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Knee & foot pain advice please

Posted , 4 users are following.

lisa00789
lisa00789

Hi, I'm new here and need some advice as not sure what I should do next!

I'm 46 now but originally had problems with my knees using stairs and walking down hills when I was about 30, an x-ray showed early stages of a degenerate disease. I had a couple of physio sessions but not much help.  It's gradually got worse since then and after hurting my knee moving furniture a couple of years ago I had a scan which showed (among other things) severe osteoarthritis, the doctor was no help and practically said there's nothing much they can do. I went for another private physio session by which time the damage I did while moving the furniture was starting to heal so was just back to the usual aches and pains.

Now for the last few months I've really been suffering with pains in my left foot, starting around the big toe.  Blood tests ruled out arthritis and gout but x-ray results have come back showing OA.  It's been that painful I really thought I must have fractured something but that's not the case.  I tried Co-codamol and naproxen for a couple of weeks but they made no difference so didn't want to be on addictive painkillers that weren't actually helping.

Now I don't know whether to go back to the doctors who just don't seem very understanding or whether to try a podiatrist for advice on my feet at least as it's painful all the time now which means I'm not walking straight/properly which has a further effect on my knees and hips. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

0 likes, 16 replies

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  • Jan999
    Jan999 lisa00789

    Posted

    Hello lisa. I have osteoarthritis and found my painkillers weren't having much of an effect so my GP prescribed Nefopam (Acupan). You can take Nefopam with your other painkillers, it's not an opiate so not addictive but strong enough that it's given to post operative patients and women in labour. So when I'm having a lot of pain I tend to take 2 with paracetamol or an anti inflammatory and it does help.
    • lisa00789
      lisa00789 Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks Matron, always helpful to know what other painkillers work for different people. Until I decide whether to go back to the docs I'm having a go at seeing whether glucosamine supplements make any difference and epsom salt soaks.  Now that I know it isn't a fracture I'm also trying to get back to doing a bit more exercise although up and down the step ladder painting at the weekend hasn't exactly helped ;-)
    • Jan999
      Jan999 lisa00789

      Posted

      I have good and bad days and even the weather doesn't affect my pain. Fortunately I have an excellent GP and I'm also seeing a rheumatologist at the moment and I've had several steroid injections which haven't helped a great deal. Good luck with whatever you decide.
  • Ellie1943
    Ellie1943 lisa00789

    Posted

    Hi Lisa. I have OA in feet plus most of my other joints including both feet and toes. I saw a podiatrist who recommended the best type of footwear and advised to see my GP again. She told me that an injection can be given for pain at the site of it. I was injected in the arch of the foot which was really bad at the time. The tendon had seized up through walking badly apparently. It did help and so did the shoes she she advised me to try. Hotter! It took time and some physio in a warm pool   but things improved. Best see your GP again and ask about the injection. Not sure what it called but it worked after a day or two resting with feet up. Best wishes. Pollyanna.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Hi Pollyanna. I was referred to a podiatrist because of OA in my feet and they measured me for inserts for my shoes. Unfortunately I can only put them in my boots, trainers or walking boots but they do help.
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron. I had that problem too. Now I buy Hotter shoes in a wider fitting and adjustable, ie laces or velcro fastenings. Much better but still not able to walk far! I'm going to send you a private message and ask you something about the gyne probs I have. This is the wrong forum for that and it's a bit personal regarding something I done at the clinic yesterday. Bear with me! lol Pollyanna.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Ellie1943

      Posted

      I've bought Hotter shoes but they haven't helped a great deal. I only wish my inserts would fit in them. No problem about the private message
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 Jan999

      Posted

      I've sent the private message. My shoes don't help a great deal either but better than others if I stick to well used ones.I chucked the inserts, waste of time and money! I seem to be in laceups and some comfy old boots all the time! sad No glamour these days but looking to 'pull' so it doesn't matter much really. wink
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943

      Posted

      Hi Matron. That should have read NOT looking to 'pull'! No chance these days with everything dropping off or descending. lol twisted
    • lisa00789
      lisa00789 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Thanks Pollyanna & Matron, sorry I didn't reply before, not much internet access the last couple of days.  I was wondering about injections but my sister had a cortisone (I think!) injection for a shoulder problem and said how painful it was and that it didn't help much.  I've tried shoe inserts but find them so uncomfortable :-(  I was reading another post on here about trigger points and massaging so might try and look into that a bit more as well.
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 lisa00789

      Posted

      Hi Lisa. You will probably have read previous comments but I didn't find the inserts helped at all, very hard and uncomfortable. I don't know anything about trigger points in relation to feet but I think if you want to try anything when you feel desparate for pain relief, it may be worth looking at. Comfy shoes are important plus rest your feet as much as possible. A podiatrist said to try a plastic bottle of water placed in the freezer until it's really cold then roll it under your feet. The ice water should help any inflammation pain you have but can't promise it will work for you! Degenerative disease or Osteo arthritis doesn't have a cure, you just have to find what works best for you plus pain relief from your GP. This website is very useful to talk to others who have similar problems. The injection I had did help but I had to rest my feet and review my shoes! Low heels are a help for me. Good luck, Pollyanna.
    • lisa00789
      lisa00789 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Hi Pollyanna, I've not been able to wear high heels for a few years now because of my knees, I miss them :-(  I'm not great with them completely flat either so usually go for a low wedge which has always been fine until the last few months, now nothing is comfortable, my toe and across the middle of my foot is throbbing just sitting here at my desk. Good news is I've not had so much of the sudden sharp stabbing pain the last few days, that comes and goes.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 lisa00789

      Posted

      I've had 2 steroid injections in my shoulder neither of which hurt at the time and they definitely helped. The injection in my knee hurt at the time but has helped a little.
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 lisa00789

      Posted

      HI again. This weather doesn't help me. OA tends to react badly to changes in barometric pressure and high humidity, all of which we have this winter unfortunately. Try the pain gels and rubs and take your shoes off while sitting, it may help. rolleyes 
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