Arthritis in my ankle

Margit

Hi, I barely reached fourty and been diagnosed with post traumatic ankle arthritis in the tibiotalar joint. I had a lot of chronic pain in my 20’s and was offered ankle fusion at age 27, which I said no to. I met a good surgeon after, had few operations and my chronic pain improved for a decade. I was able to take up rowing, which is great for fitness. Now almost back to square one. Struggling to wear shoes now. I bought rocker shoes but struggling to wear them. I’m quite active with cycling so I’m not sure how much I can do now? I had few flare ups which lasted for weeks. I know arthritis is progressive it’s just treatment for end stage arthritis is either fusion or ankle replacement, which doesn’t last that long based on a lot of research I did. I’m a first year physio student, so having access to this is useful. I’m wondering if someone else has ankle arthritis and how are they managing? I’m obviously quite upset about it all. I’m worried what the future brings as a physio I will be working on wards when I qualify. Also Been in a lot of pain previously and it scared me for life. I’m doing physio exercises which I was doing when I had issues previously but it hurts after so maybe I’m overdoing it. Just wondering for any useful tips. How to learn to live with that and learn to cope with pain? Perhaps finding that someone can relate to me? I’m seeing a Specialist physio next week, again apparently the injections don’t last very long so why to bother.

thanks for reading.

Tom

Greetings @Margit and welcome to the forum. I understand that you have been troubled since your twenties with arthritis in the ankle. After a few operations, your pain improved for 10 years, but is now returning. You are a physio student and are concerned at what the future holds for your career and the exercise you enjoy.

 Here is some information from our website that I hope you will find useful. 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-foot-and-ankle/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I wish you luck and please keep posting to let us know how you are getting on.

 

Tom, Moderator.