Latest on my feet!

[simon43]

I've posted before about my feet, more especially about my right foot (see photos)

 

The large bunion is not my point of concern right now. I have had this bunion for 30+ years and it causes no pain.  I am located in north Laos and I did order a contraption from Aliexpress to pull back my right big toe, (not eliminate the bunion which is not possible).  Unfortunately my order never arrived - I might try taping my big toe to pull it back - seen this on YouTube).

 

No, my issue now is with my second toe.  I posted before about the middle joint which is enlarged and occasionally painful.  It looks like the pressure of the big toe pushing into the second toe is causing this problem.

 

But now there is a further problem. If you look at the base of the second toe you'll see that it is flattened and wide where it is attached to my foot - compare with my left foot.....

 

Getting decent medical treatment is all but impossible here in Laos.

 

My question is this: I'm 65 years old and have no problems walking/jogging etc with this 'deformed' right foot. Is it ok to leave the foot untreated, in that is it likely to seriously degrade my ability to walk etc over the next 20 years or so?  Is there any non-surgical action that I can take to alleviate the problems with my second toe?  Is it better to have some surgical treatment (if it exists) at my age now, rather than wait until I'm 75 or so?  What is the reason for the flattened and hard region at the base of my second toe?  Thanks!

 

 

[flyingtlger]

4 minutes ago, simon43 said:

have no problems walking/jogging etc with this 'deformed' right foot.

I had a friend that tried to correct something like this.

He regretted it, made it actually worse and wished he had never had the operation....

[simon43]

7 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

I had a friend that tried to correct something like this.

He regretted it, made it actually worse and wished he had never had the operation....

Yes, I have heard that a surgical operation is the last resort and often doesn't help at all! I prefer to live with this problem, but there may be some non-surgical treatment that can slow the progress of the 'deformity'.  My concern is that it will affect my balance/walking/jogging in later years.

[BE88]

Simon see here if it can be useful to you  https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Solutions/PlantesSupplements/Fiche.aspx?doc=hallux-valgus-remedes-grand-mere-connaitre

[CanadaSam]

I have one word for you:  Podiatrist.

 

Try getting answers there, instead of AN.

[simon43]

16 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

I have one word for you:  Podiatrist.

 

Try getting answers there, instead of AN.

Thanks, but note my location = north Laos.  I think I'd have to travel to Bangkok for a consultation (which is something that I might have to do).

[BigStar]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

I'm 65 years old and have no problems walking/jogging etc with this 'deformed' right foot.

 

You don't until you do. You could probably postpone that day by cutting down on the walking/jogging, though jogging is your thing. Suggest you get an exercise bike, recumbent preferably. You can wear sandals while exercising on that and definitely remain aerobically fit.

 

Re: bunion surgery, it seems to have a fairly high success rate. You seem misinformed.

 

[Sheryl]

This is all secondary to the bunion.

 

Which will indeed continue to get worse until/unless surgically corrected.

 

There is no non-surgical solution though orthotics etc may give temporary relief.

 

in the right hands success rate for bunion surgery is very high.

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

 

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/assoc-prof-dr-bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

 

https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=202

 

Same doctor, different hospitals.  Bumrungrad the most expensive and SIPH (Siriraj private wing) the slowest/most time consuming.

[Surasak]

On 2/18/2024 at 11:12 AM, CanadaSam said:

I have one word for you:  Podiatrist.

 

Try getting answers there, instead of AN.

Podiatrists are about as rare as hens teeth.

[newbee2022]

On 2/18/2024 at 10:01 AM, simon43 said:

I've posted before about my feet, more especially about my right foot (see photos)

 

The large bunion is not my point of concern right now. I have had this bunion for 30+ years and it causes no pain.  I am located in north Laos and I did order a contraption from Aliexpress to pull back my right big toe, (not eliminate the bunion which is not possible).  Unfortunately my order never arrived - I might try taping my big toe to pull it back - seen this on YouTube).

 

No, my issue now is with my second toe.  I posted before about the middle joint which is enlarged and occasionally painful.  It looks like the pressure of the big toe pushing into the second toe is causing this problem.

 

But now there is a further problem. If you look at the base of the second toe you'll see that it is flattened and wide where it is attached to my foot - compare with my left foot.....

