Sesamoid Injury: Email Advice

Hi Dr. Blake,

I am a 24-year-old, healthy female. Last month I was on vacation with my sister for 3 days and we walked about 5 miles each day. On the last day of vacation, the ball of my foot started hurting gradually, no big deal. The next morning, the pain woke me up and it was extremely swollen. It did not improve so I made an appointment with a podiatrist for 3 days later.

The podiatrist did an X-Ray and explained some foot anatomy to me. She said it looked like I had a bipartite sesamoid bone because though it was in two pieces, the pieces looked smooth rather than jagged. She then said that on the very edge of one of the pieces, she saw some shading in the X-Ray. "I'm not sure it's a true fracture, but we're going to treat it as one so you can get feeling better."

Dr. Blake's comment: This is the right idea. You are forced to treat the worst case possibility since under treating sesamoid injuries can be harmful to you. 

She wrapped my foot in a compression wrap and gave me a walking boot. She said to stay off it as much as possible (crutches or knee scooter) and to come back in 4 weeks.

My 4-week appointment was on Thursday, and I guess I was expecting that I would be done with all this. She did another X-Ray, poked around my foot to see where it was still painful. It does still hurt a bit, but only when I walk and maybe only 25% as much as it did at first. She told me I could begin walking regularly with the boot and ease into tennis shoes.

Dr. Blake's comment: Sounds wonderful so far. The off-weighting can make swelling collect in the tissues, not be pushed out by weight bearing, and the pain worse even though the injury is healing. This did not happen to you, so I feel blessed. Need to get into some dancer's pad arrangement in your shoes to wean out of the boot, but still be protected. It can take several more months to wean out of the boot, so bring it with you wherever you go. 

I did some walking around the city this past weekend in my tennis shoes. It did hurt a bit - also on the outside of my foot where I think I was putting more pressure. I decided to go back to the boot. I have another follow-up in 4 more weeks.

Dr. Blake's comment: Smart, see if you can get an earlier appt to start the design of off-weighting it. Remember that there are 3 types of pain at play in these situations: mechanical (so off-weighting helps), inflammatory (so icing twice daily for 10 minutes, and a 20 minute evening contrast bath for deep flushing), and neuropathic (so non-painful massage to the tissue and gentle range of motion of the big toe twice daily for 2 minutes is great). 

Long story short, I started reading about sesamoid injuries today and I guess I didn't realize how serious they could be. I'm reading horror stories of how it never heals for some people, and I'm panicked thinking about the fact that I could go the rest of my long life without being able to run, or jump, or even walk comfortably!! I have a history of anxiety and this is a lot to bear. I just want to get back to normal.

If you have any words of advice or comfort, I would be glad to hear them!

Dr. Blake's comment: You sound you are in good hands, and you are responding wonderfully. Create that 0-2 pain level, gradually wean off the boot, work on the 3 levels of pain daily, and read the general rules of sesamoid fracture treatment. Get an MRI if possible because that can be followed better than x-rays. If you get an MRI it will be clearer what you have, and another MRI can be done if needed 6 months down the line to check progress. Good luck. You are doing good right now!!

Thanks,

https://youtu.be/8cwW2Bmcc0E

Electronic Medical Records are not my Friend

    Hi, this is Dr. Blake and I need to express my thoughts on the electronic medical records that I was forced to adapt in February of this year. I do not want your sympathy, but it has added an extra day to my practice per week just trying to keep up. I spend the same amount of time with my patients which I know many doctors are forced to see patients faster. But, my tradeoff is longer and longer time doing my records, and I feel I am very dedicated to doing them right. This article at least shows that I am not alone. I see patients for 40 hours per week (around 40 or so) and spend 13-14 hours doing their chart work on the electronic medical records. Since all medical practices have 2 hours a day or normal paperwork also (insurance, DMV, disability, etc), this now puts me at 65 hours per week of normal routine stuff. I like to do my own orthotic work, work on my blog, read to learn, etc, and how I am at 75-80 hours without blinking an eye. 

     Why am I telling you this? Just be kind to all the docs in the country that this has been forced on. The 3 hours a day additional work brought on by the computer is handled differently by all: less patient time with less satisfaction, fewer patients overall with less satisfaction, working longer hours with less satisfaction with less time with your loved ones, total burnout, leaving the medical career, or a combination of strategies. I tend to work harder and longer because that is what I have always done, but it is not healthy, and I am not getting younger. I think the younger docs, that do not know any different, may not be as grumpy as I feel. If you pray, I accept all donations in this sphere. Thanks for listening. 

https://ehrintelligence.com/news/primary-care-doctors-spending-6-hours-daily-on-ehr-data-entry?elqTrackId=4391dd2dec0c45468ef5adbc490d136f&elq=e43312a9192e4e428ead83f61ad4631c&elqaid=3434&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=3200

Podiatry Blogs Listed in Order of Greatest to Least

http://blog.feedspot.com/podiatry_blogs/

Guess who is #1, alright a guy can brag once in awhile!

I figure that many of the blogs would also have good information for my readers!!

Can I wean off my full time use of Orthotics?

Hi, Dr. Blake!

I've been reading your book and need your advice. 

Long story short, I have been wearing orthotics pretty much all the time (even stay In my shoes at home) for about a year and a half.  I went to see a PT for bilateral knee pain and he told me my feet were causing a dysfunctional gate cycle leading to overall tightness and knee pain.  He took a mold of my foot and sent them to a sports podiatrist he works within Iowa that made me some orthotics.  He also said that there was really no workaround for me with regard to improving foot function on my own and I pretty much-needed orthotics 24/7 for me to move correctly.  They do make a drastic difference with regard to the knee pain and tightness but I still have some issues and am questioning some things, specifically that my foot is structurally so messed up like he said it was.

