Wellness

[Pasta Lover]

Hi,

Just talked to my doctor about the MRI results and it is not a fracture but just some arthritis on the top.  So a mystery on what is causing the bad pain on the right side of my left foot.  He said to call my internist to talk it over if it is my spine because he said sometimes a pinched nerve can affect your foot.  I am very upset because I have been suffering for nearly 6 weeks with such pain that I can't hardly stand for long, sit, or walk.  I suffer for nearly 27 years from depression and anxiety and I don't know how long I can bear this problem without getting a breakdown again.  Along with my health so many personal problems hanging out there for me.  Please if anyone had this problem of their back giving them pain with their feet let me know what action you had to take.  I was in a car accident way back in 2001 and always blamed that for my back pain when I stand or walk too much but it never affected my feet.

Thanks,

Linda S.

[MalteseMomma]

Please get some "Stop Pain" roll on and just roll it on where it hurts.  Available on Amazon ,(or maybe here in QVC)

 It works wonders.Sometimes we do not need all this expensive teating.I understand you panic contition!

[SeaMaiden]

@Pasta Lover  Is this Doctor you saw a podiatrist or general practitioner?  If it was just your GP,  I would recommend you getting a second opinion from a certified foot and ankle specialist. Then if he recommends you see a spine surgeon so be it. 

[Sweet_Serenity]

Before I changed my lifestyle to vegan removing all animal products and salt sugar any and all processed foods experienced very thing that you are my upper foot plus protruding vain actually went to see specialist possibly have it removed wasn't life threatening ugly tho. Since loosing 48 lbs along with plant based diet inflammation and all other health problems completely healed no longer exist. Hope you might consider looking into the power plant based eating has. Do wish you best in all your health concerns. Good luck.🙋

[Moonchilde]

@Pasta Lover, I don't know how much damage the doctor considers "some" arthritis, and I would tend to doubt that arthritic changes on the "top" would affect the side or bottom, but I can tell you that arthritis pain in the foot or ankle can be very sharp indeed, and yes, leave you unable to walk. Fortunately for me, the pain like this I've had is infrequent. It's usually first thing in the morning, going up or down steps, or if I have been sitting (especially with the feet in a crooked, contracted or flexed position. Mine passes away within 15 min or less.

At this point, I would get a referral - either from your doctor or from family/friends word of mouth - to a podiatrist who is well-regarded by orthopedists. A podiatrist whom MDs trust. They have the knowledge in this specific area and they look for and see things on x-rays, CT, MRI etc that others may not. They're also much more familiar with symptoms you may tell them you're having - how it hurts, when it hurts, when it's worse, etc. I suggest this after all the basic bases have been covered, as they should be, by MDs. You've done that. Now really is the time for a foot specialist.

I'm sorry you're still suffering with this.

[calexand]

I have arthritis in the top bones of my feet worse on the left and find that wearing orthotics helps, I also have injections directly into the painful area every 3 months. These injections are done by a Specialist  who uses an Xray machine to insure proper placement of the injection. It does give relief but when I am on my feet for any length of time I know it.  It is important to keep mobile and exercise the joints 2 - 3 times a day. 

[hckynut]

Hi back to you @Pasta Lover,

It is possible to have referred pain from your spine to your foot. Before I had my L-5/S-1 discs removed via open back surgery, my Sciatic Nerve pain included my right foot. It was all the way across the top of my foot to my Achilles Tendon(which is on the lower back side of the foot towards the heel).

Since you car accident, what specifically have you done through exercises, to protect your back?  A Myelogram showed my 2 ruptured discs, which was long before MRI was even heard of by most in the medical field. They still use the Myelogram to look at some spinal issues.

Was it you GP/PCP that suggested an Internist, and what type of doctor ordered your MRI? If I remember correctly, your MRI was only of your foot. Were I suspecting a spinal nerve being the source of any of my pain, I would be talking with my friend, who is an Orthopedic Spinal Specialist, that works only on the spine.

Unless one has had a tragic injury that effects almost their whole spine, they should have seen(or still see) a Physical Therapist. Patients with "bad backs" many times only need certain exercises to end a lot of different areas of referred pain coming from Spinal Nerves. Many only think of this when their back, or referred area, is in pain.

Been minus my 3 Lumbar discs for many years, and that never changed any of my activities, like running Road Races, or playing or being a Ref in ice hockey games. Went ice skating this afternoon, and nary a back or referred pain issue. I also continued working my factory job, which required me lifting 50-75lb reel of wire every day on my 8 hour shift.

I credit this to my never quitting exercises that protect my spine. That goes way back to 1974 when I had my 1st Open Back Surgery to remove my ruptured  L-5/S-1  spinal discs. Might want to give this aspect some thought.

Best to you,

hckynut(john)

[lulu2]

@Pasta Lover

I'm sorry you still have no relief.  Based on an earlier post it sounded like you were seeing a podiatrist.  If so, I urge you to see an orthopedist.  Most practices have doctors who specialize in particular areas.  The foot specialist could consult with the spine specialist.  It is true that a compressed disc (or several) could affect your foot causing pain and/or numbness.

Good luck.

[chrystaltree]

He still could have given you something for the pain so that you got some relief until you can see your internist.  He did document the arthritis, so he certainly could have prescribed something even if it was a one only script.  He's right about a spinal nerve condition and foot pain.  I have spinal stenosis and the pain goes down into my heel and my big toe is always numb.  You should call your internist asap and insist upon an urgent appointment because you are suffering and can't wait.  If it's a spinal nerve issue, you internist is going to refer you to spine specialist so, please don't delay.   

[Moonchilde]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

He still could have given you something for the pain so that you got some relief until you can see your internist.  He did document the arthritis, so he certainly could have prescribed something even if it was a one only script.  He's right about a spinal nerve condition and foot pain.  I have spinal stenosis and the pain goes down into my heel and my big toe is always numb.  You should call your internist asap and insist upon an urgent appointment because you are suffering and can't wait.  If it's a spinal nerve issue, you internist is going to refer you to spine specialist so, please don't delay.   

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@chrystaltree, the issue of "something for the pain" boils down to two choices: anti-inflammatory or opiate. I think we all know how opiates are regarded these days :-(

Doctors commonly recommend treating osteoarthritis with OTC anti-inflammatories like Advil and Tylenol. There's no guarantee that a prescription anti-inflammatory will work appreciably better than OTC and drugs like Celebrex has unwanted side effects. A doctor can prescribe ibuprofen (Advil) so that the patient only takes one 800 mg pill - or the patient can go buy a bottle of Advil and take four of them at a time; same thing. If the doctor didn't offer a Rx, he most likely did suggest OTC such as Advil or Tylenol.

Some doctors feel that every type of pain a person has, no matter how severe, it should be able to be taken care of with two 200 mg Advil. Other doctors will willingly prescribe 600 and 800 mg pills. My doctors have fallen into the latter category, thankfully. But none of them have ever been happy about prescribing an opiate, however mild. They might do it, but very grudgingly.