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Location: Australia
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QuoteReplyTopic: Burning feet - Enbrel Posted: 01 October 2007 at 7:03pm
Hi I finally found something about my burning feet problem. Not embrel causing it but the arthritis is.
Metatarsalgia is characterized by a pain and/or burning, and/or swelling on the ball of the fore foot. Classically one or more of the metatarsal bones, and the tissues, muscles, bursa, and capsules directly under the metatarsal bones in the fore foot area, start to burn, hurt or swell. This is normally due to abnormal pressure, over a prolonged amount of time, anywhere from months to years. There are several reasons for this abnormal pressure, including high heel shoes, Arthritis, and hard walking surfaces, but the most common reason is due to what's known as Morton's Syndrome. There are five metatarsal bones in our feet. The very end of these bones in the fore foot area is called the "head" of the metatarsal bones. This is what our toe bones are attached to. In Morton's Syndrome the first metatarsal bone, this is the one that the big toe bone is attached to, is unnaturally short. Hence resulting in a short 1st toe, or the more classically longer 2nd toe, what is know as "Morton Toe". Because of this shortness, the 1st metatarsal bone can not support all of the weight Mother Nature intended it to support. This excessive weight has to go somewhere and in the vast majority of the time it is shifted onto the 2nd metatarsal.
This atypical shifting is what causes all of the pain, swelling and burning in Metatarsalgia, but may also be the cause of a Callusbeing formed under the metatarsal heads. Morton's Syndrome is a Hereditarycondition, that is to say you are born with a short 1st metatarsal. About 1/3 of the population has this.
Treatment
The simplest thing to do to start with is to change your shoes. If your problem is caused by the constant wearing of high heels, it is a good bet that the odd pressure put on your fore foot is contributing to your discomfort. If high heels is not the problem, then you can assume the problem is mostly likely caused by a short 1st metatarsal bone that we see in Morton's Syndrome. At this time professional care is indicated. In our clinic this problem is approached on 2 levels. The first one being to get you out of the pain you came in with. Be it Arthritis, Bursitis, capsulitis and/or myositis (muscle pain), we use Physical Therapyand padding and strappings, to get you out of pain. Once this is accomplished, we will fabricate an Orthoticto rebalance the fore foot and to accommodate for the short 1st metatarsal bone. We have found that by using this treatment protocol, surgery is rarely if ever needed.
Heredity: Narrow, high-arched feet can focus stress on the balls of the feet. Also, if the legs are not equal in length, the metatarsal-phalangeal joints of the shorter leg receive additional stress.
Skin Irritation:Metatarsalgia often occurs with bunions or tender calluses under the metatarsal-phalangeal joints.
Foot Disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, stress fractures, fluid accumulation and muscle fatigue can help cause metatarsalgia. If one is born with - or develops - flat feet, there is also a risk.
"Overloaded" Feet: Excess weight from pregnancy or obesity can contribute to metatarsalgia. So can persistent and abnormal stress on the feet. For example, soldiers, letter carriers and dancers are at risk because of extensive standing and walking.
Nerve Disorders: Morton's neuroma is a benign growth that can develop on a nerve in the foot. The neuroma can cause a burning sensation that may radiate to other parts of the foot. Soreness can persist even when resting.
Treatment of Metatarsalgia
In most cases, simple measures will lessen pain at the front of the foot.
Foot freedom: If you wear tight shoes with thin soles and high heels, give them away. If you have symptoms of a Morton's neuroma, remove the shoes periodically and gently massage the painful area. If you pinch or rub vigorously, you may experience pain as intense as when you hit your "funny bone."
Orthotics (or metatarsal pads): Consult your podiatrist or physician for a footpad that relieves pressure on the metatarsal area.
Medications: Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or sulindac. This is the most common treatment. Ibuprofen, sulindac, or diclofenac sodium, prescription astringents, emollients or ointments can help treat bunions or calluses, which sometimes are associated with metatarsalgia. Rarely, injections of a corticosteroid into the tender area may be used.
Surgery: An operation seldom is necessary. In severe cases of Morton's neuroma, surgeons remove the nerve associated with painful symptoms. Surgical options for other types of metatarsalgia include reshaping joints and modifying irregularly shaped bones.
42/F
Dx PA 2002
Arava,Lipitor,Thyroxine,Nexium,Montelukast,Tramadol, ,Enbrel,plaquenil,caltrate + D, slow release C, B complex,FGF iron,glucosamine.
Thanks Alley...that solves that whole mystery. RD was noticing some of that last visit. I sure hope yours will get better. have you seen the doc lately, and what is he going to do?
Hi Shelly, I havent seen a doctor about it yet, but i have an appt. with rheumy next week so will get it seen to then. i will see if i can get some metatarsal pads from the chemist to help for now.
42/F
Dx PA 2002
Arava,Lipitor,Thyroxine,Nexium,Montelukast,Tramadol, ,Enbrel,plaquenil,caltrate + D, slow release C, B complex,FGF iron,glucosamine.
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