Osteoarthritis in feet and ankles?

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Anyone have this? I'm struggling at the moment and it's getting me down. Looking for ideas of things that help. I have supportive shoes, I walk every day, I am working on losing weight, I eat healthily, I take supplements. But I'm hobbling like an old lady and at night my feet burn/ache. If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them - GP useless.

Hi OP, Would a steroid injection help maybe? Could your GP refer you to MSK service to ask them? Could a podiatrist make you some custom insoles? Strengthening ankle exercises from physio?
Sounds tricky OP, just wanted to float a few ideas, hope one might help

@tangerinegreen thanks, I was seeing a podiatrist but they cancelled all the appointments last year, when I followed up last week after not hearing from them they told me they had discharged everyone and we had to get a new referral to get back on the system!! I am now in the system again and am having a telephone consultation on Wednesday, they had given me some exercises which helped a bit, and the next step was meant to be orthotics, provided I had given the ugly shoes a chance (which I have). I also have a buggered achilles which doesn't help. Yes I was wondering about going back to GP - thinking surely there must be something?? Thanks for that, I think when I've seen the podiatrist I will go back to GP.

Hi, yes I have osteoarthritis in my ankle (only 1!). Have had it for 7 years, I'm only in my early 20s and it is now 'end stage' so I am now on the waiting list for an ankle fusion. My mobility has worsened over the years to a point I now need to use a walking stick outdoors and I have to be very very selective with the type of shoes I wear. Steroid injections did help me a little when the arthritis wasn't as bad though.

Pressed send too early!
Here are some things I tried;

• Orthotic insoles
• Shoes with chunky soles (not 'flat')
• Physiotherapy
• Acupuncture (didn't help me but a friend swears by it for their chronic pain!)
• Steroid injection
• Ibruofen gel
• Swimming for gentle relief
• Medication (NSAIDs for swelling, painkillers for pain relief).

Steroids think twice - evidence they can weaken the joints. Also they only offer reliefs for a few weeks/months. Insoles help, fitflop shoes. I’ve tried every single drug and nothing helps with the pain unless I get side effects. I’m trying acupuncture left. Worse thing is I think I now have it in my hands....

I’ve just found this. I’ve had terrible pain in both feet and ankles for four years. I finally had scans in November and it wasn’t until today that the consultant called me, my gp had fobbed me off saying that my results were fine, he told me that I’m riddled with osteoarthritis in both my feet and ankles. I’m still in shock. He does not really recommend steroid injections but told me to up my amitryptiline to 50mg which I don’t really want to do. Just 10mg has made me put on weight and it gives me nightmares. I’m a nurse 53 and I’m guessing all the standing over the years is catching up on me.

I’m sorry it’s so rubbish I’m waiting for the results of MRI on my feet as I suspect I now have osteo in most of my feet. I switched to working four days a week and having Wednesday off so my feet and hands have a day to recover but meant to be going back 5 days a week in September.

I’ve reached the end of the road with the drugs lots of side effects from amitriptyline, gabapentin zero impact, naproxen very little impact.

I hate the term wear and tear, we are not meant to be immobile in our early 50s. I need to work another 4-6 years and I’m not sure how.

Deep down I know I need to lose two stone but I am fit and try to stay active. I’ve met two other people in their early fifties with the same thing it’s weird we are all in caring jobs I don’t know if that’s something to do with it