Ankle arthritis
Discussion
Aplogies in advance for length of post. Many years ago (1989) I had a nasty prang on my motor bike. Came off due to diesel; ended up, due to left leg being under bike and going over a kerb, with both lower bones fractured just above the ankle and the foot was rotated 180 degrees. Ambulance attended (obviously) and under gas & air paramedic rotated the foot back to correct position (I realised this had to be done very soon and the paramedic, and off-duty nurse who came out of a nearby house, were brilliant)
Surgeon who eventually operated warned me (I was 53 at the time) that I would experience severe arthritis later in my life - correctly advised.
I opted not to undergo 'destructive surgery' as there was still useful articulation (and still is) sufficient for example, as well as walking, to operate a vehicle clutch pedal. I do experience quite a bit of pain, especially when standing for any length of time, or walking for more than a short distance (many thanks to the Oxford authorities for my Blue badge) Now I - sort of - control the levels of pain with painkillers from the good old NHS, but lately I have noticed that together with a welcome increase in available movement there has been a proportional increase in pain, namely sharp internal as opposed to the usual deep dull pain.
I am (thinking) wondering if this is a natural effect of - let us say - loosening up of the joint? Perhaps a bit like the pain one can get when internal adhesion 'lets go' even some time after an operation?
Despite the problems with standing/walking, I do lead a pretty active life, am still in full-time work and during my work, for example, I regularly whizz between office and warehouse but most of the time am sitting comfortably. I have an hour each way commuting (Oxford-LHR) and no problems with the ankle even in traffic jams.
Well, at least this should give those expert in this sort of thing a laugh if nothing else (having fallen off motor bikes too many times, and having given it up, I am quite philosophical about it all and life in general!!)
Surgeon who eventually operated warned me (I was 53 at the time) that I would experience severe arthritis later in my life - correctly advised.
I opted not to undergo 'destructive surgery' as there was still useful articulation (and still is) sufficient for example, as well as walking, to operate a vehicle clutch pedal. I do experience quite a bit of pain, especially when standing for any length of time, or walking for more than a short distance (many thanks to the Oxford authorities for my Blue badge) Now I - sort of - control the levels of pain with painkillers from the good old NHS, but lately I have noticed that together with a welcome increase in available movement there has been a proportional increase in pain, namely sharp internal as opposed to the usual deep dull pain.
I am (thinking) wondering if this is a natural effect of - let us say - loosening up of the joint? Perhaps a bit like the pain one can get when internal adhesion 'lets go' even some time after an operation?
Despite the problems with standing/walking, I do lead a pretty active life, am still in full-time work and during my work, for example, I regularly whizz between office and warehouse but most of the time am sitting comfortably. I have an hour each way commuting (Oxford-LHR) and no problems with the ankle even in traffic jams.
Well, at least this should give those expert in this sort of thing a laugh if nothing else (having fallen off motor bikes too many times, and having given it up, I am quite philosophical about it all and life in general!!)
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