Podiatrist #2

[cjsmith]

This one says: that's nerve pain ya got there. There's definitely also some inflammation, and some minor tenderness related to the joints themselves. But the major problem comes when the nerves are compressed directly. She was very good at it.

I'm surprised my nerves have so much life left in them, frankly.

Some mechanical things that may be contributing: my very low fourth metatarsal (no padding), my slight hammertoes (no spreading out the load), my orthotics (hard plastic with no shock absorption whatsoever).

She says that sclerosing treatments for Morton's neuroma were tried and given up on "because they work for some people and not for others" decades ago, but are experiencing a resurgence now. I think she meant to imply that they were useless. If they do work for some people, though, I'm still glad I tried that first, because it's both easier and less drastic than surgery.

I now have big fluffy metatarsal pads stuck to my orthotics. There is barely enough room inside my shoes for my feet. I also have a prescription for Yet Another Anti-Inflammatory -- woohoo, collect the whole set. And she says ice it a LOT. A lot a lot.

Intriguingly enough, the pain is different with this pad under my foot. Different spots ache. Seems to me mechanics do play a role. This leads me to believe that if the mechanical problems could be fixed or worked around I'd be fine. The doctor didn't say that, though.

Followup in two weeks. I see dollar signs floating in front of my eyes.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I see dollar signs floating in front of my eyes.

*hugs* Too bad they're not floating toward you.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Yikes. I hope the pads continue to give you some relief. Poor feet. Poor wallet.

[melanie.livejournal.com]

sheesh, i bet you *are* getting tired of this. no wonder.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

I also have a prescription for Yet Another Anti-Inflammatory -- woohoo, collect the whole set.

what, you don't HAVE the whole set yet? i'll swap you some Mobic and Bextra for whatever you have that i don't. ;-)

taking the least dangerous/invasive route first is always a good idea. why kill a gnat with a bomb when a flyswatter will do?

i hope the new, different foot pain is just your feet adjusting to the new, different positioning. PT causes me freaking boatloads of pain, but they keep promising that it's good, 'cause it means we're working the right things. rumor is that eventually, the right stuff will feel good and the wrong stuff will feel bad.

{{{hugs}}}

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

OK, when I get my head transplant, you get these feet. My feet are probably the only part of me that are in fine shape, other than being wide. I even have nice toenails for polish :-)

Did the hammertoe thing you tried do anything?

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope this helps, and that you don't have to go through as many podiatrists as I went through rheumatologists. :/