Nayaase
Padawan Learner
EXCELLENT!
How fabulous Laurs! The knowledge you need is freely coming your way from many sources! 
Foot issue
- Thread starter Laurs
- Start date
How fabulous Laurs! The knowledge you need is freely coming your way from many sources! 
I'm actually not a big fan of NSAIDs, as they can cause so many problems with long term use. But they do relieve pain pretty well. To my mind it is better to address what is actually causing the pain and inflammation, and trying to eliminate that. FWIW, I don't see any evidence of Psoriatic arthritis on your films, and that is a very good thing since it can be quite debilitating.
There is something to be said for going easy on your joints, as they will last (in comfort) longer this way.
Podiatry (as a career) attracts a lot of runners and triathletes. Many of my more athletic colleagues (that I knew in school) are today nearly crippled with degenerative (wear and tear type) arthritis. Unlike many of my colleagues (run run run!), I'm more biased toward kindness to the body. And so, it is good to get a variety of opinions.
For example, I have a Morton's Neuroma in each foot. I've never injected myself for these, but certainly would if necessary. I opted to leave them alone when having my Left foot fixed. What works for me is slowing down and perhaps ditching any problematic shoes.
These things are always complex and multi-factoral, of course. Like I said, every case is a bit different, feet being as unique as faces.
Hope all that helps. I wish you the best.
There is something to be said for going easy on your joints, as they will last (in comfort) longer this way.
Podiatry (as a career) attracts a lot of runners and triathletes. Many of my more athletic colleagues (that I knew in school) are today nearly crippled with degenerative (wear and tear type) arthritis. Unlike many of my colleagues (run run run!), I'm more biased toward kindness to the body. And so, it is good to get a variety of opinions.
For example, I have a Morton's Neuroma in each foot. I've never injected myself for these, but certainly would if necessary. I opted to leave them alone when having my Left foot fixed. What works for me is slowing down and perhaps ditching any problematic shoes.
These things are always complex and multi-factoral, of course. Like I said, every case is a bit different, feet being as unique as faces.
Hope all that helps. I wish you the best.
Agreed. I always say that recumbent bikes can get basically the same cardio as running, without the punishment that the joints, knees, and ankles take from running on concrete. I know there's a "runner's high" that many people experience, but to me it's not worth it. Just do leg exercises like leg press and you can get a similar mood boost.
Thanks for saying this, i noticed i was not feeling comfortable with taking them yet and besides, the pain is very manageable, so i got them in stock, but will not use them just yet. Actually, ever since France posted her video's i've been practicing being kind to my body, especially my feet, and not taking health or strength for granted anymore nor being harsh and rigid with my body, like pushing beyond what it can take. That is a program running and will take a while to turn it around, but at least this whole adventure brought it to my awareness and i am grateful for that, so i can change my attitude. Thanks for your good wishes, Yupo!
I actually thoroughly dislike running, but have to say that when i went on my walks, I always maintained a fast pace though. I watched some videos this afternoon about what a good gait is, and one thing they had in common was stating that one should not be making too big strides. Now that I was doing for sure. For the rest there was much conflicting advice from various fysio's, heel down first says one, while the other says midfoot first etc, so will definitely do more research and get the appointment with the podiatrist. Thanks everyone, it's all been so very helpful!
I'm way more of a bookworm than any kind of an athlete. An unexpected benefit of this is that it takes very little strenuous activity to get my endorphins flowing. From Flylady's circle (over in Brevard) comes the truism "If it isn't fun, it won't get done." To that end, I tend to find my best moments of exertion doing stuff that happens to be fun and/or purposeful. I don't walk or ride a bike unless it's to actually get somewhere. I like best smooth movements, such as with ballroom dancing. The music keeps my muscles moving in joy while the shoe-wearing and dress-up opportunities delight my senses. Whatever works!
I also love to go marine sightseeing (swimming/SCUBA diving). I'm as happy with just a snorkel and some fins, as there is way less stuff to pack and maintain. Not sure why, but I find the most satisfying sleep sessions come after a day in water. It's a beautiful world down there.
