Stepping Up To Better Foot Care With AS

In a previous article, I mentioned that one of the signs I wish my pre-diagnosed self had picked up on was that I had developed a funny way of walking. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that I was still walking that way!

Surprising footage

One day, while working, a concerned student asked if I had hurt myself because I was walking strangely. At that moment, I didn’t feel like I was going through a particularly difficult ankylosing spondylitis period, and I didn’t think I was doing anything differently.

I went home and set up my phone to record myself walking. After watching the footage back, I realized that I was limping around a bit. This led me to inspect my feet. Alas, I discovered a large buildup of hardened skin sticking out of almost all my toes.

I had become so accustomed to seeing my feet like this that I assumed it was just the natural shape. However, after poking around, I realized that the area was very numb, which shouldn’t have been the case.

Fortunately, I made these observations just in time for my rheumatology review the following week. They were able to arrange appointments with two different podiatrists.

My experience with foot filing

The first podiatrist I saw focused on addressing the large bumps on my toes. They explained that these were likely caused by me adjusting the way I walked to deal with the pain from my arthritis. My toes had been rubbing together and blistering, which I hadn’t noticed until the skin had hardened.

The podiatrist then pulled out a little toolkit and began trimming down the hardened skin on my toes. It was bizarre to watch, but it didn’t hurt at all. They warned me that this wouldn’t be the end of my toe issues and that the buildup would likely return.

To prepare for this, I purchased an electronic foot file online, which has been a total game changer. As predicted, these unattractive skin buildups slowly started returning the following month, but now I don’t have to wait to see a doctor to trim them.

I simply soak my feet in a bath to soften the skin and then file away! It's a mixture of gross and oddly satisfying to watch the toe particles fly off as the skin shrinks.

Familiar flat feet frustration

The second part of my foot journey took me back to the same podiatrist centre I had been attending for years due to my flat feet. Usually, the process was the same.

I’d visit a new doctor that I would only see that one time. They’d acknowledge my flat feet and have me stand on a mold. A week later, I’d receive a useless piece of foam at my door. I never noticed any improvement, except for having less space inside my shoes. But I’d still show up every year just in case.

This time, however, I was lucky enough to meet a podiatrist who actually took a genuine interest in his work and helping me.

Some positive steps at last

I told him about the skin I had removed a few days earlier. He explained that my flat feet and arthritis were combining to cause extra pain and damage to my body. After a bit of feet fiddling, he told me that my tendons were at real risk of snapping. We needed to take action before surgery became necessary.

I had noticed burning sensations under my feet before, but like most pain from my AS, I just assumed it was part of the condition and didn’t think much of it.

The podiatrist recommended that I get high-quality 3D-printed insoles to help protect my tendons. These insoles would also improve my posture, which, in turn, could reduce my back and hip pain from AS. It may also slow the regeneration of my blister collection from walking strangely.

I was about to stand on the mold as I usually did when the podiatrist stopped me and asked what I was doing. Apparently, the previous doctors had been doing it all wrong. He explained that they should have had me raise my leg and press the mold into my foot to get an accurate measurement.

He repeatedly apologized for how his co-workers had let me down over the years. When my insoles arrived, he said I should slowly introduce them over the next month and avoid running. Not that I had any intention of doing so anyway!

Putting my best foot forward

Now that I’ve shaved down the excess skin on my toes and gotten used to my new 3D-printed insoles, I’m walking with far less wobbling and much more comfort. I’ve noticed a significant reduction in back pain due to improvements in my posture.

Another happy bonus is that I now stand a little taller. I have surpassed the 6’1” mark thanks to my improved posture and the slight boost from my 3D-printed friends down below!

The downside is that my feet tend to get tired faster when I use them, but I keep the original insoles from my trainers to swap out if needed.

Better health from the ground up

This experience has taught me how important it is to take better care of my feet. It’s also made me realize that, while AS is primarily a spinal condition, it can affect pretty much every part of our bodies.

I definitely need to pay closer attention to any changes and seek help sooner, rather than putting up with things until they escalate into bigger issues.

Have you experienced similar foot issues or changes in the way you walk due to your AS? Let me know in the comments below.