Hello

hazelsmum

Hello
I am a little afraid of doing this as this is new and frightening. :oops:
I had an accident the week before Christmas, and 'sprained' my ankle. By March it still wasn't healing properly. Anyway after many months of pain and conservative treatment, I had surgery in August on my ankle. (I'm 4 weeks post op today.) At the follow up the person I saw (not the consultant I expected) Just came out and said I had Grade 2 Osteoarthritis in my left ankle. No explanation, nothing. I was discharged from the hospital with no Physio exercises to do and have been left to flounder for the past 4 weeks.

I am aware that OA is degenerative and can be in one joint or many, but nowhere on the internet does it tell me how they grade it. I went to my GP and was just asked if I needed anymore painkillers :? Having just told her that the op had virtually eliminated the pain. Anyone help?

I start physio on 15th September and hopefully I can go back to work as a Lollipop Lady later in the month (if they don't terminate my contract first :x ) I've been off since January trying to sort this out, my biggest worry is, if I end up back on the Codeine I will not be able to do my job as just 8mg eats my brain cells for breakfast, and therefore I would not be safe! I have two children both still at School and I am their main carer, so term time and both ends of the day suits me. No other job gives you 5 hours a week and all the school holidays! (one is 13, the other 10)

I know I am lucky, as many of you will have pain constantly. My grandmother was housebound with RA/OA in her hips, so I know how disabling it can be. Thanks for any help, and I intend to try and get a sensible answer out of the Physiotherapist on Tuesday failing that I shall go back to my GP with a list of the 'right' questions.'

This has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, dealing with 'so called' friends for 7 years who dropped me in June calling me selfish and uncaring, when I needed them the most. Not knowing why my ankle wasn't healing for the best part of 8 months (plus work threatening to terminate my contract ), plus a colposcopy and biopsy (I still don't know the results for) and now this. No wonder my head exploded

Many thanks in advance
Kaye

valval

hi kaye u have been going through it some one will come on with the answer for u i am sure soon. just wanted to say hi and if any thing like this area can not get enough lollypop ladies so u should be ok also u should be covered some one more in the know than me will tell u good luck hope things look up soon

hazelsmum

valval wrote:

hi kaye u have been going through it some one will come on with the answer for u i am sure soon. just wanted to say hi and if any thing like this area can not get enough lollypop ladies so u should be ok also u should be covered some one more in the know than me will tell u good luck hope things look up soon

Thanks Valval

I am getting there and it is improving very slowly. I am waiting for a follow up appointment with OH soon so I can talk it through with them (much as I don't want to, as I can just see the Council kicking me out). My biggest problem is I only started last June and managed a term and a half before I fell over! Not really the best way to start a new job! However that's history, and we appear to be moving in the right direction, what I'm having trouble with is reigning myself in, so I don't do too much too soon, and therefore do more damage. Took me 3 weeks to walk back down to School after the op, but now I'm doing it twice a day everyday the mobility is returning which can only be good.

Kaye

frogmorton

Hi Kaye
Blimey! You are not having a good time of it are you?
What i will say is that you will survive and things will get better when you get some answers, meds that work and treatment you need.
At the moment it all probably seems overwhelming and scary doesn't it? You are a parent too and have a job which REALLY uits at the moment and do not want to loose it do you?
You have got a plan even though you don't think you have - the other thing would be to check out your employment rights - and it will succeed in the end.
As for the codeine. It used to do that to me - you have to build up to it gradually. Over time it used to send me out of my tree too!!
You keep posting and we will help all we can
Take care
toni x

hazelsmum

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Kaye
Blimey! You are not having a good time of it are you?
What i will say is that you will survive and things will get better when you get some answers, meds that work and treatment you need.
At the moment it all probably seems overwhelming and scary doesn't it? You are a parent too and have a job which REALLY uits at the moment and do not want to loose it do you?
You have got a plan even though you don't think you have - the other thing would be to check out your employment rights - and it will succeed in the end.
As for the codeine. It used to do that to me - you have to build up to it gradually. Over time it used to send me out of my tree too!!
You keep posting and we will help all we can
Take care
toni x

Thanks for that. I know. Now my head is clear. I'm finding this board very friendly. I was on the Codeine of 8mg for the best part of the 8 months and only now has my head cleared therefore I think best to avoid if I can. GP did give me stronger ones that I could take at night, and said I could take them during the day! Can you imagine.........I need to function during the day LOL!!! I cannot walk around like a zombie all day as 30mg of codeine would do. I would be a danger to myself never mind anyone else. As it was I ended up speaking gobbledygook to a very good friend of mine who thought I'd lost my marbles!!!!
Like you say, I have been going through it a bit, but I never do and never have done things by halves. If I'm ill, I'll do it properly. The last time I was off work for this long was 19years ago when I had glanduar fever and I was off for 3years due to other health complications (all sorted now, but wasn't fun at the time!) In between I am very rarely ill (and I don't take that for granted, I am very lucky on that front.)