I have attached the sheet rationale for the PRI orthotics that I received if you have interested in reading it.  The PT said the human foot was not made to function on flat ground like concrete and functions better on undulating terrain which the orthotics provide and also keep me from overpronating by stabilizing my left heel when I walk which allows me to push off my toe instead of pronating.  He said when my foot over-pronates when I walk (mainly the left one) it anteriorly tips my pelvis and basically throws me out of alignment and puts me in a bad position for when I start lifting or try to work out or lift weights. 

I've been active my whole life and never had knee pain until I started dental school where I was sitting the majority of the day and was forced to wear dress shoes.  This is in contrast to my previous 7 years as a personal trainer walking around all day in athletic shoes. I always had insoles that my podiatrist made because I would get pressure calcifications I would have to go have picked out but I never had any biomechanical issues like what started a few years ago.  Obviously, I don’t want to have to keep wearing my shoes all the time for the rest of my life, as that doesn't seem like a fix IMO.  I’m not sure if my left foot overpronating is due to a handedness pattern type thing or if I really have developed an alignment issue, maybe an x-ray would help this or show if I had an alignment issue?

What direction should I take from here to fix my feet?

Dr. Blake's comment: I have found that moderation with the use of anything is normally best. Some use of orthotics when you need them for activities, some walking without orthotics, and some barefoot is normally a great recipe. You could take some photos of your feet standing, especially looking from the front, looking towards the back of the heel, and then the arch from the side. Best to have another take these so you can normal with your feet firmly on the ground.
     One of the keys to great feet is strong feet. My blog is filled with information on strengthening the intrinsics with met doming, the Achilles with 2 positional heel raises, and the arch with single leg balancing and theraband work for the posterior tibial tendon and the peroneus longus. You will find as your feet get stronger there is less need for orthotics and the most stable shoes. I said less need, not no need!
     Various types of orthotics give different support. Various types of shoes give different support. Various types of activities need different support. So, this is a lifelong challenge of all of us wanted to stay upright and exercise. What do I need to protect my feet and still participate at a high level? Many use pain as their guide, many have such a high pain threshold that they have to use educated guesses.
     Besides strengthening, the tightness you mentioned may play a major role in symptoms. Almost everyone should be on a daily regimen of Achilles, quadriceps, hamstring, iliopsoas, and low back stretches. These should take 5-10 minutes to do before and after your workout, never with pain, and done at least once on your rest days. If you find tightness, stretch 3 times a day until it resolves. If you find you are tight on one side of your body more than another, stretch that tight side 50% more than the looser side. 
     I hope this gives you my general philosophy. Next time you see the physical therapist ask for a lower extremity tightness and weakness evaluation so you can know the pattern in your body and can work to fix it. Good luck. Rich

     

Lis Franc Injury: Email Advice

Dear Dr. Blake, 

I (myself) have what I think is an interesting Lis franc injury and if you have a moment I would greatly appreciate your opinion. 

Athletic history, 10 years of ultra-endurance running (trail 100 miles) and Ironman triathlons. 

MOI: Outstretched leg on the boat dock with the boat moving towards the dock. Arch placed on edge of dock, the force of boat bent foot at arch (plantar surface towards the heel). immediate “pop” swelling over medial cuneiform, tender to palpation.  

Date of injury ~June 1st. Initial X-ray negative, circumferential swelling/bruising (medial and plantar, mainly) and the majority of pain subsided by day 3-4. Walked but with slight limb but continued to improve slowly over next 4-weeks but still had difficulty running (pain around 1st/2nd metatarsals and medial arch with push-off. No pain with stairs. At 4-weeks had MRI 

MRI: tiny non-displaced fx at the medial aspect of navicular, small cortical avulsion fx from the second metatarsal base. interosseous Lis franc “compatible with high-grade disruption, A torn stump of fibers remain attached to the medial second metatarsal base and distal lateral aspect of the medial cuneiform. It is difficult to appreciate intact interosseous Lis Franc ligament fibers at this time. Complete disruption of the dorsal Lis Franc ligament. The plantar ligament is at least partially detached from the second metatarsal base, in the setting of the tiny cortical avulsion fx.”

presentation at 4-weeks - near normal ambulation, minimal pain (except attempting to run) and very little instability

Due to lack of instability Ortho Rx: non-weight bearing in boot x 4 weeks, ambulating in boot x 2 weeks, then 2weeks in stiff soled shoes, then follow up. 

Currently, I’m in my 1st week of walking in stiff shoes. Very little pain around Lis franc/dorsal part of the foot, other than the feel of stretching. Occasional pain in 3rd/4th phalanges. Occasional pain around the anterior portion of ankle/malleolus, (navicular/cuboid area). There is a firm “nodule” about the mid portion of the foot in-between the plantar fascia and medial portion of the arch. A majority of the pain (nearly constant) is in the area of the medial side of foot near the top of the arch. Occasionally it occurs distally, and other times it's more proximal (in/around the fleshy area between the medial malleolus and calcaneus). Pain is reproducible by full dorsiflexion and eversion. Pain is felt along the medial arch and pulls (causes pain on top of medial cuneiform. Little to no instability, but will occasionally “lock-up” and feel a "knuckle crack" (no pain). 

when performing single leg toe raises slight pain from arch/nodule area and “stretching” around medial cuneiform. I can run, but the pain from arch and ankle area increase post-run. My follow-up is next week and although considering the severity of the MRI, I feel my presentation is not remarkable. With the ultimate goal of returning to running,  I’m curious on your thoughts if surgery sounds like it might still be necessary? Or other options you might suggest at this point. 

