has anybody had any replacement joints or plates fail ???

lavenderlady
lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
edited 12. Oct 2011, 05:45 in Living with Arthritis archive
am going back in hospital on 17th to remove the plate and screws which snapped in my big toe that was done on may 18th after going back in for 3 days for IV anti biotics am now having it all removed with hope that the toe fuses on its own , if thats the case what was the point of the plate etc, if it does heal got to have a bone graft, am getting myself worked about it all, as I was due to have more ops done on my feet and ankles, had to cancel my check up for my TWR wednesday as I could not go to Southampton with a broken toe ( live on the IW), and this damn wet and damp weather is playing havoc with my joints, but I know you all feel like this at times, michelle

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I can well understand your frustration, Lavenderlady. You were hoping to put this op behind you and get on with the next. Unfortunately, your toe had other ideas.

    I guess it makes sense to get one thing right before embarking on another. As for them now deciding to let it fuse on its own - things do but I should imagine the idea of a plate was to get it to fuse in as perfect a position as possible. As that hasn't worked out, it's Plan B. But bear in mind I'm only guessing. My own wrists and ankles fused themselves long ago, the wrists in as near perfect a position as you could get and the ankles....well, not at all bad.

    I don't understand the bone graft for a toe which will have healed. I had bone grafts when I had my knee revision though and, if they hadn't told me, I'd never have known.

    I hope things'll improve for you soon, Lavenderlady. This seems to have gone on relentlessly for a long time and you must be so brassed off with it.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michelle,

    I am sorry you had to cancel your twr follow up cus of the toe. Its frustrating when that happens.

    The plate is to make it fuse in a particular way but it can fuse in its own way, which is what they are hoping for.

    With luck it will and you will have so much less pain. Feet are hard to get to heal up right as they take out weight so much even when you have crutches.

    one of my toes didn't fuse with the wires but it did itself and it managed to do it straight as well.

    Wait and see before you make any decisions over more foot surgery flower. Fingers crossed it will all be ok for you soon. Cris x
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michelle,
    I can well understand that you are worried that you might have to stay in hospital again. hopefully it will not come to that this time.
    I am sorry that you will be missing your appointment for the TWR check up as I am sure you had some questions for them.
    I have no knowledge of the toe fusion so not much help there but I just wanted to wish you well with it.

    Lv, I x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Michelle

    I am so so sorry :sad:

    Not much help really am I but just wanted to offer you my sympathy and hope that 'they' get their acts together for you and can help.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm feeling a bit more optomistic now you have explained that the toe can fuse on its own, am so hoping it will do so, it just means more stitches more nurse appointments for dressings etc, the funny thing is I have no pain apart from the first day after op when it felt bruised, none at all. am now a bit more prepared for wednesdays op mentally wise that is, am going to have to be really bad with any other ops needed,
    I have found my right hip is playing up more now then before the op, so maybe the different way of walking is affecting that , thanks again michelle
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well had the op yesterday morning and home by 2pm its been bleeding quite a bit, saw nurse at our Drs surgery today and she wrapped more bandage round it, I see the surgeon again monday got to keep my feet up which is difficult, if this fails I will need to have the metal work replaced this time with a bone graft, just hope it heals this time, will be needing our holiday in December after all this :) tramadols knocking me out along with paracetamol I'm only taking if it really hurts and I cannot take the voltarol they gave me as i have had an ulcer etc
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well, that was quick! I hope it heals up as quickly (Well, almost), and the pain soon dies down and you can start planning that holiday. Keep us informed,Lavenderlady.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope you have had a better and more comfortable day today - keep resting it as much as you can: I know you have a deal of family stuff going on but you need some 'me' time so you can get back to dealing with all of that, with the benefit of better health for you. Take care and I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thankyou the bandage is now hardened with blood and digs into my foot, damn thing, looking forward to monday to find out exaclty whats going on etc am keeping my foot up high dont want to risk another op on this damn foot, the pains not so bad now strange it hurt more then the original op , now its just feeling bruised and getting strange feelings of hot water running up and down my leg, I know this is nerve problems and probably more to do with my SMA but a really strange feeling, :eek:
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michelle,
    I just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow’s change of dressing. I do hope that it is good news for you. Fingers crossed.


    Lv, I x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michelle :grin:

    I'm just catching up with your post and am so sorry to read that you have had such trouble post op with your toe . :roll:

    I do hope that you get a better result now that you have had all the 'hardware' removed and hopefully the healing process can begin:wink:

    ..... I must admit I haven't heard of a joint failing on it's own? I've been warned about the possibility of the wrist replacement joint breaking, but only if I were to have a fall and 'land' on it ..... and I've been told the finger replacement joint could dislocate if excessive pressure is applied. The advice is good common sense really..... but nowhere has anyone said the replacements could 'fail'. :shock:

    I do hope that all goes well for you tomorrow and that you will be able to make a new appointment to have your TWR reviewed.Let us know how you get on!?

