Foot pain for months and not getting any answers

[Isthereananswer2109]

I’ve had bad pain around my heel and lower ankle for around 4 months. I’ve seen a physio once who diagnosed Achilles tendonitis but have not got anywhere with any relief. I can barely walk and even when I do manage I end up in so much pain and end up limping. The GP won’t get me a scan as apparently they are not allowed to for this issue. They won’t refer me for any injections or therapies and they just don’t seem bothered. I’ve been discharged from the physio team but have managed to get a phone call with them next week after begging for the last month (they’ve stopped face to face appointments all together).

I nearly cried today the pain got so bad and this is with me walking around very very slowly because that’s all I can manage. Is it really Achilles tendinitis or is it likely to be something else? I suppose without an ultrasound or an MRI I will never know. I’ve done some stretches but it’s so painful and even worse the day afterwards so I try not to do them too much but will force myself as I’m worried it’s the only option I’ve got.

Hi I'm no expert at all but I am currently being tested for psoriatic arthritis and one of the main characteristics is Achilles tendonitis.
Maybe you can investigate this as a cause.
Also maybe post in chronic pain section for more answers

Can you pay privately to see a foot and ankle specialist? If need be you can ask them to refer you back to the NHS for the MRI.

Insisst an MRI I had one after pushing and my metatarsal was fragmented in numerous places. The GP apologised as I'd been in pain for about 3yrs.

Apparently only the specialist can order an MRI and any request for a scan that the GP does will be refused for Achilles tendon issues. My appointment is in 11 months with a rheumatologist. They are literally just leaving me like this. My bloods have been showing a couple of different inflammatory markers for months now. I’ve hurt my shoulder and neck too, and my wrists have been in pain. I checked and it would be £1200 to see specialist privately and get an MRI. This cost includes first visit, MRI and then second visit to discuss results. I don’t understand what I’m meant to do. When I asked her about the 1 year wait period she said that it’s not just me, everyone’s referrals are taking long. She couldn’t have been less sympathetic. Im young and have got no kids yet but my job is quite hard physically. I’ve been signed off for months. I’m tired all the time and even with a job I need a nap every lunch time. I never used to feel like this, it’s so confusing because I don’t know what I’m meant to do, just sit here and wait for the pain to stop.

Sorry I meant even without working, I need a nap. I can then have a full nights sleep on too of that. When I used to work I was falling asleep on the train, on lunch break and when I got home. If I managed to hold off on the nap at home I’d be asleep on the sofa by 7.30pm.

IME the NHS is a waste of time for musculoskeletal things. Great when you need it for something life threatening but not for these kinds of things, that can actually have a huge effect on quality of life.

In your shoes I'd be doing everything possible to see a private osteopath. It will be c. £50 for an initial consultation. Mine is very honest about how much he can help and will tell me if it just needs time - he won't keep taking the money for repeated visits unnecessarily. After examination he seems to know where my pain is without me telling him, which gives me confidence in his diagnosis.

I had some foot problems a while ago and Osteo was willing to refer me for a private scan, as it was slow to respond to treatment. It was going to be about £300, but wasn't needed in the end as things did start to improve.

I'd be wary of injections. I was told (at 50) I was too young and that they're only a temporary fix that can cause more problems down the line.

Somethings do take time though, even with the right treatment.

Meantime, ice is my magic bullet, it does seem to relieve a lot of things!

I have been having similar issues for 4 years with an outer ankle tendon. Peroneal tendon. I’ve barely been able to walk for 4 years, it’s been horrific.

I paid privately for physio and after a bit the physio wrote to my GP saying I needed referring so Gp referred me to orthopaedics at the hospital who requested scans. I had X-ray, and mri. X ray was ok but mri showed multiple issues inc a torn tendon.

trndons don’t heal well as not much blood supply. I’ve had surgery to repair it but it’s torn again so now I need more surgery.

your gp could refer you to orthopaedics who can arrange a scan and that’s what I’d be pushing for. You could have a partial tear. But definitely pay for private physio as well. They’ve really helped me not just with exercises etc but my GP listened to them and I’m sure I’d have been fobbed off.

