oooo tendon cutting......maybe lash it down to a popsickle stick? hehehhe....i cant really think of anything.....


Brer T

I have a severe hammer toe. I did not cut the tendon. I do have the fungus as well. I'd get a handy friend with a dremmel sanding wheel like the foot doc uses to keep those horrid thick nails in check if you cannot find a podiatrist savvy enough to keep your feet in good shape. It's nothing to neglect but come on.... that's like sinking the ship to get rid of insects... BRER you looks so healthy !!!! The oral stuff works on some folks, a 90 day treatment.

I'm currently on meds for the toenail fungus. I've had it for over 10 years. Docs said it wouldn't hurt me, just look ugly. When I first had it, the medicine was expensive. I figured I could live with it. Now the medicine is cheap. With PD toe curling, it has become more of an issue because the fungus makes my toes sensitive to pressure. So I figured it was time to get rid of it, though it is a long process (doc said expect it to take up to a year). So that is underway.

But wondering if anyone had done the tendon cutting to help the curling. I too at first thought that sounded like a drastic measure. Then again, if the ability of that toe to curl under isn't a big need for the normal operation of my foot, maybe it isn't that bad of an idea if it really helps the toe straighten out. So I'm investigating. So far, I've not found anyone who has done this.

Hi Cole first I would continue the fungus med. and get rid of it. Is it oral or topical? Fungus takes long time to heal. I had it took a year of topical application to get rid of it. But I did cure it my self. For the curling toe, mine do the same . I exercise my toe , by concisely pressing my foot flat on the floor and stretching apart my toes.I do this as many times during the day as I think of it. Possible go to a PT to give you idea haw can you help your self. I would not let them remove the tendon , until all the possibilities have been explored. That is my opinion . Others may not agree.

Z

Thanks, Zlata.

I'm doing both the oral and topical treatments. Yes, I figured it was time to get rid of the fungus. That and losing the sore on that toe may be all I need to do.

A doc on the parkinsons.org forum said cutting a tendon would not be their goto option. They would try adjusting meds if an off time was causing the curling, or botox, before they would suggest cutting a tendon.

So I think for now I'll not take the podiatrist up on his offer, wait and see how it progresses this next year as the fungus goes away, work it out, and if need be, ask my neurologist about it and see what his suggestion would be.

Sometimes thinks happen that will surprise you.I had a very painful callus on bottom of my foot. It was hard to walk. I was going monthly to a podiatrist to shaved of. He recommended removing the bone under it. I was tempted ,because of the pain, but was procrastinating .Then I slipped and fell in a gym and tore my tendon in a foot. Had to have surgery . In the OR they disinfected the foot with something very strong.It peeled my skin and with that it peeled the callus of on my foot.It completely dissolved . No more callus no more pain and no surgery. My bone is intact . I guess I was lucky .

I like z's approach.................

BT

cole try the botox option. I have not had it myself but several in my local support group have and say it works but has to bee retreated every 3-4 months. consensus worth the effort. Alex

Fungus thrives on darkness and dampness. I would suggest wearing 100% all-cotton "diabetes" socks with sandals, airing your feet out whenever possible, and thank God it's not your penis.

pack that toe in mustard paste with gauze and wear a sock over the packed toe at night. mustard is such a strong antimicrobial it kills gang green. mustard ground and dried not the kind with stuff in it. cheap, easy, and effective.


peace

Brer T

Cole50,

Sorry for my late reply. I haven't been on DS in a long time...intensive caregiving...

In December 2013, my mother had the surgery you're considering, and it was successful on each of the five toes (all on the same foot). No return of curling and only a bit of post-surgury bleeding through the stitches (from walking, I assume), but no complications and only a little bit of discomfort for a few days.

Cole50,

Thank you for bringing up curling toes and toe fungus for discussion. My toes have been a source of despair for years and I thought it was just me. Toes are not a subject I am inclined to bring up for discussion in a group so I am grateful for the opportunity to read what the group has to say.

Interesting solutions put forth here. I must agree tendon cutting seems drastic, but probably necessary in some situations. I have heard of botox being used with success. Brer, - your mustard remedy sounds interesting and worth a try.

So far I have been able to get by using "moleskin" on pressure points on my toes, but I am ready to try a more permanent solution. Now I have a couple of possibilities thanks to the group.

Thanks!

I've learned a lot of good info reading these posts!!!! Thanks so much!! I think more sinement might help with the toe curling. I would at least try it before I go under the knife. lol. My toes tremor but do not curl up (they used to though). I was at the neuro's. yesterday and she asked me if I was having symptoms on my right side. And I told her "no" I haven't noticed any lately and just as I said it my toes started tremoring. lol Oh, this disease is crazy!!!

My Dr. is on my side now. She told me I was doing a good job with my medicine and she had complete faith in me. LOL Ok, now we are going somewhere!!!

I don't know what is going to happen when I retire - date is June 3rd (my B'day). I graduated from HS on my B'day and decided I should retire on my B'day as well.

Hi SandHarbor, good to see you again!! Now I know not to look at a dr. like he is mentally disturbed if one tells me that I should have all five toes done. A good thing to know!!

Have a good day all.

Hi, debfromnj. Thanks for your "hello" a week ago today. :-) I'm not able to visit here often anymore, but I do when I can!

I suggest being careful about increasing Sinemet to help with the toe curling, which is -- to the best of my understanding -- part of Dystonia, another one of those nasty diseases that can readily accompany PD. If you catch the toe curl early enough, Botox injections may help to relax the muscles but, if the curl is too tight and/or it's been a problem too long, Botox may not help. Botox for PD-related issues lasts anywhere from a couple of months to a year and will need to be repeated as needed IF it works.

If the toe curl is occasional rather than persistent, it may even be a form of Dyskinesia (another frequent companion of PD). If it's Dyskinesia, the drug Amantadine can help. It's an old drug -- been around for years -- and it's been a tremendous help for my mother's Dyskinesia (She pushed back against the back of chairs so bad that he worsened her back problems. Amantadine made 95% of her Dyskinesia disappear, and, for her, there have been no side effects yet. (She's been on it for probably a year now.))

All that being said, my mother's toe curl was not (directly) caused by Dystonia or Dyskinesia but a foot surgery to correct a foot drop (a/k/a drop foot), which occurred from Dystonia in her right foot. During the surgery, the achillies tendon is cut. This is what caused my mother's toes to curl instantaneously and, because the curl was so tight, the toe tendons had to be cut -- little cuts less than 1/2-inch each. (Because of the actual foot drop surgery, she was in a cast for four weeks but, since the toes were exposed, I was able to see the toe incisions/stitches. Despite the cast, she was up walking, via walker, the very next day.)