Arthritis - Big Toe

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[Natho]

Can't get in to see the specialist for about 3 months. That is how booked up he is.

[still here]

Gout ?

[swvic]

Probably not. Given Natho's Doc says it is most probably caused by trauma to the joint, it's a fair chance it's osteoarthritis

[alakaboo]

Hey fong my foot hurts again.
Where's your plan?

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[porko]

had 3 major Toe busts over the years before I was 30
At 35 noticed pain in cold weather went to the quacks xray etc got 2 alternatives
Fusion or amputation
Not really all that enthusiastic with either I decided to put up with the pain
15 years latter I developed a mystery lower back pain
Back had been pretty bullet proof prior even with severe abuse at work
Quack couldn't explain back pain usual take these anti inflams which I hate.
Went to osteo who before I described my problem asked why I was walking funny.
End result was fusion F#$KING PAINFULL but no more back problem

I asked the surgeon before the surgery if it would effect my surfing to which he asked are you any good
I replied not really his reply why are you asking then
He was a bit of a humourless prick took offence when I said if he was my apprentice he'd be sacked cos the screws wernt in straight.

[alakaboo]

Interesting Porko, I'm in a similar situation with the toe and back interaction, at 15 years too.

Was it due to your pronation/favouring your busted toe?

[porko]

Spot on
In the latter years I noticed I was walking on the outside of the foot when the pain intensified but soldier on as you do.

The back cleared up almost imedeately post foot recovery.

[JSB]

I have been referred to Dr Les Grujic. Any good? He specialises in foot surgery.

I got referred to see him for my ankle injury a few years back, but at that time I didn't have any private health insurance. Saw Dr David Carmody and fixed up my ankle and has been good ever since.

[Davros]

I've had gout, what an A grade pr?ck of a thing. Arthritis what a sh@t for a young fella.

[Natho]

ok for anyone interested here is what the good ol Doc has suggested for my toe:

Step 1. Cortisone injection into joint. Good chance of pain relief for 6 - 12 months. Then again could do nothing.
Step 2. Clean up the toe joint via keyhole procedure under local. 60% - 70% chance of helping.
Step 3. Fuse the joint via surgery. Will fix problem and fusion of the joint wont make much difference to performance of the foot area (to my surprise). The Doc pointed out that currently I only have 5% movement left in the joint which I hardly noticed anyway. its had no negative affect on my surfing. He also pointed out that Layton Hewitt had the same surgery and his tennis in fact improved.

Surgery for the Doc was the absolutely last resort.

My decision for now is do nothing unless the pain gets worse.

[alakaboo]

Had option 1 twice.
Hurt like a motherfucker.
Possibly due to a shit surgeon, but going through the joint capsule isn't fun.
Then it felt like an acid burn for 2 days, pain free for a week then back to slightly better than before

[brendo]

try cortisone natho, had a real bad ankle injury 10yrs ago, that after 6 months of physio wasn't getting better, and I was spewing as it was winter and I wanted to go snowboarding. got sent to sports doc, he needled it, next day I awoke it was like it had been a dream. I was at least 80% better. after a month or so
it started to wear off, but the infection in joint was gone, and inflammation so healed really fast. ive got a referral sitting on my desk for a CT guided cortisone shot into my neck. reckons I can get 3 of those, and then if no improvement surgery becomes an option. ive got osteoarthritis in a few of my back joints from
years of abuse in my 20's early 30's when u think you are bulletproof...

[swvic]

Fcuk, brendo, that's gunna be a cnut. I have osteo in a shoulder and a wrist. I made the comment last week that I might already own the last surfboard I'm ever going to buy. I've since dismissed that, but the next might be

[Natho]

yeh fkkinc cortisone. I get about 13 cortisone injections (per sitting) every 3 months into my abdo for a disease called Morphea. Problem is I think I now ma be immune to the effects of it.

[brendo]

Fcuk, brendo, that's gunna be a cnut. I have osteo in a shoulder and a wrist. I made the comment last week that I might already own the last surfboard I'm ever going to buy. I've since dismissed that, but the next might be

well ive got my last...a whole pile of em actually. its pretty depressing when u have to stop with no warning, like flicking a light switch. at least my last day surfing was really good, and included a long backhand barrel where I pretty much passed everyone paddling back out from the last set, just a shame
it pinched at the end i often reflect on my 28yrs surfing, had some epic days, and start missing them when i think about em...
at least I still snowboard. been taking 1000mg krill oil a day and glucosamine sulphate. has helped a lot
in conjunction with stretching and bike riding(sorry andy, not in lycra lol)

[unclethirsty]

Swvic,Brendo..last boards!! come on guys that sort of talk only leads to the black dog,depression. Arthritis is a bitch, I've had a hip replaced (8yrs ago)got it in my thoracic region & neck. I get pains everywhere due to the 2 broken arms,broken hand,broken foot,broken collar bone, stitches everywhere,even my ears ache in the cold from the removal of surfers ear extocies & I've recently has 2 operation on the old ticker to stop atrial fibrillation, thank god that worked. I'm 62yo & still surfing. Your doing the right thing by investigating all options open to you regarding the management of your arthritis, because that's what you have to do, manage it, it won't go away. Work out where your going to surf, hard paddle yes or no if yes take anti-inflams about an hour before you go in, it MAY help. Read up on everything you can get your hands on about your arthritis, information is king. Sometimes an operation is the only answer,if so get on with it do it now do not fall for get it done when your older,"FKUC that", whats the point of have a good toe,foot hip etc when you 75yo, do it now & get back in the surf. Best medicine of all.
Look at new/different boards keep the stoke going, sell the ones you got now get new ones then you'll have to go for a surf,ha.Twisted logic but it worked for me.Don't, don't stop surfing.