Common foot problems caused by axial spondyloarthritis - and how to relieve them

[@johngeraghty8843]

Great Video so useful and informative fantastic presentation Lynn thank you very much

[@NASSCentral]

Hi, I'm so glad to hear it was helpful! Thanks for commenting ~Zoë

[@rodneykatchay7371]

Hi there great video. Can I ask if you can form foot drop? I have this with my left foot! I have been diagnosed with psoriatic peripheral and axial spondloarthropathy. Thanks

[@NASSCentral]

Hi, sorry to hear you're experiencing this. As there are lots of potentials causes of foot drop, I recommend being checked by your doctor (either GP or rheumatologist) to understand the cause and correct treatment. Best wishes, Zoë

[@trailrunningphil]

I have been diagnosed with AS and recently had an MRI scan of my spine, but also of my left ankle. From video's I have watched It seems I am suffering from Enthesitis but also pain across the front of both ankles on a daily basis. The MRI report has come back but I don't understand the results but it doesn't sound very good! Im a very keen runner, recently tried barefoot shoes and zero drop, foot shaped shoes in an effort to strengthen my ankles but what I don't want to do is ruin my chance of my long term enjoyment of running. I have to wait 2 months for a phone appt with my rheumatologist for an explanation of my MRI scan results :( Should I try to contact a podiatrist regarding my MRI scan results or there anyone else I could speak to and get some advice at NASS?

[@NASSCentral]

Hi Phil, sorry to hear you're experiencing this. I would recommend speaking to your GP to see if they recommend seeing a podiatrist or if it's better to wait for the rheumatology appointment. If you have access to a rheumatology advice line, it could also be helpful giving them a call. I hope that's helpful ~Zoë

[@trailrunningphil]

@@NASSCentral Thanks for the suggestions Zoe

[@skiziskin]

I am in a similar situation to yours. My next follow-up with the rheumatologist is in two weeks and I just got my MRI results yesterday. I live in Japan so I ran them through Google Translate and got a good summary. The radiologist at Hokkaido University Medical Center who reviewed the results stated that his suggested diagnosis is spondyloarthritis, which I have suspected all along, as well as the rheumatologist. The puzzle is that I am 67 years old and that does not seem to match the characteristic age of patients with axial spondyloarthritis. But I have almost every symptom of that condition though I do not have the HLA-B27 gene. I am a runner and a ski mountaineer and until this June I was able to perform in those activities at a very high level. Suddenly everything changed. My back pain, which has been chronic for decades is suddenly worse, and I have severe pain at my right achilles tendon attachment with immune cells attacking the joint revealed by ultrasound. It is so frustrating and frightening, especially the fatigue, which is sometimes completely debilitating. I started with my orthopedic surgeon and then went to the rheumatologist when the achilles did not appear to be injured but also did not improve with months of inactivity. I just want answers but it sounds like it comes down to the rheumatologist's opinion. I cannot accept that I will no longer be able to climb and ski and run in the mountains. FWIW, I have been running in zero drop and minimalist shoes for several years so my foot problems do not seem to be an overuse injury related to doing too much too soon.

[@NASSCentral]

@skiziskin Sorry to hear you're going through that, it must have been quite a shock to read the MRI results. Although axial SpA generally starts when people are before the age of 45, we often hear of people who have had symptoms on and off for years and are only diagnosed after that age. The good news is that with a diagnosis there is generally more access to information, support and treatments to manage symptoms. Many people with axial SpA are able to remain active, but sometimes flare ups of symptoms happen. Do get in touch if you have any questions I may be able to help with. Although unfamiliar with the health system in Japan, I may be able to give general advice on managing your symptoms in the meantime. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] ~Zoë