Tarsal Tunnel

tiggernut

Hi, I have had RA for 27 years and I have quite a lot of artificial joints.
Last year I was told by my rhumatologist I have tarsal tunnel in my foot.
#Which most of the time means it feels a bit dead, numb and a bit like pins and needles.Has anyone else got this and what are your symptoms and can anyone help with a remedy for easing the pain.
I was basically told I'd have to live with it. However, I'm not sure if my current pain is the tarsal tunnel or something else.
It feels like the ball of my foot and toes are clamped in a vice. I also get a bright red patch on the top of my foot just below the toes which by the way are all bent and deformed!!
Sorry to go on but if anyone has anything to say that could help I'd be really gratefull. Thanks.

suzygirl

Hi, I don't know what pain meds you are on. Gabapentin and pregablin are good pain relievers for nerve pain. Also amitryptyline is a good pain killer at night to help you sleep.

If you already use those, I am sorry to tell you what you already know. Nerve pain is very difficult to live with. Maybe a freeze gel such as biofreeze??? I can't imagine that heat would help.

Maybe you could ask for a referral to a neuro to see if they can help??

tiggernut

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I am not on any of those drugs I assume they are all on prescription. I take Co-Dydramol, Voltarol and methotrexate injections I also have tramadol if I need it.I think I do need to go back to the Doctor as this is quite unbearable!! Trouble is when I last showed my GP the foot when it was really red he didn't have a clue.I have got some bio-freeze so I'll have a go with that for now.

elnafinn

Hi Tiggernut

I am having foot problems but not like you. That must be really painful. Do you ice your foot to ease the pain for a little while? That sounds like inflammation if the foot near the toes is red but I am only summising as I am not medically trained. I am wondeirng if physio and/or a corticosteroid injection might help the inflammation. Would a custom shoe insert help you when walking or have you got this already? Sorry I seem to be asking you questions!

I do hope you get some help with this soon. I would not leave it but persevere for some kind of solution via your gp even if only temporary.

Elna x

tiggernut

Hi Elna,

Thanks for your reply. Yes it is very painful. No I haven't tried cold as I also have raynauld's so sold therapy is a bit of a no no but I will give it a go. I have one of those blue jelly things you put in the freezer. Yes, I do already have orthotic insoles.I had a plantar ulcer for 1 year and I though it was connected to that but my GP said no but I can't help wondering.
What foot problems are you having if you don't mind me asking?

Anita.

elnafinn

Hi Anita

The problems I have are a bunion on my right foot that I have had for years but it is now veering so much to the right that the second toe is inflamed, twice its size and no longer touches the ground when I am standing. This toe was extremely painful but I had a steroid injection and that lessened the pain remarkably. The big toe is turning to go under the second toe. The third toe is dislocated and been like that some years as well. This toe also does not touch the ground when I stand. Fourth and fifth toe are ok. :roll: I am walking on my pads which is not at all comfortable when barefoot. This has all been caused by the bunion that give me no jip at all.

Elna x

elnafinn

Hi again Anita

I just googled plantar ulcer and tarsal tunnel and there are quite a few posts from people discussing it, like a little forum, if you know what I mean. You may find that interesting to have a quick look. There may well be a connection between the two...... Click on the third heading on the page where there are seven posts and then click on Get more discussion results if you wish to read more posts.

Elna x

tiggernut

Thanks for that. They were really interesting. I don't like the sound of surgery. Well I never did really but having read those posts it doesn't sound much good. I will definately ring my rhumatologist Monday and get an appointment as my GP was a bit useless really lol! I do have a chiropody appointment next Friday but frankly as she took 1 year dressing my plantar ulcer week after week to no avail I'm not sure she would be much help either! besides I have mentioined the redness to her on many occassions over the past year and she didn't know what to say or whether it was related to the ulcer.My gut feeling is that it is but what do I know lol!
Anita.

elnafinn

Hi Anita

No one likes the thought of surgery but some of us go through with it and often it works really well! I like my new knees! I try not to think that they may well need replacing in "x" number of years.

I agree, a good idea to call your rheumy.

Elna x

tiggernut

Oh I'm not against surgery. Just surgery for the tarsal tunnel as I have read it can make it worse. I have had both total knee replacements, my left ankle, both my elbows and all the knuckles on my left hand. All have been a sucess well with the exception of the right elbow done last April. The op itself was great but 5 weeks later I got an infection and spent last summer in and out of hospital trying to fight off the infection. In the end I had metal and bone exposed and had to had a skin graft to cover the wound as I never had enough of my own skin to cover it.
From the actual replacement to skin graft recovery took 7 months.
I had my knees done in 1998 and they are still great!

Anita.

elnafinn

It is good to hear that all your ops have been successful, except the big hick up with the elbow one, Anita. I am sorry to hear about your elbow but I hope all is ok there now. That was so unfortunate to get an infection. It is encouraging to hear that you knees are holding up well.

Elna x

tiggernut

Yep all is well now with the elbow thanks. Although it's not that great to look at. Still can't worry about the scars as long as I can drive and do what I want on a daily basis I can cope with that. Well case of having to really no point dwelling on it eh.

skezier

Hi Anita,

Sorry your suffering with the feet just now. I know mine have been rebuilt a few times but they always tell me beyond a bit of break and reset thee is little to nothing they can do for the small bones.

The toes they can and mine were so worth having operated on though I would still happily have 2 removed still.

One thing I think might really help you though is a drugs review? It seems the ones you are on are not working and well maybe a different combination could help you more?

Have they given you an ortho opinion on the feet not just the tarsal tunnel? Might be worth asking for one if they haven't and you don't have to go for the surgery if its offered but at least you would know what the options actually are flower.

Mine have the red, they have pain in the arches and the balls but the bits that could be done made it so much better and I don't heal well and infect very easily as well but cus they knew that they made provision for it and the feet did heal up ok in the end. Took ages but I really don't heal so good.

Mine thankfully are intermittent, I can be totally sound on that bit and then suddenly not be able to put the foot to the floor but I know in my case they have said there isn't much they can do for those bones. hang in there and hopefully you will get some ease from it soon. Cris x

tiggernut

Hi Cris,
Thanks for your reply. Funny you should say yours is intermitant, today it's nowhere near as painful as it has been over the last week so maybe it's calming down I really hope so.
Not sure my toes are the problem the top part of the ball of my foot is sore and swollen. I am going to see if I can get an appointemnt with my rhuamatoligist as my next appointment isn't until Jul!
Anita.

tiggernut

Unbelievable!! I managed to get an appointment with a consultant rhumatologist today (not my usual one). Well first I saw a GP on rotation who thought it may be Gout, then the consultant came in and said she didn't think so but it was difficult to tell! She thought it was just a general flare up and I should try a cold flannel on it for 2 weeks then if that doesn't work I should try 15mg of prednisalone for two weeks (I take 7mg at the moment) and if that doesn't work I can go back and they will refer me to an orthopedic surgeon!! What a waste of time!