RA and foot/ankle surgery

mel g

I had flat foot surgery almost a year ago and about 5 months ago I started to feel like crap. I also have a history of pathology in other joints. Some are just painful. Some I've had surgery on for various things. Anyway my hands started to really bother me so I finally went to see a rheumatologist (it had been recommended to me in the past but I never went). My blood work has come back with a positive Ana, elevated RA factor, one of my immunoglobulins and also the ssa antibody. I think for now the doctor is calling it an undifferentiated mixed connective tissue disorder bc I think I'm still considered subacute. I had a delayed union at my graft site but I'm doing ok. I have read of others on different forums who had a terrible recovery or non-unions most likely due to autoimmune issue and/or not stopping meds early enough.

Peach86

I don't have RA, but I was diagnosed with a seronegative inflammatory arthritis earlier this year (psoriatic/ankylosing spondylitis)...I don't know if it caused my foot problems, but it certainly seems like it could have at least been a contributing factor.

mel g

I did! I had flatfoot reconstruction a year and a couple of months ago and I am newly diagnosed with RA. But mine is not very advanced.

danabarb

Any doctor who recommends all that surgery, I would run away from as fast as possible!! Years ago, I was fitted to orthotics because my feet were so flat and all they did was make the muscles much, much weaker. I did have bunion surgery and had I known then what I know now, I never would have let the surgeon near me. Many years later, my feet started getting bad again and I was afraid I was in for another surgery. My ankles were so weak that my feet were rolling in. To cut a story short, I found a man who has worked and worked with me and I now have a beautiful arches and toes are much straighter. Look up strengthening exercises on the Internet and work like like doing them or find someone who specializes in this and you may not need all that. It's common to have these problems because of weakness in hips, legs, ankles and feet. In my experience surgery is not the answer nor are orthotics. l would stay clear of any podiatrist or orthopedic doctor that suggests cutting .

RA fighter

My feet and ankles are very damaged from rheumatoid arthritis. It's not just flat feet.

mel g

Get different doctor opinions to decide is best for you! I had an extra bone running through a bad tendon and it was never going to reattach bc it was connected by cartilage not bone. It had to be removed if I wanted any chance to regain function and strength. My foot is more stable but I still have a lot of pain and swelling from the autoimmune stuff. I have other tendons that have cysts from being chronically inflamed. Do you have any issue with that? Chronic tendonitis or cysts in any tendons?