The tricky business of arthritis e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

Starburst

"Head (jaw), shoulders, knees and toes...and wrists and hands and ankles and feet. Head (jaw), shoulders knees and toes...."

After having it confirmed that I have entrapment neuropathy in my feet (tarsal tunnel), it is suspected that my wrist problems are the similar beast of carpal tunnel. I need to use some type of mobility aid and have been alternating a stick and a crutch to see what would hurt the least. The stick bothers my hands and the crutch is compressing the wrist nerve further. My shoulders are also being particularly unforgiving at the moment too; restricted movement, grindy and clunky.

What is the solution? I am unsure at this point. I shall continue to pop the co-cos and hope for relief because hope is the little voice you hear whisper “maybe” when it seems the entire world is shouting “no!"

Slosh

Oh no, wish I could come up with a helpful suggestion, all I can suggest is that you try/ research different styles of crutch, I remember when I was looking seeing some which had a different shape to the part that supports your arm, if you want I can pm you with the site name.

I know that for me I found that when I had to move to using crutches rather a stick I found I did get less pain in my shoulder.

stickywicket

I don't know if this will be of any help but I have RA everywhere and have mever used a walking aid because I can't. My shoulders are far too rubbishy for crutches and my feet stick out so, even if I try a stick, I only fall over it. Sometimes I've wondered if the lack of aids has helped me to stay upright. I have to walk carefully and watch where I put my feet but I only recall falling twice - once when I forgot, on exiting a restaurant, that the pavement sloped and once when I stepped off a shallow step onto a wobbly bit of ground.

barbara12

Its so hard when arthritis spreads like this..must say its been a shock to me..I am suppose to use tow crutches but because of a painful shoulder can only use one..I do hope you can find some balance with the walking aids..

Numptydumpty

I use gutter crutches which I got from my physiotherapist. They have a gutter for your forearm to rest on, so no weight or pressure on your wrists and hands. If my shoulders are particularly bad I can't use them, but most of the time they work really well for me. Perhaps you could try some?
Numpty

Starburst

Thank you for the replies. I was given a pair of gutter crutches when I had my ankle surgery but found them very troublesome. My feet and ankles are, by far, the worst affected joints and although my upper body joints have always been bad, they weren't as bad. However, as time progresses, it appears that my shoulders and wrists are becoming more bothersome. I was hoping that my exercise regime would mean that I don't need it as much but as of yet, I'm still wobbly and relying on my sticky stick friend. I'm far more reliant on my crutch than I ever imagined I'd be at 26.

I've got a review with the specialist rheum physio in a few weeks and I'll see what she has to suggest.

dreamdaisy

It is a tricky business, isn't it? I remember after my double carpal tunnel surgery I couldn't use any aids and that was scary. I admit that I don't tightly grip my crutches (or my rollator handles), I just rest my hands on them, loosely curved round the grip so I can exercise some degree of control - the majority of my troubles lie in the leg joints but the aids do offer some relief - more importantly though they offer confidence and stability. I can get to the end of the drive and back without using anything but it's not a pleasant experience pain-wise.

It's not on, is it Sophie? There you are, busy making the best of everything, and still obstacles are thrown in your path. Grrrrrr. DD

LignumVitae

I hope you find something suitable - maybe alternating is the answer long term. I think I would be in SWs camp and find anything a problem because my hands are the most rubbish bit of me.