest problem is with sandals as they fall out - but it's a few months until we have to face that problem again. Hope they work as well for you. Polly.
Could you fix the insoles into sandals with that double sided tape? worth a try. Glad they are working ok for you. Will be glad to be able to walk without pain again. Apparently plantar fasciitis usually lasts 2 - 18 months only and the Podiatrist said normally only about 4 months.
I have put 'sticky' velcro on my insoles and sandels. It works really well at holding them in place. I put the scratchy side on the bottom of the insoles and the soft fluffy side on my sandels (so if I ever want to wear my sandals without the insoles it won't scatch my feet).
All good news then. I had plantar fascitiis at the beginning of RA but the insoles helped a lot and lots of stretching exercises. It got much better after about 2 months of physio.
Axx
Thats a great result LL, he really did give you an informative appointment. I haven't got referred to a podiatrist, must ask as i can't wear anything but flats - real problem with balance.
I have found that insoles have been better for me than even steroid injections! Mine are also designed to raise the arch, and I feel such a difference if I wear any shoes without them (sometimes wear higher shoes at work, but can't do it for long as I really feel it!)...(except that NHS really messed up on my permanent ones putting the raised area of the insoles closer to the heel than the arch, so they cause more pain than good!, so still wear the temporary ones more than anything as they are so comfy!)...however you will feel such a difference so good luck and enjoy
Hi sounds like your foot pain is similar to mine, the only thing that gives me some relief are the 'fitflop' range of footwear. Ive never seen a podiatrist but have wondered whether to invest in some insoles which are often advertised in my sunday paper , or is it important to be properly assessed and have them specially made do you think. Were you referred by your gp to a podiatrist?
H Cherry, I was referred by my GP to the Podiatrist via the Chiropodist who suggested it. It is better to be properly assessed as you are measured for the insoles and they are made specially for you and to fit where they are needed.
I have tried buying off the internet/Sunday papers/Boots etc but they weren't any good and didn't solve the problem. Not surprising really as they are a "generalised" fit rather than a fit specially for your feet.
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