Recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in ball of my foot. I’m 50 later this year. Have to say i’m not coping particularly well at the moment. About 2 months of pain that has varied from a dull ache that is making me walk and pedal awkwardly, to full-blown foetal position agony. Am on Naproxen and taking pain killers when it’s really bad. GP has told me i can have a steroid injection if i like, but it’s a temporary fix and i can’t keep having them.

So i’m at a bit of a loss what to do. I’m on my feet all day at work and by the end of a shift i’m really suffering. Concerned that if it drags on i could end up in a really dark place. Don’t let it get in the way of your life was the advice from the doctor, fair enough but at present if i have a long walk i’m in bother and i’ve had to take the odd day sick from work when it’s been at it’s worst.

Got some orthotics to try to take some pressure off the joint, and some glucosamine on it’s way. But i could use some positivity and good news stories if anybody has one. At present i feel like i’ve gone from an active 5k a year cyclist to a broken man in the space of 8 weeks. And i am not sure how to cope with it.

Sister has it went from black run skier, front line policing to have a fork taped to a stick to feed herself as arms so painful. Lost lots of weight, she wasn’t fat, and nearly lost job. Two years later is currently in Chamonix skiing and working well. She cut out booze, caffeine and certain food things. Lots of online forums. She just tried different diets to see what worked and takes various pills. Again had to find what worked for her. Not as active as she was but found a way to manage condition. She had to quit camping and biking as neither helped, she’s 49. Good luck.

Have you got occupational health dept? Is it feasible to spend less of your day standing (not does anyone else do it – but would it be dangerous or otherwise problematic to have a stool, or seat?).

Who diagnosed you? I’d be looking for more opinions myself. Have you been referred to a physio or a podiatrist? Two things stand out for me here:

1) the ball of the foot is not a common place to have OA

2) it is unusual for OA to go from zero to screaming agony like this- it usually builds up over months/years.

You may have been diagnosed by your GP, who do an excellent job and somehow manage to be knowledgeable about the whole vast sphere of medical science, however they are generalists, not specialists, and as you may have heard in the news resources are waaaay over stretched right now.

Anyway I’d be wanting to rule stuff like Morton’s neuroma out first. Ask for a referral or see a podiatrist privately if you have not already done so.

I’ve had an x-ray which shows it up. Saw a podiatrist too and he seemed to be keen on selling me a set of orthorics. I’ll find out in time if they help. My own research did indicate that the big toe joint was quite a common place for OA. Maybe i didn’t describe it properly in my first post.

I can sit at work, but in general my job does require a lot of time on my feet.

I’ve had steroid injections in both hips ( and surgery too but thats another story) and both times it has given me enough respite to get the hips moving again by riding my bike, which in moderation (couple of hours a couple of times a week) helps. Dont discount the short term fixes.

Front page report on one of the national news papers today saying that increase dietary fiber can improve things. No idea which paper, or how likely to help. But might be worth looking.