I appreciate any advice you might have!

Thank you, 

Dr. Blake's comment: Thank you so very much for emailing this problem. Typically, we will have a surgeon have the first crack at deciding if the foot should be repaired. With your wonderful athletic life, if the wrong decision is made, the arch could collapse the next time or even the thousandth time you put a tremendous load on it. So, 2-3 independent surgical opinions to protect you from yourself and your goals are in order. This is different from a fracture we can follow pain wise as we rehabilitate someone. And, you have to treat the worse case scenario possibility. If you do have it repaired, even though there is a time for rehabilitation, there should be no reason you can not get back into full activity. 

     Please have a stress test x-ray put on the Lisfranc's to check its integrity. This is particularly important if they decide to let you go back to athletics. Athletics should be with KT arch taping to stabilise the joint, along with the highest arched orthotic that can be made to stabilise without throwing you to the outside. I hope this helps somewhat. 

https://youtu.be/HT-ug-RhAmg

Here is the section from my book on Lisfranc's Joint Injuries which emphasizes the conservative.

2. Lisfranc’s Sprain

    Across the instep, where the metatarsals meet the arch, is a series of joints called the Lisfrancs joint. It involves all the metatarsals, with the most severe injury under the first and second metatarsal bases. Here lies the Lisfranc Ligament, and when torn, can cause the entire arch to collapse.

     A complete tear of the Lisfranc’s ligament, a diagnosis made by MRI, is a surgical injury. It is one of the most serious sprains in the whole body and must be over treated. This is not the topic of our discussion here. For the many Lisfranc injuries, not involving a complete tear of the ligament, conservative treatment works well. Remember a sprain occurs with some twisting motion or sudden acute jarring force. Without a history of this, most likely pain in this area is some other diagnosis as we will discuss later.

The Lisfranc Ligament runs between the base of the 2nd metatarsal and the first cuneiform.

    The top 10 conservative treatments for Lisfranc’s sprain/injuries (without complete rupture of the Lisfranc Ligament):

1. Arch supports (typically custom) with as high of a medial arch as possible/comfortable.
2. MRI for ligament testing. Also, make sure patient can do a one sided toe raise. This can be impossible with a complete ligament tear.
3.  Kinesio taping in a circumferential wrap around the entire foot for 2 months longer than you think you need to.
4. Avoid activities that lift the heel off the ground initially.
5. Ice Pack 2 times daily for 20 minutes to reduce the inflammation.
6. Create a pain-free environment with crutches, removable boots, other assistive aids.
7. Pain over 5 in the area of the Lisfranc’s Joint should be over protected until you are certain it is not a ligament rupture.
8. Begin metatarsal doming, 2 positional inversion/eversion therabands, and Single Leg Balancing. Go to YouTube and type drblakeshealingsole foot strengthening exercise playlist. Remember no exercise should hurt.
9. There is really no stretching for this injury that helps directly. However, massaging the arch to move the swelling that collects there can be very helpful.
10.     Stretching the Achilles tendon indirectly takes the tension off the arch. When done, do both gastrocnemius and soleus stretches but only with the heel firmly on the ground. Go to YouTube and type drblakeshealingsole Achilles stretches.

Lisfrancs and Sesamoid Injury: Email Advice

Hi Dr. Blake,

First, let me say what an incredible resource your blog has been for me - and how grateful I am that you take the time to advise and treat patients simply because you believe everyone has the right to heal. So thank you.  As for me, I've seen far too many doctors - who all have very different opinions (and seemingly different levels of commitment to my healing). I'm desperately seeking a treatment plan - and some patience with the many questions that I have.

Now here's my story… I'm 30 years old and live in New York City. Back in late MARCH, I tripped up (yes UP) the stairs -- and injured my toe/foot. I seemed to only have pain in my big toe (top of my foot) - in the phalange and metatarsal. The first podiatrist I saw didn't catch anything in the x-ray and believed it was a stress fracture. After 3 weeks of it not seeming to get any better, he still gave me his blessing to go on my 2 week Europe trip. I should have listened to instinct...but alas. I went, wrapped my foot, threw it in a hiking boot, grabbed a cane, and went on my way. The trip was great - but by the last day, I couldn't stand. And my foot was purple.

Came home beginning of May - switched doctors. Got an MRI (and another x ray) - and it was confirmed that I have a fractured tibial sesamoid, as well as a Lis franc ligament sprain. The doctor seemed to pay little regard to the Lis franc injury - saying that a sprain isn't serious.

Dr. Blake' s comment: A Lisfranc injury is one of the most severe foot injuries I treat, with one of the highest percentages for sprains needing surgery.  

Now here's where things get even more complicated. I was heading to Los Angeles for a gig a few days later. The doctor advised me to non-weight bear for 3 weeks (in a removable walking boot), use a dancers pad, then see another doctor (doctor #3).  I continued to have swelling - but iced and did contrast baths daily. Saw an ortho in Los Angeles - who perhaps due to my desire to be as conservative as possible - decided to keep me non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. The last thing I wanted was to look back and wish I would have committed to more time. He also thought that the bone might be dying, and thought that when I'm back in NYC I should have a CT scan (or bone scan?)

