Yesterday I had my second, and probably last, consultation with an orthopaedic specialist, in which she had a look at the X-ray of my right foot, and decided to network about it and see what others might think.
Now, I have a big bunion (on both feet actually, no pain at all but the right is causing trouble atm) which causes the big and second toes to grow to the right, putting a lot of pressure on the bones at the base of the second and third toe, causing friction as these bones are basically touching now. This was clearly seen on the X-ray. On that spot, the nerve is irritated, causing fluid and quite a bump. Also, the second toe is quite a bit longer than the big toe. In the first consultation 5 weeks ago, she basically said that when the feetsies were handed out, I was at the absolute back of the line, and that this problem was genetic and only a matter of time when it would manifest. Indeed, my brother’s feet have the exact same shape minus the bunions, and I’m told my paternal grandma’s toes were so crooked, due to rheumatoid arthritis, that she had to cut out the upper bit of her shoes to be able to walk in shoes at all!
Yesterday the doctor told me that given the position of the metatarsal bone leading to the big toe, as well as the length of the second toe, she would think surgery was needed to correct the bunion situation and to shorten the second toe or take bone out of the metatarsal bone leading to the second toe. Now where I live, there are many elderly people with joint problems and the surgical clinics here perform these surgeries literally all the time, so I'm told. However, I’m quite reluctant as of yet, so the doctor recommended to try custom made insoles first, with soft material under the bone point of the second and third toes, so that area will be pushed upward when walking, thus relieving pressure. She said that toe spreaders and other bunion products won’t make any difference in my case. I do foot exercises though and when watching tv at night, I regularly bind the two big toes together with an elastic band and push the rest of the toes toward them (hope I make any sense in explaining this exercise).
Anyway, after the consult I went to the orthopaedic center to get myself fitted for insoles, which are ready to be picked up in two weeks, and will be put in sports shoes I have to bring with me. The doctor told me to try the insoles for about 2 to 3 months, gradually building up walking on soft underground such as grass, and see whether the inflammation goes down and there’s no more pain when walking. If it doesn’t improve, she advised to have a chat with the surgeon she recommends and see what he thinks.
Needless to say, I really really hope the insoles will do the job, and can at least halt the bones pushing in a certain way. In the meantime, to stay as fit as I can (haven’t been able do my daily walks for a month now, let alone my twice weekly rounds of golf), I resorted to swimming half an hour twice a day (notwithstanding my dislike for swimming, I notice that my body actually very much likes it, so will push through with that). Also, my diet consists of pretty much anti-inflammatory foods, no gluten, no dairy, and about 2 months ago i cut out eggs completely. Furthermore, my weight is, according to my GP, perfect for my height.
Interestingly, in You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay has this to say about a bunion:
"Lack of joy in meeting the experiences of life. I joyously run forward to greet life’s wonderful experiences."
And about feet:
"Represents our understanding — of ourselves, of life, of others. My understanding is clear, and I am willing to change with the times. I am safe."
"I stand in truth. I move forward with joy. I have spiritual understanding."
Years ago, in a meditation, I heard the phrase: “I love the adventures of my life,” which resonated with me to the point that I have included it in my daily prayers ever since, but perhaps (or clearly) I have not fully taken the concept on board yet, or there is an element of fear or stubborness or something standing in the way, forming a bump, literally, hmm. And, as per the C’s, the soul (that is assuming I have one) marries genetics (i.e. proteins as antennae), so that in this case I should find a way to make do with what I’ve got and make it work somehow? I don’t know, just thinking out loud.
I would be very grateful for any advice or tips. Many thanks for reading.
Now, I have a big bunion (on both feet actually, no pain at all but the right is causing trouble atm) which causes the big and second toes to grow to the right, putting a lot of pressure on the bones at the base of the second and third toe, causing friction as these bones are basically touching now. This was clearly seen on the X-ray. On that spot, the nerve is irritated, causing fluid and quite a bump. Also, the second toe is quite a bit longer than the big toe. In the first consultation 5 weeks ago, she basically said that when the feetsies were handed out, I was at the absolute back of the line, and that this problem was genetic and only a matter of time when it would manifest. Indeed, my brother’s feet have the exact same shape minus the bunions, and I’m told my paternal grandma’s toes were so crooked, due to rheumatoid arthritis, that she had to cut out the upper bit of her shoes to be able to walk in shoes at all!
Yesterday the doctor told me that given the position of the metatarsal bone leading to the big toe, as well as the length of the second toe, she would think surgery was needed to correct the bunion situation and to shorten the second toe or take bone out of the metatarsal bone leading to the second toe. Now where I live, there are many elderly people with joint problems and the surgical clinics here perform these surgeries literally all the time, so I'm told. However, I’m quite reluctant as of yet, so the doctor recommended to try custom made insoles first, with soft material under the bone point of the second and third toes, so that area will be pushed upward when walking, thus relieving pressure. She said that toe spreaders and other bunion products won’t make any difference in my case. I do foot exercises though and when watching tv at night, I regularly bind the two big toes together with an elastic band and push the rest of the toes toward them (hope I make any sense in explaining this exercise).
Anyway, after the consult I went to the orthopaedic center to get myself fitted for insoles, which are ready to be picked up in two weeks, and will be put in sports shoes I have to bring with me. The doctor told me to try the insoles for about 2 to 3 months, gradually building up walking on soft underground such as grass, and see whether the inflammation goes down and there’s no more pain when walking. If it doesn’t improve, she advised to have a chat with the surgeon she recommends and see what he thinks.
Needless to say, I really really hope the insoles will do the job, and can at least halt the bones pushing in a certain way. In the meantime, to stay as fit as I can (haven’t been able do my daily walks for a month now, let alone my twice weekly rounds of golf), I resorted to swimming half an hour twice a day (notwithstanding my dislike for swimming, I notice that my body actually very much likes it, so will push through with that). Also, my diet consists of pretty much anti-inflammatory foods, no gluten, no dairy, and about 2 months ago i cut out eggs completely. Furthermore, my weight is, according to my GP, perfect for my height.
Interestingly, in You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay has this to say about a bunion:
"Lack of joy in meeting the experiences of life. I joyously run forward to greet life’s wonderful experiences."
And about feet:
"Represents our understanding — of ourselves, of life, of others. My understanding is clear, and I am willing to change with the times. I am safe."
"I stand in truth. I move forward with joy. I have spiritual understanding."
Years ago, in a meditation, I heard the phrase: “I love the adventures of my life,” which resonated with me to the point that I have included it in my daily prayers ever since, but perhaps (or clearly) I have not fully taken the concept on board yet, or there is an element of fear or stubborness or something standing in the way, forming a bump, literally, hmm. And, as per the C’s, the soul (that is assuming I have one) marries genetics (i.e. proteins as antennae), so that in this case I should find a way to make do with what I’ve got and make it work somehow? I don’t know, just thinking out loud.
I would be very grateful for any advice or tips. Many thanks for reading.
