Arthritis in one foot (ETA Yes it has been diagnosed)

WhiskyWoo
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Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Arthritis in one foot (ETA Yes it has been diagnosed)

Post by WhiskyWoo »

Hello - just joined. I recently got diagnosed with arthritis in one joint in my left foot. Which makes pedalling quite painful after any length of time. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar and what - if anything - helped?
Last edited by WhiskyWoo on 25 Jun 2021, 1:49pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Jdsk »

Welcome.

Which joint?

And do you have a diagnosis, eg osteoarthritis, gout... ?

Jonathan
Psamathe
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Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Psamathe »

I think a lot will depend on which joints in your foot. I have osteoarthritis in my big toe/foot joint (can't remember the proper name for it) as well as in another joint top outer part of foot (X-ray report gave the joint/bones name, GP then said "also in the <gobbledygook joint> and when I asked where the gobbledygook joint was GP had to use Google!).

In fact it was why I took-up cycling as I could no longer go hiking (walking boots, etc).

I did insist being referred to a specialist who gave me some custom insoles but they didn't help but I managed cycling OK. Over the years it has troubled me less!

And the above is not much help to you but illustrates the importance of which bones/joint.

Do talk to your GP about what they can do to help/alleviate and advice about what you should and shouldn't do. In the past my own GP has made special efforts when something interferes with keeping fit and e.g. cycling helps keep you from troubling them for so many other things. And if your GP does not give you the answers you want then ask to be referred to a specialist.

After my problems walking/hiking took me a couple of years for things to settle. Then 2 years ago it all flared-up again when I got trench-foot (probably tropical immersion foot but I could only see a vet) and spent too long walking over large round cobbles - took a year to settle down again.

Ian
WhiskyWoo
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Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

Jdsk wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 9:56pm
Which joint?
Well I don't know all the bones of the foot but I think it's the cuneiform bones? Top of the foot anyway, not toes.
Jdsk wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 9:56pmAnd do you have a diagnosis, eg osteoarthritis, gout... ?
well, yes - recently diagnosed. Been offered steroid injections in the joint and/or surgery to fuse the joint but I don't know it it would help or just put pressure elsewhere on the foot. Pressing with the ball of the foot is the problem, exactly what you do on a bike (and ladder come to that)
Last edited by WhiskyWoo on 21 Jun 2021, 8:14pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Jdsk »

OK... I'd guess from that you're trying to prevent movement in that joint while you're cycling. Does that sound right and have you discussed that with the physiotherapist or podiatrist or surgeon?

Jonathan
WhiskyWoo
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Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

No not yet.
Vorpal
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Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Vorpal »

WhiskyWoo wrote: 21 Jun 2021, 8:10pm
Jdsk wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 9:56pm
Which joint?
Well I don't know all the bones of the foot but I think it's the cuneiform bones? Top of the foot anyway, not toes.
Jdsk wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 9:56pmAnd do you have a diagnosis, eg osteoarthritis, gout... ?
yes - been offered steroid injections in the joint and/or surgery to fuse the joint
I would be cautious about steroids. Their anti-inflammatory effects are well established, but there is some evidence of increased joint deterioration with steroid treatments, at least for some patients. I decided against them for myself due to this. Early osteoarthritis is really common in my family. I have some issues with it & I'm in my 50s. I was offered steroid injections in my 40s when I had physiotherapy for tendonitis that was exacerbated by osteoarthritis.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-n ... 9122318430
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 171552.htm
https://journalofprolotherapy.com/the-d ... njections/

edited to add: have you been offered physiotherapy? that will generally be the first approach for most osteoarthritis. Very often particular exercises can strengthen muscles &/or change the wear patterns that are causing difficulty. I have had osteoartritis pain successfully treated this way in several joints.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
WhiskyWoo
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Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

well quite! I'm not in a hurry to go down the steroids road! And the surgeon did say it's only a temporary fix anyway, so I'm focused on trying to minimise the aggravation to the joint and wear orthotic soles and eat ibuprofen for now. At least till it gets intolerable. Then I guess it's sit down and stay down, or surgery. :(
cotswolds
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Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by cotswolds »

I assume as you've seen a surgeon there's no doubt it's arthritis? I had something called subluxed cuboid, a slight dislocation of one of the cuneiform bones. Easily treatable by a tricky manipulation, but one that is probably beneath the dignity of a surgeon to perform.