So now...I'm back in NYC. Saw a new Ortho (doc #4). He said that I should start putting weight on it and to stay in the boot until my next appointment -- in 4 weeks. And he said no CT scan.  Unfortunately, I had no advice on how to wean off the crutches - it was implied that it would easy to just start walking. Not really the case for me. So...I started weight bearing while still using the crutches for a few days, then went down to one crutch, and now to a cane. I seem to be doing pretty well -- except that I keep getting a shooting pain in my ankle every time I step a certain way (which isn't that often - but when it happens it HURTS). Been happening now for the last 4 days. The sesamoid, however, seems to be ok. Still a little swollen - but doesn't seem to have very much pain at the fracture site.

Also, my whole body seems pretty out of whack (my hips have a very strange turn out right now).

Dr. Blake's comment: Typically this out of whack feeling is part of any cast regimen.  It is helped greatly by using an EvenUp on the side without the cast and never going to one crutch.  It should be 2 crutches or no crutches since one crutch and sometimes canes throw your back and pelvis into strange tilts.

So now that you know my story, I have so many questions...

1. My big toe still feels so strange. Like it weighs 5 pounds. Which is how it felt when I first injured it (why I assumed I broke my toe). I can barely bend it down - and can't bend it up at all. Is this normal? The pain/stiffness/heaviness goes from the joint of my big toe down to the middle of my foot. Often times I have strange twitching there as well...

Dr. Blake's comment: For what I know, this is all normal for your injury and being in a cast and non-weight bearing for a while. You are gradually progressing from the Immobilization Phase of Rehab to the Re-Strengthening Phase. During this phase, you need a lot of physical therapy guidance to work on the remaining swelling and increase the range of motion, strength, flexibility, and balance. There is a lot of hard work ahead.  

2. At this point, should I be forcing my toe to bend? Or is it all still healing that it should still be immobilized most of the time?

Dr. Blake's comment: For these injuries, you never push the toe bending part of rehab. You let that come naturally. It is always fun to measure the range of motion at each stage if you have a therapist you will be working with. Typically you come out of the cast with almost no motion in the joint. Definitely, you can start doing some of the self-mobilization movements. Go to YouTube and type drblakeshealingsole Self Mobilization Hallux Limitus. You can gain 20-30 degrees as you begin to walk normally, and another 20 degrees as you begin to run.  Keep the joint pain free when you are working on it, you never know if more healing is still going on it there.

3. What about ankle exercises? Could that also interfere with the healing of the sesamoid/toe? Any physical therapy for the rest of my body? Or should I still wait?

Dr. Blake's comment: Core and other lower extremity strengthening that does not hurt the injury can normally be started right after the injury.  There is a benefit to riding a stationary bike with one foot even when there is no tension on the foot in the boot. There are so many core, hip, knee, and ankle movements that you should be doing right now, and that is why a PT or Personal Trainer can help. The stronger the core, the more normal you are lifted off the foot, and the faster the rehabilitation goes.

4. This Lis franc sprain - is this really something that should be so swept under the rug? I finally researched it and it sounds like it could be a big deal. How do I find out if the sprain has healed?

Dr. Blake's comment: Lisfranc Injuries are big deals. You need to wait 3 months for your first MRI  to get a repeat MRI to document healing.  I treat all Lisfranc Sprains very seriously with a 2-year commitment to orthotic devices, arch taping, and a gradual progressive re-strengthening program on all the important intrinsic and extrinsic muscles/tendons that support the arch. Go to YouTube and type drblakeshealingsole foot and ankle strengthening playlist.

    The middle of my foot definitely hurts right now - but I assume a lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm putting weight on it for the first time in 8 weeks. I also have a bony bump in the middle of my foot - under the big toe. The doctor assumed it was from the boot. Does that sound right to you - or could it have something to do with this Lis franc thing?

Dr. Blake's comment: Lisfranc's Injuries hurt in the middle of the foot. If you are weight bearing, get an orthotic ASAP to stabilize that area and learn to tape your arch (Chapter 4).  I am not sure what the bony bump is. You could send me a photo of you pointing it out, and another of the same spot on MRI.  

5. Does walking in the walking boot for 4 weeks after being non-weight bearing for 8 (and in a hiking boot for 4 weeks before that) seem like the right treatment course?

Dr. Blake's comment: Yes, but 16 weeks of immobilization means 32 weeks minimum more to get your foot healthy again. Go slow, go gentle, but persist. You are still in the hands of the docs for direction, but PTs and Personal Trainers and Athletic Trainers should have the most prominent role in your recovery now.  

6. My left foot has also been hurting quite a bit - since it's been doing most of the work the last couple of months. Is there an insert/insole you can recommend helping this? Mostly the middle of my foot. What about Superfeet?

Dr. Blake's comment: When you get custom made functional foot orthotics from a sports podiatrist, they are always made in pairs. Consider seeing Dr. Karen Langone, Dr. Robert Conenello, and Dr. David Davidson in New York. You can also see the AAPSM website for all the New York members. I am typically safe recommending from that list.  

7. I've been using the bone stimulator twice a day on my sesamoid - which is why I haven't been taping. Should I be taping and just removing it daily?

Dr. Blake's comment: The bone stimulator has a 3-inch penetration. You can aim the beam from the top of your foot where you do not have tape, and it will still work. That way you can tape also. This is at least my understanding of the Exogen bone stimulator but check with the local rep.