 

Getting decent medical treatment is all but impossible here in Laos.

 

My question is this: I'm 65 years old and have no problems walking/jogging etc with this 'deformed' right foot. Is it ok to leave the foot untreated, in that is it likely to seriously degrade my ability to walk etc over the next 20 years or so?  Is there any non-surgical action that I can take to alleviate the problems with my second toe?  Is it better to have some surgical treatment (if it exists) at my age now, rather than wait until I'm 75 or so?  What is the reason for the flattened and hard region at the base of my second toe?  Thanks!

 

 

If it's painful consider gout. Also arthritis. 

Straightening is possible. Operations give you relief but probably not forever. No guarantee. And convalescence could take time. Look for orthopaedic insoles and go barefoot on the beach in soft sand.

[simon43]

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

... and go barefoot on the beach in soft sand.

 

Right-oh!  First I need to find a beach here in Laos 🙂

[newbee2022]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

Right-oh!  First I need to find a beach here in Laos 🙂

Yes, sure, but my advice was made in general, though there is the Mekong River with sandy beaches isn't it?🙏

[AgMech Cowboy]

Simon, I don't have a bunion (Is that what that large knuckle is called)... Other than the large size of your big toe knuckle our feet look surprisingly similar; although, your toes are longer than mine (or appear to be). I would have said that the "flat" spot before your second toe is swelling (or edema, possibly from some irritation in that knuckle, but that's pure speculation).

 

Now, about the pain in the 2nd knuckle joint of your 'longest' toe. I had that problem about 15-16 years ago. I went to see my orthopedic surgeon who'd done my knee replacement.  He told me it was Freiberg Disease and prescribed Voltaren 75 mg tablet once per day. It worked. I took the medication for about 5-6 years and then basically quit (I take other NSAIDs for the constant ache I have in my hips from the replacement surgeries).  You should talk to a Doctor before you jump into taking an NSAID (Ibuprofen is an NSAID and many Doctors do not like it because of the potential damage to the kidneys or liver).  As regards finding a podiatrist, it is not easy in Thailand. Or at least when I was looking a view years ago, there was only a podiatrist coming to BNH once a week from Singapore and he/she was only here for the morning. I gave it a miss.

 

Good luck. I hope this helped.

[NanLaew]

On 2/18/2024 at 11:08 AM, flyingtlger said:

On 2/18/2024 at 11:01 AM, simon43 said:

have no problems walking/jogging etc with this 'deformed' right foot.

I had a friend that tried to correct something like this.

He regretted it, made it actually worse and wished he had never had the operation....

 

On the other hand, my mum refused to see a foot specialist about her 'bad feet' when in her 60's. She was a virtual cripple before she was 80.

[simon43]

An update on the tale of my right foot:

 

Now that I'm in Thailand I was able to buy a toe splint from Lazada.  You strap the end around your big toe and the large strap around the body of your foot, tightening the strap until the stiff frame pulls the big toe away from the second toe.

 

 

I tried this.  Initially it was painful because the stiff frame pushed against the bump of my bunion and my big toe needed to be pulled quite hard to separate it from my second toe.

 

Additionally, (and a surprise at first, but now I understand why), using this splint gave me lower back pain on my right side.  I assume it's all to do with how the various bones are joined together in my body, and how stress on one can cause a pain in another place.

 

So then I bought a silicone toe separator.  This seems to work very well and there is no pain.  I wear this all the time that I'm at home.  It is small enough to wear inside a wide/soft shoe.

 

 

Finally, I went to see the Dutch podiatrist in Pattaya and got some custom insoles made.  Hopefully by using all of these I can reduce the pressure on my second toe.

[BigStar]

20 hours ago, simon43 said:

Finally, I went to see the Dutch podiatrist in Pattaya and got some custom insoles made.  Hopefully by using all of these I can reduce the pressure on my second toe.

 

Good luck w/ all this and please keep us updated.

[JTXR]

On 2/18/2024 at 12:46 PM, Sheryl said:

This is all secondary to the bunion.

 

Which will indeed continue to get worse until/unless surgically corrected.

 

There is no non-surgical solution though orthotics etc may give temporary relief.

