Bone spurs - top of foot... surgery, no surgery? Anybody else deal with this? (1 Viewer)

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

About 4 years ago I went to a orthopedic about the bone spurs on the top of my feet. The best way to describe it is its basically on the knuckle of my big toes. 

-First doctor- let's shave em down, how's next week? -

My response- whoa doc, 4-6 weeks in a boot? Not today! 

-2nd doctor -Meh, I could shave em but can't tell you if it will help or not. 

-3rd response today - try some bunyin pasds and see if that helps, of  it try a cortisone shot which will help  it only temporarily. 

I'm basically at a loss right now. I'm in tremendous pain after I play basketball or run and I was really hoping Incould get some relief. 

Anybody else deal with this? 

 

[HurryUpSundays]

I don't have bone spurs but I have a bunion on my left foot that I was prepared to have surgically removed because it has caused me yeeeears of pain.

Like you, the first doc I went to was literally ready to schedule an appointment for surgery on the spot. This guy came highly recommended but I didn't gel with him or get a good vibe at all. I went to another doc and wholeheartedly trusted him. He recommended doing EVERYTHING other than surgery and then if things don't become more tolerable we'd reconsider surgery down the line. So I had pricey orthodics made with a metatarsal pad and I now wear spacers in between my big and second toes. It's still extremely sensitive and gets sore as funk after a good run, but after the second doc confirmed that 'no surgery, especially on the foot, is ever 100%', I've resigned myself to living with the discomfort. 

I see you're a 'Boys fan. If you're in Dallas I'm happy to share with you the second doc's details. He's fantastic. 

Sorry you're dealing with it man. Foot pain is an absolute beyotch, especially when you're active. 

 

[KCitons]

I have one on my big toe. Been there for about a decade. Dr said he could remove it if I felt the pain was too bad. At it's worst it's about a 7 on the scale. Most days about a 4. I just live with it because I'm a scaredy cat and don't like the idea of surgery. 

 

[shuke]

I believe you have hallux rigidus.  And your surgeon is advocating a cheilectomy.

I have had the procedure and it helped a lot.  I can't say that I'm pain-free (I'm on a daily NSAID and can't run any long distances), but my daily pain is pretty much unnoticeable and the severe pain I used to get after exercise, mowing the lawn, hiking, has decreased dramatically.

I can't remember how long I was in a boot.  It was worth it.  

I think @St. Louis Bob just had the procedure also.

 

[shuke]

-3rd response today - try some bunyin pasds and see if that helps, of  it try a cortisone shot which will help  it only temporarily. 

I'm not sure how a cortisone shot would help a degenerative arthritis condition.

Curious, are you seeing MDs or DPMs?

 

[CurlyNight]

I'm not sure how a cortisone shot would help a degenerative arthritis condition.

Curious, are you seeing MDs or DPMs?

It doesn't help the actual degenerative arthritis condition but the symptoms. Corticosteroids help fight inflammation which will help with the warm/hot sensations, redness, pain, and swelling. Corticosteroid shots takes care of pain faster than anti-inflammatory pills.

 

[CurlyNight]

I know 3 people who had bone spur or bunion surgery. It's a long uncomfortable painful recovery, even with meds is what they said. Talk to a podiatrist and see if you can have special shoes made? Just like with bunions you can find loose fitting shoes so it's not so uncomfortable.

 

[shuke]

It doesn't help the actual degenerative arthritis condition but the symptoms. Corticosteroids help fight inflammation which will help with the warm/hot sensations, redness, pain, and swelling. Corticosteroid shots takes care of pain faster than anti-inflammatory pills.

I know.  I should have been more clear.  I had a couple cortisone injections for this condition, but the relief was only temporary, as he said.  

 

[shuke]

I know 3 people who had bone spur or bunion surgery. It's a long uncomfortable painful recovery, even with meds is what they said. Talk to a podiatrist and see if you can have special shoes made? Just like with bunions you can find loose fitting shoes so it's not so uncomfortable.

He doesn't have a bunion.  He has spurs on the top of the joint.  The treatment he is talking about, while painful, is a lot less invasive than bunion surgery.

 

[CurlyNight]

I know.  I should have been more clear.  I had a couple cortisone injections for this condition, but the relief was only temporary, as he said.  

It is temporary and there is a limit on how many you can get so people save this option for when it's really bad.

 

[NutterButter]

I'd take up cycling but you'll have to turn in your man card.  

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'm not sure how a cortisone shot would help a degenerative arthritis condition.

Curious, are you seeing MDs or DPMs?

 Orthopedic surgeon. 

Im ####### tired of my feet hurting. I wish I had told him I was a 9/10 on pain scale. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I believe you have hallux rigidus.  And your surgeon is advocating a cheilectomy.

I have had the procedure and it helped a lot.  I can't say that I'm pain-free (I'm on a daily NSAID and can't run any long distances), but my daily pain is pretty much unnoticeable and the severe pain I used to get after exercise, mowing the lawn, hiking, has decreased dramatically.

I can't remember how long I was in a boot.  It was worth it.  

I think @St. Louis Bob just had the procedure also.

I'm IN! Cut me Mick!!!!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I don't have bone spurs but I have a bunion on my left foot that I was prepared to have surgically removed because it has caused me yeeeears of pain.

Like you, the first doc I went to was literally ready to schedule an appointment for surgery on the spot. This guy came highly recommended but I didn't gel with him or get a good vibe at all. I went to another doc and wholeheartedly trusted him. He recommended doing EVERYTHING other than surgery and then if things don't become more tolerable we'd reconsider surgery down the line. So I had pricey orthodics made with a metatarsal pad and I now wear spacers in between my big and second toes. It's still extremely sensitive and gets sore as funk after a good run, but after the second doc confirmed that 'no surgery, especially on the foot, is ever 100%', I've resigned myself to living with the discomfort. 

I see you're a 'Boys fan. If you're in Dallas I'm happy to share with you the second doc's details. He's fantastic. 

Sorry you're dealing with it man. Foot pain is an absolute beyotch, especially when you're active. 

I live in Maryland, surrounded by filthy, dirty, unknowledgeable Redskins fans.