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

[WhiskyWoo]

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]

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]

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]

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]

yes it's osteoarthritis

[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]

...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

[Jdsk]

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

Jonathan

[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

[Proofer]

I have the same problem arthritis in the ball of right foot
Started in 2021 and took about 6 weeks to settle down
Flared up again 5 weeks ago, I used Voltarol twice a day for first week and started cycling again after a couple of weeks
I use SPD pedals and try to keep cadence above 90RPM if I can (I have a Garmin with a cadence gizmo)
Did have a steroid injection first time but trying to avoid it this time due to the possible side effects
I'm 68 now and do about 30 mile a week but do avoid the steeper hills
Found a download pdf from NHS Lanarkshire Podiatry "Hallux-Limitus-Regida" which helped a lot

[531colin]

Random piece of information which may (or not) be useful.
Footwear like ski boots and cycle shoes which have ratchet closures can collapse your arches; this presents as pain in the ball of the foot.
Been there, done that; diagnosed by somebody who fitted ski boots, not by anybody medical.

[Vorpal]

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)

Can you try different foot positions? pedalling with the balls of your feet on the pedal is standard, and likely a bit more efficient, but there's no reason you can't use other parts to pedal. I am comfortable with my feet a bit farther forward than most folks, and that also seems to work a bit better for my arthritis.

You will need platform pedals, and might have to lower your saddle a bit.

Regarding steroid injections, I would recommend doing a bit of research & reading on your own. The results are mixed, and there are relatively few clinical studies especially for feet.

https://faoj.org/2020/09/30/a-systemati ... eal-joint/

You may find that supportive footwear is more help than steroid injections

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871064/

[531colin]

"Whisky Woo" last contributed in June 2021, but I suppose somebody may find the general information useful in the future.

[briansnail]

Mackerel,Cod liver oil and nuts for good oils to lubricate the joints.

[531colin]

Foodstuffs are broken down before being absorbed from the gut.
Synovial fluid is the wet stuff surrounding joints; secreted by the synovial membrane, if memory serves.