Advice about surgery: Hello, I'm scheduled to have... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Advice about surgery

Libra-girl profile image
19 Replies

Hello, I'm scheduled to have a fixation surgery on my bog toe in October to treat Hallux rigidus. I'm worried about the delayed healing and increased risk of infection caused by steroid use. I'm currently on 10mg having reduced down from initial dose of 20mg this Jan . I've been dropping by 1mg every 3-4 weeks and so far its been going well.

Does anyone have any experience with bone healing while on pred?

Thanks in advance

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Libra-girl profile image
Libra-girl
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19 Replies
suzy1959 profile image
suzy1959

I have had a hip and a knee replacement while on 11 mgs Pred. I was told all sorts of horror stories and some surgeons refused to operate on me, but I recovered well from both. My wounds healed within 2 weeks and I did not have any excessive bleeding. They gave me anti- biotics just to be sure of no infections, but had none. Have not had any ongoing problems with the bones either. Try not to worry, it’s more likely to be OK than not.

alvertta profile image
alvertta in reply to suzy1959

Good to know. I plan a knee replacement next June.

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada in reply to alvertta

And I next February. 🦵🏨

alvertta profile image
alvertta in reply to PMRCanada

Good. Where? I am getting a referral to Owen Sound. Friend just had s double there that was a great success.

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada in reply to alvertta

Stratford...third ortho surgeon to see me. My original surgeon in Woodstock has a 2 year wait list, so he directly referred me to a surgeon in Stratford who has an 8-9 month wait list. Will be glad when it’s all over.

yogabonnie profile image
yogabonnie in reply to PMRCanada

may I ask what the surgery will be_ I have big toe problems arthritis on both toes. and Now have pain on outer edge of foot because I favor inner edge and walk on outer more and more.

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada in reply to yogabonnie

Knee replacement surgery. It’s been a long haul....issues with my right knee since onset of PMR (Dec/17), and prior existing issues. I’ve been managing with Medrol (steroid) injections since Sept/18 that give me about 10 weeks of relief, but also serve to further deteriorate cartilage over time (which in the long run is an ok option for me as they are totally replacing that knee anyway).

Sure do hope you get some relief from your toe/foot pain. Surprising how much I missed my functionality/mobility until it became compromised.

piglette profile image
piglette

I have had a hip op and have had blisters on my legs from the pred. I have discovered if you go for a high protein diet it does wonders, it did in my case anyway. The district nurse was very impressed!

Canary77 profile image
Canary77

Yes. I had PMR for over a year and was on prednisolone 6 mgs when I went for hip surgery. My surgeon was happy for me to be on steroids and maintain my dose . I had perfect healing and a very good recovery rate. Only problem was I think I had diminished muscle bulk of my gluts and thus had weak hip extensors.

Mimma profile image
Mimma

I am scheduled for knee replacement surgery and it’s the same question I asked my surgeon. His response was that if by that time ( of the operation) I was on 5 mg or less it should not prove to be a problem.

Lara119 profile image
Lara119

Hi there

I had a 2 hr op to pin back together a broken heel a couple of weeks ago whilst on 10mg. I fell off a ladder so also have 4 broken ribs and a fracture of my spine (and i punctured my lung 😂). Op went well and honestly everything is healing just fine. As long as the anesthetist knows he takes care of everything you need while you are under.

Hope all goes well for you

Best wishes

Elaine x

Libra-girl profile image
Libra-girl in reply to Lara119

Oh my gosh!! I hope you are mending well and looking after yourself.

susanspurs profile image
susanspurs

Hi Libra-girl

I’ve had two knee replacements and a shoulder repair in the last five years while I’ve been on steroids. All went really well and healing went well even though my skin is in a bad way from prolonged steroid use.

It’s very important for the anaesthetist to know you are on steroids and they will decide whether to give you extra to get you through the op. Any operation is a shock to the system so we need the extra prednisolone to deal with it as our immune system and adrenals suppressed - that’s what they explained. My moon face came back briefly.

Good luck with your op.

Purplecrow profile image
Purplecrow

Keep us posted about your surgery. I, too, am scheduled for toe surgery in Sept. Fractured 2nd toe which is now hammer toe🥴

yogabonnie profile image
yogabonnie

what will the surgery be? I have big toe problems what will they do? Good luck!!!!

Libra-girl profile image
Libra-girl in reply to yogabonnie

They are going to fuse the large joint of my big toe. It was going to be with a Cartiva implant but I think I'm just going to go for a metal plate and be done with it. I've heard so many horror stories about the various implants so I don't want to risk it.

in reply to Libra-girl

I spent 10 minutes researching bog toe surgery thinking it was a condition you got bog swimming or something.

It's not a big area to put loads of metalwork. Good luck?!?

yogabonnie profile image
yogabonnie in reply to Libra-girl

Both my big toes..from lots of running and genetics I guess...had so much pain in my 40s I could hardly bear it. I never did anything about it (except complain haha) and wear sneakers and eventually one day it stopped hurting and my doc took an X-ray and both big toes had FUSED themselves and had become one bone. They no longer hurt but not being able to bend them ever takes its toll however you adjust quickly! I have orthotics so I dont walk too much on the sides of my feet. Massage your feet and write the alphabet with toes i.e. wiggle everything everyday! Good luck!!

jevuki profile image
jevuki

I had two hips replaced while on Pred. just make sure the doctor knows and you should fine good luck

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