Help re DD's Knee/Feet!

valk · Nov 4, 2004

So sorry to hear about your daugter's injuries. My daughter has been fencing foil for 3 years. So far her only injuries have been lost toenails btw she also has flat feet. Her team's A1 is in PT 3x wk for injury to the foot & ankle of her forward leg. This girl has a very aggressive style & comes down hard on the strip.

I am not an Ortho nurse but until one comes along you might want to look at this site with data on fencing injury rates & patterns.

http://www.exra.org/FencingChptr.htm

I hope all will be well with your daughter.

Val K.

alphafe · Nov 5, 2004

Thanks for your note! I'm thrilled to say that our visit to the podiatrist was very enlightening. My dd was fitted for custom orthotics (sp?), which lots of nurses on these boards swear by for their own demanding jousting :rotfl:

I learned a lot from the woman my dd saw and she assured dd that once her

foot - ankle - calf - lowe back alignment is corrected she'll feel great and be able to do any sport she desires.

I'm someone who never knew a thing about podiatry -- are podiatrists marginalized somehow? I just a lowly prenursing student but I'll be seeing

one as soon as I find myself on my feet a lot!

datsgrace2u · Nov 14, 2004

You may want to consider taking her to a good massage therapist. It could be that her pain now is the result of using her muscles 'the wrong way" for a prolonged period of time. I have had several THR patients complain about lower leg and foot pain after surgery that they did not have before. And they are amazed that I can hit the spot so easily and I havent been a practicing LMT for very long. Another avenue could be a PM&R. (aka a physiatrist). They seem to be able to look at the whole picture for the problem and may not feel the need to do anything to a "perfect" knee.

Good Luck

Two years ago my dd tore her meniscus and pinched her fat pad, left knee, while lunging in fencing (this was her supporting leg). First doc poo poo'd Rx'd
PT to no result except more pain, increasing sedentary lifestyle for dd. I had strenuously asked for an MRI at time of injury, BTW :angryfire
Took her to the "knee God" who ordered the MRI, performed arthroscopy and declared knee "perfect." Still more recovery time. Good improvement.
Now dd is having knee, ankle and foot pain. I'm really concerned. She has flat feet - so I'm taking her to a podiatrist. Also to new ortho surgeon (we've moved) re: knee. She says she CANNOT keep up in gym due especially to foot and ankle pain -- and yes, she wears good shoes (small miracle). She tried to go out for fencing at new school and said "no way" too painful.
Our ins. provides for "musculoskeletal" specialists and chiropractic -- I'm kind of loathe to get involved w/ the latter because dd will thrive on the constant appointments.. she's a bit of a hypochondriac but I believe the knee, foot and ankle pain are real and disabling. Am I on the right path re:
providers?
Should I be worried about arthritis, Lyme, etc? Many thanks!

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 10, 2009

Any good parent would be concerned, as you are.

You have wisely consulted your PCP and various specialists, who are the ones best equipped to offer advice and treatment options.

It is not, however, within the scope of this site to offer medical advice.

I hope your concerns are addressed; keep asking questions!

Thread closed.