8. I'm not 100% sold on this ortho I'm seeing in NYC. He's just so rushed - in and out in 5 minutes. Do you know a doc (ortho or DPM) here that you would recommend? I had been recommended someone at the hospital for special surgery - but unfortunately, they don't take my insurance (GHI/Emblem)

Dr. Blake's comment: See my recommendations above. Even if they are a distance, it is worth it. They can refer you to a local PT to do the lion's share of the work.  

9. Would it be possible for me to send you my MRI from the beginning of May? I would love to know your thoughts.

Dr. Blake's comment: Yes, Dr. Rich Blake, 900 Hyde Street, San Francisco,

         CA, 94109.  

    Thank you so much for taking the time. As I mentioned, I generally need to be on my feet all day (although this last one in LA was thankfully pretty low key). I'm so anxious for my foot to feel normal again, but I'm also committed to recovery and can be as patient as I need to be. However, I just need to feel like I'm doing what's "right". And with so many different doctors over the last few months (all with very different opinions) - I'm left fairly confused and rather discouraged.

Any thoughts/advice would be so greatly appreciated.

MANY THANKS,

Jill (name changed)

Sorry, one last question!!  I've been using 1/4" adhesive felt applied directly to my foot for the dancer's pad. Is this correct for use in a boot?

Dr. Blake's comment: See if you can place as an insert in the boot. Somewhere in my blog “drblakeshealingsole” I have an example of this. Get working on your orthotics ASAP and then just place that in the boot. I sure hope this helps you.

Thanks!!!

Avascular Necrosis of the Tibial Sesamoid

Dear Dr. Blake:

I recently commented on one of your blogs posts on PodiatryToday.com, before I came upon your blog. You seem to know much on the subject of sesamoids and their issues, more so than any doctor I’ve encountered.

I’m a 20-year-old college student with avascular necrosis of the right tibial sesamoid. I was diagnosed with stress fractures in my right foot 4 years ago, and when those failed to improve, I was eventually diagnosed with AVN 2 years ago by an orthopedist. He put me through conservative treatment (orthotics, carbon foot plate, Exogen bone stimulator) for a few months, but my symptoms persisted. He recommended surgery. I sought a second opinion from a podiatrist, and he recommended that I continue with whatever conservative treatment I was already doing. So here I am 2 years later still doing the Exogen bone stimulator every night and wearing orthotics in my sneakers (or dancer’s pad if I’m barefoot). I ice when there’s pain; sometimes I do a hot soak with Epson salts. I was an avid runner before I was diagnosed and have since quit because I still have pain when I run. I’ve found solace in swimming, rowing, and weight training but still sometimes get pain when rowing or going for long walks/hikes.

Long story short, my problem has steadily worsened over the past 2 years, and I was led to believe that it would continue to worsen until surgery was the only option. Reading your blog suggests otherwise though. In other emails from people with AVN of the sesamoids, you discuss treatment options that my doctors never mentioned, mainly spica taping, dry needling, contrast baths, foot mechanic evaluations, Neuro-Eze, bone density/Vitamin D screenings,  and CT scans to check for bone fragments. You also say that the chance of the injury re-occurring is very low in the case of the 14-year-old Irish step dancer, whereas my doctors told me that I would have this injury for the rest of my life with no hopes of improvement. 

But is there still hope for me, 2 years after the initial diagnosis? Is it common to have this injury for so long with gradual worsening over time? Is it still possible to reverse the effects this late in the game? I know you can’t answer specific medical questions over this forum, but do you have any words of wisdom for a frustrated young athlete? 

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Dr Blake's comment: Thank you so very much for reaching out. I would love to tell you some positive words, but there is so much we need you to do to find out what is really going on. I have to assume you have good bone density and overall healthy. Definitely if you want me to help you need a CT scan (your Primary can order) and a bone density screen. Also, this should be sent to me with your current MRI (within 6 months). They can be mailed to Dr Rich Blake, 900 Hyde Street, San Francisco, Ca, 94109. I do no charge for this. I hope I can help. Rich

Peroneal Tendon Taping with Leuko tape Video

https://youtu.be/QIVbAB1t0Gc

When More is Better than Less: 10 Ways via Caroline Jordan

Caroline Jordan, an incredible gift to fitness and happy living, gives us 10 guidelines to review over and over. I love routines, so change is hard. Caroline encourages this in a very positive way. 

https://youtu.be/Y3B3aoVlExg

Capsaicin: Neuropathic Pain Topical Treatment

This article brings to mind a long forgotten medication for nerve pain. I will probably start experimenting again with it. Looks like it comes as a patch also. Sweet!!

http://www.podiatrytoday.com/blogged/can-topical-capsaicin-be-treatment-alternative-neuropathic-pain

How to Evaluate a Bunion

https://youtu.be/PhVT9b4p7_s

Other bunion posts:

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2012/07/how-to-conservatively-treat-bunions.html

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2016/06/bunion-exercise-to-slow-progression.html

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2015/06/help-for-bunions-and-hammertoes-correct.html

Dr Blake and wife Patty at recent concert!!

https://goo.gl/photos/sCJaUWrbteVyowbP7

Another Motivational Video on Healing an Injury by Caroline Jordan

Caroline is such a delight to listen to as she herself is coping with trying to heal a foot injury. I have so many patients on both sides of the coin. Some stormed on through injury, and now are trying to control the quickest rehabilitation. Some get so frustrated that they give up, or try untested treatments, or even unnecessary surgeries. I think we have to surrender to the clock, and give up some goals possibly, and live in the present only as Caroline says. We however must not forget to listen to what our bodies are saying. If we have been told to ice, but it always increases pain, we should stop. If we got orthotics to shift the weight off a sesamoid, and we don't think it is enough, speak up. If we are told we have tight achilles, and we only stretched once a week in the past, we can control this. We can stretch more, 3 times a day can be needed to gain flexibility. So, control what you can, relax in the presence, learn some new things (cross training can be wonderful), and you may find you like something more that does not hurt than the activity that does hurt. Good luck. Thanks Caroline. You are motivating as always. 

https://youtu.be/M79CoFF5uMs

Sesamoid Pain: Email Advice

Hi Dr. Blake, 

Thank you for providing so much information on your blog. It really is so kind of you to selflessly help so many people. I was hoping you could provide some thoughts on my current sesamoid issue. 

