Much more to add. Newly updated



These are the websites which have inspired me to create my own. They have been a life line to me since suspecting I had Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome which later lead to a diagnosis and then surgery.

Learn how to help yourself

Foot/Ankle problems - Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome / Plantar Fasciitis etc...

When my condition worsened over a year ago now, I tapped my symptoms into the internet and found Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Once I had diagnosed myself and eventually received confirmed diagnosis from my consultant, I found these two websites a real comfort, and finally I didn’t feel like I was going mad because… I wasn’t on my own. There are many TTS sufferers out there.

Here are the websites I want to share with you…

http://www.efn.org/~opal/tarsal1.html The first TTS website I found     

http://www.heelspurs.com (Find ‘Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome’ under ‘Message Board‘)

Also see these other foot message boards/forums;

TarsalTunnelSyndrome http://p4.forumforfree.com/tarsaltunnel.html

Podiatry & Foot Forum http://www.footforum.info 

Cool Running http://www.coolrunning.com for all you runners out there http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum2/HTML/009573.shtml

Looking after your feet
  • Avoid tight-fitting shoes and socks.

“I have found that running trainers provide me with the most support and stability around the ankle and they offer good ventilation. The 3 that I have listed I can recommend, as I own them. Please see Nike on Links to helpful  websites...  http://www.Tap4TTS.co.uk/page9.htm   

Socks are now a big problem for me. I cannot wear sport socks as the elastic cuts right into the painful swollen area. Longer socks feel like they are cutting my circulation off and diabetic socks are too thick which would cause my feet to over-heat causing more pain. I now wear seamless cotton socks. I bought some from Matalan which are only 55p per pair. They are pink and lemon coloured with ice-cream cones on them and the word ‘cool’, not usually what I would choose but they are cheerful, at a great price and really comfortable. If you prefer a more grown up sock try John Lewis. I have bought these pictured below. They are womens, fits size 4-8. They are not labelled as seamless but have a small loosely elasticised top. The socks pictured below (stone colour, product code: 436 87075) and (black colour, product code: 436 87070) are labelled ‘socks’ they are 85% cotton, 10%polyamide, 5% lycra and are priced £2.95 per pair. The pack of black socks, (product code: 435 81040) are labelled ‘JONELLE, 3 pairs, cotton rich, ’ and are 78% cotton, 20% nylon, 2% elastane and are priced £5 for 3 pairs. The pack of white socks (product code: 435 81041) are labelled ‘John Lewis, Cotton Rich, 3 pairs’ and are 77%cotton, 22% nylon, 1 % lycra elastane and are also priced £5 for 3 pairs.

I have sent an email to John Lewis asking if they could add these to their website http://www.JohnLewis.co.uk , as they are currently only available from their stores in the UK.” Helen

 

 

 

 

 

  • Consider the use of Orthotics

See: link below and also “Links to helpful websites” http://tap4tts.co.uk/page9.htm

5-Step Plan For Pain Relief Please see PowerStep®

See http://www.powersteps.com/_patients/plan.asp?page=6

 

  • Visit a Chiropodist

“Since developing RSD / CRPS, I have found that my toes nails grow ridged and tough and are increasing more difficult to cut. Because I have little to no feeling in my toes of my left foot it is easy to develop ingrown toe nails without really realising it because of lack of sensation. I am wary of others touching my feet and so I haven’t yet acted on my advice of visiting a Chiropodist but it is on my list of to-dos.” Helen

 

  • Cooling foot lotion

“When I was a dance teacher one of the kids I taught bought me some Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion from The Body Shop. I love this product because I found that after my operation when I used it, it helped to soften the skin on my feet (which had become very dry from the weeks in the plaster cast) and the peppermint helped to cool the burning sensation of my feet from the neuropathy.” Helen

See http://www.uk.thebodyshop.com/web/tbsuk  to locate your country

See http://www.uk.thebodyshop.com/web/tbsuk/indexTiles.jsp?tbsmain=products_overview&curr_category=TBSUK_body&subcatID=TBSUK_body_peppermint direct to UK product

 