Seems to be called cuboid syndrome in the US. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321626

Doesn't seem to be well known. A friend had it and got a rubbish diagnosis from a physio. Fortunately hers just popped back in while running, which is how we're sure what it was.

Whatever, I'd suggest a sports podiatrist, who will know best how to unload/immobilise the joint.
Psamathe
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Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Psamathe »

With the arthritis diagnosed in my foot (as mentioned above), GP's attitude was to do nothing but I pushed as I wanted options. One possibility she mentioned was to have the bones fused - I didn't investigate what the impacts of this would have been as I pushed for a specialist referral which is the way I then went (special insoles ...).

Ian
cotswolds
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Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 10:47am

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by cotswolds »

Psamathe wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 10:27pm I think a lot will depend on which joints in your foot. I have osteoarthritis in my big toe/foot joint (can't remember the proper name for it) as well as in another joint top outer part of foot (X-ray report gave the joint/bones name, GP then said "also in the <gobbledygook joint> and when I asked where the gobbledygook joint was GP had to use Google!).
Hallux limitus or hallux rigidus? I've got/had that. Just means "stiff big toe", which is usually due to arthritis. (Just checked. Still stiff but no longer hurts so non-issue.) Had to abandon some expensive stiff-soled cycling shoes because of it but soft trainers were always fine.
Psamathe
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Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Psamathe »

cotswolds wrote: 22 Jun 2021, 4:32pm
Psamathe wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 10:27pm I think a lot will depend on which joints in your foot. I have osteoarthritis in my big toe/foot joint (can't remember the proper name for it) as well as in another joint top outer part of foot (X-ray report gave the joint/bones name, GP then said "also in the <gobbledygook joint> and when I asked where the gobbledygook joint was GP had to use Google!).
Hallux limitus or hallux rigidus? I've got/had that. Just means "stiff big toe", which is usually due to arthritis. (Just checked. Still stiff but no longer hurts so non-issue.) Had to abandon some expensive stiff-soled cycling shoes because of it but soft trainers were always fine.
In my case definitely arthritis. Diagnosis only after X-rays and in several bone joints in my foot (both big toe and some other joint(s) top towards outside (but I can't remember the names for the bones involved).

These days most pain is same joint on the other foot and outside of right foot when walking surface causes the main part of the foot to "bend"/pressure on outer instep (e.g. over cobbled stones with soft soles/bare feet, repeatedly).

Ian
Jdsk
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Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Jdsk »

WhiskyWoo wrote: 21 Jun 2021, 8:10pm
Jdsk wrote: 19 Jun 2021, 9:56pmAnd do you have a diagnosis, eg osteoarthritis, gout...
well, yes - recently diagnosed. Been offered steroid injections in the joint and/or surgery to fuse the joint but I don't know it it would help or just put pressure elsewhere on the foot. Pressing with the ball of the foot is the problem, exactly what you do on a bike (and ladder come to that)
And the working diagnosis is osteoarthritis?

Jonathan
Pebble
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Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Pebble »

Several years ago I developed arthritis in one finger (xrayed and diagnosed by doc as ostio) It was a concern with me for a while as it was painful and quite disabling esp as I work with my hands a lot. Anyway - it eventually settled down and apart from that joint being considerably larger than any of the others, it is pain free and just works as well as any of the other fingers.

may be you will have such luck with your foot.
WhiskyWoo
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Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

cotswolds wrote: 22 Jun 2021, 4:12pm I assume as you've seen a surgeon there's no doubt it's arthritis? =
Yes, as I said, I've been diagnosed with arthritis. I've even seen the xray. The surgeon advised ibuprofen, referred me to an orthotic clinic, I have orthotic insoles, and he said if it got really bad I can go back and have steroid injections into the joint which don't appeal, and ultimately I can have surgery to fuse the joint.

so meanwhile, all I'm after is ways to minimise the aggravation to the joint to keep it manageable until I get to the point where I have to let them do something to me. And I thought maybe a community of cyclist might have some ideas and tips about things that have helped them.
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