I started feeling pain in the ball of my left foot around the beginning of 2016. I didn't go to a podiatrist until December 2016, as I ignorantly thought the pain would eventually go away. The pain was always a dull ache. I continued to run, do plyometrics, and perform lunges and push ups during this time. 

The podiatrist in December 2016 took xrays (attached both right and left to this email) and determined I had a fracture. As the injury had been there for a long time, he said it probably was already partially healed so directed me to stop running for 6-8 weeks and put padding in my sneakers. I follow his direction but did not see any improvement.

2 Views left tibial sesamoid December 2016

 I continued with this non-impact activity and padding method until mid-april when I came across your blog and started wearing a boot with a dancers pad for three months. I iced twice a day and contrast bathed at night. I also was weight training and cycled on a stationary bike in a surgical shoe during this time.  The pain level was definitely within 0-2 so I thought it could be healing. After three months, I decided to try to get an MRI so I visited a doctor recommended by you, Dr. Dan Altchuler in Santa Monica. He took xrays (attached), thought potentially I could be feeling pain because my sesamoid was slightly pointed and suggested potentially performing a sesamoid planing to shave off the point. He was surprised that it didn't hurt me more when he was putting pressure on my foot and moving my toes in certain ways so he directed me to stop wearing the boot and padding. to see how it felt without anything. 

Recent Xray showing left tibial sesamoid irregularity July 2017

My foot definitely felt weaker from non-use and I had to force myself to put weight through the full foot, as I previously had inadvertently been putting weight on my outer foot. I didn't feel any pain while walking unless I went up on my tippy toes but I did feel a dull ache at the end of the day. I starting wearing padding again which has helped. I told Dr. Altchuler that I wanted to get an MRI, especially before any surgery. I have the CD and have taken a few images (the program doesn't have set images but instead I use a slider to change the image so I don't know if I'm using it correctly but I tried to screenshot images that appear most clear). I also just got the report today. I will try to scan tomorrow and sent it to you. I have an appointment with Dr. Altchuler tomorrow and will update you on what he thinks. 

MRI showing intense inflammation/bone edema in tibial sesamoid

I completely understand if you don't have time to review the attached images or the report I will send tomorrow, but I would greatly appreciate if you could share any thoughts you may have!!

Thank you so much!!

Dr Blake's comment: Thanks for sending me the views. Since I am not a surgeon, I am not sure about the planing procedure. The pain right now from the August MRI is the intense inflammation still present in the tibial sesamoid. It is trying to heal!!As you put weight down, that sesamoid pushes against the first metatarsal and gives pain. You have been in a boot long enough, but no Exogen. That could be a wonderful new chapter. You have to commit to a year of activity modification to continue the 0-2 level, 9 months of Exogen twice daily, icing and contrast bathes, orthotics with dancer's padding or just dancer's padding if the 0-2 pain level can be attained, repeat MRI in one year. You could get a CT scan to get a clearer view of the sesamoid for avascular necrosis, which could speed up the decision making. We need you to weight bear for mineralization, but not to crank up the pain. Hard, but doable. You were doing a great job on creating the healing environment. The bones can desensitize so doing surgery in the next year makes sense only if you are frustrated too much. No one would blame you, but I would just recommend taking the whole sesamoid out, and not risk not doing enough surgery. Again, I am not a surgeon. I am assuming you can do alot, and continue in a 0-2 pain level now, while adding the Exogen bone stimulator. With the hot MRI, you do not know if the sesamoid hurts because it is still partially fractured, or it is just very sensitive due to bone inflammation. I hope this makes sense. What are your thoughts and I will put them below? 

Neural Flossing or Gliding: Dr Blake's Video

Nerve pain in the foot goes right to the brain on a super highway called peripheral nerves and gives up the most significant pain a podiatrist will treat. Any time a patient says that they have level 6 pain or higher, I will always look for a nerve component to their pain. It is common for a podiatrist to treat nerve entrapments, Morton's or Joplin's neuromas, tarsal tunnel syndrome, but there are alot of chronic problems that develop a hypersensitivity from nerve overload that needs to be treated. Neural flossing is a wonderful part of any nerve treatment. Here my wife Pat demonstrates neural flossing, aka neural gliding, with several provocations. You are trying to get the nerve to break its pain cycle but gently stimulating it in some way. Warmth and painfree massage, acupuncture, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, Calmare, etc, and other ways to keep reset the nerves to generate less and hopefully no pain. 

https://youtu.be/g94F8g_jzGg

Nerve Innervation Foot: Great Review of Local Nerves and Low Back Innervation

Nerve pain, also called neuropathic, is one of three common causes of pain in the foot. This is a wonderful review of this innervation. Any pain can have one, two, or three causes: mechanical, inflammatory, and neuropathic. Each aspect can be simple or complex to treat or even recognize. So many of my patients start with mechanical pain (for example, the sesamoid hits the ground too hard in a work out), develop chronic inflammatory pain as the body unsuccessfully tries to heal it, and then nerve pain sets in making the pain intolerable as the body tries to protect itself. It does not take long for an injury to have all 3 types of pain going on, each needing its own treatment. For example, the same sore sesamoid bone may need mechanical off loading, a daily dose of ice and contrasts, and neural flossing, Neuro-Eze, gentle but deep massage to get at the nerve pain. 

https://youtu.be/cpOTXT_Zd0g

Rehabbing a Sesamoid Injury!! Some Great Thoughts!

