RA, you've gotta love it!

Numptydumpty

That's what the consultant at the foot clinic said to me today!
I was there to see about sorting out my hammer toes. They are preventing me from wearing shoes other than slippers and a pair of moccasins, which are just like slippers really.
Anyhow, after x-raying my feet he said there's no point in fixing my toes until my feet are sorted, and there's no point in fixing my feet if my ankles and knees are causing the problems! So, he's referring me to be measured for orthopaedic shoes to see if they help. I'm booked for a MRI scan in August, to see what's going on with my ankles and knees, then to see him again at the end of August, to discuss the best course to take.
He thinks it's likely I'll need my toes straightened, and my feet fused in three places, but wants to see if the shoes make any difference first.
So fingers crossed for a small miracle from the shoes!
Arthritis, the gift that keeps on taking
Numpty

As5567

Numptydumpty wrote:

That's what the consultant at the foot clinic said to me today!
I was there to see about sorting out my hammer toes. They are preventing me from wearing shoes other than slippers and a pair of moccasins, which are just like slippers really.
Anyhow, after x-raying my feet he said there's no point in fixing my toes until my feet are sorted, and there's no point in fixing my feet if my ankles and knees are causing the problems! So, he's referring me to be measured for orthopaedic shoes to see if they help. I'm booked for a MRI scan in August, to see what's going on with my ankles and knees, then to see him again at the end of August, to discuss the best course to take.
He thinks it's likely I'll need my toes straightened, and my feet fused in three places, but wants to see if the shoes make any difference first.
So fingers crossed for a small miracle from the shoes!
Arthritis, the gift that keeps on taking
Numpty

I hope the shoes can be of some help to you, but I suspect they are very unlikely to put things right. I hope you can get things sorter soon

barbara12

Numpty I do hope the shoes help,if not hopefully the ops will be done in one then it will be one recovery...not nice to face I know, so good luck with the shoes...x

dreamdaisy

Oh Numpty, I am so sorry to read this. We humans are complicated enough when healthy but then factor in RA etc. . . . it's not on. :x

I don't have any advice to offer because I have not experienced anything like this but, if pocket dwellers are needed or any other kind of support required, then count me in. Simples. DD

Numptydumpty

Thank you for the replies

As5567, I don't think the shoes will put things right either, but they might make walking a little easier, and prevent even more damage, or maybe I'm just clutching at straws :?

Barbara, the consultant said that after the fusions I'd be in plaster for about three months. Halfway through that time they would straighten my toes. So it would be two lots of surgery, but one recovery period.

DD, thank you, it's comforting to know that you're there for support, and I will probably be requesting pocket duties

I just hope the MRI doesn't show any more problems!
Numpty

trepolpen

hi Numpty , what part of your feet / ankles he thinks should be fused , dont put it off to long as you can develop other problems if you leave it

LignumVitae

I hope the MRI shows up nothing nasty too! Oh Numpty (((((((()))))))) - if it helps, walking around in pyjamas are fashionable in some parts of manchester (I've never done it) so surely slippers are simply the footwear choice for fashionistas. I really hope they can at least provide you with some comfort but whatever happens I will also be ready for any pocket duties xx

Numptydumpty

Hi Trepolpen, I don't know about my ankles until after the MRI, he said I needed three fusions in my foot, he indicated the top of my foot, but to be honest, I didn't take it all in. I felt a bit shell shocked, as I'd only gone there for hammer toes, and he was talking knee replacements and all sorts! The inner side of my feet go over quite badly, in fact the right foot, I'm close to walking on my ankle.
I had a wrist fusion a couple of years ago, but feet are a different kettle of fish!
Numpty

Numptydumpty

Oh LV, thank you for taking the time to support me when you're going through so much rot yourself.
Luckily I've always chosen comfort over chic when it comes to footwear, I have no qualms about wearing slippers, other than they don't give any support
Numpty

stickywicket

Well, I can see the consultant loving it seeing as how it provides him with a living but I don't quite see why you should.

Slippers and moccasins are not good for feet as they give no support so welcome to the surgical shoes gang. (Motto: Death to stilettos.) The trouble is, as the old song says, 'your knee bone's connected to your ankle bone' etc etc. In our case far too well connected and in all the wrong places.

Numptydumpty

Hi Sticky, it was said with irony, he seemed to be a very nice, understanding and caring bloke, not uneasy on the eye either
When I told my daughter about my appointment, she treated me to a rendition of "Dem dry bones"
I've never worn stilettos, in spite of my lack of height, just couldn't manage heels. I do like pretty shoes though, and I'll never be able to pull in surgical shoes
Numpty

stickywicket

Look on the bright side. If they're looking only at your shoes you'll never be able to pull any bloke worth having anyway Just keep them focused on your sparkling wit and repartee
Good news about the rheumatologist. Solemnity is scary

villier

Aww Numpty trying to keep fingers crossed for the small miracle to happen..............you never know!!! good luck with the scan will be in your pocket(playing havoc ) anytime........................Marie xx

marrianne

Hi Numpty I only wear birkenstocks in summer ,and wellingtons in winter ,hope all goes well its a long time to be in plaster though ,guess you do look for alternatives .oh begger though it is the rotten gift that keeps on giving xx

Numptydumpty

Thanks Marie, looking forward to the havoc, if not the scan

Thank you for the thought Marrianne, yes Arthritis is very generous when handing out dross :roll:

A friend has suggested I buy some very long dresses and skirts to hide the shoes. I feel more inclined to spray them with glitter paint to pretty them up
Numpty

Slosh

Glitter paint every time, speaking as someone who decorated her walking stick for Christmas and blinged up her surgical collar. Sorry to hear you have to go through all this, hope the shoes help and the MRI proves helpful.

stickywicket

Right. A tip from a (very) old hand. In far off times I was given a bewildering choice of colours but you have to bear in mine you're only allowed two pairs so I usually ended up with a black / navy pair and a brown / cream pair. Now I don't have any choice other than black. BUT, if given a choice, ask for the softest leather and beggur the colour. It'll probably be black anyway but you do get big differences in softness and therefore in comfort.

Then do what you will with them remembering that, although they used to have to last only two years, now they have to last as long as they're vaguely supporting your foot.

Numptydumpty

Slosh, I would have liked to have seen that surgical collar

Thanks Sticky, I'll bear that in mind. I'd definitely go for comfort every time.
Numpty