chiropodist or podiatrist

palo

I have, as I have posted previously, recently been diagnosed with arthritis in my big toe, apparently there is severe degeneration. I concurrently also have gout in same toe.

I have an appointment at my local hospital in a month's time but that is a long time away. I want to see someone before then and am prepared to pay for a private consultation. I have been unable to walk since March...

Do I need a podiatrist or chiropodist to help improve my walking, and sort out inserts etc that might help pain etc?

thank you

dibdab

Not sure whether a chiropodist can do that, I have orthotics for my shoes to help with foot and ankle problems caused by bone degeneration in my feet, but they were made by the orthotic department at the hospital, and I was referred to them by the rheumatology nurses initially. Arhtritis is a whole new world of discovering who does what and how to get in to the appropriate system. Good luck with it.

Deb

palo

Thank you Dibdab,

I have booked to see someone on Thursday, hopefully she will help, until I see the hospital bods..

stickywicket

Chropodists and podiatrists are the same. The name changed in the '90s. They cut toe nails, treat corns and calluses etc. Only an orthotist prescribes insoles and surgical shoes.

Lotsofpain

My chiropodist /podiatrist does do orthotics for shoes but because its private it is very expensive

stickywicket

It'snot just a matter of 'doing them', lotsofpain, but a matter of being qualified to do them. If your podiatrist isn't a qualified orthotist I wouldn't touch them however much they cost.

dreamdaisy

I have NHS custom-made orthotics and boy do they hurt my knees because they make them face forwards, a direction in which they don't want to go! They do, however, improve my walking because they force my bones into a better position.

I empathise, palo, making ourselves move when the pain is telling us not to is far from easy. I have PsA in all my toes, OA in both ankles and both knees. I'd feel very odd now if something didn't hurt when I moved, I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I don't see a podiatrist (I force myself to do my own so I have to keep bending) and it was my rheumatologist who referred me to orthotics. DD

palo

Thank you for your responses. I am desperate for some relief now, so regardless of what the hospital advises, when they finally see me, I don't think it can hurt to talk to a foot specialist - whatever they call themselves.

I am not on the market for expensive orthotics as I want to see what the consultant says about my foot first, but someone must be able to help me in the interim...

jennand

I have NHS podiatry appointments every 12 weeks to cut my nails. I also have Hallux limitus in both big toes. My podiatrist refered me for a foot assessment to their specialist podiatrist who gave me my orthotics. I don’t know if they are prescribed by different people wherever you might live

palo

Thank you Jennard for replying.

I saw a chiropodist for £25, definitely worth the money.

She confirmed that the swelling is the arthritis and indicative of the oa changes in the toe, her best guess was that the orthopedic consultant would probably be looking at a toe fusion due to the state of it. I have to say I am hoping that they will do something and am reconciled to the idea of surgery.

She also cut out something to stick in my shoe which is what has helped the walking and advised me not to try to exercise as it needs to be supported and kept still, the opposite of what I had been doing as with my hands they said keep using them and exercise them...

So at least I can do the right things until I see the orthopedics and be a little more comfortable.

stickywicket

I'm glad you are feeling more reassured after seeing the podiatrist. I hope the suggestions will help until you can see a surgeon.

palo

Thank you sw