Jane the one with the hound

[Guest guest]

Hi Jane,

About your right foot and the pain that comes from your big toe...

I have a lot of arthritis in both feet including the big toes. I used to have a

lot of pain in the big toes and they would also lock up once in a while. The

foot doc told me I would probably have to have joint replacement in " five years

or so " about 8 years ago.

Then he prescribed new orthotics (custom shoe inserts) for me. I have worn a

soft gel type of orthotic since the early 90s when I found out that I have

several birth defects in my feet. Anyway, the doc specified that they thin the

orthotic below the big toe to take pressure off them and it worked wonderfully.

I have very little pain from the big toes any more and they only lock up once in

a very long time. (I also wear athletic shoes all the time. I never wear dress

shoes that are bad for my feet.)

I also have bad arthritis in the base of my thumb (where the thumb connects to

the wrist) and was told I would need joint reconstruction. I went from using a

computer mouse to using a trackball and the pain went away completely.

I have arthritis in other areas and I am now a firm believer that we stress

certain joints by our mannerisms and habits and if we can change those things,

we can relieve the stress on the joints. It won't work forever but can give

years and years of relief without meds.

Anyway, back to your big toe, check into getting gel-type custom orthotics or

even try buying the thickest of the ones you can get at the drug store and thin

the area right under the big toe joint yourself. Hope this helps!

Margie