I twisted my ankle at work while doing something very normal for me and just chalked it up to a slippery surface. I didn't miss any work or anything just had it checked out and took it easy for about a month. Now I have fallen twice, off the job, in the two months since. Last time I narrowly missed hitting my head on a concrete step and got bruises on both hands, the forearm and both knees. It seems like I've lost the stability in that ankle.
I had therapy but seems like the exercises aren't much like pulling a persons weight around.
I was wondering if any of you had gone through this?
Is it slower to heal because of the Psa or is this just how that goes for everyone?
I guess I am so scared to lose any more of my independence, it's really working on me.
I have fallen a few times. I would bring it up to your rheumy. Maybe it is a result of the way you are walking. Are your knees or back hurting you? I find when I am hurting I do not lift my right leg, as big of a step as I take with my left. But talk to your doctor about it for sure. I know you will worry, but try to keep it in the proper perspective. And always take only one day at time, never more then that. Best of luck to you. If you get worried again feel free to drop me a message. I will be more then glad to listen. (( )) hugs.
I think Liz is right on. When I am hurting everything about me moves differently, and I tend to trip, stumble, or run into things. When I hurt I try to slow down and really concentrate on my walking (ie, stop talking, looking around, whatever), especially on anything other than a flat surface. Though I've been known to wipe out on a flat surface too. Now I only wear shoes with extremely grippy bottoms, with wide stable soles. Not the prettiest, but it's helped.
If you've had exercises for your ankle, it might be worth it to go back to your physical therapist and discuss the issue. They might have suggestions for you in terms of gait or movement.
Sometimes when I am simply feeling unsteady, I use a cane. It reminds me to focus and slow down, and it is a physical signal to others to slow down and give me some space and time to get where I'm going.
I think it’s worth considering what Liza and Marietta say - when I’ve got any significant inflammation it seems that in my left foot (bad side), the tendons and / or nerves don’t work properly and I drag my toe as I walk (I think a very mild version of drop foot).
I really feel for your in the feeling of loss of your independence. It was always the thing that terrified me - both the loss of my own independence, and not being able to look after my family.
I think it’s worth considering what Liza and Marietta say - when I’ve got any significant inflammation it seems that in my left foot (bad side), the tendons and / or nerves don’t work properly and I drag my toe as I walk (I think a very mild version of drop foot).
I really feel for your in the feeling of loss of your independence. It was always the thing that terrified me - both the loss of my own independence, and not being able to look after my family.
It sounds like you should be doing strengthening and stability exercises, again if need be. That said, if you have any spinal problems, you would want to get a thorough check up, to make certain that you are not experiencing nerve problems with that foot.
I understand your concerns about loss of mobility, but you would be amazed at what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. My mother has nerve damage following back surgery. She gets around using a walker, and has done, and continues to do, extensive therapy. She is still out in the fields training her dogs, and can do pretty much everything independently. She can't carry heavy stuff. Actually, she scares us a bit with what she does, but her independence is very important to her. My basic point is that attitude can go a long way.
Thanks so much you guys. I suppose I am guilty of walking like I'm 25. Denial. I do need to consciously think about walking but I don't. I am going to my rheumatologist and back to therapy. After I had an unsuccessful knee surgery I am more and more afraid to get back down again. So thanks, I'm going to start with a better attitude.
Another thing to think about: pain. I get unsteady on my feet when the pain is bad. I guess what’s happening is that I step, it hurts and I compensate and wobble. Do you have pain in your feet and/or your knee?
What happened to your knee and what went wrong with the surgery? Could that be at the root of this?
Well I am sure we all have pain that never quite goes away. Mine had gone too far by the time I was diagnosed and I have a lot going on.
Before I was diagnosed I had a meniscus tear and they scraped away at the arthritis. That was the beginning of the worst flare ever. The recovery was excruciating I guess the trauma of that surgery kicked something off, then another joint replacement in the wrist and finally a diagnosis.
I think both times I would have been better off treated for the Psa, just didn't know at the time.
Both knees are bad and I don't want to get it done too early and have to have it done again. So am living with it.
I also can't take too much pain stuff because I drive a lot at work.
You sound like me: it took a long time to get a diagnosis, and by that time there had been lots of damage.
Knee pain is terrible. Been there, got the metal. How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?
I am 53. Have you heard how long the knees last. I don't want to need a new one again when I am old I am afraid I will have too many problems to get one late in life. I had a Grandma who had terrible arthritis and lived to 95, she got 3 replacement knees. I know they aren't talking about them lasting 40 years yet.
When I had mine done six years ago (I was 55), knees were lasting 15-20 years. But those were the knees that had been installed a generation before. Nobody knows how long my knees will last, but I’m guessing at least 20 years. I know exactly what you are saying about having to have them re-done, and I did think very hard about it. In the end, I decided that I wanted quality of life while I was young enough to enjoy it. I decided to accept that when I was old, I would probably need a revision. Or maybe I would just choose to live with problematic knees later, rather than have daily pain now. It’s a hard decision, I know. I couldn’t accept the certainty of living in pain now to avoid a possible revision later. Such personal decisions, and the only right answer is your own decision.
Your ankle is still probably wobbly. Once connective tissue gets messed up, as in a sprain, it never does go back to the way it was before. I also suspect that PsA drastically slows healing. (I sprained an ankle pretty badly several years before diagnosis. It swelled regularly for three stinkin' years.)
Balance suffers as joints stiffen and hurt, too. A misstep you could have righted yourself from without much noticing a few years ago is likely more problematic now.
Thanks Louise I think that's what I am feeling. Until now, my ankles were the last joints left that were good, Now I guess it's just the right ankle that's good. I just hate to give up any more to this silliness.
Are you getting along good now or are you still swelling?
It doesn't swell on a regular basis (after almost nine years it's about time) but if I turn it again it will swell more than the situation warrants. I've never felt like I got the strength or stability back in it. If you had to take it easy for a month, you did do some damage. Frustrating, isn't it. Everything you thought you could count on begins to crumble.