 

in the right hands success rate for bunion surgery is very high.

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

 

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/assoc-prof-dr-bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

 

https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=202

 

Same doctor, different hospitals.  Bumrungrad the most expensive and SIPH (Siriraj private wing) the slowest/most time consuming.

 

Thanks for this Sheryl.  I was going to post a new question about a bunion I have that is becoming worse (and painful), but I did a search first. I prefer Bangkok Hospital, but finding a good doctor is the most important thing.

 

Any idea what the approximate cost can be in Bangkok (one foot only)?

Edited June 26 by JTXR

[Sheryl]

23 minutes ago, JTXR said:

 

Thanks for this Sheryl.  I was going to post a new question about a bunion I have that is becoming worse (and painful), but I did a search first. I prefer Bangkok Hospital, but finding a good doctor is the most important thing.

 

Any idea what the approximate cost can be in Bangkok (one foot only)?

It will vary by hospital despite having the same surgeon.

 

I can't give you an exact amount but could range anywhere from 100k - 250k. Bumrungrad will definitely be more expensive than the other two hospitals mentioned and Phyathai3 probably the least.

 

Personally I'd try Phyathai3. Location a bit inconvenient (other side of the river -- near Bang Phai metro stop) but friendly unpretentious private  hospital mainly utilized by middle class Thais. 

 

Prof. Bavorn is definitely the top foot surgeon in Thailand and worth travelling for. 

 

 

[InlandSea]

On 6/26/2024 at 2:00 PM, Sheryl said:

...

 

Prof. Bavorn is definitely the top foot surgeon in Thailand and worth travelling for. 

 

 

Sorry to piggyback here, but could Sheryl or someone else recommend a good podiatrist for fungal toenail treatment and possibly permanent toenail removal? Pattaya or willing to travel to Bangkok if needed.

 

I have tried all the topicals and don't want the liver risk of pills. After decades of running sports and swimming and too many years in office shoes that didn't breathe, I've got at least three toenails that seem completely unsalvageable.

 

I'd rather just get the nasty nails permanently removed rather than have the ongoing risks of further infection from irregular growth. I have insurance but would probably just pay out of pocket. Thanks in advance!

 

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, InlandSea said:

Sorry to piggyback here, but could Sheryl or someone else recommend a good podiatrist for fungal toenail treatment and possibly permanent toenail removal? Pattaya or willing to travel to Bangkok if needed.

 

I have tried all the topicals and don't want the liver risk of pills. After decades of running sports and swimming and too many years in office shoes that didn't breathe, I've got at least three toenails that seem completely unsalvageable.

 

I'd rather just get the nasty nails permanently removed rather than have the ongoing risks of further infection from irregular growth. I have insurance but would probably just pay out of pocket. Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.footcare.co.th/about

 

Dr. Cherdpong Hanasuta

 

You probably don't need permanent nail removal - just need effective topical treatment, which means having the nail mechanically filed down first (it's painless) before application of the medication.  The problem with self-application of topical meds is that they just don't penetrate the nail enough. 

 

I had this treatment with Dr. Cherdpong years back, I forget exactly but I think it took something like 3 sessions. Full cure and problem never returned...but in part because I learned to avoid the causes (see below)

 

Both during and after treatment is it very important to avoid conditions that help fungus grow, namely dark damp ones. Wear only open toed shoes (sandals) without socks. Encasing your toes in socks and closed shoes in this climate makes an ideal situation for fungi. If you absolutely must do this for some reason, e.g. athletics, keep the intervals as short as you can... Carry a pair of sandals with you to switch into as soon as possible e.g. after the game or whatever is over, don't keep your toes enclosed any longer than essential. And try to thoroughly wash your feet before and after (or as soon after as is practical) followed by a vinegar soak.

 

Also, if you have not had a recent checkup that included an HB1Ac (preferrable) or at least a fasting glucose, you should as diabetes is a big risk factor for this problem and fungal infections in general. If you are known diabetic, keep your glucose as well controlled as possible.

 

 

[Lorry]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

https://www.footcare.co.th/about

 

Dr. Cherdpong Hanasuta

 

You probably don't need permanent nail removal - just need effective topical treatment, which means having the nail mechanically filed down first (it's painless) before application of the medication.  The problem with self-application of topical meds is that they just don't penetrate the nail enough. 