Off topic:
For the domestically challenged, Flylady might offer some real hope.
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Here a little update regarding my foot situation.
So I eventually ended up in Holland, at a specialised orthotherapeutic centre where they did many scans and fitted me with insoles. The therapist had never seen osteoarthritis in that particular spot on the foot in her entire 30 year career, and advised me to go to a specialised center (also in Holland) with the insoles to buy specific shoes. So, I booked another trip to and fro, and this week I went over to buy those shoes. This center also did a video gait analysis, and the report concluded that my gait was more or less fine, and pointed to a specific shoe with a sturdy fore shoe, pointing a little bit up. They went out of their way to get me the shoes that are really right for me, and I walked out with two pairs of shoes. Now, it’s going slowly, listening to the body, and I started yesterday with a 25 minute walk. It’s still sensitive when walking but no pain-pain, and I’m more confident now with these insoles and shoes, aware of each step I take that I walk straight and distribute my weight evenly and such. These shoes really fit like a glove, and no pain in the night or today, so today I went for a 30 minute walk, same sensitivity, so I feel that is the limit for now.
From May onwards, I’ve been swimming for exercise, but developed a so called ’golf elbow’ (how ironic) early on. It’s mostly leg work with a noodle I do in the pool now. The water temp has gone down to around 15 C, and it feels really good to be in there for up to 20 minutes every day!
Also, because the swimming was not really a sufficient outlet for my energy, I bought a so called Air Bike, which on top of the foot pedals, has these paddles for the arms as well. Initially I thought of an elliptical, but when I tried it out in the local gym, I still had to do a walking movement with my forefoot, so no go. I understand this Air Bike machine comes from the cross fit world, and really, it’s a tough work out for 20 minutes daily! After that I go into the full spectrum infra red sauna 3 times a week.
In October @Alana advised me to get this special tissue and bone lotion from Dr Christopher, which is a synergistic combination of 12 whole food herbs. Alana said that rubbing it in on the spot will take the extra calcium in the bone and transport it where it is needed. It has been used to treat broken bones, sprained ankles, torn ligaments, scrapes, cuts and wounds, varicose veins, curvature of the spine, skin eruptions, pulled muscles, blood clots, and calcium spurs (which is what I have). I ordered it from iHerb and have used it ever since, also on my elbow. It's very soothing and i hope it helps over time (been using it for 1.5 months now). The bone in my foot has grown during the past months though, but that can be due to me having walked around the house in unfit shoes for 7 months.
Also, @Chu advised me to have my Vitamin D levels tested, as a low level can contribute to making things worse. I had it tested and came in at 60.90 ng/ml. I think that’s okay? I have been supplementing each evening with 5000 iu for about 3 months (with a krill oil capsule). I also put a teaspoon of curcumin in my dinner every night, and take borax orally as described in the Sott article: 1 teaspoon dissolved in 1 liter water, and of that stash I take 1 teaspoon twice a day with meals, I aim to go up to 3 times a day . And after my bike work out, sauna and shower, I put DMSO on the spot (70/30). A Midwestern Doctor has done extensive research on DMSO, I read some of the relevant articles, but have yet to print them out and delve into them properly.
On the mental/emotional/spiritual side, I have made an effort to be aware of musty’s and should’s in my thoughts and to be more out of my head and in the present instead, be more flexible and more going with the flow. The book A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, which we are presently reading in the reading workshop, is helping me with that, and to find joy in all the things I can do.
I do feel I’ve covered a lot of angles, I feel strong and healthy, but there’s always more one can do, so I keep researching and testing things out on myself. No doubt I'll have to live with the sensitivity and probably some pain at times in my foot, but can. I am already grateful for the walks I can do at present, but will be super grateful if I can get back to a daily 1 hour walk in my beautiful surroundings here, I sure missed that! Thanks for reading.
