Limped in to out of hours at my local hospital earlier today. The receptionist found the explanation of how I bashed my toe during a tramadol induced bad dream quite amusing and had the chuckles throughout. Next saw the specialist nurse who examined the two bruised toes of my left foot, very gently I may add, then sent me off for an x-ray. After a 30 minute wait I was called back in to the nurse to discuss x-ray results, which turned out to be inconclusive...apparently my toes are too badly deformed to see if there were any breaks there or not. Not only was the nurse baffled by the deformity, a consultant who she showed the x-ray to was as well. Interesting to see a comparison x-ray of my feet taken in 2012. There's been a significant deterioration since then, the majority happening in the last 3 years when my RA was not controlled. The toes of my left foot are in pretty bad shape and it was a little disconcerting seeing them in x-ray form to be honest. Not familiar with the terminology, but my big toe has turned inwards so much that it's almost out of the socket thingy that it should fit in. They were also puzzled by what looked like a piece of bone that seemed to be nearly detached from on or other of my toes, though they think this is more to do with deformity than the accident. The nurse thinks that both feet should be operated on, as do some folks here I might add. My right foot is not much better. The next step is to send both x-rays off to the 'bone clinic' for the specialists to see...think she said the 'bone clinic' anyway(?)
On hindsight it might have been better if I went to A&E in our better equipped main hospital 12 miles away in the metropolis. Too late for that now, the pain has eased a bit anyway so no big deal. Just a matter of waiting for the 'bone clinic' to get back to me.
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wishbone
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Thank you for the update, wishbone, and pleased that you're ok. I'm so glad they were gentle with you even though the results were inconclusive and you've another wait to be seen. Hugs
Hope so J, I made enough fuss about having my toe splinted if broken. So not at all sure if I'm up for having steel rods pinned in my toes. Decisions decisions??.....................................
In your position I'd wait to see the bone clinic and listen to what they say. They may have all sorts of options for you which you can then consider. There's no point fretting about situations as yet unknown.
Easier said than done to be honest though, wishbone. Being a very efficient worrier I also like to get my fretting done in good time and it gets me all wound up for nothing most times. I do try not to but it's not easy.
There's a line in a Tom Petty song, god rest his soul, where he sings - "most things I worry about never happen anyway", which is oh so true. I often think of this when I'm worried or stressed about something. Trouble is it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference.
I'm NOT entirely, to say the least, familiar with your condition, so it's hard to comment, but your poor feet! How long have you suffered so? Not that it matters, one bit, but are you a boy, or girl? It's just that a girl, that I used to know, used to Suffer with her feet- sometimes she could hardly walk. What exactly, are 'They' proposing, to DO with/to your feet? Sorry for all the questions wishbone, nice 'Name' by the way. I'll sign off now I, really do, hope that your poor FEET get the 'Help' they need.
Thanks Andrew, I've had RA for 15 years or so. Feet have been troublesome from the off but started getting bad, along with other joints, a few years back when my RA got out of control. Will have to wait and see what they want to do with my feet but it will probably involve sticking steel pins or rods in a couple of toes to help straighten them...oh the fun of it all! Being the full blooded macho man that I am, I'll probably decide against it and carry on regardless. Started new medication a few months ago which has improved things quite a bit.
I'm glad, that 'Things'- FEET wise anyway- are improving, for you. I'm going away, for a week, Monday. (actually that's TODAY now....f..f..f..F....Funny that.)
'Talk', when I'm back....I don't have a 'Web Access' phone, so I'm Away....!
Missed your post about this Wishy. Heck, that must have been some dream! I hope the pain has subsided & there's a conclusive response from the bone clinic then it's either treated if needed or isn't if not, obviously. It does sound through as if attention by your Rheumy should be paid to your feet. Whilst I understand why the deterioration has happened, I'm in a similar position although by being undermedicated because of them being ignored, when your Rheumy is advised I trust you'll have positive news of treatment, if it's an op then it's an op. As long as the deterioration is addressed is all.
I've meant to ask before, the dog in your pic, what breed is it? It's just he/she reminds me so much of my Mesha, though her fur wasn't quite as dark.
Yep, it certainly was some dream heelsy. They can be really vivid, which is probably down to taking tramadol on a regular basis. Sorry that you also have problem feet, it's the same thing with me - rheumy have never shown much interest in my feet. Not that I could take effective meds anyway, at least not for the last 3+ years when the majority of damage occurred. It looks as if they are going to need quite a bit of work on them. I'm not too sure about that to be honest. Will have to wait and see what the bone clinic propose.
That's Zoe, an Irish Setter girl. Two years old at the time, which was way back in 1976. I've had two English Setter boys since. Absolutely lovely dogs all of them, providing they had lots of excersise.