  • Keep swelling to a minimum

“The most obvious thing to try apart from a cold ice pack, would be Ibuprofen in either pill or cream form but if you too are allergic to NSAID’s (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like myself consider Emu Oil. My Fiancé bought me a bottle after reading in a running magazine that British runner Sally Gunnel recommended it for ankle swelling. Whether she did recommend it or not, I do not know, as you cannot believe all you read in the papers. However, it must be worth a try although I’m afraid it did nothing me.” Helen

See http://www.emu-oil-well.com/ and http://www.emu-oil.com/research.htm also see The Aircast Ankle Cryo/Cuff Kit with Cooler under “Links to helpful websites” http://www.Tap4TTS.co.uk/page9.htm 

 
  • Keep feet uncovered in bed

“Personally I cannot stand having bed sheets or the Duvet resting on my feet. I now find them too heavy and the friction of the sheets rubbing when I am restless just creates more pain. I once suffered from cold feet but now my left foot generates a lot of heat so by keeping them uncovered in bed it helps to keep the temperature down.”

Injured Dancers in need of help/advice

Questions

I am an injured dancer, where can I seek help/info for rehabilitation?

I am a dancer with a long term/permanent injury but still has good mobility and am able to dance, will I be able to perform again and continue in a career of dance?

I am an injured dancer who can no longer dance, I would like to remain in a dance related career, where can I seek advice/help?

Answers

If these are just a few of your questions running through your mind as an injured dancer, please visit these websites below.

Dancer’s Career Development (DCD)

Please visit http://www.thedcd.org.uk 

Dance UK

Please visit http://www.danceuk.org/metadot/index.pl

Physioworks

Please visit http://www.physioworks.co.uk/

Synergy Dance Theatre / Injured Dancers

Currently no website. See info re The Place: http://www.theplace.org.uk/ Louise Dickson - Artistic Director of Synergy Dance Theatre

I have been told that I have TTS / PN / NeP / CRPS / RSD. What does that mean? Where can I get more information?

 

 

 

Join a support group / Learn about your condition

 

Peripheral Neuropathy / Neuropathic Pain

 

The Neuropathy Trust (UK based charity)

 

 

 


Please visit http://www.neurocentre.com 

 "The Neuropathy Trust is the main charity I actively support." Helen 

 

The Neuropathy Association (US based charity)

 

 

 

Please visit their website http://www.neuropathy.org 

 

It Takes Nerve

 

 

Please visit http://www.ittakesnerve.com and http://www.theacpa.org

“Take a look at everything on this website, there are many things on here that will help you/family and friends understand nerve pain. Under ‘Tools for people with Nerve Pain’ and ‘What to Ask’ you can download and print out a care card which you can fill out to help you understand your medication so you do not get muddled up when to take etc… and Doctor Visit Fact sheet with you can download, print and fill out to take with you when you go to see your doctor/consultant as a type of check list of questions to ask.” Helen

 

Guillain-Barré Syndrome & Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

 

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Support Group (UK based charity)

 

 

Please visit http://www.gbs.org.uk

This is the Web site of the GBS Support Group. They are a registered charity based in the United Kingdom that offers support and information to those affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and other dysimmune neuropathies throughout Britain and Ireland. This charity was bought to my attention by CIDP sufferer Norbert from Colorado, USA

 

GSB/CIDP Foundation International (US based charity)

 

 

 

Please visit http://www.gbsfi.com

This charity was bought to my attention by CIDP sufferer Norbert from Colorado, USA.

 

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

 

RSD UK (UK based charity)

 

 

 

Please visit http://rsd-crps.co.uk

“RSD UK recommend the RSD-CRPS unit at The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases which is located in Bath, UK. Please see Pain Management Units towards the bottom of this page.” Helen

 

RSD Alert

 

 

 

Please visit http://www.rsdalert.co.uk 

“This website clearly displays treatments and drugs in an alphabetic order, I recommend every RSD/CRPS sufferer visits this site. I managed to self diagnose via this site and then of course I checked with my pain specialist to confirm it. It also offers a free downloadable leaflet titled ‘Working Together To Stop The Pain RSD UK’ for you to print out and hand to friends and family” Helen

 

American RSDHope (US based charity)

 

 

Please visit http://www.rsdhope.org

“RSD Hope is a charity I am in contact with and support, they have a great downloadable awareness leaflet.” Helen

 

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA US based charity)

 

 

 