Hi
I have the same - I did have some physio (NHS) but it's been a year now
I live in fear thar my other ankle will go too
The infuriating thing is it 'went' as I was walking from the swimming pool to the car!
The only thing that slightly helps is standing on my tip toes (physio recommended) up and down a few times a day
I now walk with a limp

Oh sorry, seen you’ve been referred and are waiting a year. Sorry, in all honesty that’s normal now. I last saw my consultant last November. He ordered another mri which was done in march, he’s rung me two weeks ago with the mri results, I’m seeing him next month to discuss surgery and imagine I’ll be waiting up to a year for surgery. This has put my life on hold for years. If you can pay for a private mri and consultation I’d do that.

Can you not just see the private consultant for an appointment, then go back on the NHS for the MRI ? It would cut your time down a bit and you’d at least have some idea of what you were looking at .

Have you looked at plantar fasciitis for the heel pain ? Although that does go when you walk it off.

Thanks everyone, the initial consultation here is £250 and then £175 for every additional appointment. The cost of an MRI is £790. I don’t have £250 to see them. It’s not plantar fasciitis because it gets worse the longer I walk. The longer I walk the more I limp until the pain gets so bad. How can I find a cheaper private doctor? The one I’ve found is a specialist for foot issues with a private hospital Spire.

You won't find a cheaper private doctor, in this country anyway, if you can't pay you'll need to wait on the NHS.

You don't necessarily need a doctor though. I'd see an osteopath and take their advice as to whether they can help or you need to see someone else. I'm in an expensive bit of the country and pay £53 for a 45 minute consultation.

What about seeing a physio or osteopath first? You might not need an MRI at all.

I have achilles tendonitis and I have a huge lump over the tendon. I've got physio exercises (NHS) but was warned it could be many months for a significant improvement and years for the lump to dissipate because of the poor blood supply to the area.

I'm considering a private physio appointment to see if there's anything else they can do.

On bad days I strap it up, but generally I just wear decent shoes and sandals - no flip-flops for me this year!

If you're literally unable to work, what have you actually tried? Are you doing the physio exercises you were given? I need to do them several times a day, but I'm crap at that.

I’ve looked at an osteopath and they are just down the road so I am going to phone them. Yes I’ve been doing the exercises but only a few times a week as it’s hard to tiptoe on the foot in question. I’m trying to do full sets every other day but it’s hard and I literally feel like my foot will snap. Im speaking with an NHS physio this week.

A sports physio will sort you out and if they can't then they'll suggest who can ime. My first port of call for anything painful ,they're brilliant.

I would suggest that you see a Podiatrist that specialises in musculoskeletal problems and/or can do injection therapies.

They also might be able to make you some kind of a foot support or strap the area.

I’m speaking with an NHS physio but it’s via video as they won’t do face to face appointments. Is this the same? Or will paying a private physio be better?

I have a big lump as well and also no flip flops / sandals / flat shoes
I find doing the exercises really helps but... I'd really prefer a quick fix! It's been over a year now

Good God, why aren't they doing f2f? 🙄

Private sports physio with be £50-£70 for first appt and about £40 there after but I might well only take 2 sessions to see a massive improvement. They use ultrasound, massage ,give you excercises, advise on strapping and pain killers/ heat and ice etc.

I've walked in hobbling before and walked out pain free.

** depending on where you live.

With respect, if you aren't doing the exercises you can't be surprised when nothing improves. If the tip toe exercises are too painful, don't go as high up on your toes for now.

But yes, see someone else and see if they have any additional advice.

I was told to do the exercises every other day and I’ve been managing them a few times a week so I haven’t been doing them all the time but I’ve been trying.