SORE FEET

Mary2014

Hi
my feet are sore and swollen at the moment. It is a struggle to walk on them at the moment. I am having trouble finding comfortable shoes. My physiotherapist suggested to go see my GP to see want he could do. He was surprise that physio suggested to see him. He has wrote to my rheumy and I have got an appointment in a couple of weeks. I got some insoles for my shoes but I wondered if anyone on forum got some better ideas to make things better. I understand that its probably part of inflammatory arthritis but its a new problem for me. Any ideas welcome.
Thanks.

hileena111

Hi Mary
My feet are OK {or as OK ad they can be } It's everywhere else that's the problem
There will be other people on to comment I'm sure.....a few people have problems with their feet......it must be awful
I know some people have had steroid injections in their feet...ouch!!
The first thing I thought was a podiatrist or whatever you call them in the hospital. I didn't think the GP would be the best person to go to.
Wait for someone who knows what they are talking about when it comes to feet LOL {not me}
Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

I have PSA-affected toes and OA in both ankles, extra bone growths too. My feet hurt all the time but I'm used to it now. My rheumatologist referred me to the hospital orthotist (I think that's the right word, my brain isn't working too well at the moment) and I was given two pairs of custom-made insoles - they don't help at all but they do make my knees face forwards instead of turning in which improves my walking. If your feet are swollen then it may be that your auto-immune arthritis is either flaring or is not sufficiently controlled, do you have any anti-inflammatory medication? Always sit with your legs raised, that helps to ease swelling. DD

stickywicket

You say you have insoles, Mary, but are they 'proper' ie customised insoles made by an orthotist? Ordinary shop-bought ones will have very limited use.

Hopefully your rheumatologist will arange for you to see an orthotist. In the meantime, forget about looks and just go for comfort / ease of walking. Lace-ups are by far the best as they can be tightened and slackened as the swelling comes and goes but they also give the best support. A good pair of trainers will do. Velcro fastening is the next best thing. Not quite as much support but easier on arthritic fingers and equally easy to slacken off. If you have a local disability shop they might sell Cosyfeet shoes. They specialise in problem feet. I buy their socks. Talking of which, I always wear trousers precisely because I have to always wear socks to give my feet that bit more protection. You could also look at Cosyfeet's website but I'd have thought you really need to try before you buy.

Mary2014

Thanks for all the helpful responses, the insoles I wear are just shop bought not specialised. I am hoping that my rheumy might refer me. I can't take anti inflammatory due to my hiatus hernia and barretts esophagus . I take sulfasalazine and co-codomol. I will have to seek out some cosyfeet shoes with Velcro as arthritic fingers find laces hard. I am a newbie to all this, each day something new happens. It started off in my knees ,then fingers,hands,and feet. My hair seems to be falling out aswell but I'm not sure if it's time of year or side effects of tablets. Who knows what tomorrow will bring??? SURPRISE

dreamdaisy

I know what tomorrow will bring - more of what today offered. Any form of arthritis is degenerative and progressive, that in itself is a daunting prospect. DD

theresak

Good insoles can improve things quite a lot. The orthotist at my hospital uses plaster of Paris to make moulds of my feet, to get an exact fit. You really need a referral to someone who can do likewise for you.

mig

Sorry you are suffering and sorry I've only just seen this ,sounds like you need your feet looking at by an orthotist.Have a look at widerfit shoes they have some stylish ones with Velcro.Mig