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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Have plantar fasciitis..can this also be attributed to knee problems?

by Pam
(Norfolk, Nebraska)

I have written before about the surgery's I have had trying to fix my plantar fasciitis with no help...The second surgery I had was to stretch my achilles tendon which caused nerve damage to my lower leg. My calf muscle is now over an inch smaller then my other one.

Today I found out the results of a MRI, and I have a torn meniscus and a partial tear to my ACL. I have no idea how I hurt my knee. I was wondering if loss of muscle and also limping all the time would have anything to do with my knee problems. I am a mail carrier on light duty and I do about 3 1/2 hours of continuous walking a day.

RESPONSE
Hi Pam,
I suppose one could make an argument that the abnormal gait that was created with your plantar fasciitis and subsequent post operative problems could have contributed to your knee problems.
I would think the bigger issue might be the fact that you are a letter carrier and the fact that you walk as much as you do, over time, some of the joints from your lower back down could begin to wear out, just like tires on a car wear out over time. The more you drive, the quicker the tires wear out.
Lets face it, you are in an occupation that wreaks havoc on your feet and legs. The type of terrain that you walk, whether or not you carry a bag (I guess no one carries a bag anymore), the types of shoes that you wear, your overall weight and your general health, will all contribute to the breakdown of your musculo skeletal system over time.
Since you calf muscle is much smaller that tells me there has been muscle atrophy and this could certainly impact your knee, by changing your gait to some degree.
Most of the leg muscles originate from around the knee and so there is also the impact from that situation.
If you have had nerve damage to the muscles in the leg, even with therapy there is the real possibility that there will only be marginal improvement.
If your doctors are suggesting knee surgery (if the knee pain is that bad) then your calf muscles may further degenerate and there will be more down time after the surgery. If you do eventually have surgery, I would recommend starting therapy as soon as possible to try and avoid that situation.
Whether that impacts your ability to carry on as a letter carrier is a decision you and your doctors will have to make together.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Oct 29, 2011
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by: Pam

Just wanted to let you know that yes, we still carry bags delivering mail...Up to 35 lbs...You said mail carring affects from the back down..have to argue that point..I have had surgery on both shoulders: one from a fall on ice and the other one wear and tear. Both were a tear to the the rotater cuff. Love your site, please keep up with all the info you give everyone! I'm a mail carrier that just needs to be put out to pasture! :)
Oct 29, 2011
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by: Pam

Just wanted to let you know that yes, we still carry bags delivering mail...Up to 35 lbs...You said mail carring affects from the back down..have to argue that point..I have had surgery on both shoulders: one from a fall on ice and the other one wear and tear. Both were a tear to the the rotater cuff. Love your site, please keep up with all the info you give everyone! I'm a mail carrier that just needs to be put out to pasture! :)
Oct 27, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Excellent Site!
by: Pam

Dr Marc is fantastic...He seems to know exactly what you are feeling with the problems you are having. I wish he was in my home town so I could go to him with my problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Arthritis Foundation

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Drugs.com

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Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

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University of Florida Health

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(location unknown)
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LH

(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Denison, TX
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Tampa, Florida 33624

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UK

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Anonymous



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New Zealand

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Arizona
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Poland
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South Carolina
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unknown location


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Kelly W.

San Clemente, CA


Dr Marc is fantastic...He seems to know exactly what you are feeling with the problems you are having. I wish he was in my home town so I could go to him with my problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pam

location unknown


Great insights! Thanks Doc, you're the best.

Glen

location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown



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Chrissy

location unknown



Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

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Russ W.

location unknown



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location unknown



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Jackie

San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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mark

Boston, MA



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Colorado



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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

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Canada
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location unknown
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Wisconsin
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Julie

location unknown
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Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown


I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC


Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA


I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

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