Sticking my foot in it
Went to see the podiatrist this morning, a follow up visit.
At the first visit, the doctor had mentioned I had structural issues, pointing to how high the bone for my big toe sat in my right foot. I hadn’t realized that in his opinion, the structural issues are causing all the pain.
He thinks the only cure is surgery.
I’m not convinced. I will be getting a second opinion.
I don’t want to get two bones fused in the top of my foot in an effort to lower the bone for the big toe. I keep thinking that there must be some sort of PT or exercises or something I can do to change the shape of my foot.
Instead of surgery to fuse two vertebra together, people instead go for core and strengthening exercises, and avoid the knife. Can I do the same thing? Get my foot strong enough that they don’t need to fuse bones to provide the stability I need?
In the meanwhile, to help with the pain, I’m getting orthonics to wear in my dancing shoes, so I can go dancing again.
And I will be doing research, trying to figure out what else I can do. As well as going and talking with a trainer, to make sure I’m walking correctly now (I had no idea that I haven’t been walking correctly until the first trip to the podiatrist. I’ve been practicing walking correctly, and I can train myself to change. Will that be enough?) I’m also going to see my body worker to get her opinion on what else I may be able to do. She always works miracles for me. I hope she has some ideas.
I really miss dancing. However, I walked some today, and I’m just in too much pain. (That doesn’t mean I didn’t consider going, at least for a while. If the problem really is structural, that means that rest, ice, and elevation don’t help the problem. They help the pain, but that’s it. None of that makes me better, or will cure me. Which means I could go dancing again, if I could stomach the pain.)
If anyone knows a good podiatrist in the Seattle area, please let me know!
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