difficulty walking and tailor's bunion
 

I was wondering if anyone has a similar problem and what treatment you have tried. I have right sided PD, for 12-13 yrs now. My walking is greatly affected by a tailor's bunion that has developed on the outer edge of my right foot at the base of the pinkie toe due to the tendency walk on the edge of my foot. My lower leg does not flex well, my calf and all the muscles in my legs are very stiff even when I am "on". I have tried stretching regiment but this seems to be beyond that. I am thinking possiibly some sort of orthodic to help prevent my foot from turning when I step??

I have right side muscle contractures and tend to supinate (curl the foot inward) while grasping involuntarly with the toes. This causes us to push off the outside (lateral) portion of the foot when walking. To compensate for this I tend to slide my right foot forward along the floor and have experienced near falls on uneven surfaces. This foot position causes the head of the 5th metatarsal to protrude laterally and rub against the shoe causing pain. It is commen to develope a protective cyst or bursa between the bone and the skin thus forming a "Tailor' bunion". Here are some ideas.

You can not change the way you walk. Try having your shoe stretched making an accomadative pocket around the 5th meta head. You can buy silastic bunion protector pads in most pharmacy. Or, cut an adhevsive moleskin (1/8 ") pad in the shape of a donut or "U" and place it around, not on top of the bunion, to deflect shoe pressure. Wear wide shoes with soft leather.

If the Tailors bunion is inflamed consider a cortisone injection. They can work wonders for a period of time. Orthotics can not change the contracture of your foot so it is not uncommen that the pain can return if you wear the same shoes. I would pass on expensive orthotics. Sometimes an ankle-foot-orthotic (AFO) is used with stroke patients .

If all else flails the last resort is surgery. The lateral side of the 5th metatarsal head is shaved eliminating the bony prominence, and removing the inflamed bursa. This is an out paient surgery with a high success rate, but a lengthy recovery.

I would consult a Podiatrist if pain persists.
Feel free to PM me if you need more advice.

Gary

Gary

I too have PD on my right side, and also had a problem with my pinky toe. My right foot tends to curl inwards, but always did due to a clubbed foot which was corrected 47 years ago and then 27 years ago with a metarsal realignment procedure.

When the PD was first showing it's head back in late 2002 amd early 2003, I was blaming the right foot turn-in on regression due to the clubbed foot. All of the exercising I did couldn't stretch the foot and leg enough as it seemed. While "on" the foot feels good, but when I'm "off", the foot feels tight just like the rest of my leg.

The stretching exercise that I did when I was younger, and still try do every day, is a simple Achilles heal stretch.

I lean against a strong flat vertical surface such as a doorway while I putting my foot square and flat on on the floor, and placed as far back as possible without hyperflexing the knee cap. I try to stay in this position for up to 15 minutes if possible.

John

right foot turns when tired
 

Just read the thread..amazes me that other people have experienced my "strange" foot. In 7th grade I had a diving accident & hurt my neck & back. At that time started to drag my right foot / turned in. Every day walking about a mile or so to school...I concentrated hard and made the foot walk correctly. It took a while, but with diligence, I did it! Now at 56, experiencing beginning PD symptoms...my "strange" foot comes back when I am tired and need to call it a day. At that point, I just don't have the energy left to correct it's bad behavior. I have not been "diagnosed" by a neurologist, but my daughter (a nurse practitioner) is pushing me to see a doctor. What a drag! Don't like to waste money & will treat myself with fava beans/ mucuna and diet anyway. Hope I can get into a research study on hereditary PD (grandfather, his brother, my brother, cousin & lots of essential trmor in the family _my dad for one) Any suggestions???? *Growing to love you all Aunt Bean