[rachna]

Hey guys,

hope your all well. just to update you all, as you know av had problems with tendons on my ankles (too much unable to put heel down), had my app wth orthopaedic surgeon this evening.

it didnt go too well really - he had a look at the ankles said it was v.inflamed and has got a sponge feel to it. he was reluctant to do or say much else just said that as iv got lupus i should spk to my rheumy. i felt like banging my head against a wall !!

after a lot of persue from me, he gave a night splint to wear in bed to help with the pain n stiffness in the mornings as they are the worst of worst times. the splint is a funny looking thing - its like a plastic and velcro plastacast :lol: not sure if it will work but its better than nothing.

he is supposed to be an orthopaedic specialist but wouldnt help me cos i have lupus

take care, love always

xxxx

 

[LolaLola]

Dear Rachna, This is pretty disappointing. Are you on a good anti-inflammatory drug?
x Lola

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Rachna,

Good luck with the splint. Have you tried putting a gel pad inside your shoe in the heel area? A pad might raise the heel slightly lessening the stretch on the tendon and soften the blow as you place the foot to the floor.

When you see your rheumy I suggest you ask about physical therapy. A few easy stretches done daily might really help the tendons. If I don't do my stretching my right foot becomes immobile.

Take care,
Lazylegs

 

[Raglet]

Best of luck with the splint - personally I find that splints increase stiffness in the morning as they hold the limb rigid all night, making it harder to get moving in the morning. But it's trial and error, so see if it works for you. They can be excellent if the limb needs positioning for some reason, but I have not found that splinting over night reduces pain.

If your foot feels spongy that tends to mean inflammation, which is definitely your rheumie's territory. I know it is VERY frustrating to be bounced around between doctors, but your rheumie should have the skills to treat your ankle if it is inflammed - ortho's just don't have the same understanding of the drugs needed to treat lupus.

Who referred you to the ortho ? Sounds like an usual referral for inflammed tendons.

Hope the heel feels better soon

cheers

raglet

 

[lin]

oh bless sorry your having problems, i know how you feel bless, i also find splints make you a little stiff first thing but once you get going its ok,

having said that ive never had one for foot only hand, but they must know what there doing hey? :hehe:

as we say we will tey anyhting that may help, take care

Lin xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[rachna]

hello,

im on tremadol as due to having low platelets i cant take things like ibroprufen, however tremadol makes me physically sick and gives me headaches so i dont like taking it.

it was my GP that referred me to the orthopaedics, as im not seeing my rheumy till end of jan - its a long time to wait but here in manchester its so hard to get an appointment.

i cant say if the splint works or not, i put it on last nite and its the most uncomfortable thing ever and to me felt quite heavy, i had to take it of half way thru the night. i know i shouldnt have done that but it was very unconfortable and my ankle felt very warm and tingly :?

will give it another go tonight!

thanks guys

love always
rachna xxx

 

[Raglet]

hi there

Splints are usually uncomfortable (I wear plastic and velcro splints on both legs during the day time ) - I find that there has to be enough benefit to make it worth the discomfort if you get my drift. I call it the discomfort:benefit ratio. My splints are especially ickky in the summer, as they get very sweaty and slimey as the plastic just doesn't breathe. But, they totally change the way I walk, so the benefit/discomfort ratio definitely comes down on the benefit side, so I put up with the discomfort.

You will work out yourself if you are getting enough benefit from them to make it work the discomfort, it will be trial and error.

Also, there are many drugs that you can still take with low platelets - like imuran etc, so I think you need to talk to your rheumie about your inflammed tendons and getting you on to some treatment. Tendons can develop nodules on them if they are left untreated, so it is not something you wwant to ignore.

hope this helps

raglet