Kaye

Kaye

skezier

Hi Kaye,

I am glad you have found the site but sorry you have had to. My knowledge of oa ia very dated but 2nd stage (I tink) is when it has periods of activity and rest. I know 3rd stage is relentless and someone said there are 4 stages so the 4th would have to be burnt out.

There are loads of different pain control things so maybe you could go back to your doctor and see what can be done to help you? I think more could be done for you than they are doing and sometimes you really have to fight for it all.

I don't know much about employer things I am afraid (I have been self employed since medical discharge in my 20's) but there are a lot of people who do. I hope things sort out for you soon. Take care and sorry I am not much help. Cris

elnafinn

Hi Kaye

Welcome but I have a feeling you have posted a couple of times before this one and another one today.

I hope there is not too long a delay between the physio and when you should have started it. Was your ankle in plaster so you could not have had physio anyway? I am sure that once you start physio things should improve. An anti inflammatory may help - you do not always need to have painkillers Perhaps you could wear an ankle support in the early days of going back to work if only for extra confidence or if the ankle becomes a little swollen, aching or painful. This is something you can chat with the physio about. She may say when you are resting to have the leg elevated. I presume you are doing circlular movements etc with your ankle by now.

It is true in a crisis one truly finds out who one's real friends are, as you have done. That is a common scenario.

I wish you well, you have a lot on your plate but would appear to be keeping fairly buoyant - probably learnt that from your wonderful grandmother.

Let us know how you go on,

Luv
Elna x

hazelsmum

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Kaye

Welcome but I have a feeling you have posted a couple of times before this one and another one today.

I hope there is not too long a delay between the physio and when you should have started it. Was your ankle in plaster so you could not have had physio anyway? I am sure that once you start physio things should improve. An anti inflammatory may help - you do not always need to have painkillers Perhaps you could wear an ankle support in the early days of going back to work if only for extra confidence or if the ankle becomes a little swollen, aching or painful. This is something you can chat with the physio about. She may say when you are resting to have the leg elevated. I presume you are doing circlular movements etc with your ankle by now.

It is true in a crisis one truly finds out who one's real friends are, as you have done. That is a common scenario.

I wish you well, you have a lot on your plate but would appear to be keeping fairly buoyant - probably learnt that from your wonderful grandmother.

Let us know how you go on,

Luv
Elna x

Thank you. I'll see how I go. I found the site a few days ago and it's taken me a while to have the courage to actually say hello. You are right I've posted from a couple of comments. I like to help people, that is who I am, and having lost 'friends' twice in my life those who stick around are much valued. I am actually pain free at the moment, I had an arthroscopy (keyhole) so that was just a day case. They found a bone spur at the bottom of my ankle bone which surprised everyone, as it didn't show on the original x-ray or on the MRI but that was what was causing the problem. I was discharged with heavily bandaged foot for a week, took that off and then tubigrip and had the stitches out 2 weeks ago. I was allowed to weight bear as tolerable on discharge, therefore I have been walking since the op. I have been doing gentle exercises since I came home and building up gradually, but not as fast as I would like, but then I always want everything yesterday on that front, I am fed up with being patient!!!

Kaye

debatat

Hi, welcome to the site. I am sorry you are having such a time of it at the moment. I hope once you start physio you will have a clearer idea of how things will be. I hope work will be understanding as well, I think lollipop ladies are in demand so hopefully they will be tolerant.

Take care

Deb

hazelsmum

debatat wrote:

Hi, welcome to the site. I am sorry you are having such a time of it at the moment. I hope once you start physio you will have a clearer idea of how things will be. I hope work will be understanding as well, I think lollipop ladies are in demand so hopefully they will be tolerant.

Take care

Deb

Thank you, so do I, coz like the rest of the world We need the money!!

Not quite how I was planning this year, but hey there are still 3 months left to go, and the sun is still out!!

Never plan anything, as someone will always ruin it, seize the day with a smile and see what happens, it's more fun that way!!

Kaye

hazelsmum

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Kaye

Welcome but I have a feeling you have posted a couple of times before this one and another one today.

I hope there is not too long a delay between the physio and when you should have started it. Was your ankle in plaster so you could not have had physio anyway? I am sure that once you start physio things should improve. An anti inflammatory may help - you do not always need to have painkillers Perhaps you could wear an ankle support in the early days of going back to work if only for extra confidence or if the ankle becomes a little swollen, aching or painful. This is something you can chat with the physio about. She may say when you are resting to have the leg elevated. I presume you are doing circlular movements etc with your ankle by now.

