Why physio?

[Picklypickles]

I've been experiencing a lot of pain in my feet over the past year, the pain is in my toes and across the top of my feet and the sides of my ankles. I've seen my GP about this and have had bloods taken and x-rays done. I think the GP was thinking along the lines of arthritis or something like that.

Anyway, bloods all came back normal and so did the x-rays. So I asked what else it might be and where I go from here, all my GP said was that I should self-refer for an appointment with a physiotherapist, which I have done and am waiting for an appointment.

I don't understand why though? I don't know what is wrong with my feet, neither does anyone else. What will a physiotherapist be able to do? I have to admit I'm not very happy about having to go to see one, my dad's ex wife was a physiotherapist and was always talking about how physio's are all sadists who love to torture their patients.

This but also take magnesium if you don't already as I had the same as you and it went within about 4 days of taking it. Definitely see a physio though,it's like they have x-ray eyes,they look at you and just kind of see what's going on inside and give you exercises to fix it or referral if necessary.

Just seen you said your mum has ankylosing spondylitis - that condition is strongly linked to psoriatic arthritis. Given what you've said about the skin on your feet, I'd be pushing for a rheumatology referral. Early treatment of PsA is vital to prevent permanent bone damage. Obviously not diagnosing you over the internet, but my GP knew FA about PsA and I'm very glad I was like a dog with a bone pestering for a referral or I'd still be wondering why I could barely walk at age 43! It might be that it's not related and physio will fix it, but no harm in further investigations either way.

Thanks for the tip, I do already take a daily multivitamin but will look for magnesium.

That's interesting, I know the condition can be inherited but hadn't been concerned about it for myself as I thought it was an illness that affects the spine and my back seems perfectly fine, but I will bring all of these points up when I see the physiotherapist and if needs be speak to my GP again.

I now have an appointment to see the physio next Thursday.

You changed the word from being ungrateful to not refusing, and not being unhappy.

In real life I walk away from such people.
I do the same on the internet. Bye bye.

Sure thing, thanks so much for your helpful contributions, have fun arguing with yourself in a mirror.

How did you get on with the physio @Picklypickles? I’ve been getting pains in my hands and feet as well so curious to see what they said.

Hi Coursha, the appointment went well and I found the physiotherapist very helpful. Apparently I've got hypermobility which has been causing my feet to roll in excessively and made my arches flat. I've been given some excercises to do at home and have been referred to orthotic services, I will continue to have appointments with the physio regularly.

@Picklypickles my GP referred me to an orthopedic surgeon who sent me off for an MRI on both feet. So grateful there are serious issues that one cannot see without the MRI and will need surgery in the future. For now I have six monthly cortisone injections and acupuncture but no physio as the exercises would have worsened them. My point is, we are all different and if you can possibly get an MRI done, at least your doctors will literally have a clearer picture. Hoping you get sorted soon.