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

WhiskyWoo
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Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

Pebble wrote: 22 Jun 2021, 5:59pm 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.
Well I live in hope :) It does seem to flare up and then fade, the British weather is a dream for that!
WhiskyWoo
Posts: 9
Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

Psamathe wrote: 22 Jun 2021, 4:26pm 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
Yep that's what he told me too and ultimately it might be that's what I have to do, if it gets too bad. I don't know though what impact that would have on the rest of the joints in the foot.
WhiskyWoo
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Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 4:20pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by WhiskyWoo »

Vorpal wrote: 21 Jun 2021, 8:22pm 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.


No- that's interesting! Might really help!
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Jdsk »

WhiskyWoo wrote: 25 Jun 2021, 1:47pm
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.
I'll try again... has this been diagnosed as osteoarthritis? There are many causes of arthritis.

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

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

Post by WhiskyWoo »

yes it's osteoarthritis
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

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

Post by Jdsk »

Thanks.

I'd experiment with:

Stiff shoes to decrease movement of the affected joint in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion with each cycle.
Decreased ankling ditto.
Wedges to alter inversion/ eversion.
Rotation of the foot on the pedal, and there are several reports in the archives of help from not anchoring the foot with either toeclips or cleat systems.

Doses and timing of oral drugs.
Ditto for topical nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs.

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

Re: Arthritis in one foot

Post by Psamathe »

WhiskyWoo wrote: 25 Jun 2021, 1:47pm ...The surgeon advised ibuprofen, ....
If you go that route I hope it helps. Ibuprofen seems to have no effect on me. I did ask a physiotherapist about that once (unrelated to my arthritis) and she said it helps some people more than others.

If ibuprofen doesn't help (enough) talk to your GP about stronger NSAIDs. My GP tried me on Naproxen (sic?); I didn't get on with it (terrible water retention and no help on arthritis either from the naproxen of Omeprazole taken with it) but it really did help my Mum (arthritis) and she really misses not being able to get the releif from it (she had to stop all NSAIDs due to other medical issues).

Obviously I can't advise on medication nor treatments but there are more options than Ibuprofen your GP will be able to discuss.

Ian
Last edited by Psamathe on 25 Jun 2021, 5:45pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jdsk
Posts: 24640
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

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

Post by Jdsk »

What Ian says. This varies between people. And becoming an expert in your own condition is a very good idea.

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

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

Post by Psamathe »

One other thought with caveats but for me ibuprofen (over the counter) nd naproxen (prescription) do nothing and the ibuprofen creams do even less.

I asked my physiotherapist about the creams and they were cautions and said it very much depends on "where" and other (non-medical) people have said there is no proof of any benefit. But I do suspect that Voltarol does help me (which is diclofenac based). But that is little more than an impression as using on yourself you have no control so when you use one evening and easier next day it is impossible to tell if it would have been easier doing nothing.

With all the caveats about drugs, treatments, professionals, instructions, caution, etc. Voltarol cream is available over the counter in 2 strengths (I use the stronger of the two).

Ian
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