Rhumy clinic says 'we dont do feet'

kathbee

Having had RA for a number of years and OA, my feet are always painful, bent toes, bunions soreness underneath, but when I ask the rheumy nurse they always say 'oh we dont DO feet'.

So who the heck does, can anyone tell me what they do, is it the orthopaedic dept that deal with feet or what. Seems like its alright to have painful knees, hips, wrists, hands and elbows but not feet.

What to do?

Kath

stickywicket

They don’t, really. They deal with controlling the disease itself. Stuff like bunions, bent toes etc, although they may be a result of the RA, are more likely to be due to resulting OA. Orthopaedics will deal with it in the sense that they can operate.

However, physio could help and orthotic insoles might, too. Rheumatology should have been able to refer you to either/both though it would probably have to come from the rheumatologist not the nurse.

When do you go back there, Kath? If it’s a long time, you could always have a word with your GP.

kathbee

Thanks sticky.

I have an appointment in just over a week so I will see what materialises. I always see the rheumatology specialist clinical nurse to give her her full title, never the consultant, if there is anything to ask the consultant, off goes the nurse and reports back. Not ideal but thats what they do, think the rheumatologist deals with mostly new cases.
I have had insoles made over the years but they dont do a lot for the bent toes.

Kath

maria09

Hi
It sounds like you need your GP to refer you to an Orthopaedic Consultant to help sort your feet out!! I have injections into the joint spaces on both feet by the Rheumatologist for pain relief but I am also in the process of having surgery to them too
I've had my big toe fused due to osteoarthritis and now on waiting list for surgery to second third fourth toe same foot then it will be surgery to my big toe other foot
I was lucky I picked my surgeon as I was a staff nurse on one of his wards so I had and still have no worries regarding surgery
Good luck
Maria

kathbee

Thank you Maria.

I will see my GP in a couple of weeks as the pain when walking is getting too much - and I have a cupboard full of shoes that I cant wear any more and I arent talking high heels either.

You have had a lot done to your feet and more to come by the looks of things. Hope all goes well for you.

Kath

sailrib

I only have arthritis in my feet and I have always been dealt with at the Foot and Ankle Clinic

kathbee

Thank you sailrib, I just looked at local hospital consultant list and it looks as though there might be a foot and ankle clinic there, so at least I have a name to ask about at my next rheumy appt, then see my GP hopefully.

Kath

Airwave!

When you have had your ops to fuse or give you new joints and your physio and fancy shoe insoles, then you realise that there is no ongoing foot treatment. I had mine done and now all the other joints in my feet are shouting loud, walking is more painful than ever, the ankles/knees/hips/back join in as well. At the end of all this is when you say enough is enough and start to come to terms with pain and how to live with it longterm.

Read these forums from one end to the other, something may strike a cord with you, we are all slightly different in how we deal with things. Rheummys only treat RA, Orthos only operate, after that you're on your own, stuck between the two. Good luck.

trepolpen

hi Kath

our rheumatology department has a foot clinic , the DAS28 dont include ankles & foot joints but they are still affected by RA & mine have been badly damage because of RA so talk to your consultant when you see him/her , but if you need to be refered to a surgeon talk to your GP because they can arrange it a lot quicker

Buka

Hi Kath,

I have RA and had real problems with my feet. I couldn't get any shoes on at all in the end and spent my days in flipflops. All my toes dislocated and bent and I had bunions on both feet. I was referred to the orthopaedic surgeon for forefoot reconstruction and he got rid of the bunions and fused my big toes and then basically cut out bits of bones in my toes and flattened them all back down again. Result has been good in some respects. I can get shoes back on again which is great although the promised low heeled shoes hasn't worked. The downside has been the nerve damage in my right foot. The left one is fine but my right foot feels webbed and also has strange sensations a lot of the time. I am very aware of it and can no longer walk barefoot. It is really nice to wear shoes again though. I suppose everything has its drawbacks but I think overall I am glad I had the surgery. I had both feet done at once and that was the best decision ever - you are more balanced in my opinion and it didn't make things any more difficult for me.

Buka

gemz10

Hi there my rheumatologist referred me to the podiatry dept & they were able to help with exercises & insoles. I still get some trouble but they really made a difference!

Hope u manage to get the right help soon

sailrib

I was referred to Biomechanics as well with my arthritis in my feet.

kathbee

Thanks for replies everyone.

I will be asking about my feet problems when I have my rheumy appointment in just over a week, but the rheumy dept does not do referrals within the hospital, so I will still have to see my GP probably, thats something I dont quite understand -

you are in the RA clinic discussing the damage that RA has done to your feet then you are told go see your GP about it.
Just seems a bit odd to me.

But I cant manage much longer even if it means some kind of surgery I will go for it.

thanks everyone
Kath

lizzy100

they deal with arthritis in the feet and elsewhere, but bunions and toes etc i would of thought would be a chiropidist/podiatrist type thing?
lol just read everyone elses replies suggesting something different.
i get arthritis in my feet, but not only my feet other joints too so im on drugs for it, but noone has really examined my feet.
can u ask rhemm if they can refer you to the right people then? else have to ask gp i guess.