Thanks for the update. So pleased you went, as definitely you needed to be seen. Hopefully a referral for some treatment for your feet anyway. I've had lots of trouble with deformed feet from RD and had triple foot fusions on both feet, plus my toes on my right foot straightened with pins. I truly feel for you. All the best. X
I have to say very lucky with my more recent surgeries. My rheumy at the time knew my reluctance to have such a big op performed locally so asked me to look into my works private health care and they agreed I saw a top man who was in north London, a foot specialist. I first saw in about 14 years ago. We tried foot/ankle braces and insoles first. When it was apparent my foot was twisting over he wanted to operate. I had retired so he agreed to see me on the NHS at The Royal Othopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. I live in Essex. The op went well but a long recovery. Started back driving after 6 months, the care was excellent. I then had a hand op at a more local hospital but by a Hand specialist at the plastics dept. The next foot op about 3 years later I had a nerve block the same anesthetist. I don't get on well with generals. No pain to speak of with both. I had two more ops on my feet, a screw came out and on my right foot my ankle has collapsed so a piece of bone removed that was was pushing through under my foot and all the toes straightened on that foot. No pain or problems. I do need two more ops an ankle fused followed by a foot realignment on the right foot, but such a long recovery time and I am managing. They ring me every year and I can ring them whenever I want this op. They are just so kind. I also go to a podiatrist every couple of months. For me, I think having faith in the surgeon and the anesthetiser both of whom I saw at the pre op before the ops. But I also think in general they are all aware RD can do so much damage. I do hope you go for it. X
I'm thinking, or hoping rather, in the nicest possible way I must add, that your feet were in a lot worse shape than mine are. Not sure I could go through that long a recovery time. I admire you for doing so. If I do need surgery then I think it would have to be with a nerve blocker like you. Would far prefer a general but that would probably be off the cards because I have a lung condition. I'm just hoping that the bone clinic think that applying a bread poultice for a week or two will do the trick.
If you only need need toes straightened, that was very straightforward. Pins in for 6 weeks and okay after. Was only day surgery and nerve blocker plus sedation, so didn't know anything about it. The nerve blocker means no pain when the procedure is done. And I managed on paracetamol after that as can't take opiate type drugs. Still went out and about with crutches at first don't really get on with them, could weight bear. Fingers crossed (not toes) for you. Sorry you have lung problems too. I am booked for CT scan to check the scarring on my lungs. Flipping RD. Take care. X
Good news and my foot was straightened last October for similiar reasons. Now you need a glass of something nice to console yourself. xx I'm glad my accident caused you some amusement as does your dream to me. Whatever you were kicking it must have been monstrous. lol xx
Glad that surgery worked for you. I remember speaking to you a few months back about having my feet operated on. I'm still undecided and will wait and see what's involved.
Yep, it sure was monstrous and deserved a good kicking! Let's put it this way...if it's got any sense then it won't be turning up in any of my dreams again.
Thanks Kerena, they look even worse in x-ray form. I thought it was only 3 toes affected, but it's all five, though the two smallest toes much less so. Probably a similar case with the toes on my right foot.
Poor you! I am glad they are a little better but I you don’t hear from the bone clinic soon chase them. Take care and try a have fun dreams not frightening ones.
Most dreams are pleasant much of the time and can be really funny. My wife and I, plus friends have a good laugh when I tell them about one. They tend to become confrontational when I'm worrying about my health, usually after I've been diagnosed with a new condition, which makes sense...I think? Oh well, guess it's time to phone for an appointment with my nearest psychiatrist.
My rheumy doesn't show much interest in my feet either and yet my toes are now curling under resulting in reoccurring corns , very painful! Both my ankles are swollen so I'll see what my rheumy says at my next appointment!!!
Good luck with your feet Wishbone let us know how you get on .
I had all my toes broken and reset and my big toes bones fused so they no longer bend and arch’s broken and reset when I was the grand old age of 13! Partly due to Spina Bifida and partly due to Arthritis to be honest at the time I was not impressed my parents agreed to it but now at the age of 35 I couldn’t thank them enough take the plunge you won’t look back! Good luck!
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then sent me off for an x-ray. After a 30 minute wait I was called back in to the nurse to discuss x-ray results, which turned out to be inconclusive...apparently my toes are too badly deformed to see if there were any breaks there or not. Not only was the nurse baffled by the deformity, a consultant who she showed the x-ray to was as well. Interesting to see a comparison x-ray of my feet taken in 2012. There's been a significant deterioration since then, the majority happening in the last 3 years when my RA was not controlled. The toes of my left foot are in pretty bad shape and it was a little disconcerting seeing them in x-ray form to be honest. Not familiar with the terminology, but my big toe has turned inwards so much that it's almost out of the socket thingy that it should fit in. 
They were also puzzled by what looked like a piece of bone that seemed to be nearly detached from on or other of my toes, though they think this is more to do with deformity than the accident. The nurse thinks that both feet should be operated on, as do some folks here I might add. My right foot is not much better. The next step is to send both x-rays off to the 'bone clinic' for the specialists to see...think she said the 'bone clinic' anyway(?)
Decisions decisions??.....................................
Started new medication a few months ago which has improved things quite a bit.
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