Painful foot, ankle and big toe joint

[Imagine1]

Hi everyone, Please could I get some advice. I had a bad injury over 3 years ago and it has resulted in a painful ankle that swells up so much that when I come home from work, I only work 4 hours it has swelled up double in size, the side of my foot is also swollen and I can't put any weight on it, my big toe joint has severe arthritis in it due to walking on the joint because I couldn't walk on my ankle/foot side, my foot also changes colour, like a dull grey. Yesterday my calf has also been affected, very painful and I can't stride due to the pain. I feel like if I chopped my foot off it would feel so much better. I went to casualty last week because I couldn't move my foot at all and I was very worried, I was told that it looked like I had a severe infection in it, the waiting time was 4 hours which was normal, it ended up 16 hours which I wasn't prepared to wait that long, now it is just getting worse and worse but nobody wants to know, I don't know what else to do? I used to be so fit and active before this and now I am disabled. I have to work which I am really struggling with but I can't afford not to. I have looked into getting disablement benefits, I already get PIP but it is not enough money to live on. Where do I go from here?

[Bananas5]

May I ask a few qestions first.....

What caused your ankle pain originally\/ And were you offered any treatment/adbice//etc

If you were told by hospital maybe infection toes again were you offered any treatment like anti biotic?

If you have to work is there an alternative to being on your feet like sitting fown?

What rate of PIP do you get and for what reasons?

This will give me a better picture as to offer advice

x

[PainGo1]

You need to find out what is wrong with your foot now.

[Imagine1 in reply to PainGo1]

I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which was diagnosed 2 years ago, without my knowledge, I saw a so called professor at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester that is supposed to be the best hospital in the whole of Manchester 18 months ago to be told that I definitely don't have this condition, I had read up about it and knew there was a possibility of having got it, I was right, he was wrong.

[PainGo1 in reply to Imagine1]

So you do believe you have CPRS now? If so, you need to be treated for that condition so it doesn't get any worse. It doesn't sound as thought you are sure either way.

[Imagine1 in reply to PainGo1]

I was told today at the hospital that I have got this condition, it was diagnosed 2 years ago. I never knew though because I was told from a professor that I didn't have it. I am definitely sure that I have this condition, no doubt in my mind at all. There is no treatment for it, I have to live with it.

[PainGo1 in reply to Imagine1]

Do you remember what tests they did in order to diagnose it?

[Imagine1 in reply to PainGo1]

Yes, all they had to do was look at my foot changing colour, the temperature of it, from boiling hot to freezing cold, the excessive pain that I was in even though I shouldn't have been in pain.

[cyberbarn]

Have you seen a podiatrist? They are the experts in everything below the knee and may well be able to help you more. In many areas you can now self refer and podiatry is free on the NHS.

[Imagine1 in reply to cyberbarn]

In the past I have seen a podiatrist through my doctor, she told me that I should have been given an air boot to walk with and she was shocked that I hadn't been given one, knowing that my foot/ankle was broken. I never saw her again after that. I have tried to see all types of doctors with no luck, because there is nothing physically wrong with my foot that they can see they don't know what to do for me.

[MSTKing]

Unfortunately, most people with disabilities struggle on the amount of money they get even on the high amount. Disability is expensive - and most people don’t realise just how expensive it can be. For example, my wheelchair services provide me with a good cushion but due to my pressure sore and being in it full time - I need a different sort of cushion. They won’t pay for it so yesterday I had to fork out near to £500 for this cushion knowing it would mean I would have to drastically cut down on essentials this month.

A plan of action for you - check out this foot - sounds like the pain is almost like a DVT. You need to find out what’s causing so much pain.

On benefits you may be able to get Employment Support Allowance but I’m not an expert so so look up to see if there are any disability advice centres or CAB in your area for advice on money and what benefits you can get.

[Imagine1 in reply to MSTKing]

Thank you for your reply, I am so sorry that you have to spend excessive amounts of money because nobody helps you. I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which is a lifelong illness which stems from the brain, there is no cure, only painkillers to ease the pain but I am allergic to most of them, I can only take paracetamol and they don't touch the pain.

[MSTKing in reply to Imagine1]

So sorry, that sounds like a nightmare. I hope you can find some advice on extra benefits that might help you manage financially if not physically.

[Imagine1 in reply to MSTKing]

Thank you.

[Heman69]

CRPS has set in it can’t be cured even if you where to chop it off you will still have the pain unfortunately that’s what happens if you don’t get the right hospital treatment as quick as possible.

[Imagine1 in reply to Heman69]

How right you are Herman69. I was told today at hospital that I have this condition. I can no longer do the job that I loved. The doctor warned me if I carry on doing my job then I could end up disabled and unable to walk. This is all because of not being seen and Covid. How can Hospitals ignore patients who have problems with their limbs? Unless people had covid symptoms they didn't want to know? how is this my fault? I even had a solicitor acting for me because of all the cockups they did and 3 years later I was told one week that I would be getting £30,000 in compensation to be told the week after that the NHS denied all responsibility and I would be getting nothing. I complained to the Ombudsman but because it took so long with the solicitor that the time limit had lapsed and they couldn't do anything either. So now I am out of work, can't work again and nobody is held responsible for this. It is one big joke.

[PainGo1 in reply to Imagine1]

I am in the same situation as you. It is a disgrace.

[Imagine1 in reply to PainGo1]

I am so sorry that you are going through the same thing as I have, you are right it is a disgrace. Why the Ombudsman didn't take Covid into consideration is beyond me, I even told her that it wasn't my fault, she wasn't interested. These are the people who are supposed to help? There is nothing more that I can do which is shocking. How can a doctor make a patient disabled and get away with it? I received an apology at the time so they knew they had done wrong because you don't say sorry for something you haven't done? Sorry isn't good enough, it doesn't pay the extra bills that I now have? The NHS make me sick, they are celebrating 75 years, I personally think they are a waste of time, I am not the only one whose life they have ruined, the amount of cock ups they do is unbelievable.

[katieoxo60]

This sounds like long term arthritis due to your accident. Was this a works accident as this could make a difference to what you can claim. Is it possible to get a lighter job or work from home. You could maybe claim universal credit if you only work four hours depends on how much you earn & other circumstances, you may be entitled to higher rate pip . But firstly you need to find a way to manage your pain and discomfort, Think we have spoke before the colour of your foot suggest maybe circulation problem. Difficult to get a GPs appointment and A&E is even worse that is the state of the NHS. I would try putting your foot up higher than your heart when you are home . Do you have a support for your ankle like a shoe used for a broken bone , they can be bought on line if you cannot get an appointment at Gps or A&E. This is not necessarily the answer for you but just a few ideas to ponder if not already tried.

[Imagine1 in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you for your reply, I have been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and that is why my foot changes colour. I had to go to see a professor at a specialist hospital in Liverpool that deals with this condition. I also have severe arthritis in my big toe joint due to limping and putting excessive weight on my toe because I had to keep away from using my ankle. I now can no longer move my big toe joint. I had an air boot eventually but It was making my ankle worse, I have started using a walking stick to get around. I have recently been assessed for PIP and now receive the enhanced rate for mobility. They had taken it off me even though I can't walk and struggle when I try to. In the end, they gave it me back and gave me more because I was taking it to tribunal. I didn't do the accident at work, what I did do was ruin both of my hands and wrists doing the job that I did, heavy manual work

, I claim IIDB for this. I fell downstairs at home over 4 years ago and My ankle and foot hasn't been the same since, because I didn't get the correct treatment from the NHS.