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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Hi, My Toes Have Felt Like They Have Tight Bands

Hi, My toes have felt like they have tight bands wrapped around them for over a decade. I have been diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy, but the things that have relieved my suffering most of all are items designed to treat hammertoe. I have socks that keep my toes straight and this has been the only way I have been able to alleviate the pain enough to allow me to sleep for years. Problem is, I'm now having to wear them day and night to get any relief and their usefulness is declining. My feet "fall asleep" so easily when I wear shoes so I have worn slip ons for years like clogs, and they get kicked off the second I sit down, so I have doubted how useful orthotics would be for my feet. My PCP referred me to a podiatrist after I obtained results from a nerve biopsy from my calves differentiating my neuropathy type from the large fiber form as my former podiatrist suspected, and confirmed I have small fiber neuropathy. The podiatrist who did the nerve biosies specialized in treatment of small fiber neuropathy, but because my insurance changed 2 weeks after the biopsies were done, this podiatrist was no longer "in network" and I could not return to him. The most recent podiatrist I saw was not familiar with the differences in neuopathy type, as I've learned most health care providers are not. However, instead of admitting that, he said that since it's neuropathy and a nerve problem, he was referring me to a neurologist. I didn't bother telling him I was already being followed by a neurologist I'd been seeing for over a year. My husband said we were the last appointment of the day & they were just trying to get us out so they could go home, and I am inclined to agree. However, I did obtain results of the xrays he had performed in his office that day, but never mentioned. My question is: based on the results of my xrays, do I have a problem that an orthopedic surgeon would even consider severe enough to address? I'm not sure how much longer I can endure the toe stiffnesss and pain, plus it feels like the ligaments that extend the length of my feet are a bit short and always feels like they need to be stretched by hyperextending and flexing my toes. The left is always a bit worse than the right. Any insight you can provide will be hugely appreciated. The xray results will follow. Reason for exam: (Feet each 3 or more Bilateral) Neuropathy. Report: Right Foot: Moderate hammertoes of hallux valgus. Elevated intermetatarsal angle. Lateral deviation first metatarsophalangeal joint. No acute fracture of dislocation. The bone and joint quality are within normal limits. High arch foot is noted. Tiny inferior calcaneal spurs noted. Clinical correlation indicated. Left foot: Lateral deviation first metatarsophlangeal joint hallus interphalangeus. Moderate hammertoes are noted. Elevated fourth intermetatarsal angle is noted. No acute fracture dislocation. The bone and joint quality are within normal limits. Clinical correlation is indicated.
Wed, 7 Sep 2016
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Hi, My Toes Have Felt Like They Have Tight Bands