follow up appt for ankle.

tkachev

Hi all,

Well had my follow up appt with surgeon about my oa ankle pain. Had to have a few x-rays having told OH it would only be a quick appointment. The outcome is it has not deteriorated too much in the past 6 months, but is leaning more to the left like a penguin, so I am Just going to have to wait for it to worsen really and the longer I wait the better (due to my 'young' age).But my hip is rubbish in the x-ray so will be keeping an even closer eye on that.He is not worried which order they are fixed.
I got told off for not seeing my GP about my persistent cough because if it is an infection, which is likely as it hasn't cleared up over along period of time, it could cause problems with the replacement I already have. Smacked wrist for me but have had other things to deal with and didn't realise the seriousness of the situation.
No excuses hey?
All the best

Elizabeth

barbara12

Hi Elizabeth
Good news about your ankle, but not so good on your hip, you do have a good consultant and GP, its nice to know you can trust what they say.
Has for the chest infection, you and my Oh...would he go to the doctors ...would he heck...so he is really suffering now,,,I do hope it clears up for you very soon.
And good luck with everything.
Love
Barbara x

speedalong

Good news Elizabeth re your ankle - that would be the least easy op for you to cope with with Mummy-duties due to no weight bearing? Is there any orthotic support they can give you to stop the leaning getting progressively worse.

Not such good news re the hip - but careful monitoring is good and you have coped with this op before.

S has an awful barking, chesty cough - on his second course of antibiotics - he has been poorly with two bouts/prolonged bout of flu and had the dreaded cough since week before CHristmas. He must be exhausted from all that coughing. I have been giving him Meltus cough medicine too on recommendation of chemist and although it doesn't erradicate it - his cough is notably worse when he hasn't had any. He's been off school again, with it. Hoping we will both be back in tomorrow.

Speedy

tkachev

Sorry to read S has been so bad and missing school. I really hope he gets better soon for your sake too. Why are these colds so persistent this year?
I feel hip and ankle will both go suddenly. I am not going to worry having been through a thr before but the ankle fusion sounds more scarey because I don't know what to expect but will cross that bridge when I get there. No offers of help for the lean-to-the-left I am afraid.I had better make some enquiries.
Hi Barbara, thankyou for your kind words. I am not a fan of going to the GP and hate any examinations but I think it is time I shifted this. I have battled on like a typical woman!

Elizabeth

skezier

Hi Elizabeth,

I echo the good news it hasn't deteriorated too much and also about getting something that could help correct the lean bit too...... might be something ot could help with? Worth asking flower.

The hip well that's not so good and its fair they keep an eye on it for you as that might intern help your ankle?

Hope your ok in your self though? ((( ))) Cris xx

Hi Speedy,

Sorry about S as well. leaving you a ((((( ))))) ands hope he soon feel better. xx

tkachev

Thanks Cris,

I hope you are managing okay? Funnily enough the hip is not giving me too much pain, not like the previous hip did. But my foot can be very painful. It is just a matter of increasing pain to look forward too now until I can bear no more.

I will ask at my rheummy appt about the foot moving to the left as it means I walk a bit oddly- I have noticed it bur was glad he did too. They have changed the appt system at my hospital so I don't know when my next appt is until they send a letter but hopefully March time.

Elizabeth

frogmorton

Hi Elizabeth

Good to see you

Also good that the ankle hasn't deteriorated too much since your last visit, but not so good that the hip HAS :sad:

As you say though - you know what you are doing with the hip as you have been there before.

Your positive attitude will stand you in good stead as and when the ankle does need to be fused.

LOve

toni xx

tkachev

Hi Toni,

I am actually scared about the ankle as the word fuse seems so final. Fused together is like locked i one place. I really know nothing about it so I better ask some questions like is it painful? will my foot never move from one fixed position? Will it look odd?

I remember being terrified about my hip operation until I finally got some advice to put my mind at rest.It is hard to feel enthusiastic otherwise.

Hope you are well Toni? You're not one to complain though are you?
Best wishes

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

It does sound like a terrifying thing, doesn't it? Never, ever, research online - I think there are way too many innacuracies, too many possibilities for mis-interpretations and mis-understandings. There must be people around here who know what this entails and how things go: the problem is, as I see it, is that if it worked they've gorn from here as they don't need us any more! Could the helpline give you any info? They are wise owls and know their stuff. DD

dorcas

Hi Elizabeth

Glad to hear your ankle is no worse.... and that they're going to keep a close eye on your hip.

It is daunting the prospect of more surgery and in your shoes I'd be asking the same questions about the ankle Fusion. I'm a firm believer in the more you know, the better prepared you'll be about making the decision to have this op.
Just don't do what I did before my wrist op and watch the op on youtube. :shock: :roll:
My 'fused ' wrist is pain-free and much stronger than it was pre-op, although movement is limited. I guess an ankle fusion will aim to do the same?

As DD said... there may be folks on here who have had the experience of this op... so you could post the question; and the helplines could perhaps signpost you to 'safe' sites.

Iris xxx

tkachev

Thankyou Dorcas and DD. I researched my hip op online but got a dreadful site, an American scare-mongering site. I cried so much after reading it. That is before I joined AC.

I also saw drawings of the hip op but couldn't watch the 'real'operation no way Dorcas. But as you say you do need to know what to expect. But you do need to get the right website and that is really down to trial and error.

I forget about the helpline. Thanks I will ring them. good advice.

Best wishes and hope you are both well,
Elizabeth

ironic

Hi Elizabeth,

It sounds as if you have a lot to think about now. May be as suggested a podiatrist might be able to relieve to pressure on your ankle until you have to make a decision.

