I recently started taking hydroxychloroquine after my RA returned. I've developed the usual symptoms, painful hands and fingers, toes and knees. But over the last week I've developed a pain near the ball of one foot, in the centre behind my toes. It's painful to walk on and feels swollen, or likes there's a lump, but visually there's nothing obvious to see and I can't feel any lump. It's making me limp and walking is uncomfortable.
I've done a bit of research and it sounds like metatarsalgia. I've never had this before and wondered if others have and if this is can be associated with RA, or I'm just lucky and have aquired another random source of pain.
I've only been talking the hydroxy for a bit over a week, so there's a way to go before this is likely to start helping. I've a referral to occupational health but have no idea how long the wait is (that was for having numb hands but I'll be asking about the foot pain as well assuming it hasn't gone by than.
I wondered if anyone else has experienced pain in the same place and if it was associated with RA, and any advice on managing it or treatments. Thanks, Seb.
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Sebastian247
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Morton Nueroma it’s like walking on glass. But it’s treatable as Helix has posted. I’ve had an operation on mine as well so don’t suffer but ask to see a podiatrist or an Orthopaedic surgeon.
Thank you. I checked online and discovered I can self refer to a podiatrist so that's what I've done. No idea what the wait could be but it's something to try at least. And I'll give the self help treatments a gone. Cheers. Seb.
Thank you. To be truthful, with the feet, toes wrist, fingers and knee pain. plus horrible fatigue, and terrible sleep, I'm not feeling very good at the moment.My partner is having a hand operation on Wednesday so I've taken leave from work to look after her for a few days. What a pair!
It's hardly a holiday but I can't wait to have a lay in. My body feels like its on fire and hates me. So your kindness is really appreciated. Seb.
Hi Seb. I have had the same pain before, when my RA fist started but it subsided when I started on meds. I'm between meds at the moment and the pain has returned. It feels even worse if walking down a slope or coming downstairs as the weight is directly over those joints joining the toes to the foot. I am hoping that when the new meds start and the disease is controlled it will go away again and I hope the same for you. Spin x
yes, but note my diagnosis of Stills disease made in 1979. My feet are badly damaged by RA. I also had a severe leg muscle injury during the pandemic years which went untreated due to the hospital situation. That left me with a limp and contracted foot muscle which hasn’t helped. I self referred to podiatrist and had bespoke orthotics made which help a bit and later a steroid injection which did not. You will know wearing the right footwear is key. I found avoiding tannins and acidic foods really helped keep the foot pain at bay. Finally, I pad my foot joints to protect them with foam powder puffs which are cheap, small, washable and very adaptable, available for a few pounds in the beauty accessory section of Boots.
It sounds like a Morton’s Neuroma to me. I got one when I first started showing signs of RA, but at that point no one knew what any of the pain was about, so I just thought it was another pain. It showed up on an ultrasound scan of my feet, which was requested by Rheumatology, but the rheumatology dept told me that it was unrelated, and to see a podiatrist.
The podiatrist also said it was unrelated. But when your body is on fire, and there’s inflammation everywhere, there’s no way that it’s coincidental.
Personally I believe that it’s very related to RA, but it is a separate thing and can be treated separately. Although you might find that the pain in your foot mirrors the rest of your body, because there is a link with inflammation. So if the hydroxychloroquine works, it might have a positive effect on that too. Pursue the podiatrist - if you can get a steroid injection, that seems to help a lot from what I hear.
In the meantime, in my experience, there’s not a lot you can do to relieve the pain and discomfort. The podiatrist may offer an insole, but generally wearing footwear with a wide footbed and very cushioned soles might help. But when mine was bad, nothing seemed to make any difference. I still have it, but these days, most of the time it’s barely noticeable.
It’s a really horrible pain to have on top of everything else. It all adds up and it’s really tough. Well wishes to you and your partner.
Many thanks for all the information and support. I agree it's a pain that grinds you down.
I have small, but wide feet and do wear wide shoes (Keens) that have a very soft insole. I had to stop wearing my CAT safety boots daily some months ago due to the changes to my feet (which I suspect are RA related) before this latest thing. I agree that it's unlikely to be coincidental give my current RA situation.
I read cold treatment might help so I might give it ago and sacrifice another bag of frozen peas! I'll try anything to be honest, especially as I have no idea how long the wait for a podiatry appointment might be. I just need to keep going until then, and hopefully the hydroxy will kick in.
I know all our feet and issues are different but just sharing that my podiatrist recommended thicker rigid soled shoes to me to prevent the big toe joints from bending. I’m female but found Van Dal Caprice low wedge ankle boots all I can wear and the podiatrist supported this along with wedge leather not mesh Sketchers. Have a look at the boots online to get an idea of the style .
Thanks. I generally wear shoes with very cushioned insoles these days, but do have footwear that isn't so comfortable so I'll get some for those. Many thanks. Seb
hi I developed something similar a few years back and went to podiatrist he said it was thinness of padding round metartarsil bones. People with RA prone to it. I wear metatarsil pads and make sure shoes have good insoles like memory foam ones
It got a lot better over time . I walk the dog,line dance etc but make sure my footwear is soft
Thank you for the information and advice. I'm hoping I'll get a podiatry appointment quickly and can get some advice and treatment if needed. Great to hear it got better and you are able to be active and enjoy life. I'm looking forward to the same. Seb
Sounds like a Morton’s Neuroma. I had one some years ago and your symptoms fit. They ultrasound your foot to confirm and then inject. The injection was incredibly painful but luckily it did work for me! Hope you get it sorted
Thanks. The injection sounded a bit unpleasant but worth it to be pain free. Did you have to have the condition for a long time before they decided to treat it?
I’d had it for some time and just mentioned it to my Gp. She thought she felt it and made the appointment at the hospital. Apparently it was very large when they did the ultrasound and the nurse said if the injection didn’t work they could cut it out. Just pleased it did work.
as others have mentioned a Morton’s neuroma . My hubby has one.( he doesn’t have RA)You will need a scan for diagnosis. My hubbies is one of the largest the consultant had seen but he still managed without a op. He was advised on footwear and at the moment seems stable.
With what your saying it sounds like a flare i have swelling on the ball of my foot and it's so painful my toes don't touch the floor when this happens. Please speak to your Dr/rheumatologist though
A podiatrist is your best bet, so I hope the wait isn't long. They are very skilled at diagnosis (most of them anyway) and can advise or carry out treatment. Insoles might help meanwhile and a flat shoe (e.g. barefoot shoes) to prevent the weight going onto the front of the foot so much.
I had something similar over 10 years ago. One morning I woke up and upon stepping out of bed I thought I had stood on a Lego brick… one under each foot. Every step was very painful.
After several days I contacted my RA specialist nurse and made an appointment.
To keep the story short, I had developed Bursitis under the ball of each foot (inflammation of the synovial fluid between the bones in the foot).
I was able to meet up with a podiatrist who made bespoke cushioned inserts for a pair of shoes.
10 years on and their still swollen although I’m now indifferent to the pain.
Hi Sebastian. This is how my RA started. I saw a podiatrist who recommended my GP refer me to rheumatology. I’ve never been able to wear hard shoes since - I live in trainers and wear insoles. The pain subsided when my RA was treated.
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