Advice please..

Margaret59
Margaret59 Member Posts: 7
edited 9. Apr 2013, 09:41 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi I'm Margaret, I am 53 mum to 2 teenagers, work full time as a childminder, over the last two years I have told I have arthritis in my left foot over the last few months my right foot seems to be heading the same way. At the moment I find everything a huge struggle, my consultant wants to operate but I'm not that keen ....just need some advice please..

Comments

  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Margaret.

    I think the moderators will move this onto Living With Arthritis where more people will be able to give you advice.

    Will you be needing a fusion?

    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • Margaret59
    Margaret59 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elisabeth Fusion is what the consultant is talking about, back to see him on Wednesday as I have been in a lot of pain with both feet for a few week now. I have already had 2 lots of injections in my left foot which were done under a general.

    Margaret.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Margaret

    Elizabeth is right this thraed will probably be popped onto the Living with Arthritis forum where you might get a better response.

    Why are you not keen on the idea of surgery?? Have they tried podiatry already?? Is it because it is likely to be a fusion you are worried about movement of your foot afterwards?

    The arthritis must be making doing your job very difficult for you.....I would be weighing up the alternatives if there are any?????arthrospopy???....the length of recuperation etc

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • sailrib
    sailrib Member Posts: 327
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have arthritis in my left first and then my right, along with another condition called collation of the joints.

    Coming from a very active lifestyle and only being 25 yo, surfing, sailing, climbing, mountain biking and swimming, I went ahead with fusion on my left and I'm due for my right on Friday.

    I felt it would give me back the lifestyle as much as possible as I had before hand and I was right, even with just having my left done, I've managed to get back to some of my activities altho not as much as I had.

    Unfortunately, I was told about 3 weeks ago, I had more arthritis in my left but I'm hoping I can live with it once I had my right fusion :)

    Hope you decide what is best for your lifestyle :)
  • JanO
    JanO Member Posts: 34
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi my name is jan I'm also a childminder, I started with problems with my left hip last summer, at Xmas I was struggling so much I felt I wasn't able to do my job properly so I gave all my pre school children notice. I was put on a 6 month waiting list for a new hip and a 2 weeks later had my op. that was 4 weeks ago I'm now pain free and starting to think about getting back to childminding,( older ones only ) my advice is think about yourself first and think about your future and your quality of life, there is some great advice on here though. X
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I just had my second spinal fusion 6 weeks ago today and it was the best decision I made. I also know a lady at my swimming pool who went off to have an ankle fusion (I think ankle, might have been anywhere in her foot?) and she thinks that what the best thing she ever did too. If the joint can't move then it can't hurt.

    I agree that you have to think selfishly for a short while. I also thought "short term pain for long term gain". Surgery is never an easy decision but sometimes it is the right one.

    I wish you luck with your decision.
  • trepolpen
    trepolpen Member Posts: 504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi Margaret , where on your foot/ankle do they want to do the fusion ?

    had both ankles opperated on having Triple Arthrodesis on both ,in plaster for 6 weeks & have to ware a air boot for 6 months but the joints are pain free , its well worth having it done
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Margaret and welcome to the forum
    Sorry I cant offer any advice but you now have us lot to talk to, that in itself will help you....hopefully with your consultant you can come to a decision not easy i know xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • MrOptimist
    MrOptimist Member Posts: 175
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It is always worth gaining a second opinion.
  • Margaret59
    Margaret59 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks to everyone for their advice, I will take on board all comments. I think my main reason for putting the op of is the length of time I may need of after.

    Margaret.x
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,138
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Margaret.
    i had a triple fusion on my foot just below my toes
    i had it in plaster for 13 weeks the first 6 weeks i could hop i did that with a zimmer frame then i had a air boot i could put
    more weight then i also used a wheelchair.
    i also have thr and tkr i have not had a problem with anything
    good luck
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx