For most
people suffering from tarsal coalition, the pain starts in the feet. For me, I
first experienced pain while training for a long distance run. For several weeks when I would run, I had a
slight sharp pain in my ankle that was only present for short periods of time
while running. Because the pain was so slight and of such short duration, I actually
would forget about it as soon as the run was over.
Then one
day, during a short 3 mile run, I had a very sharp, severe pain in my ankle. As
mentioned in an earlier blog post, I limped around on my foot for a few days
before deciding that it probably wouldn't go away with just a simple ace
bandage.
Since then,
I think I am rare in that I have pain at all times. Even when I am resting, I
have a constant ache through my entire foot. I would appreciate comments on
this, but it seems that most people with tarsal coalitions experience pain
while being active (walking, standing, exercising). For me, standing in place
is the absolute worst of my pain, but it never leaves me. This is likely due to nerve complications.
It also
seems like many people who have tarsal complications often develop pain in
other areas of their body due to compensation and improper gait. For me, I have
a lot of pain in my left knee (my right foot has much more pain than the left).
The doctors think for the most part this is due to compensation and being in
and out of a walking boot for 2 years. I recently started physical therapy and
was sad (but not surprised) to learn that each of my lower body muscles (leg,
hips, glutes, etc.) is very weak. By
strengthening these muscles, I hope to eliminate some of the knee pain.
 |
| Walking boots are very helpful, but can lead to other problems. |
Today I ask
for tips on how to help compensation pain in the knee, hips, back, etc. For me
I have found two things that help. First, I have a heel lift in my right shoe
(under the orthotic) because my doctor and a chiropractor both determined that
I am a bit lopsided (also likely due to compensation). Second, exercises
including leg lifts (for the quads) and strengthening exercises for the hips,
gluts, and hamstrings can help take the strain off of affected joints.
While on
the subject, I would also like to suggest using a golf ball when sitting on the
couch or at your desk. Softly roll the golf ball (tennis balls also work) under
the arch of your foot for several minutes. It feels great!
Here are my
questions for you: Do you have pain in your foot/ankle even when resting? Also,
have you experienced pain in other areas of the body? Have you found anything
that helps alleviate this pain?
Some exercises I have found helpful (but remember, ask your doctor or physical therapist first!):
Hi, I've just found this blog and I am so glad I have because you are the only other person I've found with the constant pain I suffer with. I also have tarsal coalition and have had 3 operations (different ones though) and I have a lot of trouble with my back, neck, shoulders, knees, hips, and everything really! Obviously I sympathise with you with how horrible this is but it's good to know I'm not the only one. Thanks and well done for writing this!
ReplyDeleteEsther
Thanks for sharing Esther. It is so hard to see the rest of your body fall apart due to the coalitions. I hope your operations have helped with the pain and thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed later in life (aged 38) although prior to the diagnosis I was dealing with a very achy ankle especially after weight bearing exercises or walking around outside doing yard work.
ReplyDeleteThe pain has progressed to constant low back and opposite (to the foot with the coalition) hip/groin/sacroiliac pain. I also have a job where I am on my feet/moving about at least 75% of the time.
I'm hoping to rearrange my work, etc. to get the ankle fused and possibly find a more sedentary job to preserve my joint health.
I don't know how you manage to work a job on your feet. That must be so challenging. I hope you can successfully transfer to an easier position soon!
ReplyDeleteI too have a constant pain. It isn't as painful as being on my feet (I'm a pharmacy tech, on feet all day) but it is always there. Its been over 3 years since I've realized I had something wrong with my feet but January 2011 is when I was diagnosed with tarsal coalition. I thought my feet just hurt because of my new job. Previously I was a caregiver and wasn't on my feet nearly as much as I am now. I figured everyone who worked on their feet had pain as bad as I did. Then I realized its not my feet but my ankles that hurt. My left has always been the worst. I sprain it frequently. I was in Arizona braces for 2 years. I finally decided to see another doctor because I don't want to be in braces for the rest of my life. The new doc said he's never heard of someone wearing them permanently. And has told me to stop wearing them. I'm currently seeing a PT and he agrees. My muscles are so weak and the tendons are stretched beyond repair. Trying to strengthen the muscles is of no value if we keep bracing my ankles.
ReplyDeleteAs for pain in other areas: I get shooting pains up to my knees. Yesterday I saw a chiropractor and discovered my whole body is out of alignment. He thinks it could be from my body compensating for my ankles.
I wish I could tell you things that have helped me. Unfortunately I've yet to find anything that takes it away. My PT has been using a TENS machine on my left ankle after therapy. It doesn't take the pain away. But I think it reduces it a little. And I'll take a small amount over nothing.
I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles Linda. Constant pain is no joke. I've also been seeing a chiropractor for some back/hip pain that developed (once I got rid of the knee pain of course). The TENS machine hasn't done much for me either, but anything is worth a shot!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteMy name is mike. I have tarsal coalition in both feet, but my right foot is much worse off than my left. Im not sure if this is common, but my right tibia and fibia are twisted. This is due to my foot having very little flexibility. I was diagnosed atage 13. I was very active at that age and thought this disability would not be a problem. I am now 24 and I have contant pain in my ankle/knee. I had orthotics but they did not help. So I looked elsewhere. I found that the airmax shoes limit some pain in my ankle. I know have knee pain and plan to get a custom fit knee brace. I had a cvs knee brace but they are cheap and I hope a custom one will be better. I currently do not take any meds for pain and arthritis bc I am only 24 and would like to live longer than 50. (There are so many bad side effects to perscription meds). Thanks for your advice. I will try the golf ball trick. I hope my small advice also helps you.
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Mike. Other joint pain is one of the hardest struggles with this condition. I will say, that I had almost unbearable knee pain until I saw a physical therapist and he gave me a daily quad, hip, and glute strengthening program. The pain in my knee is complete gone now! I am still struggling with back pain, but am hoping that will fade with time.
DeleteBest of luck to you.
Also, I would like to say that I am very happy to find this blog and see that I can relate to everything here. This will help many people get over this issue. I would just like to share one story my doctor shared with me when I was first diagnosed. He said he only saw one other person with a case similar to mine. This other person was in his late 80s and did not let this hold him back at all. He would walk at least a mile every day to stay in shape and my doc said this man would never let his issue get the best of him. It seems like everyone has some sort of problem but it is the way you deal with your specific problem that defines your life. I try to look at this issue as a character builder. This is obviously a physical disadvantage but this has made me a stronger person overall. :-)
Delete-Mike
I was diagnosed with tarsal collations in both of my feet when I was 9 years old (I am currently 18), since that point Ive had 4 resection surgery and have had to learn how to walk 5 separate times. I went from being an extremely active child to not being allowed to do any sports that involved running or standing for long periods of time. I now have screws in both of my ankles as a permanent attempt to alleviate some of the constant paint that I have. I sometimes use a wheelchair which really helps. I have pain in my feet almost every day and its quite often that I have pain in my knees as well as my hips. Most days it isn't excruciating but I notice that the weather affects it a lot. For instance if it rains or snows, theres a really good chance I won't be able to walk too far because of how bad the pain is. The pain in my feet ranges from sharp shooting pains, to feeling as if the bones are pushing against each other. Because of the resections in my feet I will eventually need double knee and hip replacements. The added stress to my knees has caused me to have arthritis and every once in a while they lock up and I can't bend them. This experience overall has taught me to value the little things in life, like walking, so much more than anyone else my age. Before I found this page I had never even heard of someone else having my condition. Im so happy that I found other people like me.
ReplyDelete-Shannon
Hi Shannon.
DeleteYour story is very similar to mine, though I was diagnosed 10 years later than you. It is so hard to look at the future and know that normalcy is totally out of reach. My handicapped placard will be here soon and I'm working on accepting that.
Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you're proud of the hard work you've done for your mobility!
Amy
I found out I had tarsal coalition after a series of sprains (age 16) that never seemed to heal--My podiatrist ordered an MRI of my feet and found the fused bones. I had been plagued by foot pain all my life, and it was a relief to find a reason for it, but the pain has increased since(especially after a spiral fracture in my leg due to the lack of motion during an injury that required surgery).
ReplyDeleteAfter 20, I started doing yoga daily, and slowly realized how the extra tension in my feet and legs tightened my hips, back, and shoulders(Like Esther Nye).
I'm currently 25, and often feel like I have arthritic pain in my feet and hips due to this.
Trying to explain this issue to others is frustrating--I just get weird "yeah, right" looks from coworkers and family when I try.
I'm glad I'm not the only one, thank you for reaching out about this!
chiropractor or spinal care expert to have them examined for scoliosis among other things! Research has proven time and time again that chiropractic care is gentle, safe, and effective for children, starting from birth. lower back correction
ReplyDeleteI also have tarsal coalitions in both feet. I used to run the 2 mile race in track and couldn't figure out why I sprained my ankle every five minutes. We didn't have insurance so it was always an ace bandage and ice for me. When I was 30, I suffered a grade 3 ankle sprain that was horrific. The MRI revealed the coalitions. I've got custom orthotics, have been in PT since what feels like forever, and just yesterday had to have 6 ganglion cysts drained above, below, and behind my right knee. If I stand with my feet parallel to one another, my right knee points inward, so I tend to walk with that foot turned outward to compensate. I am soooooo tired of being in pain from just standing or walking! I hate that there is so little they can do for adults with this issue. I'm allergic to NSAIDS and steroid injections offer limited relief. Apparently there is so much torque on my tibia and fibula that the synovial sacs are herniating. Has anyone else had these issues?
ReplyDelete