Please visit http://www.rsds.org 

“This website offers a free downloadable leaflet titled ‘Recognizing, Understanding, and Treating CRPS/RSD’ for you to print out and hand to friends and family” Helen

 

International Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Foundation (based in USA)

 

 

 

Please visit http://www.rsdinfo.com 

 

Nerve Pain / Problems

Tap4TTS ‘Nerve Pain Sufferers United’ (based in UK)

 

 

Tap4TTS.co.uk Network (ALL nerve pain sufferers welcome, main entries of nerve pain associated with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome) Please visit http://www.Tap4TTS.co.uk/page22.htm  

 

 

Pain Relief Foundation (UK based charity)

 

 

Please visit http://www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk

 

Medtronic’s Tame The Pain (based in USA)

 

 

Please visit http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/ttp/index.html and http://www.medtronic.com

 

Pain Management Units

Bath Pain Management Unit - (Bath, UK)

 

 

Please visit http://www.rnhrd.nhs.uk/departments/rheumatology/complex_regional_pain_syndrome.htm

“RNHRD has an RSD-CRPS unit. They work closely with RSD-UK the national patient charity. This was recommended to me by RSD UK.” Helen

also see http://www.bath.ac.uk/pain-management/

 

INPUT Pain Management Unit - (London, UK)

 

 

Please visit http://www.inputpainunit.net

also see http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/services/coreclinical/perioperative/pain/input.aspx

“I am currently on the pain management programme approaching my second week out of the four week. So far so good, it has been very helpful and mixing with other people with chronic pain has had a positive impact as we all motivate each other.” Helen.

Travel

 

 

 

 

Direct Gov http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/MotoringAndTransportArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4001061&chk=lH40Ue

Taxi Card http://www.taxicard.org.uk

Freedom Pass http://www.freedompass.org

Having a disability which effects your walking/standing makes it harder to get around and can be almost impossible to venture any further than the home. My family and I must have spent a fortune in taxi’s to hospital appointments, since my operation. I already knew about disabled badges which allows someone with a disability park nearer to chosen location but it was thanks to a taxi driver who told me about the London taxi card scheme and a friend who informed me about the freedom pass.

It would have been helpful if I knew about these when I most needed them (when I was on crutches/developed an equinus deformity). However, better late than never and they have been a help.

Please also visit

 

 

Motability http://www.motability.co.uk/

 

Disabled Information from the Disabled http://www.disabledinfo.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Have you ever heard of or read the book Numb Toes and Aching Soles: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy by John Senneff? If you have never read this book, I would HIGHLY recommend it to you. John Senneff is an attorney that got fed up with the lack of information available regarding peripheral neuropathy, therefore he did his own research and wrote an EXCELLENT book. This book is a MUST read for all patients with neuropathy and for all DOCTORS that treat neuropathy. I recommend this book to all my patients that have neuropathy. He also has a follow up book to this, Numb Toes and Other Woes.” Dr Wander

“I have purchased these three books titled Numb Toes and Aching Soles, Numb Toes and Other Woes and Nutrients for Neuropathy all by John Senneff. I am currently reading the first. I recommend it to all sufferers of neuropathy! I have learnt a lot about my own neuropathy by reading this book, and I feel far from alone with this condition. ” Helen

To see these books please visit  http://www.medpress.com/overview.html and http://www.amazon.co.uk  or http://www.amazon.com

Manage Your Pain by Dr Michael Nicholas, Dr Allan Molloy, Lois Tonkin and Lee Beeston was recommended to me by my new Physio Duncan, at St. Thomas’s Hospital, London, UK. I have ordered a copy and should receive it soon!

See http://www.amazon.co.uk or http://www.amazon.com

They say that laughter is the key to happiness. I think laughter can help the healing process. This was forwarded to me from Darlene ( TTS sufferer) in Canada

Jay Leno Phony Photo Booth Prank

1# http://www.nbc.com/nbc/Video/?c=The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/Hi_3051_msn&n=highlights

part 2# http://www.nbc.com/nbc/Video/?c=The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/Hi_3032_msn&n=highlights

Thanks Darlene, it made me laugh! I found part II.


Words of positive thinking, from fellow sufferers Vic (MN) & Suzy Doehler (RSD/PN/PF/TTS) Husband & Wife.

Be Persistent,

Be Patient,

Be Positive.

Thanks Vic & Suzy, I agree!