Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What to do about injured foot - don't know where to go with it.

38 replies

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 12:52

I'm posting here for traffic as no response in General Health.

I’ve been told I most likely have tendonitis across the tendons on the top of my right foot. In a lot of pain and can’t walk properly, been like this for ten days now with no real improvement. In fact, it's become more painful in the last day or so which I think is because I've had to walk more (getting to work mainly) - I can't put my foot down flat at the toes because it's agony. I'm walking with a limp trying to avoid putting pressure on it. Last night it was painful at rest, sort of aching. It hurts to touch too although there is no bruising. It kind of feels as though someone has jumped up and down on it!

I’ve been resting as much as possible but had to walk short distances this week to get to the bus stop for work. Prior to this, I was walking around 4-5 miles per day including to and from work. I'm taking ibuprofen, icing it etc… put KT tape on last night to see if that would help, but it didn't (though I may have done it wrong).

GP told me to go back in four weeks if not better. Was x-rayed at minor injuries when it first became painful but nothing showed, so the assumption was no stress fracture, although I know that these generally don't show on x-rays until they've been present for quite a while, so don't think it can be ruled out.

I'm starting to feel quite anxious that this isn't improving and I'm not able to go about my usual day-to-day life. I don't know what the next step should be (no pun intended!). If I go back to the hospital, I expect I will just be sent away to rest it for longer. I think I may need a scan of some sort but no idea how to get one other than going private.

I've booked a biomechanical assessment at a podiatry clinic but earliest appointment is in two week's time.

TIA

OP posts:
newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 13:45

UPDATE

I've just spoken to the podiatrist who I'm booked in with for the biomech assessment.

She advised me to return to minor injuries for another x-ray as if it is fractured, it would be more likely to show now than when I first got it x-rayed ten days ago.

She said it's fine to just go back to minor injuries and ask them to x ray again given my ongoing symptoms.

OP posts:
Fancybed · 18/04/2024 13:53

Can you see an osteopath privately? I was in agony with what A&E told me was tendon damage, but it turned out to be a dislocated cuboid bone in my foot, which osteopath put back easily and gave instant relief.

Although that should also show up on an xray

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:05

Hi @Fancybed

Yes, I did wonder if a chiropractor might be able to help or maybe a physio?

I'm thinking if I can get a follow up x-ray, it should rule out bone related issues at least.

The thing was, the pain came about whilst walking home from work. There was no specific injury or feeling that anything had 'gone', just an intense pain that developed during the course of a thirty minute walk to the point where I was barely able to get home.

Where you aware of a specific event with your injury?

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

FixTheBone · 18/04/2024 14:09

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 13:53

Can you see an osteopath privately? I was in agony with what A&E told me was tendon damage, but it turned out to be a dislocated cuboid bone in my foot, which osteopath put back easily and gave instant relief.

Although that should also show up on an xray

Amazing what you can charge for if you make it sound serious....

There's no way you dislocated your cuboid unless a bus ran over it or you fell off a building, and no way anybody put it back without a general anaesthetic and some metalwork.

They may have done something that made your synptoms better, but it wasn't treating a dislocated cuboid.

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 14:11

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:05

Hi @Fancybed

Yes, I did wonder if a chiropractor might be able to help or maybe a physio?

I'm thinking if I can get a follow up x-ray, it should rule out bone related issues at least.

The thing was, the pain came about whilst walking home from work. There was no specific injury or feeling that anything had 'gone', just an intense pain that developed during the course of a thirty minute walk to the point where I was barely able to get home.

Where you aware of a specific event with your injury?

I was running, but that exactly how mine came on.

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 14:12

FixTheBone · 18/04/2024 14:09

Amazing what you can charge for if you make it sound serious....

There's no way you dislocated your cuboid unless a bus ran over it or you fell off a building, and no way anybody put it back without a general anaesthetic and some metalwork.

They may have done something that made your synptoms better, but it wasn't treating a dislocated cuboid.

Edited

Well he did something A&E hadn't managed to do, that gave me instant relief, after days of not being able to put my foot to the floor.

£50 very well spent.

Grendacious · 18/04/2024 14:12

Maybe ibuprofen gel on your foot a few times a day?

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:13

@Grendacious I've been using gel and oral ibuprofen. the tablets are better at managing the pain, the gel is pretty useless. It's more the fact that I can't bear weight on it, feels like more than just a sore tendon

OP posts:
Andthereyougo · 18/04/2024 14:17

Definitely go back for a second X-ray. I was told mine was just a sprain, it’d get better but take 6-7 weeks. X-ray 6 weeks of pain later showed a break.

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 14:17

FixTheBone · 18/04/2024 14:09

Amazing what you can charge for if you make it sound serious....

There's no way you dislocated your cuboid unless a bus ran over it or you fell off a building, and no way anybody put it back without a general anaesthetic and some metalwork.

They may have done something that made your synptoms better, but it wasn't treating a dislocated cuboid.

Edited

But just because I do trust the osteopath who's been helping me for years and it's disconcerting to be told he's a charlatan, I checked, and I think you're wrong.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cuboid-syndrome

Cuboid Syndrome: Treatment and Recovery

Cuboid syndrome can be painful but isn't a serious condition. We'll explain its symptoms, the recovery process, and how to treat it at home.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cuboid-syndrome

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:21

@Andthereyougo goodness, that's not great. I seem to be hearing this a lot, people being sent away to rest it for several weeks and then it turning out to be something other than first thought. I totally understand that these things can be difficult to diagnose, but I'm just worried that I'm doing more damage as the days go by.

