Wednesday, January 16, 2008

1,000 down the drain


Well, I ran without my SPORTS orthotics today, and whata you know? My knee didn't hurt. Now that I'm home and have my neoprene wrap off, It's a little sore, but nothing like a few days ago.

I did notice that my arch was a bit ...tense on the left foot, but I'll take that.
I might just forget about them all together, because when I wear them on a day to day basis, my knee still hurts. I guess I can take them back to the podiatrist and have them fix the orthotics.

They are supposed to slow down my inevitable bunions that I have inherited. The bunions are not really even bunions yet, but do I save my feet, and spare the knee? I don't think so. Even if I wear the orthotics, I'll still eventually get the bulbous joints on my pretty little dogs anyhow. Ya gotta love getting older. At least I didn't pay for the stupid things.

6 comments:

diane303 said...

Probably the best advice I would give to you to keep you feet happy is to limit wearing of heels and pointy toes. My Earth shoes are super for my bunions and my back, but I feel them in my knees if I walk a lot in them.

Take your orthotics back and tell the Doctor that they are bothering your knees and have them moderated a bit.

I stretch my toes open like a fan a couple times a day to keep the muscles and ligaments around my toes working. My left foot really doesn't do this anymore - but ever little bit helps.

Here are some exercises for bunions:

1. Grasp the big toe with one hand and do some 'yoga' like stretches on the joint in all directions. Hold the position at the end range of motion for 10-15 seconds. Repeat several times in all directions.

2. Traction helps some people with spinal problems, and can also help keep the big toe joint mobile. Grasp the toe and the foot and try and "pull" the toe "off". Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat several times.

3. Find some sort of elastic band and loop it around both big toes. Spread your feet so that the toe is "straightened" - hold for several minutes. Repeat several times.

Exercises will NEVER be able to correct the position of the toe due to the adaption of bone that has gone on for many years as the bunion developed, but they are important to keep the toe flexible and mobile.

I stretch my toes open like a fan a couple times a day to keep the muscles and ligaments around my toes working. My left foot really doesn't do this anymore - but I try.

diane303 said...

Here is a simple little page about bunions. I'm guessing that you've already found it because it has the same illustration:

http://fitsugar.com/635231

Dina said...

I almost never wear pointy shoes any where. If I dress up, which is maybe once ever two months, I'll wear them. I am barefoot all day, and when we go out for errands, I wear gym shoes or other comfy shoes.
I have been pulling on my toe and massaging the joint, but I'll try the exercises.

diane303 said...

Maybe instead of being barefoot around the house, find something light and easy that you can wear your orthotics in around the house.

I think that stretching your toes open like a cat now and then, here and there, is easiest and best.

I think your pregnancy played a huge role in the problem that you are having with your feet.

Dina said...

I made an appointment with the podiatrist to see what we can do about this. I figured if I payed out of my pocket, what would I do?
There may have been a slight mis calculation in the process.

diane303 said...

This is very true. Your feet have probably recovered since your pregnancy,, big time and the orthotics are probably too extreme for your foot now.