Quandary 2

[Leviset]

What I forget to say in my first post is that I’ve just been to see a temporary French doctor who was based in Nick Harris’ old room. This the second time I’ve seen - I wanted some advice but she informed me her contract was up in December.

I have 2 current surgical problems directly related to my RA.

(1) I have 3 snapped tendons in my left shoulder. This was picked up over a year ago.

I was told by the consultant to leave it until I was over 70 (we’re more seditanary after that age apparently and excellent Surgical fodder!). I overheard whilst I was waiting to have bloods taken, a man who had had similar shoulder surgery and could no longer play the guitar. This has increased the length of time I’ve put up with the pain and discomfort as an ex session guitarist I still want to be able to play.

(2) I had a total right ankle replacement in 2004 and earlier this year an X-ray showed that this replacement has completely collapsed. Seeing the French Doctor I tried unsuccessfully to get the answers to the following questions:-

(a) which operation should I have first as the ankle op is 6 weeks non weight bearing in bed after.

(b) if the shoulder is done first I’m assuming I won’t be able to use crutches but for how long

(c) could they both be done at the same time? As I would be in bed for the first 6 weeks is that sufficient time for the shoulder to have recovered enough to be able to use crutches.

That’s my quandary!

[helixhelix]

Have you double checked the guitar playing? That could just be one person's experience that might not be yours.

Anyway, you really do need to discuss this with a professional. Might your rheumy nurse be able to help get answers for you?

However I would be surprised if you were actually in bed for 6 weeks following the ankle op. Non-weight bearing yes, and ankle immobilised yes. But all the time in bed? Seems hugely unlikely, as these days they know you need to keep moving, so you may well need to get from bed to chair and so on. So option c doesn't seem to be likely, unless the shoulder op is a simple thing. But you need to find out....

(My sister had a horrible experience with a back operation last year, and had to be in bed for 6 weeks - and afterwards she was in a dreadful state and it has taken her over a year to recover. Admittedly it was completely in bed, in that she wasn't even allowed to sit up or raise her head more than a few degrees. However it was amazingly unusual.

[AgedCrone in reply to helixhelix]

Quite agree hh no one would be expected to stay "in bed " for six weeks unless they had a back condition like your sister.

Do hope she is recovering well.

When I broke my neck, in a car accident, I had bone grafts taken from my hip & put into my c/spine,& I was out of bed walking the next day & home from hospital in a week.

It was emphasised that keeping moving, however slowly & carefully was vital for a successful recovery.

[Gigi71]

I needed 4 ops 13 years ago. I had a triple foot fusion, non weight bearing for 3 months and couldn't use crutches but used a frame plus a wheel chair. I wasn't bed bound, recovery 6 months plus. Hand op 1 year later followed by another foot fusion, and finely another hand op, again a year later, new knuckles. Was advised to leave at least a year between to fully recover. With RD you need to give it more time for everything to settle. Wishing you all the best. X

[oldtimer]

You could use a knee scooter support after your ankle operation (look up orthopaedic knee support or scooter) so that you would not have to use crutches. In fact probably not a good idea to use crutches anyway if you have problems with your shoulder. I found it a wonderful and speedy way to get around after my ankle op.

And it's very unlikely to be done at the same time as the orthopaedic surgeons tend to specialise in one bit and you would need to be in different positions on the operating table for each type of surgery.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to oldtimer]

Saw a photograph of one of them in the paper for the first time the other day - think it was Rod Stewart or someone famous who was using it. Very clever gadget.