Osteoarthritis

Yvonne46746 · 06-10-2006, 04:42 AM

HI my name is Yvonne I am 33 and I have had OA in both of
my ankles starting around the age of 12.. over the past year or two
i have seen my podiatrist and had ct scans done and the subtalar joints in
my ankles are fused,, the right one totally fused and a partial in the left,,, progression of the OA.. I wear ritchie braces on both feet,, they hurt..
Ive taken just about every anti inflammatory there is with no luck, the doctor has me taking skelaxin and ultracet.. Im just so tired of being drugged up,, cant be good for ya!! The dr said the only next step with my ankles is a fusion surgery,, but he keeps putting it off and Im so sick and tired of waiting for him to do something.. I stopped seeing him.. starting to wonder if he was ever gonna do anything at all, except write perscriptions and adjust the braces...

Has anyone else experienced problems like mine??? if so what treatments are you using,,, for the past 6 yrs I haven't been able to work due to the pain.. I havent tried to file for disability, should I? would I get it considering my husband has a good paying job? The money doesnt really matter much (chuckle chuckle) but it sure would help me out esp since I need to find another doctor,, a specialist probably...

Bye,, Yvonne

Kissa · 06-10-2006, 02:39 PM

While I don't have oa in the ankles I do have it about everywhere else. I would seek out a second opinion and see if there are options other than what you are doing now and if surgery really is viable. Never limit yourself to one doctor when it comes to any kind of surgery or diagnosis, second opinions are important.

In regards to Disability. Chances are because your husband works you probably won't qualify for SSI, however, if you have enough work credits you may be eligible for SSD. How good of a work history do you have? At your age you need to have 20 work credits that in turn means you must have worked at least 5 years in the 10 year period prior to you becoming disabled. If you are eligible then I would at least apply and or speak to an attorney. Having an attorney (if you qualify) will help your case greatly.

Yvonne46746 · 06-10-2006, 03:13 PM

Well its been 6 yrs or so since I was able to work,, but out of the 10 yrs prior I am almost positive that I have worked 5...

I am going to check and see if I can get in to see a specialist hopefully he or she will be able to help me out a little bit.. anything is better than wearing these braces all the time,, (they're so ugly lol) they go up to mid calf.. yuck..I haven't been wearing them latley anyway...

Im almost sure that the OA is in my neck also,, where it meets my shoulders.. its grinding and hurting like my ankles used to do when I was young... do you have neck problems? have you ever tried BioFreeze???
it works a little for stiffness...great for backaches too

talk to you soon
Yvonne

pelchatk · 06-15-2006, 09:55 AM

Can you tell me more about biofreeze?

Kissa · 06-15-2006, 01:02 PM

I do have arthritis (degenerating disk disease)in my neck, permanent nerve damage and some spurs/herniations. I did have an ACDF done a few years ago when one herniation was compressing the spinal cord region and nerve bed. It was quite painful.
Have you had your neck checked to rule out any type of herniations? I really suggest someone who works on the spine.

I don't use biofreeze, I use prescription medication called Lidoderm which is basically lidocain in a gel form patch. It's quite effective. Prior to getting the prescription medication I used those 8 hour heat patchs which work great as long as you don't have any swelling going on.

Barbie