Re: Foot Pain Neurologist or Podiatrist?

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

Find an orthopedist for your foot.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Agree with Gretchen. Is there warmth with the swelling? Where in the foot,

more ankle area or are you like me where your nerves are so compromised that it

is hard to tell where the pain is originating?

[Guest guest]

Tammy, I'd be very careful regarding the foot swelling and pain. I'd start

with the podiatrist, but if they're unable to diagnose, try to see someone

higher up the ladder, like an ortho surgeon.

My own experience was to see the doc, get told to " lose weight, wear better

shoes " . After a couple years I got a referral to a podiatrist, who told me

" Are you sure you're not diabetic? Lose weight, wear better shoes. "

A couple years later, after my foot had totally collapsed, I saw an ortho

surgeon, who had to fuse my foot. I'm now following up with him on my other

foot.

Granted, the podiatrist I saw was a putz, but his skill level seemed to be

trimming calluses and dealing with diabetic feet. CMT feet are different,

even if we sometimes end up with similar problems.

Good luck. O

[Guest guest]

I generally see my podiatrist for these kind of pains that seem more

structural in nature and not like it is just nerve pain. If it was

only the nerves, I would wonder why there was swelling. Last time this

happened, I was referred to get orthotics made and custom arch

supports were extremely helpful!

[Guest guest]

The pain on the outside of my left foot, kind of by the bones of the ankle,

was caused by inflammation of the peroneal tendon. It is interesting that

CMT is called peroneal atrophy - things like walking involve the peroneal

muscle (along the ankle) and when you walk a lot it can cause intense

irritation of the tendon. I had a lot of fluid on my tendon as they sent me

for an MRI, but the orthopaedic doctor sent me to a neurologist due to my

high arches. One thing led to another and I had my diagnosis of CMT.

I have found someone who specialises in sports therapy and he helps me to

stretch out my tendon area, which instantly improves the pain. It is a very

physical manipulation of my ankle joint, but I trust my therapist and we

found ways to stretch that work without injuring my ultra flexible joints (I

am also hypermobile). If you look for a sports therapist and interview a

few, maybe you can find someone who can stretch out atrophying muscles.

Good luck,

Donna from London

[Guest guest]

The warning sign in this case is the swelling. It could be a Charcot Joint and

needs to

be seen by someone who is likely to catch that. 7 months in a cast in 2007 and

now

fusion surgery and three months non-weight bearing on my right foot make me fear

that

this could require more than stretching. Better safe than sorry and better seen

by the

right specialist sooner rather than later.

[Guest guest]

I agree going to a doctor is wise. For severe ankle inflammation, which is

what I had, I went to an orthopaedic doctor as a first port of call as they

can order MRIs which are the best diagnostic tools to catch what is going on

with soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons, they can also order x-rays.

My suggestion about finding a good therapist is based solely on my

experiences as a highly active person seeking to maintain activity levels,

and the symptoms mentioned came on with walking, as did mine. All aspects

are worth looking at, and in any case, it is helpful if you can afford to

meet with doctors to look into sports therapists who have an interest in

muscles and working on atrophying muscles (they don't always only work with

athletes - some like interesting challenges to their skills!)... I

personally have found this a godsend and something that enables me to be

active.

Good luck,

Donna

[Guest guest]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your widom and

experiences.

I have an interesting update!

I decided to slip on my CROCS as they are wider and would accomodate

my swollen foot. I took a few steps and pain was immediate. It was

like the form of the shoe triggered everyplace my foot hurt. I then

remebered I wore them about a week ago shopping and as I walked I

felt as though I was struggling and did not wear the shoe completely

on. I did not use the back strap. I had a horrible time ambulating

and was exhausted after navigate 3 small shops.. I got in the car

vowing never to wear them like that again (incorrectly, lazily and

for much to long).

Slipping my foot in the shoe made me remeber my mistake.

I hope this is the etiology of my problem and with kindness it will

resolve.

If not all of you have given me many directions to explore. Thank You.

Tammy

[Guest guest]

For a small few of us CMT'ers, nerve and muscle degeneration are joined by

bone collapses in the feet and ankles. And without the nerves, sometimes the

bones just don't knit back together and have to be replaced and fused, or

even amputated.

A podiatrist told me wearing Birkenstock sandals was the cause of my foot

problems, so I stopped wearing the birkies. Nothing changed, and 3 years

later the bones of my midfoot we so broken up they had to be replaced and

the foot fused.

Sometimes the only signs we have that something is wrong is redness and

swelling. If you have any doubt or concerns, see an orthotist and get it

checked out.

O

[Guest guest]

In response to Crocs or Birks causing foot pain and sharp unbearable pain at

that, I would think as these are typically the most friendly of shoes, that

you should be seeing an orthopaedic doctor with familiarity with feet and

CMT. Sharp persistent pain although it can come from CMT can be a warning

sign. O is right, our bodies all react differently. It was pain that

caused me to go to the orthopaedic doctor and ultimately led to my

diagnosis. It is through trial and error that I have found ways to managed

my pain without drugs.

Good luck Tammy and keep us posted.

Donna from London