Osteoarthritis in both big toes.

Liamb85
Liamb85 Member Posts: 5
edited 12:41PM in Living with arthritis

Hi everyone.

I have had a couple of x-rays last week show that i have Mild Osteoarthritis in both big toe joints.

To give you a bit of background, I must admit to never really looking after myself too well and I have been prone to some gout flare ups over the last 5 years. (I am a bit overweight but I could run) I have probably had about 5 flares in total but about 5 weeks ago I had a mother of a flare in the left toe which lasted around 2-3 weeks. Anyway fast forward to today and I unfortunately have had this diagnosis. Now, the diagnosis is in both toes but my right big toe feels perfectly fine (albeit most of my flares have been in the left toe.) Could I just be getting some lingering pain after the gout flare or is it more likely to be the arthritis causing me issues? Will it get worse over time?

The toe doesn’t feel ridiculously stiff and I think I still have a decent range of motion in it but I’m getting the odd shooting pain there. I am trying to sort my weight out & diet of which I admit to neglecting (at least I can affect those even if the toe is goosed.)


I’m slightly worried as I do a manual job and am on my feet most of the time so it could cause me more issues down the line, also I have a young lad who I feel like I won’t be able to play football with for instance. My GP isn’t the best and there has been a bit of mismanagement in all of this as well (won’t go into it too much) but overall I don’t help myself and feel a bit down about it all now.

Thanks all.

Comments

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 517

    Morning @Liamb85 and welcome to the online community.

    sorry to hear your concerns about OA in your toes, and can say you are not alone.

    I am sure others will connect with you soon.

    Best wishes @Naomi33

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • Daisy15
    Daisy15 Member Posts: 6

    Hi and sorry to hear your diagnosis, it's scary to hear. I don't know much about gout. I was diagnosed a year ago with OA in my big toes, stage 3 - 4 in one. It just became painful to walk. Since then I've had both fused recently. I don't know if you can look at insoles specially made, some manage with these. I saw a podiatrist through my GP, ten get referred to msk department at your hospital and get referred to a consultant. It all takes time so you may as well get on the lists just to get advice at least.

  • Liamb85
    Liamb85 Member Posts: 5
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/731789#Comment_731789

    Thanks Naomi

  • Liamb85
    Liamb85 Member Posts: 5

    Hi Daisy.

    I’m just hoping and praying that because i am coming out of a fairly long severe gout attack that some of the internal swelling/bruising has yet still to die down. It does feel slightly tender around the bunion still. Looking on forums online some attacks can leave people in pain for quite some time after. I must admit though my left toe clicks nearly everytime I’m walking up the stairs now though so maybe I won’t be so lucky. 😫

    My right toe is perfect, no issues at all even though it has the same diagnosis.

    Kind regards

  • ChrisG9
    ChrisG9 Member Posts: 27
    edited 12:38PM

    Hi Liam, I also have OA in both big toes, I had big toe fusion in Oct last year. I also have an 11 year old football mad son. This was initially diagnosed by referral by my GP for x-rays

    For me, a year before surgery the NHS phsyio referred me to get bespoke insoles made at my local hospital, these really helped with the pain in my foot whilst walking and playing with my son. However the pain increased and I had surgery. I'm about 18 weeks out of surgery now and we have started to play football again, I have to adapt what we do, more drills, more me being in goal and using the foot that wasn't operated on. I'm not sure I will feel confident to kick with that toe again, yet could use the instep to pass a ball.

    Hope you get support to best manage your situation

  • Liamb85
    Liamb85 Member Posts: 5
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/731833#Comment_731833

    Hi Chris, thanks gor your reply.

    What was the reason you got OA in the first place if you don’t mind me asking?

    It’s my first day back at work today and it hasn’t been ridiculous. I have had a few sharp twinges in the side of the toe but I can’t tell whether that is OA or still some pain from the gout attack. I luckily have a BUPA plan and they have got me into a Podiatrist next week to see what’s going on so I’ll know more then of where I’m at and what pain is still there.

    It’s all just a bit overwhelming, you think that after the attack is over everything will be fine again but I’m not quite sure it will be. It’ll kill me if I’m in pain playing footy with him and I can’t do it & it’s not his fault, you feel like a failure.

    Do you have any pain there now that the bone has been fused? What is walking like does it feel wierd compared to the other foot?


    Kind regards Liam

  • ChrisG9
    ChrisG9 Member Posts: 27

    I've run over 30 marathons and numerous shorter distances over the last 30 years, that and an accident on my bike probably contributed to getting OA in my toes (and hands).

    Not much pain in the toe now the bone has fused. It was pretty painful for the first 8 weeks though, it just swells now. I'm working with an NHS physio who has given me exercises to help return to a normal walking gait with our aim to get me running again. If it is any help, I feel more confident returning to playing football than running 😀

  • Liamb85
    Liamb85 Member Posts: 5
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/731842#Comment_731842

    Wow, So you were very active.

    I know they do like synthetic cartilage/joint implants but I have heard they do fail or wear out. The human body is to be looked after really (something Ive unfortunately not really done.)

    I’m just gonna have to deal with it and see what the next weeks and months bring. It’s really annoying that my right toe has the same diagnosis and feels absolutely fine but obviously that didn’t have the attack in.

    Take care mate.

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