A whole tourist summer passed me by as I sat thinking, reading, blogging, DVD’ing, etc. With a right ATR, I was afraid to risk driving, and spent a lot of time at home, often considering both of my white, white legs. Now, as of this week, it’s over! I can drive, I can go back to work, I can be a human again. After such a long disconnect, almost monastic in its peace and contemplation, I have to thrust myself back into the frenetic world of tourism - at least to catch the dribs and drabs of 2008 tourists. September and October are beautiful months here, and the Europeans keep coming, while our dollar stagnates.
My doc advised that no PT was necessary, but I saw one through a friend privately. She mentioned that my feet appear to be flat - not very flat, but somewhat. This she reassured me was something that could happen from birth. However, research on the Net brought up articles that say flat feet are often a SYMPTON of shortened Achilles’ tendons, so that if a person knew this, he/she could be more on the ball about trouble ahead. The only real prevention is stretch, stretch, stretching, staying fit, and staying within a proper weight limit. Orthotics can provide arch support.
Has anyone else run into this from their docs or PT’s? Is it something worth discussing as a part of prevention?
Sanfrantourguide,
September 19, 2008 @ 9:09 pmI have also done some research on the Net regarding whether a person’s arch has anything to do with ATR because I have very high arches. I also found, as you did, that people with flat arches are more prone to ATR, so I guess I don’t fit the “profile”…..That might be an interesting “Poll” question for our blog buddies.
Marianne
Good Job on being able to go back to work - I’m sure that is good for your soul. Enjoy the Sept/Oct in SF. My two favorite months in that city. kkdub
September 20, 2008 @ 11:10 amWell,
If we are taking a poll, I also have high arches! Go figure.
Just wanted to say Congratulations on getting back to work. I agree that this is a lovely time in SF…Some days I am so sad to be stuck inside, but I have been improving with total rest, so I won’t make any changes quite yet!
I am wishing you continued healing and happy touring,
September 20, 2008 @ 12:51 pmhilary
Hi,
So here I am after surgery. The big issue (for me anyway) is weight control. I so pray to God to be able to spend more time running, now that my heel spur is gone in order to have less stress on my joints.
September 21, 2008 @ 10:20 pmYes I was told that too and did get the orthoditcs that went in the tennis shoes which really helped but perhaps the damage was already done….then got those injections to the heel spur which really helped to mask my pain and over the few years of tennis it just got worse. I can’t stop playing!
Good question, Sanfrantourguide!
MarilynRD
Hi Sanfran,
September 30, 2008 @ 12:24 pmYou know, I think I might just take you up on that offer…couldn’t find your email, though. I am going to go back to work in the next two weeks, now that I can be fairly certain I won’t be having another surgery anytime soon, so would have to be before then. I am going to my first PT tomorrow, and once I know my schedule, we should talk. Also, right now I am only able to kind of put my foot down as I crutch…is that mobile enough for Muir Woods? It just occurred to me that I might have your email in my system already from an earlier exchange, so I will check there. Cheers, it is another beautiful day in SF!
hilary
Hey Sanfrantourguide!
November 20, 2008 @ 8:59 amI too have flat feet. When I was younger (much younger) I wore corrective shoes. I still remmeber the perscription, Straight Last with a Thomas Heel. I stopped wearing them around 13 years old (against the advice of my Orthopedic Surgeon.) I hated them. They were ugly and only came in black and brown. They looked like cop shoes. I’m pretty sure that wearing combat boots for ten years didn’t help. I remember being told that if I stopped wearing them I would “have problems later on.” Well now it’s later on and here I am with sore feet and an ATR. My current Ortho isn’t aware of any of this. I go see him Friday so I’m going to mention it. From what I’ve read on the ‘net flat feet does cause AT problems. Oh well, hindsight is alys 20/20 no?
Hello SF,
Linking on with your flat feet theme it seems to me once you start delving into possible warning signs you can find out all sorts of things. For example, over about the last 5 years I have suffered from the occasional(x2/3 a year) bouts of gout - a v painful swelling of the big toe. An amusing affliction for Rugby Club mickey takers but you’ve guessed it there is a link twixt ATR and gout! - I wonder what else is lying in wait for us?
So whats it like being back in normal society?
All the best
November 20, 2008 @ 9:34 amRichard