Greetings and felicitations

NigelRL

Hiya new to site. My dad had chronic arthritis in knees and back so it was no surprise it grabbed me, also I believe when young we think we are invincible, well cept many torn muscles, tendons and bouncing my bod about. Then we get older and that abuse catches up.

At first I denied my hip was goosed. I carried on, my boss commented when emergency alarm sounded I hopped faster than most on two legs. I gave in saw Dr, only 20% rotation. Saw consultant 2 weeks later and 1 week later under the scalpel.

Day after I was asked how are you, great I replied cept is it normal for leg to be totally numb. Nerve had been damaged and to this day parts of foot are numb. Unfortunately the other part got Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS or CRaPSy.

24/7 pain like I never knew possible. That was 2014. After a few years I coped and managed most days, but I leant heavily on other leg which was diagnosed arthritic. By 2019 what with goosed hip and CRPS I had very little mobility. Saw Dr got referred and put on list for new hip even tho I got CRPS from first replacement. Then Covid and understandably put on hold.

2021 saw consultant I'm on list again, at end of consultation he says hmmm CRPS do you have wounds /ulcers? Just the one right now. CRPS can bring on ulcers. I'm off list as infection risk. That was April 2021, since then I have had 20 plus ulcers and 9 full blown infections, aye I'm greedy. Twice weekly ulcers are scraped clean and re dressed.

Oh consultant contacted BTW his secretary says looking at xray you have arthritis in lower back.

So I'm waiting for ulcers to go then I have been told I will get first cancellation for hip replacement.

Sorry for big post but then I do talk a lot or so I have been told

Brynmor

Hi @NigelRL welcome to the Online Community.

I understand after a long history of arthritis you are now waiting for a second hip replacement surgery, just as soon as ulcers caused by  complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) make this possible.

There is good information on hip replacement surgery that can be found on our web site that includes suggestions for exercises that will be needed after the operation.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

Do join in across the Community, ask questions, and give advice and support. Do say how you are getting on and when you hear about the hospital date. You will be most welcome.

All best wishes

Brynmor

NigelRL

Thanks. I'm lucky enough in that our health leisure sport dept do a community welfare program and I have support and advise on exercises. This has not only helped with ideas and changes I can make but also mental health

NigelRL

NigelRL

Changing phone can make you check back and I realised I had joined this group. Nothing has changed re movement to hip replacement, but in 20 months I have been greedy enough to get 14 infections in my wounds on my crps leg. This involves gut wrenching pain every morning where my foot twists uncontrollably. BUT all of this is nothing. In Feb this year my wife who is never I'll anounced she felt something wrong. After Dr and scans a tumour was found on a kidney. This had wrapped itself around major artery meaning surgery wasn't an option nor would khemo work. We managed to lift our selves up till recently I noticed a yellow tinge not only there but getting worse. Again Dr and tests showed her liver was in major trouble and he promptly discussed end of life and DNR. Now her consultant is an amazing woman and after a scan we went expecting to be told days or if lucky weeks. But no she had looked at scan and gotten other specialist The cancer was not in liver but had squeezed closed her livers drain and liver was full of waste that was seeping out. It also had squeezed the entrance to duodenum which had meant that for weeks all food made her sick. Last week she went in and had stents placed to open the liver drain and entrance to duodenum. All this done in 10 days from first seeing Dr. Thank you Scot NHS, I thought I had lost her and now I have the best Xmas present more months with my wife. So is my pain, condition bad yup, am I doing a jig with tears in my eyes you flipping well bet. Best wishes to all and one and life may feel at it's worst but sometimes good things still come along.

Sorry for absence but we'll ya know life tends to take over

stickywicket

@NigelRL , I'm so sorry about all that's happened to you and your wife. All those infections! Is there no way of trying to prevent them? I know I'm prone to cellulitis, possibly because I have quite dry skin, so I have to keep my legs well moisturised - which, when you don't bend, isn't easy.

But then there's your poor wife. I am in awe of your attitude, counting your blessings when there is so much to be angry and upset about. I hope you'll feel able to come on here and share both good and bad times if it helps at all.

With absolute sincerity, I wish you both the happiest possible Christmas. You deserve it.

NigelRL

Thanks for reply and sorry for late reply. Wife has deteriorated as cancer blocks important arteries. Good thing is body can make wee diversions for blood supply and drainage but these are like a slow moving B road replacing blocked motorway. She is unable to walk beyond a few paces so it's a wheel chair and me pushing. We did get a folding scoot but doing a Nigel I lifted it and tendons in arm ripped so hey out of 4 limbs one works properly. I'm sorry if it's a oh wow is me I don't mean it to be as each extra day I have with her is a bonus. Hardest bit is I have had another infection and truly could have just curled up. On plus side clearer skies and we have had a few jaunts. A wee break booked on banks of Loch Ness in Airbnb. Now last time I was there apparently a sighting of the munsta, strange it was were I was I didn't see it..................