[ktucker]

I have just been diagnosed with tarsal tunnel and am currently waiting on my referral to a podiatrist I have abused my feet for a long time being a dancer and now a Manager of a large restaurant which means I am on my feet constantly. I also have flat feet. My father has arthritis in his feet due to a similar work history.
My question. Should I think about changing careers now before I ruin my feet for good. I have a disabled partner and need to be physically active for many many years to come. Perhaps if I got a desk job I would have a better chance of saving my feet in the future.

I am new to this forum and would love any advice you may be able to give me.
Thank you

[UroDoc]

You would probable be best served by getting orthotics from your podiatrist and keeping your job, good luck

[grandma3]

I WAS IN RETAIL IN A BIG BIG STORE...IM ON PERSONAL LEAVE NOW GOIN TO MY DOC'S I HAVE IT IN BOTH OF MY FEET....IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A SIT DOWN JOB MY SELF.....I SURE DONT WANT THIS TO EVER--EVER COME BK.......YES I WOULD LOOK FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT HUN......TC GOD BLESS......KEEP US POSTED SARAH

[RobinSchares]

I had to quit working a year and half ago. I am looking forward to going back to work. The recovery time from Tarsal Tunnel surgery is incrediable so make sure that your job allows for 3 weeks of nothing but elevating your foot or run the risk of it not being sucessful. I have the other foot to go for surgery yet but believe this is going to allow me work again. Orthodics did not help me and shots didn't either but I think that surgery is going to work and glad that I did it.
Good luck to you and let me know how that goes.
Take care. Are you taking something for pain? Is it effective?

[RobinSchares]

I am not an expert but I have supported myself for years being a server in a bar/restrauant and I too, have abused my feet considerably. I was forced to quit a year ago because of the pain and now having had the surgeries necessary I wonder if I will be able to do any job requiring walking. I know that I will never be a server again and it was the one thing that I loved doing and was good at. I would like to work in a nursing home now but not sure I can even be on my feet for that. My mother has many problems with hers and it keeps her up at night and I don't want to have the problems she is when I get older so I know that I am going to change up what I do for a living now. I am married so my options are wider now but I will never get to do what I loved doing.
My feet actually made the decision for me. I hope it works out for you.

[winterface4]

i cant wear regular shoes at all right now ive got it in both of my feet my old work shoes which werent cheap hurt my heals especially.....i wear crocs all the time i cant wear anything that i have to tie...im goin to have surgery for my tts.....ive got in both of my feet....they hurt all the time!!! im sick of the pain...........not sure if i want to go bk to my old job and work 4 depts everyday......sarah

[RobinSchares]

Are you going to correct both feet at the same time? I also had it in both feet and did the neuroma surgeries at the same time as the tts. I am grateful that I had the surgeries as I too have been sick of the pain that went on for years. It was great to be diagnosed and not be told it was in my head. I am hopeful to get back to work but like you not sure I can go back to the regular jobs as there is so much walking required. It is too painful and don't want to further damage my feet by pounding on them to make a living. I am going to try to go back to work (part time) after Christmas. I hope that it is successful as we need the money and not working has made me incrediably lazy.
I wish you luck with your surgeries. Did they tell you anything about the recovery time? I had no idea that the scar was going to be this big and thought they just made a slit for the TTS surgery. I was floored at how badly I was cut when I seen it. Also the neuroma in the left foot was huge so the scar there too was bigger than anticipated. I would have thought twice about the TTS if I had known or at least planned the surgeries different if I knew the recovery time was so great.
Take care and let me know what they say regarding the recovery time. I don't think my doc was completely open about how long it would take. I would rather take the time to recover then have some of the horror stories that I have read happen regarding the stump neuromas and the scar tissue. All kinds of complications that I want to avoid so it is worth the extra time I need to take now.

[winterface4]

ANOTHER FELLOW SAID TO ALLOW 3 TO 4 MONTHS FOR RECOVERY..HE USED CRUTCHES FIRST MONTH,WALKER 2ND MONTH WHEELCHAIR ETC.......IM ON PERSONAL LEAVE NOW...I KNOW I WONT BE GOIN BK TO THE WORK I DID B4 I DONT WANT TO RISK IT EVER COMNG BK.......TC ILL KEEP YA POSTED..............SARAH

[RobinSchares]

Good luck Sarah,
I am 4 weeks today and am able to walk without crutches (in a boot) and not released to drive until after 6 weeks. Everyone is different and each foot for me has been different. I did not have near this much trouble with the left foot as I am with the right. They cut a lot longer and deeper but had no idea I would be laid up this close to Christmas.
Good luck to you and if you go ahead with surgery make sure you do stay off it. Saves from having complications. I noticed a big red spot on the bottom of my right heal last night taking a bath and wonder if that is scar tissue? What would that be? Worried me a little.

[RobinSchares]

was re-reading your post and wonder if you scheduled surgery? Did you have the surgery? How is it going for you? Just wondered how you came out?
Let me know what is going on. I care.