OK to ask about knee at appointment for Achilles tendon?

Megrose2

I'm waiting for an appointment to see an orthopaedic consultant about my Achilles tendon. It's tender and aches and I've got a painful lump on it. I also have pain under the heel, especially in the morning or after I've been sitting. I've had an ultrasound, but, although the person who did it said it looked as though there were tears which had attempted to heal themselves, in her report back to the GP she queried whether it was a cholesterol lump. Hence the referral. I know my cholesterol could be lower - it was 7 last year. I had it checked again last week with results next week.

Anyway, since I saw the GP in January, my osteoarthritic left knee has become even more painful at the front - over the kneecap. It's difficult going up and down stairs and I'm getting quite frustrated with it. I've been using an ibuprofen gel, but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

So, I'm now wondering, when I see this orthopaedic consultant, would it be in order to ask about my knee, even though I'm principally there about the Achilles tendon? I've been put onto a waiting list at the hospital for an appointment, they're so busy, and really don't want to go through the GP/referral thing again, if at all possible.

What do you think? Is it being too cheeky?

Meg

barbara12

Hello Meg
Yes you tell them about your knee, he or she may send you for Xrays like they did with me many years ago,and my hip surgeon sent me to see a neuro man for my back..good luck hope the results are good

dreamdaisy

I know from my own experience that having two tight Achilles tendons affects my knees but they were helped by a physio and I must restart her exercises. Everything's linked so why not ask? He might brush you off but if you don't ask you don't get.

You mention stairs and yes, they can be a nightmare. Do you know the mantra 'Good leg to Heaven, bad leg to hell'? In other words you lead with the good leg going up and with the bad going down. It's also best to take one stair at a time, so good leg up and bad leg joins it before you tackle the next - vice-versa when coming down (although coming down backwards is easier if the stairs are straight and you have handrails for support). DD

Megrose2

Thanks DD and Barbara. I will mention it. Nothing to lose, after all, as, if he does brush me off, I'll just go back to the GP. I didn't know about tight Achilles tendons affecting knees, but it makes sense.

Do you know, DD, I can remember reading about 'good leg to heaven, bad leg to hell' on here many moons ago. Maybe it was one of your posts? So, when my knee became more painful, I thought about this little mantra and life became a little easier. Slower, perhaps, but easier! Our stairs have two small landings and double back on themselves, so I have to think about it and mutter away to myself as I go up, or down! Thanks.

Meg

stickywicket

For my money you can always ask. It might be very relevant or it might not. I saw the 'foot man' some years ago as I could barely walk for pain in my ankle. The x-ray showed that my ankle had fused itself perfectly. However, he'd taken the precaution of also x-raying the knee above it. The very old TKR was totally gone and that's when he referred me to the 'knee man' and it was revised. I'd no pain in the knee.

I hope you can get a good, satisfying appointment, Meg.

Megrose2

Thanks Sticky. I saw the rheumatologist ten days ago re the hip bursitis. I also mentioned my thumb joints while I was there, as the last rheumatologist I had seen had injected them. He said he would refer me to the hand surgeon. I was really pleased, as I thought I would have to go back to my GP to be referred, but he was able to refer me straight over.

I don't know how long I'll have to wait for this ortho appointment, but I'll let you know how I get on.


Meg.

ETA: He also referred me for a spine MRI as he wants to make sure that the hip pain isn't coming from my back.

pot80

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Ask away. Hope all goes well.

Megrose2

Update. I've had to re-arrange the date for this appointment and now find that I'm to see a different consultant who specialises in not only foot/ankle surgery but also hip and knee replacement surgery, so I'm really pleased about that as I will feel quite comfortable having a moan about my knees.

Meg