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injured foot trying to keep balance

Posted , 4 users are following.

c4013
c4013

Has anyone else hurt themselves trying to keep balance. I feel like I have sprained my foot. My balance had be come very jerky so perhaps this is why. Is this common??

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy c4013

    Posted

    I hate to  say, but it's very common to injure yourself. I fell quite often and I ran into things. My knees went from being mildly arthritic to severe and I am having to face possible knee replacement, My shoulder has been an issue possibly from a tear during one of my falls. And I am only 53. The bruises caused doctor's and nurses to be concerned that I was being abused (which if you saw or met  my husband made it almost comedic). The physical changes and challenges I have faced are now causing me to step down from my 30 year career to something less strenuous. I continue with physical therapy even though my overall balance is much much better. I am now trying to rebuild my general strength so I can get back to a better life. Hang in there. - Mary
    • c4013
      c4013 Mary_McAvoy

      Posted

      Thank you Mary good to know I'm not alone. I thought it was bad enough losing my balance but now struggling to walk with pain too... well its awful. Mary Thank you for replying and I hope you keep well and safe

      !!!

    • dee50000
      dee50000 Mary_McAvoy

      Posted

      Mary, what did you do to get your balance to be "much, much better"? That's encouraging! Did you do VRT or did the virus just clear up?

      Going to a balance center, but I don't see any improvement at all. In fact, worse.

    • Mary_McAvoy
      Mary_McAvoy dee50000

      Posted

      My exercises helped a lot. I spent a lot of time in the balance booth also which helped my brain relearn how to compensate. My hearing aids were a miracle for me. Once I got them, my recovery was rapid. And time to heal made a difference. I had a cyst behind my eardrum removed and it simply took time for it to heal and for my brain to relearn how to balance. 
    • dee50000
      dee50000 Mary_McAvoy

      Posted

      Thank you... I wish I could stay in the balance booth forever until this fixed itself. I only go to PT once a week and only spend about 10 minutes in there, maximum. Did you do more? If you were me, would you ask my therapist if I could spend more time in there? My legs burn when I'm in there, but I could put up with more of that if it will help. My recent scores were 32, 41, I think the highest was a 61% cry. I actually do better when the floors move and my eyes are closed (as opposed to when they are open and the floor moves), but I don't know what this suggests (and neither did she). Doctor said to take a Tai Chi class. I am going to as soon as possible.
    • Mary_McAvoy
      Mary_McAvoy dee50000

      Posted

      My physical therapy is never the same. Once I start doing better my physical therapist pushes me to go harder and further. I definitely had times where I spent longer than that in the box. We would repeat a simulation until my scores got better and then we would increase the difficulty all in one session. I would come out feeling like I had run a marathon and sweating like crazy. I don't know about doing better with your eyes closed. That would be the opposite of me. Eyes closed can be extremely challenging and dizzying. 
  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy c4013

    Posted

    You may want to see a doc. Stress fractures are common for people with balance issues. It is surprisingly easy to step wrong and snap one of the many small bones in your foot and not even know it. Sorry to say been there done that too. 
  • kathie37110
    kathie37110 c4013

    Posted

    In my case the jerky-ness I think is when I feel off balance and try to over-correct.  And yes, you will do this on a regular basis.  I agree you should see a doctor if your foot continues to hurt just in case one of the smaller bones has fractured.
  • dee50000
    dee50000 c4013

    Posted

    Yes, you will strain muscles you never new you had before, and will find bruises from bumping into things if you are like me! I guess the muscles are your body's way of trying to stabilize itself through constant corrections to your unsteadiness.

    You may find that a cane helps relieve some of the unbalance while you walk. I am much less sore after I walk with a cane, than I am without one. After a PT visit with the balance center, my thighs and calves are very sore just from the constant tension in them while doing the balance exercises. The more active you are, they say, the quicker this will go away.

    Today, the wind almost blew me over... kinda funny actually. 'Glad I had my cane. It helps a lot, and lets people know you aren't tipsy (that's how I feel though!).  Good luck!

    • Mary_McAvoy
      Mary_McAvoy dee50000

      Posted

      I use a cane too.It helps steady me and you're right, let's people know you aren't staggering around drunk. 
  • c4013
    c4013

    Posted

    Thank you everyone I'm going tomorrow for ent consultation. So wish me luck I am nervous really really. I will mention my foot and must tell my Gp when I see him as it is sore and it makes it xl most impossible to work with my poor balance as well. I am grateful so much that everyone is here to share stories give words of advise comfort and also friendship as I have had this 2 months now and I am finding that I feel cut off from normal life. Not working nit driving not walking out alone..its actually quite isolating and I very much doubt many Gps actually appreciate this as a consequence. Anyway thank you everyone for your kindness. Hope u see this take care all. Keep intouch
  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy c4013

    Posted

    We're here for you. This forum helped me so much when I was in a very dark place. Just knowing I wasn't alone and that I wasn't crazy helped me push through and find doctors who actually could and did help me. I am one of the lucky ones who hardly has balance issues anymore. But I live in fear that they will return and I also want to be supportive of others and give them hope that they CAN get better. I wish the best for you. Mary 
    • c4013
      c4013 Mary_McAvoy

      Posted

      Thank you so much saw a specialist today who was so lovely it makes all the difference to see someone understanding I had this once before and I interrupted the specialist he said shut up patients like you make me so cross. So I was dreading today soooo much!! Tablets more tests and most importantly someone who actually said the words I will look after you .....priceless!!!!
  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy c4013

    Posted

    Wow! That's fantastic. Just the validation of knowing you matter makes all the difference. Keep us posted as to how you're doing. Sending you a virtual high five and a hug.  Mary
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