Is it time to start using walking aid?

[Amylau]

Hello! I've been thinking about this for a while and am wondering if it's time I start using an aid to walk. I have RA in my right knee and the swelling goes up and down every few weeks. when it's bad, it's bad! And I usually just limp when I walk, which I know is stupid but I've never used anything to help me and I now I'm used to it. but I can't keep limping around as I'm now getting hip pain from being unbalanced.

I'm not sure if I should go for a walking stick or crutches, if anyone has experience navagating life using either I'd love to hear the good and bad. I'm 24 and honestly feel quite self conscious about using something but I know it's time to give in.

[AgedCrone]

You really should ask for advice from either your rheumy nurse or a physiotherapist.

From personal experience I found there is more to using walking aids than just going out & buying them.....you need professional advice or you could do more harm than good.

[KittyJ]

Agree with AC. Get professional advice 😊

[Nessa28]

Please don’t feel subconscious ,I know it’s easier said than done . If you need to use a cane to walk I would advise you do . However before you do this please see if you can get a referral to physio so they can check your gait and advise you exactly on what to do and improve your muscle strength etc . Good luck but please be proactive with this 🤗🌷

[helixhelix]

Agree with others, get professional advice. And then get creative and pimp your walking stick to make it look great!

[Pippy25]

Totally agree with the others, seek professional advice before as you may alter your 'gait, posture' if not correctly advised or using the right walking aid and could potentially make things worse. Again if appropriate ask about therapies which may help, such as hydro therapy, physio to help reduce swelling and ease joints.Please don't worry which I know at 24 is easier said than done about feeling self conscious about using any aids to help you. Not all walking aids shout it's 'NHS issue'and as helixhelix says you can be creative and jazz or pimp it up to make it look great. Take care and sending warm wishes.

[allanah]

Definitely one to ask for a referral to the physio for your rheumy team. Sometimes using the wrong aid at the wrong height etc is worse for you. And maybe your drugs need tweaking if the pain is bad or even your knee needs examining for damage. I'd get onto the team xx

[Amylau]

Thankyou, I am on the waiting list for physio and crutches and also have been referred for knee surgery but there's no dates in sight yet. Its all just a waiting game so I'm trying to help myself any way I can.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Amy. Sorry to hear you're still struggling. Maybe it would be an idea to request referral to Occupational Therapy? They've been really helpful for me in the past. They will assess you & recommend what is the best option, measure you up for heights etc or refer on if necessary. Thing is if you choose to provide your own walking aid you could still cause troubles elsewhere, hip or even your back & they know what's what, it's their bread & butter.

[Pippy25 in reply to nomoreheels]

Occupational therapy have always been good to me when I've been referred and they will point you in the right direction with regards to any effective aids and not necessarily NHS ones. I had a fab occupational therapist who gave some really good advice and really cared. Wished I could see her all the time as my RD changes, but sadly you can't here as there is a long waiting list and you have to rely on being referred.

[nomoreheels in reply to Pippy25]

I’ve found the same thing, you're allocated a good un, see them a few times then see someone else, although mine did have a good excuse, she had a baby! The same with Podiatry, my current one is good though not as good as my previous one who went on maternity leave & when she returned to work was allocated a clinic further away. I now see a man & as I say he's good but doesn't dig as deep to get my corn seeds out, as a result I need to be seen more regularly. What a pleasant conversation!

[Pippy25 in reply to nomoreheels]

Well how remiss of your occupational therapist to go and have a baby Joking aside I feel services should be linked across the board as our bodies change with this complex disease and we spend a lot of time waiting for referrals, whereas if there was a specialist team attached to the rheumatology department I feel it would really help, but come back to earth Pippy this is not how it works in reality! I am the same with my podietry, Virgin Care have taken over and most of the podietrists bailed out,retired or are still there but you never see the same one and my corns (which I never had until recently) are so sore. Trying to get an appointment (it should be every six weeks) can be problematic. I had a lovely podietrist who stayed on after this take over and tried to retire several times, but as she was a good one they persuaded her to stay on. Then last summer she finally retired. So I can empathise with you. I didn't have corns in the 30 years I was working and spent most of my time on my feet, but now I have been 'blessed' with the things and a nice bunion to go! Sending you my best wishes

[nomoreheels in reply to Pippy25]

That would be too much to ask! Actually I’m fortunate with Podiatry for two reasons, I can ring direct to make an appointment or alternatively whilst the clinic isn't held there the office is within my Practice's Medical Centre building so I can pop in & make an appointment) if I happen to be there for bloods or seeing a GP.

Ooo, a bunion. My Nan & my Dad both had that pleasure, Nan's from RD & Dad's by wearing football boots that were too small for him. I had the start of what I thought could be bunions at diagnosis but as my treatment worked my toe straightened & the bone 'deformity' with it though I still have tailor's bunions. Corns are enough thank you, the hard skin too. How that can be so painful defeats me. All the best to you too, I wish you fewer appointments!

[Angjoplin]

I feel self conscious when I use my stick but sometimes it has to be done. I made it better by getting a black stick with silver glitter on it. I did get an NHS one initially but I hated it too much to use it and felt like an old lady.

I found though there are other advantages other than balance. People give you a wider berth and are less likely to knock me or think I can squeeze through gaps. I wouldn't go to an airport without my stick now. Before I'd really suffer in the queues, now I get put to the front without asking. I've learnt to swallow my prideand give in, all be it with a heavy heart.

Once you start using a stick you also start to notice other younger people with them too. Like when you get a new car and then start seeing them everywhere. 😊