Re: was Bone density test / foot problems - mary

August 31, 2004

>>>>The problems among hypo people having to do with that big ligament that

>>>>connects the heel

with the toe bones is a whole different problem.

- could you explain this in more detail, please?

...... joan

August 31, 2004

The bone density test that was given her did not tell her anything about her

risk of osteoporosis because that testing is done on the spinal column and

the hip joints, cut and dried. In plantar fasciitis (the foot), the plantar

fasca (Sp?) is the tough ong ligament that connects the heel to the toes.

It is also informally called the arch. It is very tough normally, as it is

shaped in an arched up shape to keep certain parts of the foot from taking

the abuse given by walking running standin etc.....In hypothyroidism, all

the connective tissue of the body is weakened, especially if a person has

been chronically hypo for quite awhile. This tough arch is connective

tissue that is quite naturally affected by hypo, so when it is weakened, it

stretches out, exposing the foot to abnormal foot mechanics when walking or

doing anything. The foot strikes the floor or ground in all the wrong

places, causing not only a shift in the general shape of the foot, but also

misshapen toe bones (because they've been carrying a load that they would

not ordinarily be carrying in a healthy foot), hammer toes, from the bones

being literally reshaped into something similar to near semicircles.

There's also outward bent protrusion of the small toes on each side, with

the toes coming flat against the ground, although the entire foot does not

make an entirely flat impression with water or whatever the wet substance is

used to take an impression. Because of this abnormal foot motion, pain

eventually, or even suddenly shows up in the feet, transfers to the ankles

(because that leaves a greater pulling on the achilles tendon of the

ankles), even up the shins (because it's like flexing ones foot ALL the

time, instead of a deliberate flex, shortening and stressing the shin

areas). This also affects the back, as the balance in walking is in the

foot. It's like the Leaning Tower of Pizza. Your whole body is affected by

the way the foot is positioned in walking. Bone spurs also form on the

heels or even on the undersides of especially the smaller toes, mostly to

the outside of the feet because they are taking on a role of hitting the

floor or pavement in a manner that they never have before and weren't

intended to. the fatty pads on the heels wear down faster at an accelerated

speed because they weren't intended to take the full brunt of the forward

pace, they were intended to hit in an even manner because the arch in this

ligament was originally there. I've had plantar fasciitis for yrs, and it

was caused by being hypothyroid and not being diagnosed properly. When I

went to perform the normal act of walking about a mile a day (with even the

proper shoes), this is when the problem manifested itself. I got up from

bed one morning, after having only walked around a mile the day before, and

fell to my knees. That's how fast the ligament gave out. You could never

tell at that time, by looking at the foot what was going on, only an expert

could have, by watching me walk. I got orthotics made for me, one of which

I have lost BTW, at that time, but it wasn't until I had been taking the

thyroid hormone for better than a yr, that the problem improved, though not

completely repaired. I suspect that it's a little something like a

permanent hypertrophy in ANY muscle. It would probably take an expensive

surgery to completely reshape it, then there's a long period of healing.

Because of the enormous pressure of walking literally thousands of miles in

a life time, I don't see how this ligament can ever completely heal itself,

even with thyroid hormone, because of the constant duty of the ligament all

our lives. It literally affects the way the entire body stands.

Re: was Bone density test / foot

problems - mary

> >>>>The problems among hypo people having to do with that big ligament

that

> >>>>connects the heel

> with the toe bones is a whole different problem.

>

> - could you explain this in more detail, please?

>

> ..... joan

August 31, 2004

- this is very interesting. I'd been on synthroid only for many

years, but suddenly last year, I couldn't wear any of my shoes. I thought

it was due to edema at the time, but then I noticed I can no longer walk

barefoot. I HAVE to wear something with an arch support. I didn't

know what was happening, but attributed it to neuropathy, which I was

diagnosed with around that time.

I had to start with a new pcp last week due to health plan changes, and I

told him about the excruciating heel pan I had for 3 weeks about a month

ago. I could hardly walk when I got out of bed in the morning. The

doc said that was plantar fascitis and had nothing to do with hypo. I

asked, then why did it last only 3 weeks? He said I was lucky.

However, my feet still cause me a lot of trouble. Sudden shooting pain

in various places. If I'm on my feet for awhile, I can hardly walk.

Especially by the end of the day. I've been wondering what to do about

it. I wonder if Armour will help......... I'm working my way up to

optimal dose since April.

Thanks for all the info, .

.....joan

>>>>>>>>In plantar fasciitis (the foot), the plantar