Osteoarthritis- ankle
Discussion
Some 10 years or more ago I saw my dr about pains in my ankle.
Consensus was possible osteoarthritis but as I was not even 40 years old we didn’t take it further.
The pain used to come and go, and I could go months with no issues at all.
For the past 3-4 months though, the pain is permanently here - so much so that I’ve often been walking and the shooting pains have almost made me fall over.
Sitting on a chair for 10 mins and getting up - instant pain that takes 30 mins or more to dissipate.
Driving for ten mins, when I get out the car and try to walk it’s the same.
I’m active, on my feet all day, play tennis regularly, now cricket season is here I’ll be doing nets / playing matches at least twice a week, and I also coach rugby.
So, do I go back to the docs only to be told to ice it / physio / steroid injections etc, which will mean months and months of pain and probably no better off.
Or can I request a referral to a surgeon and get it fused without having to go through all the other stuff first?
It’s really starting to impact on my everyday life...
Just want the f
king pain to go!
Anyone have the same problem, and what did you do?
Cheers
Forgot to add - past history with this particular foot - bunion removed, wasn’t done particularly well and had to go back and have the 2nd toe shortened.
Always had issues with it.
Consensus was possible osteoarthritis but as I was not even 40 years old we didn’t take it further.
The pain used to come and go, and I could go months with no issues at all.
For the past 3-4 months though, the pain is permanently here - so much so that I’ve often been walking and the shooting pains have almost made me fall over.
Sitting on a chair for 10 mins and getting up - instant pain that takes 30 mins or more to dissipate.
Driving for ten mins, when I get out the car and try to walk it’s the same.
I’m active, on my feet all day, play tennis regularly, now cricket season is here I’ll be doing nets / playing matches at least twice a week, and I also coach rugby.
So, do I go back to the docs only to be told to ice it / physio / steroid injections etc, which will mean months and months of pain and probably no better off.
Or can I request a referral to a surgeon and get it fused without having to go through all the other stuff first?
It’s really starting to impact on my everyday life...
Just want the f
king pain to go!Anyone have the same problem, and what did you do?
Cheers
Forgot to add - past history with this particular foot - bunion removed, wasn’t done particularly well and had to go back and have the 2nd toe shortened.
Always had issues with it.
Similar tale, I am now 6 weeks post surgery.
Get an X-ray of it from your gp or rapid access physio. My GP was dismissive as minor issues but I got to see a surgeon. I’ve had the osteophyts removed and the actual ankle bone had splintered csysing mechanical locking of the joint.
Long fiddly pain ful operation. Recovery is long and uncertain with lots of crutches, boots and physio, I’m just starting this phase after being in a cast.
Make sure you are prepared mentally for the pain, fatigue and boredom!
Get an X-ray of it from your gp or rapid access physio. My GP was dismissive as minor issues but I got to see a surgeon. I’ve had the osteophyts removed and the actual ankle bone had splintered csysing mechanical locking of the joint.
Long fiddly pain ful operation. Recovery is long and uncertain with lots of crutches, boots and physio, I’m just starting this phase after being in a cast.
Make sure you are prepared mentally for the pain, fatigue and boredom!
10 years off and on, like you, also not yet 40 (39)
Ankle kept just ‘giving’ out on me and was limiting my ability to lead a normal life so had to get it sorted, the osteophytes are extra bony arthritic growth where the ankle is trying to protect itself but they cause the pain and locking
You might get away with a laparoscopic ‘key hole’ op to tidy it up.
You need an X-ray and a surgeon! Sounds like your beyond physio but get their view too, they cans request and review xrays too
Ankle kept just ‘giving’ out on me and was limiting my ability to lead a normal life so had to get it sorted, the osteophytes are extra bony arthritic growth where the ankle is trying to protect itself but they cause the pain and locking
You might get away with a laparoscopic ‘key hole’ op to tidy it up.
You need an X-ray and a surgeon! Sounds like your beyond physio but get their view too, they cans request and review xrays too
Age is just a number! I meant that like you it was dismissed as ‘just a strain’, your too young, do you remember trauma, or an acute fracture. You need to convince someone it is bony and not tissue, tendon etc,.. which will respond to physio.
If it will respond to physio, bonus, get on with it, but it sounds like mine, impact made it worse/horrific, running a non starter, shooting pain. I could feel/see. The osteophytes though bulging out of the joint. Mine was an extreme case as if left it so long, struggling on etc,,, luckily it’s my left so I can still drive an automatic.
If it will respond to physio, bonus, get on with it, but it sounds like mine, impact made it worse/horrific, running a non starter, shooting pain. I could feel/see. The osteophytes though bulging out of the joint. Mine was an extreme case as if left it so long, struggling on etc,,, luckily it’s my left so I can still drive an automatic.
We would probably x-ray it and try a steroid injection. Injecting the ankle is pretty easy really and can work well. Give you some decent medium term relief anyway. Also foot orthoses, ankle supports, ankle strength exercises all worth a try.
Also think about trying MSM and chondroitin supplements. Some evidence they can be useful for osteoarthritis. Assume you're not a fatty? 5% reduction in weight causes significant reduction in peak joint forces in gait. As ever, try and have surgery as the last option. Ankle joint surgery is pretty limited to fusion or reducing and osteophytosis. And you don't want is fusing. It moves the way it does for good reason.
Also think about trying MSM and chondroitin supplements. Some evidence they can be useful for osteoarthritis. Assume you're not a fatty? 5% reduction in weight causes significant reduction in peak joint forces in gait. As ever, try and have surgery as the last option. Ankle joint surgery is pretty limited to fusion or reducing and osteophytosis. And you don't want is fusing. It moves the way it does for good reason.
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