Wonderful empowering video to help us stay very strong and still recover from a sesamoid injury. Thank you Caroline and Shawn. 

https://youtu.be/b6ZZ1Vb6dOY

Big toe joint pain: Email Advice

Dear Dr. Blake,

I'm a relatively new fan of your blog, and am grateful for all of the information you provide - it's a godsend!

I'm writing this email as I contrast-bathe my right foot (multi-tasking!). I'll cut to the chase with my question, and then provide details below: what is the timeframe for reducing the inflammation that causes hallux limitus - is it a matter of weeks, months, years?

Here's my case: I'm a 53 yo woman, in otherwise excellent health. I developed pain along with a big "bump" on top of my foot, just at the base of my right big toe - this was over several months (probably last fall into spring). Not sure how it started.

I finally saw a podiatrist May 31 2017. From the examination, and subsequent xrays, he diagnosed hallux limitus (the xray result reads: "Moderate MTP arthrosis of great toe is present. No malalignment can be seen. Findings would be suggestive of hallux limitus or hallux rigidus. No other specific abnormality of the right foot can be seen.") He told me to take 500mg ibuprofen 2x/day for 10 days to see if that would reduce the inflammation; I could continue that for an additional 10 days before returning to get a cortisone injection. He also suggested that I use warm moist heat for 20 minutes several times a day.

I did about 15 days of high dose ibuprofen, and in the meantime discovered your blog. I'm not keen on getting a cortisone injection, and long term use of ibuprofen at that level seemed unadvisable, so around mid-June I began to follow your "top ten" list for hallux limitus: I started contrast bathing religiously (at least once daily, sometimes 3x a day); I started applying Voltaren 2x a day; I spica taped; I got some dancer's pads (although this caused me discomfort in my ankle and made me limp, so I discontinued that); I only wear comfortable, flat, soft shoes; I do the joint mobilization gently every day; and in general my pain level is 0-2 most of the time (unless I do a lot of walking - but if I soak my foot in an ice bath right after that brings the pain right down again).

It's been about 6 weeks of this regime, and while my pain level is way down, I still have a big old bump on top of my foot, and I still have very limited ROM (I can point my toe, but not flex it back).

How long can/should it take for the inflammation to start to subside?

Dr Blake's comment: Sounds like you have done a fine job with the inflammation. If you have the 0-2 pain level, you can gradually increase activities, but try to avoid excessive toe bend for the next 6 months. You may have entered a new phase of the hallux limitus and your joint will be somewhat more restricted. You can walk up tall mountains without bending that toe. Get some 1/4 inch adhesive felt from www.mooremedical.com. Use it to place a small pad behind the bump, and relace some shoes so there is minimal pressure on the bump. You can thin the 1/4 in half and make better dancer's padding. My blog is full of examples for this stuff. If we take the pressure away from the bump, and avoid excessive toe bending, and you ice massage the bump area twice a day for 5 minutes, we have to see what you can and can not do and still keep in the 0-2 pain level.

And: at what point might I want to go back and accept the offer of the cortisone injection (if at all)?

Dr Blake's comment: I would do a cortisone shot if the MRI shows no bone edema. It rarely shows that, so cortisone is rarely given. Your icing, voltaren patches, activity modification, shoe adjustments with cortisone masking the pain will be done better. We will make decisions better with a cortisone shot working. The cortisone is temporary if there is joint damage. If the joint got all jammed up, and there is no damage, the cortisone may be a miracle to get the joint in better shape. Basically, we do not know enough.

What signs of healing can I look for? And what might be signs that I should return to the dr for a re-diagnosis?

Dr Blake's comment: Consider an MRI to know what we are dealing with. Based on the MRI, which is usually the first of a few over the next year, we can really appreciate healing. With no MRI, we can still go by accomplishments, or benchmarks. Each month you should be able to do more. If not, the joint needs to be re-assessed. What could you do, and at what pain level, May first, then June first, then July, August, Sept. Are we reaching a plateau? Are we making steady progress? Do we have to make changes to get us back to 0-2? Is my activities improving? This is where the doc or PT can help move you along. Sure hopes this helps. Rich

I'm willing and ready to do rehab for a long haul, I just want to have a better sense of what I'm in for, and when/whether I should go back for additional medical intervention. (Esp since my podiatrist gave me the impression that 10 days on ibuprofen might do the trick...)

Thank you!

Hallux Limitus/Rigidus: Email Advice

Hi Doctor Blake,

I'm  desperate to find some pain relief for my big toes and your website offered such excellent advice to others I'd thought I'd seek your advice. I work in the movement field as a Pilates instructor and it's been devastating to be hobbled like this. I'm assuming I have hallux limitus since I have lost a lot of range of motion in my big toes in the last 2 years although if I think back, my feet started showing signs of what I though were bunions at least 5 years ago or more.When that happened I started wearing toe spacers religiously and trying to strengthen my big toe abductors. That didn't stop the progression of what was to come.