I do hope the chest infection clears up soon for you.
Lv, Ix

tkachev

Thank you Iris,

I always have something to think about! It is ongoing with R.A.
I could go to the podiatrist as I also have a lump of hard skin under my big toe which is annoying.Could get 2 jobs done at once then. However It is usually a long wait for an appointment.
I will see my GP on Tuesday about chest infection. It is bad today, plus I have a headache so I am going back to bed.I have also booked a flu jab this week but will obviously ask if it is okay to have while I still have a cold(the reason they didn't give me the jab last time in October).
Hope you are well Iris?
Elizabeth x

elnafinn

Dear Elizabeth

Just caught up with this thread from you too. I hope that you will be going to the gp re your chest infection. It has been going on for far too long and you have probably been suffering unnecessarily. Promise me you will see your gp .... please. You do have a lot going on at the moment, as I have said many times before. You must look after yourself as well as everyone else in the family.

I promise I shall be in touch very soon, just been preoccupied with other things this last week and it seems that no longer does the week start than it is the end of the week again.

Love
Elna x

julie47

Hi Elizabeth
Just been reading your thread and I hope today you feel much better .
I can understand your concern with the fusion, after april (daughter gets married) I am going back to see the surgeon, he is going to fuse my neck.I didn't want any surgery before the wedding. I couldn't ask any questions as i was too upset at the time, but, now you should see my list for my next appointment in may. I had OH with me and he couldn't ask either.
I want to go on google but I know I would scare my self silly.
You take care
and good luck with your decision.
Juliepf x

tkachev

Hi Julie,

I can understand your concern and also putting it to the back of your mind so you can enjoy the wedding. It sounds so drastic. I do need to research otherwise I will just continue to worry. It is fine for the docs to say you need this and you need that but it is not them on the operating table.

I am just waiting for the pain to kick in big time. It only hurts really bad when I cut down on my medication and at the moment I have cutdown again as have to see my GP on Tuesday about my constant cold.

It is a few months before the wedding so sure we will chat again. Hope it is all going well,
Elizabeth x

tkachev

Hi Elna and Lynn,

So sorry I have only just seen your replies. I am going to the GP on Tuesday as cold is ongoing and without my meds I am in more pain. Actually it is my knees that hurt the most and my ankle is worse at night (especially when I need the loo)and the hip hurts when walking downstairs (but not up) so there are signs of decline.
Lynn I will reply to your thread when I get my thinking brain back.

Elizabeth

chris7

Hi Elizabeth

Sorry have only just seen all this. So sorry you are having a painful and worrying time with everthing playing up there! Just calling in to leave some hugs ((( ))) and do hope you shift that cold soon, hope the GP can help. Hang in there.
take care of yourself.
love
Chris

tkachev

Thanks Chris,

If I shift the cold I can go back on my meds and then the pain will subside I hope. It is good to be reminded why I take Humira and all the other medications,
Really hope you are managing okay.Constant pain is a drain.

Elizabeth

lindalegs

Hi Elizabeth,

Hope you get your cold sorted at the docs and then you can get back on your meds so that your pain quietens down.

I missed this thread originally otherwise I would've replied .....I was probably messing about on the CC forum :roll:

The big advantage of having your ankle fused is that it will be put in a good position for walking on. If you leave it it may lose movement gradually over time and not be quite as good.

Once fused it won't hurt anymore. Because I haven't had the op (I wasn't offered one because mine fused before my Rheumy realised) I still have a tiny jog of movement in it so my ankle does hurt still on and off especially when I've overdone things.

bobbyger

Hi Elizabeth,

Sorry to hear about your ankle, I also have OA and I am going in for a fusion in three weeks time. I know it sounds rather final but as my surgeon said, after the recovery from the OP I will have a stiff ankle with no pain as opposed to a stiff ankle with pain which I have to live with at the moment.

As far as movement goes, it will depend what type of fusion you have. I am going in for a single fusion, the tibia and talus. With this type of fusion, they say you retain about 50% of the up and down movement and your side to side movement isn't affected.

I was at a ankle fusion forum before xmas to speak to the physios, nurses and patient who have recieved the OP and there was a lady there who had the OP 6 months ago and she was walking with no obvious limp. There were two patients in total and the only regret they had was not getting it done sooner.

Anyway, the best bet is to speak to your surgeon/doctor and see if this sort of thing is available where you are (I was at RNOH Stanmore).

Anyway, good luck and please feel free to PM me if you require any more info.

Rob

tkachev

Thank you Rob,

I am having a triple fusion but have no date fixed yet. Originally they wanted to replace my left hip well before the ankle op to give my hip time to recover but they don't seem bothered by that order now. I am talking to 3 different surgeons about my ankle and they all seem to have a different view on when it should be done. Your comments have been very helpful, thank you. I might PM you nearer my next appointment but at the moment life is so full of issues I am a bit over whelmed.

I do remember you saying about fixing it in a good position Linda because there is a risk of it fixing itself in an awkward position. They are concerned that I am only 47 and want to wait as long as they can which will be when the pain gets worse I imagine. I am not very keen on a fusion because of the recovery time with my little ones needing me. Each year they get a little more independent. I have started training them.

Thank you Lynn for ypur good wishes. I do have a chest infection and have got my anti biotics today to take for 7 days then hopefully back on my faithful friends Humira and MTX.

Thanks all,

Elizabeth

tkachev

Good luck Bobby. I hope all goes well. Let us know how you get on. I am interested in the speed of recovery too because I have 3 young children.
I hope it all goes well,

Elizabeth