Question
Gday there sir.

I have been having foot problems.   Durring my training my boots were not fitting me and causing me discomfort to the point of being unbearable. I went to the doctors at my unit and they kept sending me away neglecting my problem and i feel my feet have become worse. My feet has since been tingling for about 2 months now on my problem foot.. My right foot does not even fit my regular running shoes anymore and its difficult to put all my weight on my right foot so i learn on my left foot to compensate.    I have uploaded some pictures for you to understand the problems imn having with my 5th toe and the side of my foot.   http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss275/storiyi/foot1.jpg http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss275/storiyi/foot3.jpg http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss275/storiyi/foot.jpg   My question is can this be surgically corrected?   I have always been active and a supreme athlete playing basketball, running 10KS twice a week and gym regulary. I since can not go on, the army has been stuffing me around and i am in a rehab platoon trying to get to a podatrist. At the momment they have me booked to see a sports therpaist specialist, im not sure he is the person i need to see although i told the doctor at my unit that i need to see a podatrist its up to him where they refer you. Can this be surgically corrected to allow my feet to fit footwear correctly? Its causing me alot of discomfort and pain.    The army claims this deformity would not have been occurant durring my stay in the army , however i had no problem runninbg on my feet prior to the army now i can barley stay on my feet in one spot for more t han 5 mins. Im worried and i dont want my feet to get worse, do i need to rest my feet? Because in rehab platoon we still do PT twice a day, however i am only doing upper body as advised from my doctor. They are organising orthotics for me and perhaps custom boots however I would like to a orthopedic surgen if this can be fixed and i am able to function alot better.   Thanks alot..   My moral is low at the momment as i am used to being on my feet and never saw something like this coming.   Thanks in advance sir :)

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says......

Dear Wayne,

The photos show hammertoes with a possible tailor's bunion.See our website AnkleNFoot.com and click on ball of foot for the tailor's bunion and the on toes for hammertoe explanations. These  heredity based deformities are progressive with age, activity and weight. Small boots will make the problem worse and occur sooner. The sports therapist can't help you unless they do physical therapy-including ultrasound. This may quiet down the condition-but only temporarily. Orthotics/orthoses and custom boots are probably a good temporary solution until you can have it repaired. If you let an orthopedic surgeon do it-make sure they did a Foot & Ankle Fellowship and don't let the Army Doc do it. I'm not sure what the surgical skills are of Podiatrists in Australia-but if it's like the U.S. you will be in good hands. Seek a Podiatrist who is Board Certified in Foot & Ankle Surgery for the best results.


Hope this helps!

Good Luck My Friend!
Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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