Hope you're okay now?

OP posts:
Soigneur · 18/04/2024 14:28

Physio. Preferably a private sports physio as they are a lot more "no-nonsense/let's get you back on the road" types than NHS physios in my experience. You'll also get a massage, even if its only tangentially related to the problem (I once got "well, a massage isn't going to help this knee meniscal tear, but if I do your shoulders and back it'll make you feel a bit better about it.")

If they suspect something that won't respond to physio (such as a fracture), they will refer for X-ray or MRI. They're also very keen on ice so get a big bag of frozen peas in.

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:33

@Soigneur thank you.

I'm going to try and get a follow up x-ray as my next step, then I can see where to go from there.

OP posts:
newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:33

@Soigneur I've been icing it since it happened, the bag of peas is well and truly past its best now!

OP posts:
Mumaway · 18/04/2024 14:37

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 13:53

Can you see an osteopath privately? I was in agony with what A&E told me was tendon damage, but it turned out to be a dislocated cuboid bone in my foot, which osteopath put back easily and gave instant relief.

Although that should also show up on an xray

I promise you didn't have a dislocated cuboid bone that could be reduced back by simple pressure. That's not how joints work.
The power of the mind is powerful though.

Mumaway · 18/04/2024 14:38

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:05

Hi @Fancybed

Yes, I did wonder if a chiropractor might be able to help or maybe a physio?

I'm thinking if I can get a follow up x-ray, it should rule out bone related issues at least.

The thing was, the pain came about whilst walking home from work. There was no specific injury or feeling that anything had 'gone', just an intense pain that developed during the course of a thirty minute walk to the point where I was barely able to get home.

Where you aware of a specific event with your injury?

Most GP practices have a direct access 'first contact' physio practitioner that you can book a prompt appointment with for musculoskeletal problems.
Also think about your footwear. Generally a stiff soled shoe (like a walking shoe) rather than a bouncy trainer will be better.
Hope it settles with rest, ice, elevation, anti-inflammatories.

tissueboxandcandles · 18/04/2024 14:39

My DD had this and she was told she had to use crutches for at least 6 weeks, do physio but no weight bearing. It did get better but it took a while.

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 14:41

Mumaway · 18/04/2024 14:37

I promise you didn't have a dislocated cuboid bone that could be reduced back by simple pressure. That's not how joints work.
The power of the mind is powerful though.

Did you look at my link? Anyway that's what I had and he fixed it.

CormorantStrikesBack · 18/04/2024 14:43

Firstly I’d say that i wouldn’t panic about having symptoms for ten days, that’s a small time frame for tendon issues. If the tendons in your foot are anything like ankle tendons healing is a very slow process.

my ankle tendon has been fucked since 2019! It is slightly better but still painful every day and I can’t walk more than 3 miles a day and certainly can’t run anymore. I’ve had multiple steroid injections and also surgery.

mine is probably so bad as I tried to carry on running through the pain for about six months and it ripped badly.

I do agree about seeing a physio or an osteopath. And also seeking a second opinion. My tendon tear was only picked up my mri not X-ray but even worse I also had a fractured fibula which was one picked up on MRI and not on X-ray. So I’d basically been running with a broken leg for months. I was meant to have surgery the day before lockdown and it took 18 months after lockdown to get done so that didn’t help.

so yes, see someone privately, see about another X-ray, ask about an mri if it doesn’t improve but rest and rest and rest it.

CormorantStrikesBack · 18/04/2024 14:46

Meant to say I’ve also been diagnosed with Ehler Danlos syndrome which is probably why my recovery has not been great, I’m sure most People will heal better than me.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 18/04/2024 14:49

I had a very similar thing many years ago. Walking along, sudden pain, got worse.
In my case, the rather flat arches had decided to give up and become totally flat. Having been through the GP, hospital etc route, the podiatrist I fetched up at firstly strapped my feet properly, and then ordered some tailor made insoles

I have worn these and their ( many) successors for twenty years now, and they do keep me mobile and upright.

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:49

@CormorantStrikesBack thank you.

Heck, that's a long time - what a nightmare you've had!

I totally get what you're saying about it only being ten days, it's more the fact that I can't walk on it and it's becoming more painful. I'd have no chance of running on it whatsoever!

OP posts:
CormorantStrikesBack · 18/04/2024 15:05

newnamenellie · 18/04/2024 14:49

@CormorantStrikesBack thank you.

Heck, that's a long time - what a nightmare you've had!

I totally get what you're saying about it only being ten days, it's more the fact that I can't walk on it and it's becoming more painful. I'd have no chance of running on it whatsoever!

Yes if a bone is slightly out of place in your foot an osteopath could potentially realign it. I think osteopaths are a bit better at this than physios. And it sounds a possibility if it hurts so much. Hope you get sorted soon.

Birdbrained13 · 18/04/2024 15:32

@Fancybed I've had the same. Mine was diagnosed by a podiatrist and treated similarly. Having been in pain for ages the recovery after he treated it was really quick

FixTheBone · 18/04/2024 18:13

Fancybed · 18/04/2024 14:17

But just because I do trust the osteopath who's been helping me for years and it's disconcerting to be told he's a charlatan, I checked, and I think you're wrong.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cuboid-syndrome

Thats not a dislocation.

Swipe left for the next trending thread