Nearly 20 months ago I was walking....and walking....and walking......on a daily basis. It was
Covid times, I live alone, and via a network of good friends, I was able to walk in a beautiful place, almost daily. Those days out walking were partly responsible for me maintaining my sanity through tough times.
Yet on one of those last walks, something happened to my left heel/ankle. I thought it would calm down with some rest, but in fact the pain increased and the last 20 months have seen my ankle swell/go down/be hot/just bloody hurt. So 'limping Lil' I became. As there was a lot happening in my life last year, I put dealing with my ankle to the back of a long list, and when she was lucid, my Ma said to me 'you're still limping ..promise me you'll get your foot sorted' So I promised. A GP looked at it and referred me for an xray, which showed a possible fracture, some tendon problems and some bone spurs...it was recommended that I have a course of pain killers...tick.....have a course of extra corporeal shock wave therapy..tick...rest it..tick...don't rest but exercise....tick......most recently I was referred to an ankle and foot consultant who organised an MRI. Which showed a piece of bone sticking into my tendon...he said 'that looks angry..which is why it hurts' ......anyhoo. He has suggested that in couple of weeks I have an injection and be fitted with a 'boot' for six weeks. I'm guided by him of course but don't see how this will fix the problem....and yet he stresed he really really doesn't want to just go in and remove the offending bit of bone.
I am a 'sheeple' person....a follower not a leader...so I obey orders. Has anyone worn a boot and/or had the same problem? My nephew is a medico and looked at the MRI too...he also stressed that I 'shouldn't have the operation' Is it because I'm old? or NHS resources are stretched enough and I should go away and not bother them? or that the bone spurs are likely to reappear?.
Whatever......I'll take the consultants advice.
My uncle was diagnosed with bone spurs in the bottom of his feet. He was advised to get an orthopedic insert for his shoes and wear only running sneakers one size larger than he normally would to accommodate the insert. He worked with an orthopedic foot specialist. The problem went away following these instructions. For women, bone health is so important. Have you had a bone density test to be sure all is well. I'm told as women we need 1,200 mg of calcium and the same amount of magnesium to maintain our bone density.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan
DeleteNo I haven't had a bone density test. Perhaps I should organise one. I had bought shoe inserts but of course I haven't been able to wear them as most shoes were painful to get on as my heel hurts, so I've been wearing sandals. Winter boots might help perhaps. I don't take any supplements and again maybe I should consider that.
I don't have any experience of this particular problem Libs but I know from my own knee problem that to follow the experts advice and not give up is important. For me the expert was my physiotherapist at the sports clinic.
ReplyDeleteActually my knee is painful of late, and consultant says it is 'referred' pain due to accommodating my foot...limping Lil is me indeed....I did appreciate your descriptions of how painful a knee can be and how we take walking for granted. I really do hope that my leg gets 'sorted'. x
DeleteMy knee problem emanates from the toes and foot and most of my exercises are foot related. Although it is a lot better and I have managed to overcome the limping by walking differently I am still in pain when I walk. The El Paso Physio videos on Youtube are very good.
DeleteGood grief, I can't believe you've been suffering with that pain for so long but as you say, we put our own health on the backburner when other stuff's going on. I had to wear a 'moonboot' after I broke my ankle in three places in January. Not sure what injection they're going to give you. Is it to dissolve the bit of bone sticking into your tendon? Wearing a boot would obviously take the pressure off your foot as you're recovering. I don't think age has anything to do with not giving you an op. There were a couple of ladies in at same time as me with broken ankle and who were a lot older. Listen to your consultant and don't be scared of asking those questions that are bothering you. I'm still limping a bit, especially on hot days, I swear the titanium pins in my ankle swell with the heat and now my physio says to wear thick socks and boots come wintertime. I'll be doing that anyway, even indoors, if I can't afford to have my heating on and I'm not even joking about that!Have a good weekend, Libs. xxx
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ReplyDeleteHow is it going, libby? After breaking my wrist in March, I have so much sympathy for you.
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