Physical therapy
 

I saw my pain PA today and he suggested physical therapy for my PN. I have PN in many areas of my body. They may not hurt all at once but it is there. I mentioned to him that my knees go cracking He said it could be arthritis. My age is 64.

Anyone ever have good results with PT?

Physical therapy can really help with balance issues.

I had PT from a tendon injury in my hip/groin area from a fall.

I had electrostim IFc and ultrasound, and exercises and stretches, and balance exercises and they were all very helpful to get me mobile again.

When you feel awful, you stop moving, and then all sorts of terrible decline can start. PT helps with that to keep you moving well.

Can PT helps in relieving some pain in the feet instead of a massage? I don't have a problem with balance and muscle wasting. My feet feel so sore 10x the regular soreness that a non PN experiences. Its like your feet are soooo tired and your feet and ankles and legs start tingling and simultaneously wiith deep electric shots. Its like you can no longer stand even a second longer. Its like i am walking on marbles. Its hard to describe. Anyway can this benefit from a Pt?

Thank you:hug:

I would ask a doctor about it. Have you been to a good podiatrist? To see if you have nerve compressions in the foot?
Have you had Xrays of the foot? To see if there are broken sesamoid bones? I don't recall if you answered this before.. so please forgive me.

When my PN started, I had terrible pain in both feet when I tried to walk first thing in the morning. It was like walking on glass or having broken bones in the foot. They weren't swollen then (I was only 30) and with some limping around, seemed a bit better over the day. This was the beginning of my hypothyroidism and that we know now is a compressive type of damage.

Do you have any edema/swelling as well?

It sounds like some of us have some similarities and some differences, which seems to be par for PN.

I've had extreme morning edema/swelling, tiredness, & pain in my feet so bad it's effected my balance, that got somewhat better later in the day. Other days, depending on my level of foot activity, got worse as the day progressed.

My way of dealing with it (I hesitate to call it a solution, 'cuz it isn't) is manifold. Massage ("squeezing the edema out"), moderate activity/walking (even with slightly tight shoes that help press some fluid out while active), and diet have all contributed, and tai chi is helping me with balance issues. I still need/use my cane, but I don't always fall over doing the tai chi movements. The foot/leg muscles used in keeping balance are the ones that hurt/cramp the most, which tells me that they are out of use and need slow strengthening. Everything in moderation seems to be keeping the whole system in balance, and/but with varying activity requirements of life (never knowing what it's going to throw at us) there are always going to be fluctuations...

I think PT might help, but it might not. I think it's worth a try to find out, because you may learn something from it that will help you figure something (else) out. If it can't hurt to try it, then it can't hurt to try it.

Like other things we do for PN, I don't think this is a "do this and it fixes the problem" situation. I get the impression (from "feetback" - feedback from my feet :rolleyes:) that this is going to be an ongoing situation -- another lifestyle change until healing progresses, and then maybe still...

Doc

I have not been to a podiatrist. I can probably get a request from my PCP for a foot x-ray. What is it that I should tell my PCP to look for - nerve compression or broken sesamoid bones or both? The pain gets worse as the day progresses - this is because of standing, walking - basically moving around. I have to sit on a stall while doing chores in the kitchen. Its very difficult to stand. I could no longer use shoes with flat soles - it has to be thick and soft.

Thank you.:hug:

I dont have edema/swelling. I try to walk as much as possible and do stationary bicycle to encourage circulation. I do these activities regularly because edema is a common side effect of Gabapentin.

My pain gets worse as the day progresses. I surmise that standing, walking - putting weight on my feet worsen the pain.

As of my last visit with the neuro, he said that the strength of my feet, legs and arms are intact. Thank God!

I am afraid the symptoms are getting worse than when it started 7 months ago. I dont know what else should I do.

Could be a lot of things. I agree w/ MrsD about a podiatrist. It could even be just part of middle age; I can't stay on my feet like I used to when I was younger either (of course I've put on some poundage since then too) so I have to take breaks and get off my feet. My PN isn't crazy about it either; I do it, but my dogs bark! :D My wife has the same complaint about being on her feet, and she doesn't have PN. (She does have inserts.)

Doc

One should really get the feet looked at for mechanical problems by a podiatrist.

The sesamoid bones can crack move, and inflame the ligaments in the ball of the foot.

You can have metatarsal failures, neuromas, compression,
gout, pseudogout, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, etc .

Pain that gets worse with movement, typically is joint/ligament pain.

Here is a link to foot pain:
http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/

I would really stop the bike exercise for now. I found that
biking made my feet worse. A recumbant was a bit easier,
but 15min on one was my maximum before foot pain started.

Oh, I bought that sole insert which I bought at ridiculously high price ($190) which did nothing to my pain:confused:.

Its not only the tiredness Doc, its a combination of a lot of painful sensations in my feet and goes up to my legs. I wish I could put the right words to describe it, but I cannot, so please forgive me. But, suffice it to say that it has affected the quality of my life immensely.