Painful feet

[melbod]

Hi, i have systemic scleroderma (diagnosed 2007) and have recently been having more trouble with my feet. I have no padding left on the soles of my feet, claw toes and painful corns which i am lucky enough to see an NHS Chiropodist about. I am getting a burning sensation across the balls of my feet and am finding it a lot more painful to walk. This is even with using some extra cushioning. Any advice please on what might be causing this and anything that may help?

Thank you

[Joan59]

Hi sorry to hear this you need to be referred to a specialist In Podiatry as they will hep you with some insoles which should help. I don’t have claw toes but I too don’t have any fat pads and it’s like walking on big pebbles. Insoles will help and they should sort out any other issues like corns too. I hope this help you.

[Midgebite21 in reply to Joan59]

An NHS chiropodist is the same as a Podiatrist, the terms are interchangeable in the uk and cover the same qualification level. Chiropodist is a term in UK we are reluctant to give up, I started my Podiatry degree in 1991 and still people think it’s a new name 🙄🙄

[MEW53]

Hello Melbod

Sorry to hear about your feet. When I was first diagnosed in 2014 my feet were so painful however I was bedridden for a year so I wasn’t on my feet for very long in the day. My daughter bought me some Ugg boots which have very thick soles, they have made my feet so much better and I have some shoes now with thick soles. It’s not like walking on a pebbly beach any more.however as Joan59 says get your feet looked at by a specialist.

Good luck.

[ilovedancing]

I was diagnosed with scleroderma 5 years ago. I too have the burning in my feet and no padding. I only have the pain when walking. I have seen numerous specialists. None could offer a solution. I have tried lots of different insoles including some custom made. Nine have helped. Some have made the pain worse. I have tried various lotions and potions, some on prescription, some I have bought myself. I have been to inside for ayuvedic treatment. I have had acupuncture and socks with metal in. The list goes on and the pain persists!

Now a bit of good news which may help you. Earlier this week I had an operation at the Royal Free hospital in London. I had fat removed from my stomach and put into the ball of my foot. They can only do one foot st a time as you have to keep the weight off un till the fat transfer takes. This is the second time I have had the procedure. It does takes a few attempts until it works so I am Hoping I will see some improvement soon. It is something you could try

I

[ilovedancing in reply to ilovedancing]

PS. I find the best shoes to wear are sketchers. Ugg boots in winter as someone else has suggested.

[Jen3131 in reply to ilovedancing]

Fit flops in summer - helped me enormously especially because I have a Morton’s Neuroma in my right foot too and couldn’t bear to put a shoe on at one point!

[cpns in reply to ilovedancing]

I'm with these last few people, the memory foam sketchers, fit flops & Ugg boots are the quickest & relatively cost effective route to relieving some of the pain. The insoles of the Ugg boots do wear down in time & become denser - but can be replaced & the sketchers have the added benefit of being almost weightless. I hope that things improve for you.

[Searchingforhealth in reply to ilovedancing]

I am in the U.S. Is lipotransplantation covered by insurance or is it an out of pocket expense? I was told it was considered cosmetic and isn't covered by insurance. Wanting to walk comfortably is hardly cosmetic.

[kat2169]

Pain in my feet was so bad, with other areas of pain, podiatrist told me something more going on. So I was tested & told I have crest sclerm thing. Best thing forme, is skeechers!

[bearman]

I wear All Birds, not cheap but they work for me, and they're made from wool so are warm too.

[melbod in reply to bearman]

I haven't heard of these but will have a look thank you

[melbod]

Thanks for all your comments and help, it is much appreciated and good to hear from other people. I should have mentioned in my post that I already have sketchers and Ugg boots which do help a bit but am finding I am still getting the pain when wearing these. I've just got some boots made on the NHS which I am hoping will help once I can solve the source of this pain.

I have looked on the SRUK website and there is a condition called Erythromelalgia which talks about this kind of pain and can be secondary to autoimmune conditions. Has anyone else heard of this?

Thanks

[Midgebite21]

As a podiatrist and SSc/Raynauds sufferer myself footwear, thick cushioned socks and cushioned supportive insoles are needed to replace lost fibrofatty padding lost across the metatarsal heads, toes could be straightened surgically if considered severe enough to justify it but footwear medication would always be first line of treatment as surgery obviously has risk especially if circulation is compromised.

[NewbieAP]

I would think that having good, cushioned arch support and support to address the metatarsal arches would be helpful.

[ilovedancing in reply to NewbieAP]

It didn't help me at all. I am just hoping he fat transfer will make a difference this time.still not walked on it since my up last week..

[JacqueD]

I was diagnosed with scleroderma since 2002 and been suffering leg cramp and painful feet. I am using Pain Away Cream by WholeFamilyProducts to ease the pain. I can't live a day without it.