 

I had this treatment with Dr. Cherdpong years back, I forget exactly but I think it took something like 3 sessions. Full cure and problem never returned...but in part because I learned to avoid the causes (see below)

 

Both during and after treatment is it very important to avoid conditions that help fungus grow, namely dark damp ones. Wear only open toed shoes (sandals) without socks. Encasing your toes in socks and closed shoes in this climate makes an ideal situation for fungi. If you absolutely must do this for some reason, e.g. athletics, keep the intervals as short as you can... Carry a pair of sandals with you to switch into as soon as possible e.g. after the game or whatever is over, don't keep your toes enclosed any longer than essential. And try to thoroughly wash your feet before and after (or as soon after as is practical) followed by a vinegar soak.

 

Also, if you have not had a recent checkup that included an HB1Ac (preferrable) or at least a fasting glucose, you should as diabetes is a big risk factor for this problem and fungal infections in general. If you are known diabetic, keep your glucose as well controlled as possible.

 

 

I fully agree, the only way to avoid fungus is to wear open sandals, no socks.

I am forced to wear sneakers a lot. I use antifungal powder  (tolnaftate or clotrimazole) once or twice a day, or at least benzoyl peroxide.

I also liberally spray my shoes with alcohol, twice a day.

So far, it works. 

[InlandSea]

4 hours ago, Sheryl said:

https://www.footcare.co.th/about

 

Dr. Cherdpong Hanasuta

 

You probably don't need permanent nail removal - just need effective topical treatment, which means having the nail mechanically filed down first (it's painless) before application of the medication.  The problem with self-application of topical meds is that they just don't penetrate the nail enough. 

 

I had this treatment with Dr. Cherdpong years back, I forget exactly but I think it took something like 3 sessions. Full cure and problem never returned...but in part because I learned to avoid the causes (see below)

 

Both during and after treatment is it very important to avoid conditions that help fungus grow, namely dark damp ones. Wear only open toed shoes (sandals) without socks. Encasing your toes in socks and closed shoes in this climate makes an ideal situation for fungi. If you absolutely must do this for some reason, e.g. athletics, keep the intervals as short as you can... Carry a pair of sandals with you to switch into as soon as possible e.g. after the game or whatever is over, don't keep your toes enclosed any longer than essential. And try to thoroughly wash your feet before and after (or as soon after as is practical) followed by a vinegar soak.

 

Also, if you have not had a recent checkup that included an HB1Ac (preferrable) or at least a fasting glucose, you should as diabetes is a big risk factor for this problem and fungal infections in general. If you are known diabetic, keep your glucose as well controlled as possible.

 

 

Thanks, Sheryl! I'll check out that link. I guess it's Crocs for me going forward.

[Mark Nothing]

I read an interesting book by a naturapath whose hypothesis was that excess inorganic mineral sediment from food and water that can't be naturally excreted by the human body is deposited around the body creating ailments.

 

Gravity naturally pulls this concrete like sediment into the feet and it builds up creating the bunions.

 

The author's solution is to clean up your diet with more natural foods and distilled water which helps deplete the mineral build up returning the foot back to original fully functioning settings.

 

Also soaking your feet in urine 30 minutes daily will breakup the minerals in the foot quicker.  Add in a simple prayer such as "Thank you for returning my feet to perfection."  This energy change will eliminate the ailment.  

[Lorry]

1 hour ago, Mark Nothing said:

I read an interesting book by a naturapath whose hypothesis was that excess inorganic mineral sediment from food and water that can't be naturally excreted by the human body is deposited around the body creating ailments.

 

Gravity naturally pulls this concrete like sediment into the feet and it builds up creating the bunions.

 

The author's solution is to clean up your diet with more natural foods and distilled water which helps deplete the mineral build up returning the foot back to original fully functioning settings.

 

Also soaking your feet in urine 30 minutes daily will breakup the minerals in the foot quicker.  Add in a simple prayer such as "Thank you for returning my feet to perfection."  This energy change will eliminate the ailment.  

I appreciate your post, but maybe you should include a clarifying footnote to tell readers whether it's meant to be a joke or not.