It is true in a crisis one truly finds out who one's real friends are, as you have done. That is a common scenario.

I wish you well, you have a lot on your plate but would appear to be keeping fairly buoyant - probably learnt that from your wonderful grandmother.

Let us know how you go on,

Luv
Elna x

Hi Elna
I only started posting today. I found the other Kay you were referring to earlier, I know it is unusual but we are not the same person. Thanks for the welcome.
Kaye

ritwren

Very big welcome to the site, hope you find it as good as I do. I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a rough ride with everything. I'd ask your GP what exactly it means with the grading and what it's likely to mean in real terms for you.
Hope to see you around again.
rita

sharmaine

Hi Kaye

I hope by now that your ankle is not so swollen or painful. I agree with Elna you may need anti-inflammatory meds (see your GP). OA can be jolly painful and joints do stiffen and swell.

I have OA (but I didn't know it was graded or how it was graded) in knees, hands and right shoulder.

It's a shame your friends could not have been more understanding of your injury. I've had a similar thing happen a good friend just doesn't even bother with me despite me trying. She is able bodied, drives and hasn't once picked up the phone in 3 years to say can I come and see you or help in some way. I've emailed and phoned her and realise that I have to give up - she's just not keen on keeping our friendship alive. I would love a friend especially as I've moved here from another county (5 years ago). I think friends are to be cherished. I live in hope that I will one day find a good and loyal friend.

Take care and I hope things work out for you. I'm sure your GP would not like you suffering in this way.

Warmest regards
Sharmaine

hazelsmum

sharmaine wrote:

Hi Kaye

I hope by now that your ankle is not so swollen or painful. I agree with Elna you may need anti-inflammatory meds (see your GP). OA can be jolly painful and joints do stiffen and swell.

I have OA (but I didn't know it was graded or how it was graded) in knees, hands and right shoulder.

It's a shame your friends could not have been more understanding of your injury. I've had a similar thing happen a good friend just doesn't even bother with me despite me trying. She is able bodied, drives and hasn't once picked up the phone in 3 years to say can I come and see you or help in some way. I've emailed and phoned her and realise that I have to give up - she's just not keen on keeping our friendship alive. I would love a friend especially as I've moved here from another county (5 years ago). I think friends are to be cherished. I live in hope that I will one day find a good and loyal friend.

Take care and I hope things work out for you. I'm sure your GP would not like you suffering in this way.

Warmest regards
Sharmaine

Thanks Sharmaine. I'm not suffering at the moment and I would like it to stay that way. The op has actually sorted out a lot of the pain (bone spur on the bottom and inside of my ankle bone, explained a great deal!!) Where are you based I'm in Berkshire and thankfully at present, although having to deal with the information, I am still able to drive (DH has also suggested that in the future, before it may become essential we look into an automatic car.) I'm only 42 so at one level I do have youth on my side. Please cherish the friends that care, they are the ones who will be there for you, it's like a marriage you have to work at it. (me and DH 20yrs next month, that's scary! LOL!!)

Kaye

eckstardeluxe

Hi there

Welcome to the site, I found this on the net which might be useful, it refers to the knee but probably the same as an ankle I'd imagine -

The most commonly used instrument to classify the severity of osteoarthritis in study patients was the Outerbridge scale. The Outerbridge scale classifies the articular degeneration of the knee by compartment in four grades. Grade I refers to softening or blistering of the articular cartilage. Grade II describes fragmentation or fissuring in an area less than 1 cm, while those with an area greater than 1 cm is considered Grade III. Finally, Grade IV refers to cartilage erosion down to the bone.


They told me it was basically early, advanced and end stage, from reading that it would seem I and II are early, III advanced and IV end.


Hope that helps

Eck

hazelsmum

eckstardeluxe wrote:

Hi there

Welcome to the site, I found this on the net which might be useful, it refers to the knee but probably the same as an ankle I'd imagine -

The most commonly used instrument to classify the severity of osteoarthritis in study patients was the Outerbridge scale. The Outerbridge scale classifies the articular degeneration of the knee by compartment in four grades. Grade I refers to softening or blistering of the articular cartilage. Grade II describes fragmentation or fissuring in an area less than 1 cm, while those with an area greater than 1 cm is considered Grade III. Finally, Grade IV refers to cartilage erosion down to the bone.


They told me it was basically early, advanced and end stage, from reading that it would seem I and II are early, III advanced and IV end.


Hope that helps

Eck

Ta!
Kaye