Anyone else suffering arthritis in their feet? OUCH!

Posted by Bluegrass Gal @cindychesler, Jul 15 8:12am

I suffer from arthritis in my feet along with Pes Cavus (really high arches considered a deformity). I have gotten BMAC stem cell therapy which only lasted a few weeks. Steroid shots. Physical therapy. And acupuncture and several rounds of an herb concoction that mixes with water. Additionally I apply ice packs and occasionally heat packs. All give temporary relief. I cannot take Celebrex, Advil or Aleve. I do not have rheumatoid arthritis. Any long term solutions?

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@helendances

I found PT to be helpful with the arthritis in my feet (and hands), in conjunction with things like voltaren gel. Both the hands-on work and exercises can help mobilize the different bones and soft tissues of the feet. I know I stopped using my feet (and hands) as much when the pain started up, but mobilizing them helped them to work better and slow worsening.

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Thank you!!! All of these suggestions are so helpful.

I want to echo the understanding that we’re SO likely to freeze up and be still when in pain, but it’s the temporary rest (icing, compression and elevation, of RICE fame) followed by re-introduction of tolerable movement and exercise that helps with healing; not giving up on a movement from now on (as I have attempted).

As for massage under the arch, the balls I’ve used and mentioned previously are such a great way to do that massage. I loved the idea of a golf ball, and was also given a hard, nubby ball by a massage therapist, but found it too painful to use either of them regularly. It was when I discovered the softer ball and harder ball combo (with instruction on how to use them without further injuring myself) that I made the most progress. I’m hesitant to mention the brand name again, as I don’t want someone to think only that can work or that I’m pushing someone’s product. It’s just that this was what worked for me.

Also, please be very careful with hard balls (and rollers) under strained and painful body parts. If you use them, only put as much pressure as is comfortably tolerable for your body. Listen to your body carefully, both during and afterward, so you can gauge when to increase pressure, duration or frequency of the practice or exercise, when to stay steady and when to back off for a bit.

Looking forward to reduced pain and increased ease of function in 2025!

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@kaylin7

Yes it's very painful . I take ibuprofen 800 prescription and it works well.

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Sorry Kaylin. I'm glad the Rx-strength ibuprofen works for you. Ibuprofen seems to have a good safety profile.

Give the Voltaren Gel a try if you haven't used it. It doesn't have a strong smell like the menthol-based gels.

Although if you don't mind the menthol smell - BioFreeze is an outstanding pain-relief gel. It comes in a spray on and roll on as well. The menthol smell fades pretty quickly. Always get the BioFreeze Pro version. It just seems to work better.

I am taking Voltaren pills via Rx for my hip. The hip needs to be replaced and that is scheduled for late January. I take Voltaren as needed. I'm a little leery about taking Celebrex as it can lead to peripheral edema - swelling in the feet, ankles, and/or calf. Don't wanna risk that.

All the best! Joe

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@helendances

I found PT to be helpful with the arthritis in my feet (and hands), in conjunction with things like voltaren gel. Both the hands-on work and exercises can help mobilize the different bones and soft tissues of the feet. I know I stopped using my feet (and hands) as much when the pain started up, but mobilizing them helped them to work better and slow worsening.

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I have RA in the ball of my right foot, and toes and ankles on both feet. I have found a couple shoe brands of trail running shoes that are wider toe box and very cushioned. The trail function gives extra traction, which is great if you have walking limitations.

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@loriesco

All of the info here is awesome! I can add one comment to this, which is to investigate Gouty arthritis! For 30 years, I have been labeled with osteoarthritis because my x-rays are loaded with it. I’ve had the same problems as the gal that stopped crocheting and her handwriting got bad then from this group, I learned about tart cherry capsules at a very low moment this past summer when I had gone through another round of rheumatoid arthritis, test all pointing negative. The chart cherry capsules. (I bought on Amazon called ZAZZEE) for $20 changed my life in 24 hours. It made me realize that all the arthritis pains for the most part were due to gout and high uric acid levels when I asked my doctor to test I tested high for high uric acid. My handwriting has not gotten any better, L O L, because that is the osteoarthritis however, all the pain has gone away! 30 years of joint pain has pretty much vanished. For 25 years I’ve pretty much used black cherry juice, apple cider vinegar and lemon in a concoction which I drink if I get really sore over my whole body , and I’ve had a gout attack a couple times in my big toe and fingers having to go to the hospital, but nobody ever suggested that I had gout arthritis as a condition on an ongoing basis. Just another thing to look into.

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How much Tart Cherry capsules do you take normally?

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@saltyg

How much Tart Cherry capsules do you take normally?

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I take one in the morning and maybe one at night. However I moved to Allopurinol (the medicine for gout) after bugging my doctor and the medicine is what I needed for sure! OMG. felt so much better from the supplement and even better from the meds!

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@loriesco

I take one in the morning and maybe one at night. However I moved to Allopurinol (the medicine for gout) after bugging my doctor and the medicine is what I needed for sure! OMG. felt so much better from the supplement and even better from the meds!

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Glad you are feeling better!

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@jdnc2023

I have RA in the ball of my right foot, and toes and ankles on both feet. I have found a couple shoe brands of trail running shoes that are wider toe box and very cushioned. The trail function gives extra traction, which is great if you have walking limitations.

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Hi
I’m glad you found the shoes that help! I’m having so much trouble finding the right shoes. I suffer multiple issues in both feet Severe arthritis is just one problem. Do you have the name of the shoes with cushion and wide toe box? I’d love to try them! I’ll try anything at this point
Thanks so much for sharing!

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Hi!
The shoes i have with the widest toe box are from Columbia. They don't have that particular model anymore, but if you search their website for trail running, they may have similar. The same for New Balance. NB sizes are a little small and you may have to go half size up. I have trail running shoes from Reebok Zig that are great, but the toe box is not as wide. I hope this helps somewhat!

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@jlo5544

Hi
I’m glad you found the shoes that help! I’m having so much trouble finding the right shoes. I suffer multiple issues in both feet Severe arthritis is just one problem. Do you have the name of the shoes with cushion and wide toe box? I’d love to try them! I’ll try anything at this point
Thanks so much for sharing!

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Hi, I do New Balance and Saxcony. I also bought the inserts from the Comfort Store to slide into my shoes, to hold the foot bottom supported and flat. Wore them for years. They also have little wedges you can insert in the heel to raise and lower your heels for comfort.
I wasted a lot of money on temporary fixes when all along, it was my hip cushion wearing out that changed my gait and was NOT my feet. Make sure you have seen a podiatrist. I went on two occasions for him to tell me my feet were in great shape!

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@jlo5544

Hi
I’m glad you found the shoes that help! I’m having so much trouble finding the right shoes. I suffer multiple issues in both feet Severe arthritis is just one problem. Do you have the name of the shoes with cushion and wide toe box? I’d love to try them! I’ll try anything at this point
Thanks so much for sharing!

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I have found Hokas to be wonderful! Good luck.

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