    Iris xxxx
  • mp1952
    mp1952 Member Posts: 425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hope you get sorted out on Monday..

    take care.

    Marion c
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    the dressing came off and it was solid with dried blood the stitch was a running stitch but it had been a big gap between 2 stitchs that was still bleeding, the dressing was reduced and changed but it started bleeding as soon as I walked on it ugh !!!! the surgeon said he is hoping the bone ends will fuse on thier own and has given me until 9th to see if it does, I gather an x ray will show if its worked if no change then it looks like another op for the metal work being put back in along with a bone graft, he said the plate had failed and was snapped diagonally where a screw was put, totally fed up with it all now, I want it sorted out now as we go away begining of Decemeber,
    while there i was earwigging this hugh mans conversation he had hit his hand with a circular saw :shock: lost his little finger and had his others reattached, but the first thing he did afterwards was would you believe take pictures of it on his phone and was showing it around one poor ladys face went white, MEN!!!!
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Fingers crossed that it'll work, Lavenderlady. I can well imagine you are heartily sick of it all by now.

    Men? Crazy people. Keep well away - except when they're buying a round.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I really hope that your toe will start to heal/ fuse without any further intervention. You've had such a tough time with this.... and as sticky said, you must be so sick of it all. :roll:
    Sounds as though it was faulty metalwork? :shock:

    Here's hoping for a better outcome for you :!:

    Iris xxx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michelle,

    You know it might do it its self, my toe did, one is not quite as good as the ones that took with the plated and wires but its ok and really did fuse its sefl.

    The Important thing you need to remember is you really do have to keep all eight off it and elivate as well. I was told once that everything I put the foot on the floor and even semi weight bearing on it it knocked the healing back by 8 hours....

    You honestly need to rest it and with luck it will fuse up its self.

    Toes are fiddly but their failure rte isn't too high with them, I hope this isn't a actual failure more of a slight set back.

    Oh when I think what the men did to me when I was green and first joined the waggon's....

    yep they is some sick :wink:

    Fingers crossed for you. Cris x
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well I saw the consultant on 9th ( the same day hubby had a testical removed he has cancer, yet another thing to worry us all) anyway the toe has not fused but he is hoping it will do, he was talking about a sudo joint of gristle etc , most of the wound has healed well but like my wrist a bit of it is still bleeding am having dressings changed every other day have got iodine dressings on hoping to heal it up, they managed to get the stitches out after one end went back in the toe when cut but it came out a few days later with no worrys and was about 3 inches long,
    both me and hubbys are suppose to be resting hes giving me a headache with his "I'm bored moanings" MEN!!!!!
    we are really going to be needing our holiday in DFecemeber after this year of bad health and bad news, sorry not been on more but as you can imagine been busy with all sorts of stuff and appointments for us both, michelle x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You are both going through the mill at the moment aren't you? I have no idea how long toes take to fuse but I remember from your previous op that healing quickly is difficult for you so let's hope the iodine does the trick. I had iodine plasters on an insect bite that refused to heal and they sorted that out - a different kettle of fish I know, but they worked so my fingers are crossed for you.

    As for your husband, that is a tough op both physically and psychologically. Poor chap, I hope they caught it early and that all is well now. Both of you concentrate on getting better and fitter and I hope you have a good holiday in December. You both need it, that's for sure. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    H Michelle,

    hat a worrying time for you and your husband. I hope he is ok and fingers crossed for him.

    I know my toe that fused its self up took a long time to for it but it got there ad I so hope yours will soon as well. The iodine is good stuff and hopefully it ill soon heal. Let us know flower how you get one please. Cris x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You are both going through the mill, Lavenderlady, and that's hard as it means neither of you have the emotional reserves to support the other as you'd wish.

    I do hope things will start to look up for both of you soon and you can really enjoy that December holiday.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well still no sign of my toe fusing on its own, I am in no pain though so thats good am going back next month to see if it has worked by then the wound has finally healed a few days ago now, hubbys doing ok hes been given the all clear but has to have one dose of chemo to make sure any bad cells are caught and dealt with,
    I am now having real bad pain with my thumb joints but am seeing my surgeon on 20th for my wrist replacement check up, which seems to be pulling outwards !!!! never mind no pain what more can we ask for,
    nopw we are worried about my 7 year old Grandaughter who has signs of RA but her tests like mine come back as sero negative and her DR is wary of sorting it out as she already has bladder and kidney problems wonder if this is all connected somehow does anyone know?? michelle

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