I can’t walk, but I can dance

My title sounds like an overly hyped, unrealistic self-help book. How is it possible to be able to dance but not walk? I actually can walk, but slowly, with a certain amount of pain and limping. Weirdly, I’m not impacted out on the dance floor. How is that possible?

Is it because I just stand out there and maybe sway a bit like a tree in the breeze? Uh, no, I’m definitely an energetic dancer. Or maybe I’m so into the music that I don’t even notice my foot killing me? No, not that either, although it sounds almost plausible.

I actually had to put some thought to this. For starters, what exactly hurts? According to pictures on the internet, the problem seems to be my first metatarsophalangeal joint. Say that three times fast!

The MTP joint is down at the base of the big toe, over the balls of the foot, not out in front where you see the big toe. And it only hurts when I’m flexing it, not when I’m just putting weight on it. Which is why I don’t think the problem is in the metatarsal bones.

Here’s a fun experiment. Start by standing up, bending your knees and shifting your weight from one foot to the other. You’re not standing up, are you? It’s such a nuisance to get up out of your chair, I know. Ah, there now we have a couple of you standing up.

Start by bending your knees a little bit. Next, move first one, then the other foot around a little bit, tap the floor with your heel or toe while leaving most of your weight on your planted foot. Pretend you’re playing hokey-pokey! Put that right foot out and shake it all about. Now wiggle your butt back and forth, swing your arms a bit, do a shoulder roll or two and you, my friend, are dancing. Note which joints you’re using. It’s likely that you’re primarily using ankle, knee and hip joints, as well as elbow, shoulder and neck, maybe even wrist and finger joints. But very possibly not your first metatarsophalangeal!

For our next experiment (stay standing, we’re not done yet, don’t worry, this one is easier). Just walk forward a couple steps. That’s it! Take a couple of steps forward. Now what’s bending? Hip, knees, ankle…and most definitely your metatarsophalangeal joint! It’s nearly impossible to walk in a forward gait while keeping your foot flat. But ironically, it’s completely possible to dance!

At home I’ve been wearing a splint that braces my toe all the way back to the arch of my foot. This definitely slows me down and creates a limping gate. When I’m out, I wear stiff boots, which keep my foot from flexing too much while walking. However, it’s March and it’s soon going to be too hot for stiff boots! Now that I better understand what is aggravating my foot, I hope to get better soon.

Laura’s friend Emily took this brief video of Laura and I dancing the other night at my friend Rebecca’s retirement party. It was a great party, and a great visit from Laura and her friend!

To send me a comment, email turning51bykristina@gmail.com.