Arthritis in big toe joints

[Orphanblackfan]

Hi all,

Does anyone suffer with osteoarthritis in the big toe joints (I have it in both)

I wondered what you guys do for pain relief? Naproxen doesn't cut it and I want something to take away as much pain as possible so I can exercise to lose weight which will naturally help with pain relief.

I do swim (which rarely bothers my toes) but would like to do more walking or running but have. Horrid pain for days after when I walk over 5km which is quite disheartening. Any help will be greatly received

Thank you :)

DH had this and had surgery. He was up and running (literally) 3 weeks later. Pain relief has risks- long term use of Ibuprofen is linked to kidney failure /damage for example.

The actual operation involves removing the bone from the joint where it's inflamed/ stiff and reattaching the joint. You can't drive for 3 weeks.

DH had this done on private insurance after seeing a foot surgeon. Two GPs wanted to brush it off and only offer painkillers. The point was, DH was unable to exercise and even walk without pain so for him it was a means of maintaining mobility and fitness.

How long is the operation repair expected to last please?

Thank you 🙏🏻

DH had the most basic repair (I don't mean it was inferior.)
He was told it could last a long time and at least 10 years but was advised not to run marathons. He does runs of 5-10K quite a lot.

The next type is fusing the joint which means it doesn't bend. (I think there is a 3rd type which is replacing the whole joint with titanium.)

It's around 7 years since he had it done (one at a time) and no problems at all.

Like you he was concerned about the risks of long term meds which can cause more problems.

I'm not sure if the NHS will do the op. We have insurance but the fee was around £3K for it.

Pilates is mainly on knees or the floor, and exercises can be adapted, so like swimming could be a good form of exercise for someone wanting to be active but avoid pressure on toes. There are free videos on youtube that will give an idea, but RL classes are best IMO!

But even within the gym some equipment might be OK.

I have had several steriod injections and a cheilectomy (op to remove bony spur on top of toe). Next step would be joint replacement. I'm 42 by the way, apparently very common joint to become arthritic in 30s/40s.

I’ve had steroid injections in shoulders, it was painful, but not unbearably. Good effects- pain free for 6 months, but then needed repeat. After 3 rounds they refused any more.
Had good physio who helped with strengthening exercises which took pressure off.
My toes are going now- the bony lumps are starting to rub on my shoes.😥

Does anyone find they have ankle swelling with this? Especially in the heat

When I think about it I may run slightly oddly! I do notice I throw the affected foot to the side a bit when walking in certain shoes. I do have various other aches and pains in my ankles and knees but think these might just be age rather than directly caused by my big toe joint problems.

See I think my aches in my knees and ankles are from the big toe problem. They feel under strain round the sides (external sides). I think we are led to believe we get worse the older we get but I'm not of that opinion for those in their 30/40/50 or even 60's if diets and exercise are right. I need to lose weight but don't hurt particularly anywhere else other than toes and a nagging pulling ache in ankles and general external exterior -outer knee aches which feel linked to my ankles..... soon to be cankles if I don't get exercising and working them out but sadly the pain is limiting my ability.

Never had problems until I noticed I had adapted my gait and then noticed I had done this to compensate for pain relief to my big toes.

I've booked an appointment to see GP - not for another 4 weeks though but that's not long in the grand scheme of all this.

Fingers crossed a referral will be offered.

Definitely see a podiatrist for an assessment and potentially orthotics. Any pain relief you take is temporary (even if essential right now).

And yes, I have this too, but luckily not constantly (yet). A podiatrist I saw 20 years ago said my big toe joints would be the ones to take the strain of my odd gait. But I didn’t wear my orthotics... and now I’m feeling the result. I must go back.