Orthopaedic apointment questions

succotash
succotash Member Posts: 83
edited 12. Jul 2012, 10:28 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have an appointment with the Orthopaedic consultant next week. I saw one a couple of years ago with my hands and was diagnosed OA in them.

Now my knees have pain, as do my ankles, toes, fingers and back. I think my hips are giving me problems now too. Though I am not sure where exactly hip pain from OA would be. The pain is right at the top of my leg, lots of clicking and sometimes sharp pain.

I am trying to think of a list of things to mention/ask.
Here is my small list;
Confirmation it is OA
Early menopause link
Am I at risk of osteoperosis is there a link?
prognosis
preventing flare ups
Steroid injections
Synvisic-one injections


Can anyone think of anything else I should be asking?
How come I'm over the hill and rapidly going down it, when I don't even recall reaching the summit?

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,787
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    In your shoes I would also have a list of what is happening.

    e.g. pain where and when (give them a number out of 10)

    any stiffness if so when and for how long

    effects on daily life

    and any other random symptoms like rashes/ high temperatures

    Love and luck

    Toni xxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,763
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well, you've covered more than I could have come up with, herestinker. Maybe they do things differently in your neck of the woods. I see the orthopaedic surgeon for routine checks on the various bits he's put into me but, over here, you either see the kneeandhip man or the foot man or the hands man and it's not much use asking the hip man about your hands etc. Maybe this is a general referral for X-rays and to see what's happening.

    One thing I can help with is hip pain. It's usually felt just above the top of the affected buttock in the middle of that half of the lower back, and also in the affected groin.

    I hope it goes well for you.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • succotash
    succotash Member Posts: 83
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The pain I get that I think is my hip is in my groin but deep inside. Not so much in my buttock but then maybe I am not aware of that due to lower back pain anyway.

    Thanks for the replies, I have added how far I can walk and how sometimes wondering around the house is painful and other times I can walk a mile with rests.
    How come I'm over the hill and rapidly going down it, when I don't even recall reaching the summit?
  • Folara
    Folara Member Posts: 568
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Definitely add in what Toni has said as they need to be aware of how much this is affecting you.

    I'm not sure they will give a definitive diagnosis as they are very wary of saying its definitely something in case it's not so don't be too upset if they won't commit.

    Fols x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,763
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The pain I get that I think is my hip is in my groin but deep inside.

    That sounds right to me.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Dont forget to take that list with you :lol:
    It sounds pretty comprehensive to me.
    Dont forget....he'll also ask questions that you'll need to answer so although we all take lists I find that sometimes he asks things that covers the questions i was going to ask
    Good Luck
    Hileena