Hi guys,
I need some direction here. I was today dx with bone spur and arthritis of the foot. Dr. put me in the squishy, velcro shoe and told me to take it easy for 2 weeks. I am freaking out! He says it has probably been that way for a while and just flared up because I had to come off my arthritis meds because a few weeks ago I had a spinal fusion and the meds interfer with bone fusing. Any ideas on anything else I could do to help? I'm going back to work Monday and now this on top of my back problems is scaring me.
Any input deeply appreciated.
brenwill

Were you DX with a heel bone spur, causing Plantar Facitis? If not, where is the bone spur. Bone spurs in general are not anything to worry about, depending on where they are, they can contribute to causing pain, as PF.

If you have PF, take it easy on your foot. There are also some stretching exercise that can be done to help it along. Icing it will also help.

Take care -eko

"Scaring you?" Just a bone spur??? Like the other poster asked...where is it?
There are lots of remedies for this sort of thing. I doubt you need be "scared" by any of them. Spurs are pretty common. And what sort of doc did oyu go to? Since you were talking about your back, I assume a neuro or ortho? You probably need a sports med ortho but we really do need more info...

Hi guys,
Thanks for your response. You both make it sound like bone spurs are pretty common, so that makes me feel better already. Dr. did not say anything about PF or heel. Yes, my dr. is an ortho surgeon, the reason I went today was because my foot was hurting so....bad and my first thought was that I must have broken a screw or pulled something in my back. Long story sort, back was fine. The spur is on the inside of my left foot near the arch. He showed me on the exray. When he made me flex my foot upward, I saw stars it hurt so bad. he mashed it and I almost cried, and I'm not a wimpy person. I'm used to being in some pain. So can you tell me what to do to help it get better, dr. said no treadmill walking. Thanks for any help>
brenwill

Sounds like you have Plantar Facitis, probably became noticable when you went off of your arthritis meds which must be anti-inflamatories.

I have a bone spur w/ PF. Mine is managed through the wear of an orthotic in my shoe. Other people have managed theirs through a variety of stretching exercises, massage and icing and of course rest, which you are suppose to be doing by not walking on your treadmill.

My recommendation is do an internet search on PF and you find some exercises to do that will stretch the tendon. Also look through this board, don't let some of the posts spook you. PF is very managable.

-eko

I'm still concerned that you went to an ortho who does back surgery. For the most part, orthos only do certain bones...long bone orthos, foot orthos, etc. Very specialized. I'd find a sports med ortho who does feet only.