Arthritis in feet

Peck

Hi I'm new to this, was wondering how I can get info on arthritis. Been diagnosed yesterday with degenerative bone something or other in my feet by doctor.... very little info given... basically "You have this...go deal with it"... all very daunting...

[Deleted User]

Hello Peck and welcome to the forums from the moderation team.

I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis of Arthritis in your feet. Your diagnosis is a bit vague so I am assuming your GP (maybe?) was thinking of Osteoarthritis possibly following X-rays?

We have a great community here, who have lots of experience of arthritis who I know will make you very welcome and help in any way they can, but in the meantime I hope the following links will help you.

This information by Arthritis Research UK is about osteoarthritis and is very comprehensive:

https://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/osteoarthritis.aspx

Arthritis Care’s booklet on the same can be downloaded here:

https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/do-i-have-arthritis/publications/223-living-with-osteoarthritis

There’s a leaflet you can download her by Arthritis Research UK specifically about the foot:

https://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/shop/products/publications/patient-information/conditions/feet-footwear-and-arthritis.aspx


I look forward to seeing you posting in future.

Best wishes

Ellen.

dreamdaisy

Hello, I have one kind of arthritis which affects my toes and another which affects my ankles. The toe one is psoriatic arthritis and the ankle one is osteoarthritis. I suspect that you have OA, it is the most common type and is often described as the wear and tear kind as an explanation of why it happens.

There is little that GPs can offer for OA apart from pain relief, maybe an anti-inflammatory medication and a referral to physiotherapy. None of these will make it better but can ease the worst of the symptoms. I began aged 37 and am now 59 so I know my arthritic onions. It may be worth posting again on the Living with Arthritis board on here as that is where we cover conditions, treatments, medications etc. and more people look in on there. I wish you well. DD

Peck

Many thanks for reply.... I'm 45, and pretty active... but I have lots of questions, ie will it worsen, do I have to plan for a future where I can't walk, will my weekly football help or hinder?? Do certain foods make it worse?? A little bit flummoxed by it all...

stickywicket

Hi from me too

Like DD I have two kinds of arthritis and have had for years but my husband, who has always been very much into sport ( rugby and cricket mostly in his younger days, now just golf and walking) has OA in a hip. Given the degeneration on his x-ray the GP was pleasantly surprised at how much he could do and how far he could walk. I think his active lifestyle has made this possible.

Let's take it from the top. Will it worsen? Frankly, yes, but how quickly that happens is partly in the lap of the gods and partly in your own hands. Exercise is essential but exercise that puts pressure on the joint(s) isn't good. Feet are hard to avoid :roll: I'd ask to be referred to a physiotherapist for some good advice on what would help or hinder and, if the GP was reluctant, I'd find a local physio who specialised in musculo-skeletal probems and see him / her.

Do you have to plan for a future where you can't walk? I do hope not but nothing is certain. My RA started when I was 15 and soon moved onto my feet. I'm 72 now and still walking but only just They can do more for feet now than they could in my younger days but the foot has around 26 bones so it's complicated.One thing you can do is wear sensible, supportive shoes. Trainers tend to be good. Lace-ups are best but velcro's not bad. I would hope you don't have to plan just yet but, if you plan to move house, it's worth bearing in mind.

Football? My husband, one of two sons and both grandsons play or played. It would be a big thing to give up I expect. Personally I'd play it by ear, see how it goes and ask the physio.

Foods. Yes and no. Many people swear certain foods make theirs worse but not necessarily the same foods. If you eat healthily and keep to a decent weight (and don't smoke) that's the main thing(s). If you notice you're worse after eating certain foods or performing certain activities the solution's obvious.

One more thing. We'll gladly answer any questions you have but they're better put on the Living With Arthritis forum where more people look in and you should get more answers

alofiah

Hi Peck
I've OA in both feet & ankles for about 10 years now. Mine has got significantly worse. I've had meds, injections, physio & surgery 4 years ago. Surgery helped a bit but now it's getting worse in other areas of my feet. I'm on at least one crutch to mobilise. My strong stubbornness gets me through most days. Non weight bearing exercise is advised - cycling, swimming. NSAIDS - brufen etc. I use Piroxicam gel - doesn't really help pain, but it's a good excuse to massage my feet! Weight management is hard due to poor mobility. Adaptation is key & pacing yourself is my top tip (that I need to do too!) pain meds dont really work, but I take codeine when desperation sets in. Everyone's journey is different.

Nettix

I have OA in both big toe joints. Getting the right footwear and orthotics helped reduce the pain a lot,