Misbehaving toe

[Eve]

After having some discomfort I've noticed my toe on my right foot (the one next to my little toe) seems to have gone all hunched and is bent to the left bending to behind the toe next to it (middle toe) if that makes sense??? My little toe is quite red and a bit swollen.

It's not really painful, more uncomfortable so have ruled out a break or anything as assuming that would really hurt, figured uncomforable from walking on it when it's been out of place and maybe arthritis (inflammatory) related.

Do you think it would help it to try and straighten it and strap it to the middle toe somehow to try and get it to straighten itself out? Can you buy little splint type things to help with that? I just don't want to risk it staying that way!

[gsr600]

have you been wearing silly shoes trying to look fashionable.
otherwise see a podiatrist :-)

[Sqad]

You could try to strap it.....but it wouldn't do much good on my opinion.
grs 600 may well have the solution.

However if it does start to swell and become painful. then you may need to resort to Nsaids, if you can take them...e.g Ibuprofen.

[Eve]

Thank you both :) My silly shoe days are long over due to the arthritis. I'm very careful about the shoes I wear as I suffer for it otherwise. I made the mistake of wearing heels on NYE and the aftereffects were not pretty! I tend to live in comfy trainers and flats for work.

I think there is a place in town who does foot stuff, looks like a special shoe shop but sure they were advertising foot care so will go have a look. Do they tend to be expensive? Am seriously broke at the moment.

[Jemisa]

Look up 'Podiatry' in your local phone book. make an app't (half hour session about £25) will be worth it in the long run. Feet are importent aren't they?

good luck.

jem

[Eve]

Managed to get a picture...

http://tinypic.com/r/25rjbt0/7

I need a damn good pedicure at least! :)

[Sqad]

Doesn't look a big deal to me......in fact it looks pretty normal.

[Eve]

It's usually a lot straighter (like the other foot - http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=jkyjya&s=7). You can't see it so well on the photo.

It's not anything really bad at all, that's not what I meant, I just hoped to try and get it back to normal so it doesn't stay like that or get more scrunched and bent. Bit of vanity I guess and because it's uncomfortable and I'm just fed up generally with the pain and discomfort with the arthritis, I'd rather do something if I can.

Have googled and found a podiatry place with a free assessment so will see what they say.

[bednobs]

would your occupational therapist give you any advice?

[Eve]

I don't have one at work Bednobs, I have been struggling in the recession and currently temping to try and get by so nothing like that. I was in physio but it was causing problems with work and the time off so not been for a while. I just can't afford osteo at the moment.

I'm due back to see my rhumatologist in October I think so going to have a good chat through things and reassess then as I'm struggling more and more. I might see if I can get an appointment with one of the rhumo nurses (who are fantastic) before then.

I've been trying to cope off the immunosuppressant and chronic pain drugs (rhumatologist suggested trying it as I'm young and want a family before I'm on them for life and I stupidly hoped it might just improve) but have to admit it's not really working and I need to take a long hard look at my lifestyle and admit defeat in some areas and try and make things easier rather than pushing against it all the time.