Hi All

sneezy

Hi Just signed up to this I have OA in my ankle and am going for an x-ray to see if it is in my knee too now. My surgoen is brilliant but has told me I'm not far off needing my ankle fused wants to put it off for as long as possible as not even 50 yet but feel about 70 lol. Is there anyone out there who has had this done and how did you find it. Unfortunatly I've only heard about the ones that go wrong so would be good to hear from some people it has worked for.
In the mean time how do you deal with partners who just don't or don't want to understand the pain you are in or your limitations.

dreamdaisy

Welcome sneezy - will the other six dwarves be along soon?! I don't have the required experience to answer either of your questions: wrong sort of arthritis and a supportive spouse is my situation, but there are a few around who can help. I do recommend googling The Spoon Theory: it give a graphic explanation of how one is affected by a long-term condition. I wish you well. DD

coco67

just popped in to say hi, and welcome, cant help with your question im affraid, still new to arthritis but there will be someone who can help so keep checking in, hope to see you on the boards

coco xx

speedalong

sneezy wrote:

Hi Just signed up to this I have OA in my ankle and am going for an x-ray to see if it is in my knee too now. My surgoen is brilliant but has told me I'm not far off needing my ankle fused wants to put it off for as long as possible as not even 50 yet but feel about 70 lol. Is there anyone out there who has had this done and how did you find it. Unfortunatly I've only heard about the ones that go wrong so would be good to hear from some people it has worked for.
In the mean time how do you deal with partners who just don't or don't want to understand the pain you are in or your limitations.

Hi Sneezy and welcome.

I have OA in the hips and knees. We have had ankle posters on here before - might be worth doing a search to read up on the threads. Not surprised you are putting off ankle fusion .... although I do know someone with one and he is pleased with his ... no pain and he can do lots of things folks said he wouldn't manage with one eg climbing ladders etc Only problem he has - is he can't get on a traditional welly boot!
I think with all these surgery options -you suffer for as long as you can and then when you can't bear it anymore - surgery becomes more appealing ...

I don't have a partner but others on here may have advice on this too ... DD is being restrained today - she usually offers to plan a little accident for the unsympathetic loved one - so they get a bit of a taste for what it is like to be in pain and struggling (all very tongue-in-cheek of course ...) I think it hard for others to imagine pain when they can't see it - maybe he needs to be taken to medic appointments to see your x rays, here the diagnosis etc

Speedy

dippydoodah

welcome from me too sneezy.

i do have oa also but only recently diagnosed (march) so im kinda new to all this and not had any discussions about surgery etc yet so im afraid i cant help on that. i do agree with dd regarding the spoon theory. its one of those illnesses that unfortunately noone can really understand unless they are going through it. although there are so many people here you can talk to for advice and support, people who are going through the same thing.

i hope you find the answers you are looking for and the support you need

caroline x

dorcas

Hi sneezy (great name!)

welcome to the forum.

I've no experience of ankle fusion...sorry and no longer have a partner... so can't comment on a spouse not understanding / refusing to understand.
However few of us with arther have escaped from having family, friends or work colleagues who don't / won't understand what the pain and limitations of arthritis is like to cope with on a daily & nightly basis.

The problem lies in the fact that arthritis is such a hidden condition.... so 'we' look healthy on the outside which belies the pain on the inside.

Often too we put on a brave front saying that we're 'fine' when really we're not. Some of this is due to the process we have to go through ourselves... anger, denial etc before we reach acceptance of the disease. Some never do!

So a complex painful process for us and an unsympathetic response from others. :roll:

One thing you can do is to give your partner information leaflets on OA ,downloaded from this website, or accessed through the helpline.

Hope that you get some answers regarding the op..

Iris x

julie47

Hi sneezy

Sorry i can't answer your questions I have RA and I am very lucky my OH is supprtive.

As iris has mentioned I think leaflets are a good idea for him to read and maybe go with you to your appointment if he can. (not always poss I know)

good luck
juliepf x

lindalegs

Hi Sneezy and welcome from me,

My right ankle fused itself many years ago, fortunately in a good position for walking. It was extremely painful whilst it was fusing and I wouldn't recommend waiting for that to happen. :roll:

Going downhill can sometimes be a problem because you have to use your heel rather than your whole foot for support so if its a steep hill you can feel unsteady. You can also walk on the side of your foot too but this can put strain on other joints.

A surgeon would set your ankle in a good position and it should take away the pain.

Have you asked about ankle replacement to see if that's an option for you?

As for partners, it is difficult for them to understand because they can't feel your pain. Some people are better than others for empathy. Have your tried talking over how you feel and asking him/her how they feel?

Luv Legs