I have been diagnosed with RA and have a lot pf aching and pain in my feet. Currently I have swollen and painful Metatarsophalengeal Joints (the second and third) on my right feet. What can I do to help with the pain in these joints. Can the do steroid shots in these joints?
Also, there has just been released, new criteria for diagnosing RA which excludes the feet. Any thoughts on that. My feet ache all the time. I would love to exclude them some days, but I don't know how they can be excluded from RA affected joints.
Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for such an informative post.
For pain at the MTP joints, a metatarsal bar or a rocker-bottom soled shoe are great ways to take the stress off the joint.
As far as the RA criteria and not including the feet, I think that decision stinks like dirty socks. But I am sure someone wiser than me made that decision. I have never been one to get hung-up on decisions by committee (they kind of leave out the individuals like you).
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
I could not agree with you more. The decision to exclude FEET for RA diagnosis criteria does "stink like dirty socks!" Thanks for commenting. That makes me feel better.
Also, do you recommend any type of rocker shoes, in specific? I think that Sketchers came out first with the rocker shoes (as far as I know). Have you heard good things about this brand?
Thanks again for commenting. 
No, no... not the "shape-up" shoes.Yuck! The rocker-bottoms I am referring to are found in most walking shoes and hiking shoes. Like this one by Clarks
www.footsmart.com is the best resource for comfortable shoes.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
This article seems to be just about foot pain. I have ankle pain and it is usually at night. I have other joint pain too. I have Fibromyalgia, which has caused knee pain while I am at rest for years, but now I have the ankle pain and also pain in my wrists at night. The doctor thinks I also have Ehlers-Danlose syndrome, but there is not much I can do about it. This condition is also characterized by hyperflexible joints, which I have always had, but the pain started within the last 5 months. I have to rub a lot of Nupercainal pain cream on my knees, ankles and wrists before going to bed or I will awaken feeling like someone it sawing my limbs apart at the joints. I cannot take any narcotic pain meds because I have developed severe allergies to all of them. I am stuck with aspirin and Ibuprofen.
Nice article. The main misdiagnoses covered, to that I would add Cuboid Syndrome.
I believe that some problems such as talar dome fracture would be better communicated with a 3D pain drawing to show pain that is deep within the ankle.
I developed a 3D Pain Drawing which can be downloaded at www.3DPainDrawing.com
I hope it is helpful to others as it was to me in clarifying a misdiagnosis.
Jerry Hesch
I do have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, fibro and osteoarthritis. My ankle has been diagnosed with tarsul tunnel 3 times as well as sinovial growth over the past 25 years. I really need an ankle replacement and would like some professional view on the success of this surgery. To date I have had both knees done 4 times and both hips replaced as well. There is constant pain and swelling in the ankle and now my other one is beginning to really be a problem, but since it has never been opened, my feelings are that I don't even want to start. At 55 years of age I am the guru to everyone else about replacements. But, the risk of losing all mobility in my ankle is holding me back from getting relief as well as more support for my knees and hips.
You know the drill and have certainly been through the mill. Surgeries like joint replacement on those with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome usually have less than ideal outcomes. Your previous experiences with joint replacement provides you a good idea what to expect which is why you are rightfully being hesitant about opening up that ankle, another Pandora's box.
Eventually, you will have to decide when the risks are worth the potential less than optimal results. That is a personal decision that only you can make based on realistic expectations. When you do decide to have surgery, find a surgeon who has experience operating on people with EDS, experience you can trust.
Maintain good health and a good attitude both will serve you well.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
I have had searing nerve pain for 2 yrs in the area of the medial cuneiform(sp?).I have had numerous ultraound & hot wax/whirlpool treatmsnts that usually helped. But eventually I needed 2 cortisone shots last year & 1 this March. The first 2 got rid of the pain. The March one only decreased the pain. I have been having ultrasound treatments since, but the page has worsened & changed. Before it seemed the nerve was pinched & the pain shot out towards the "bunon area". Now it seems to radiate evenly outward to about a silver dollar size. The skin is now a bit sensitive in that same area.
Is there an opinion as to what my problem is, how to diagnose exactly which nerve is involved & how to get rid of that pain once & for all? Would an MRI "see" a pinched nerve?
Thanks for your response. I suppose I really do know all that you point out. After each surgery I swear I will never enter a hospital again...and then find myself begging for the surgery. There are so few orthopedics let alone pediatrists that understand EDS, especially when it comes to replacement surgery. I have taught many over the years that I know my body better than they do. If they don't admit it, I do go to different doc's.
My desire is that every orthopod office have a social worker or psycologist that people can access before any joint replacement. I have spent hours upon hours helping others to get ready on a physical, mental and realistic level before and after. If only our system could do that we would help so many.
Thanks again for helping me see once again that I have the control and it really doesn't make a difference anymore on the success rate of a paticular replacement. There are just so few to really get direct statements from. Just a note, most people I meet have no idea what I go through because of the absolute need to keep up the mask and attitude that it is just all in the day of my life!
Dana
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Very interesting topic/s as I have been diagnosed with both PF and heel spur. Even after a year my heel is still "tingling".
If tingling you have, then PF you have not. Try seeing a neurologist (nerve specialist) about your sensitive feet.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD