If you've lost cartilage in your ankle or know someone who has, please advise me as to what to do.
I went to an orthopedic for ankle pain, and after taking 4 x-rays, he stated that the cartilage is practically gone on my right ankle, and whenever I walk, I am rubbing bone on bone...very painful.
He did not offer any help, and just said that there is nothing I could do except wear a brace to keep the ankle from turning and wait for it to get worse! He said it was severe arthritis.
In my heart, I cannot accept that I should give up, so I am on a mission to find something, anything, that will help.
Please respond if anyone knows of a place I can go or anything else I can do, someone I can see or any other tests that can be run.
I really hate it when a doc tells you "just live with it" and "wait for it to get worse".
Grrrrr...
lifeline
Posted by willle (Member # 13886) on :
I, too, have severe ankle arthritis, and have also been given a depressing prognosis-"Let me know when it hurts too much and we'll fuse it" is my Dr's only advice. Unfortunately, drugs, fusion and replacement is about all we're going to get. For now, the celebrex keeps me going. Good Luck to you.
Posted by Looking (Member # 13600) on :
There is a procedure to replace cartilage that I read about:
You can read the article but I don't know who is using this treatment or if it's successful.
There are also supplements like Glucosamine/Chondroitin and SAMe and also Knox Gelatin that may help rebuild cartilage.
You can look up some info on prolotherapy.
I hope you find something to give you relief.
Looking
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Good job, Looking!! I was thinking about that procedure.
Lifeline...I'm so sorry this is so severe for you!
Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :
Thank you all for the help.
Looking,
That is a terrific site you posted...I printed it out and I will check this out further. It really looks promising.
I do already take Glucosamine/MSM on a daily basis for knees, but it is not helping my ankle.
I am hesitant to take Celebrex as it might raise my blood pressure and that's been a problem with me. I do take Advil.
I hadn't thought of prolotherapy, however, I did have prolotherapy for my knees years ago (Dr. C in MO), and it helped a little but not enough for a repeat session.
Lymetoo,
Thanks for the good wishes.
To all...I am grateful for the help.
lifeline
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
looking, on your post with long address link, please edit it and use www.tinyurl.org creaing a short one for the long one.
to edit, click pencil/paper icon to right of your name; deletee the LONG ADDRESS LINK, and paste in the short link one! thnks so much so we cn just scroll own the sheet. Posted by Polaris (Member # 11391) on :
There is strong evidence that a current technique can successfully regenerate cartilage. It doesn't get much attention even though it is published work, draw your own conclusions.
well. my arches popped and I walked on inside ankles. Didn't show arthritis, just popped.
Did the "brace thing" called AFO's. Spent more time on ground than upright. Can't feel ground in them. If you loose balance have to "just go with them"
The AFOs were painful due to swelling. Every time I complained new ones ordered/made (with hinges/whithout, etc).
Went through 5 pairs in two years. Very expensive. Like $1500.00 a piece. Lost so much muscle (they are cast like) I couldn't wriggle my toes.
Took myself out of them...took time and relearn what ground felt like and had left ankle/foot fused and left foot bones screwed.
Left foot looks normal and "holds me up". Still on inside right ankle. Won't do that surgery...won't be able to drive for months.
Should have had it done sooner while I was more mobile and less neurological damage.
Just be careful w/AFOs. There are plenty of types of braces...right now on right foot I just wear a futura ankle brace and high-top sneakers.
Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :
Polaris,
Thanks for the lagh site...interesting and sounds promising to me. I'm going to see if I can find anything further on this.
dmc,
the orthopedic gave me an ASO brace to wear with my shoes. It's quite a contraption and your ankle feels like a tight burrito, but it's supposed to hold the ankle more steady. I'm sure my insurance or myself will be charged lots for it.
I do wonder if acupuncture would work for the pain, at least, so walking would be more or less painless. If anyone has tried acupuncture for ankle cartilage loss, please post your results, and, hopefully, it gives relief.
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