Anyone else suffering arthritis in their feet? OUCH!

@footsie oh I’m so sorry for that pain. I remember when I was pre-surgery and in tears. If I ever wanted to walk semi normal, was told it was my only option. I pushed my feet past the cheilectomy stage. Sounds like that’s your condition as well. Not gonna lie, recovery was rough. that being said, considering pre-surgery versus post surgery, it really was a godsend. I wore a cast and stayed with a friend the first week. My doctor was one of those “opioid hysteria” ones so I’d recommend to anyone to have pain management figured out before surgery. Lesson learned! My first one, the screw started pushing through my skin. The surgeon tried blaming it on my bad back, even though you could see the screw head sticking out right beneath the skin. Went to another surgeon same practice, he did an x-ray and of course I was right. Got the screw removed so no more hardware and seem to heal OK. 1st doc told me I’d be wearing high heels in six months again the first surgery 12 years ago. I still can’t even wear a short heel, only flats. Good thing I’m tall - ha. I’m not the kind of person who sits still well, so that probably compounded later problems as I was a flight attendant. when my back couldn’t take it, went back to school and finished my career as a medical assistant (another job on my feet just not as strenuous. . Had to retire at 54. I know I pushed my body past where I should have looking back. Second surgery I knew what to expect, so much better experience, but again, pain management was poor. I’m opioid dependent (after being on them for 20 years) so that’s probably why. Not sure when you’ll be getting your fusions, but I wish you the best. My doctor debated on doing both at the same time but living alone it really wasn’t an option for me. I’m here to answer any questions about my experience. I’m sure you know recovery from any surgery is a long hard process, but boy, it felt good to walk again without that horrible pain 🥰 .

@willow5
I switch shoes and don't have any problem. I wear different shoes each day and don't have any issues. Yes, I would ease into them. I don't have ASIC or Topos, can't speak to those shoes. Maybe limit it to the Kuru and Asics for one day and the next do Kuru and the Topos. Let us know how you like the Kuru's, best shoe for me ever! They have a rewards program too where you earn points and then get the points in a discount off of a future purchase.

@jlo5544

Try Kuru, they are specifically for people with feet problems. Best Shoe I have ever had. The heel is cushioned more than other shoes, great support. They have a rewards program, only sold online. Rewards are great, discount off future shoes. I have 4 of their shoes, extremely comfortable. Highly recommend. All the shoes I have bought, I had to go up in 1 size, usually wear 8's and I order a 9, as they run small.

I have bunions plus arthritis mainly in my toes. Topical pain meds have been suggested but for the life of me I can't figure out how to put something on my toes that's meant for the knees or back. I've just learned to live with it, much like other conditions at my age.

@animallover25What is the cost for these shoes?

@jlo5544 The only shoes I've found that are even a little bit comfortable are Ryka. I have a pair of New Balance but they're men's shoes so the fit isn't great. Asics, Nikes, Woem's New Balance, etc. I cannot wear at all, not even to walk around in the shoe store. With Ryka I do have to replace the insoles.

@nam093049 I have arthritis in the top and bottom of my feet. I use Volataren Gel. Rub your
feet down top & bottom and over the toes and between the toes. Put socks on and sleep in them if you can. Repeat this during the day. Do not go barefooted...its makes foot pain worse.

Also, get some really good supportive shoes. I like Ryka shoes as well.

Soak your feet in Epsom salt as much as possible before applying the Voltaren Gel....it helps.

I have even put the BedBuddy heat packs (Amazon) over the top of my feet. Reheat and put under your feet.

Blessings & Prayers & Empathetic Heart....

@covidstinks2023 I go barefoot a lot because I can't stand even socks on my feet for very long and I definitely can't sleep in socks or put anything, especially heat on top of my feet or I'd never sleep. I walk 3-4 miles a day which of course is painful, but I have to do it for the arthritis in the rest of my body. With Voltaren the recommendation is to apply 4 times daily, so I'm not sure what one application a day would do. I like Ryka in wide width to accommodate my bunions, though I know they're not the best for support.

Many of the things have already been mentioned. I would add medically evidenced-based Shockwave treatments and medical laser. This works best with existing cartilage, versus just bone on bone, and one can have multiple treatments with little side effects outside of some mild soreness following day. Again, it's a tool in the tool box along with physical therapy exercises for soft tissue to strengthen foot that is compensating for arthritis (doesn't treat arthritic joint directly), shoes that work for you, along with insoles that work (sometimes podiatrist make ones even after lots of adjustments might work, or might not and one might like store bought ones i.e. Superfeet like me. Epsom salt bath soaks. I won't go into supplements and topicals. Just do your homework - evidenced based, and then brands with testing for purity, metals, etc.

what I've found is "arthritis" doesn't cause pain. It is what arthritis causes to happen which causes the pain. You may have gout. Try a low-purine diet. Also get a simple blood test for high uric acid. If it is different than normal possible you have gout arthritis. Take Zazzee Tart Cherry Capsules on Amazon. See if you notice a difference.
You could also try upping your B vitamins with iron to see if you can control the pain which may be caused by the nerve sheaths becoming inflamed. I found both of those my problem. You didn't say what kind of pain you were experiencing? if it feels like rheumatoid but they tell you it's not - then its gout. You don't have to have a gout flare to have gout. I walked around with low-grade inflammation for THIRTY YEARS because I figured out (not the doctors) it was gout. Drs would always say "arthritis." Just arthritis. Because my body is riddled with it. But its not what causes the sensation of pain. THAT was caused by pressure in the joints from inflammation.