2 years ago both big toes suddenly seized up and were unable to extend at all! I have no idea what set this off-perhaps the fact I was doing a lot of walking in minimalist shoes at the time (which I tried because all my old shoes such as Keens were hurting my feet and only the flexible minimalist soles were comfortable! ) Maybe because I was doing a lot of exercises  kneeling on my shins with my toes tucked under (I can't even imagine doing that now!)  

I had to wear closed Birkenstock clogs to even walk to the subway when the toes first seized up. I used to walk easily 2 hours  a day to get to work and back. And suddenly I could barely walk-when this first started I even had to wear Birkenstock sandals indoors but since then luckily I can walk indoors in bare feet with small steps. The pain is both with toe extension at push off in walking (a tiny bit of pain in passive extension but not much)  but there is also a feeling like I'm walking over a hard lump on the bottom of the ball of the big toe. In fact at first I thought I had done something to my sesamoids.

I recently was so desperate that I even bought expensive Finn rocker shoes and those don't seem to help-I can still feel the right big  toe at pushoff.  I've bought an infrared light to reduce the inflammation, take Epsom salt baths which help somewhat, I pull gently on the big toes with the movements you've shown in one of your videos, and I take the toe passively through extension (which oddly doesn't hurt-it's painful mainly in weight bearing). All in all, a full time job. 

I also suspect that the way I walk has exasperated or even caused this issue since I walk with my big toe extensors being excessively active and I always poked holes in the tops of my shoes with my toes. I am willing to come to see you if necessary despite the travel.  If you have any advice I'd be so grateful since this has affected my quality of life. I fear this condition will only get worse so will do whatever it takes to improve it.

I'm including some recent xrays:

Right foot showing signs of big toe joint arthritis with spurring

Both feet showing top of the big toe joint spurring and right side sesamoid irregularity

Finding:
BOTH FEET:
INDICATION: Pain
Moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the first MTP joints is demonstrated bilaterally. No soft tissue calcification present.
IMPRESSION: Osteoarthritis.
DICTATED BUT NOT READ

Dr Blake's response: Thank you so very much for emailing. The right foot looks more painful, is it not? At least, the right side has less motion, or does it? Here is a link to my basic post on hallux limitus treatment. 

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2014/12/hallux-limitusrigidus-top-10-initial.html

This is one of the original blog posts in 2014 that may help. 

  Hallux Rigidus means severe wear and tear on the big toe joint. The cartilage is tired, beat-up, and aggravated. The normal motion of the joint is significantly restricted, so attempts to move the joint normally can produce mild to severe pain. There is a lesser version of this called Hallux Limitus, which has significantly more motion, and a different treatment protocol.

     Hallux Rigidus develops over many years, with sometimes smoldering pain episodes, and may never really bother the patient. The joint is actually self-fusing, and getting less vulnerable. I had a great runner as a patient once that was having smoldering symptoms with severe advanced Hallux Rigidus. Luckily he ignored the surgeons, following simple conservative advice, and then proceeded to set a Guiness World Record for 6 marathons in 6 months all under 2 hours and 20 minutes!!

     But, some patients with Hallux Rigidus are not so charmed. They do something, quite ordinary usually, that develops moderate to severe pain. And they have trouble turning off that pain with self methods, x rays taken by the first doctor show the severe arthritis, and surgery is recommended. I maintain that Hallux Rigidus should be treated as a sore joint and nothing else. How do you get a sore joint calmed down? Usually, immobilization to rest the joint, shoes and orthotic devices to limit the big toe joint motion, taping to limit the toe motion, and then pile on the anti-inflammatory measures---icing, contrasts, meds, physical therapy, flector patches, topicals, accupuncture, and injections.

     The treatment of Hallux Rigidus is then divided into 2 columns--immobilization and anti-inflammatory. I challenge the doctors, physical therapists, and other health care providers to do all you can to calm the joint down and get it comfortable, even if this means 3 months in a removable cast (last resort). Once the joint is calmed down, and pain is gone, gradually increase activities pain free. See what it takes to stay pain free. See if there is any disability the patient does not want to live with, that you can guarantee with reasonable degree, would be removed if you did surgery.

     Let us say that you get the joint calmed down, but every time you try to run, the joint flares up. And you want to run, too young to give it up and you are willing to consider surgery. Xrays will show a bad joint with many bone spurs. There is no good surgery with Hallux Rigidus, so if I needed it, I would follow the KISS principle (see separate post). I follow the same thought process as with knees--cleanup with meniscus tears, more cleanup, a third cleanout when needed, a parital knee replacement when needed, and a total knee replacement when needed, and hopefully every surgery is the last surgery. So, with Hallux Rigidus, I recommend a joint cleanout (called arthroplasty or cheilectomy--try pronouncing those), perhaps another joint cleanout, a total replacement, another total replacement, and then a lot of deep thought before joint fusion is considered. Golden Rule of Foot: With Hallux Rigidus, Joint Fusion should be the last resort. 

So, if we make you a checklist for right now:

1. You need to create that 0-2 pain level by removable boot, hike and bike shoe, Hoka One One with orthotic/dancer's padding/spica taping and some daily anti-inflammatory measures.
2. This is so devastating that getting an MRI at least on the worst side, and you could send me a copy. 
3. Find out if you have any bone issues (get bone density test and Vit D blood level).

Hope this gets us started!! Rich