So I eventually ended up in Holland, at a specialised orthotherapeutic centre where they did many scans and fitted me with insoles. The therapist had never seen osteoarthritis in that particular spot on the foot in her entire 30 year career, and advised me to go to a specialised center (also in Holland) with the insoles to buy specific shoes. So, I booked another trip to and fro, and this week I went over to buy those shoes. This center also did a video gait analysis, and the report concluded that my gait was more or less fine, and pointed to a specific shoe with a sturdy fore shoe, pointing a little bit up. They went out of their way to get me the shoes that are really right for me, and I walked out with two pairs of shoes. Now, it’s going slowly, listening to the body, and I started yesterday with a 25 minute walk. It’s still sensitive when walking but no pain-pain, and I’m more confident now with these insoles and shoes, aware of each step I take that I walk straight and distribute my weight evenly and such. These shoes really fit like a glove, and no pain in the night or today, so today I went for a 30 minute walk, same sensitivity, so I feel that is the limit for now.
From May onwards, I’ve been swimming for exercise, but developed a so called ’golf elbow’ (how ironic) early on. It’s mostly leg work with a noodle I do in the pool now. The water temp has gone down to around 15 C, and it feels really good to be in there for up to 20 minutes every day!
Also, because the swimming was not really a sufficient outlet for my energy, I bought a so called Air Bike, which on top of the foot pedals, has these paddles for the arms as well. Initially I thought of an elliptical, but when I tried it out in the local gym, I still had to do a walking movement with my forefoot, so no go. I understand this Air Bike machine comes from the cross fit world, and really, it’s a tough work out for 20 minutes daily! After that I go into the full spectrum infra red sauna 3 times a week.
In October @Alana advised me to get this special tissue and bone lotion from Dr Christopher, which is a synergistic combination of 12 whole food herbs. Alana said that rubbing it in on the spot will take the extra calcium in the bone and transport it where it is needed. It has been used to treat broken bones, sprained ankles, torn ligaments, scrapes, cuts and wounds, varicose veins, curvature of the spine, skin eruptions, pulled muscles, blood clots, and calcium spurs (which is what I have). I ordered it from iHerb and have used it ever since, also on my elbow. It's very soothing and i hope it helps over time (been using it for 1.5 months now). The bone in my foot has grown during the past months though, but that can be due to me having walked around the house in unfit shoes for 7 months.
Also, @Chu advised me to have my Vitamin D levels tested, as a low level can contribute to making things worse. I had it tested and came in at 60.90 ng/ml. I think that’s okay? I have been supplementing each evening with 5000 iu for about 3 months (with a krill oil capsule). I also put a teaspoon of curcumin in my dinner every night, and take borax orally as described in the Sott article: 1 teaspoon dissolved in 1 liter water, and of that stash I take 1 teaspoon twice a day with meals, I aim to go up to 3 times a day . And after my bike work out, sauna and shower, I put DMSO on the spot (70/30). A Midwestern Doctor has done extensive research on DMSO, I read some of the relevant articles, but have yet to print them out and delve into them properly.
On the mental/emotional/spiritual side, I have made an effort to be aware of musty’s and should’s in my thoughts and to be more out of my head and in the present instead, be more flexible and more going with the flow. The book A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, which we are presently reading in the reading workshop, is helping me with that, and to find joy in all the things I can do.
I do feel I’ve covered a lot of angles, I feel strong and healthy, but there’s always more one can do, so I keep researching and testing things out on myself. No doubt I'll have to live with the sensitivity and probably some pain at times in my foot, but can. I am already grateful for the walks I can do at present, but will be super grateful if I can get back to a daily 1 hour walk in my beautiful surroundings here, I sure missed that! Thanks for reading.
Wow, Laurs, what an adventure with your foot. Thank you for giving us all you did and do with your foot and also for all the information that I am sure can help us, those who have foot complications. And yes, joy is the basis of everything. Love, friendship, knowledge, life itself. With joy, anything is possible. 
