I had surgery on my right foot last week and will not be able to put weight on it for another 6 weeks. I have arthritis everywhere, so crutches hurt my back and shoulders, a wheelchair will atrophy my muscles, a cane won't work. I saw a rolling walker for one leg and wonder if anybody has used one and if it would work. I was looking at Roll A Bout. It will be 0 that Blue Cross won't pay, so I want to be sure before I buy it.
Tomorrow I return to my ortho doc to get stitches out on the 7 surgical sites. Part of the surgery was to take pressure off of nerves due to diabetes. Google Lee Dellon M.D. and decompressing nerves.
I need support, Lynne
Hi Lynne. Haven't used that product so I can't help you their. I just wanted to say that I hope these six weeks go by fast. It sounds like you'll have lots of down time, I hope you spend some of it here. Wish I could help.
Linda
Hello Lynne! Welcome! While I don't have any experience with the product you're talking about, the way you talk about it makes it seem like a smart choice! What does your doctor think??The ortho doc is the one who recommened it when I told him that crutches won't work. Guess I will spend more money on my arthritis. Part of why crutches are a problem, is that I had joint replacement on both my thumbs last year and it hurts there and other places when I use the crutches. I am bidding on a used Roll A Bout on eBay.
The other issue is that I will have to have the left foot done in a few months, so will use it then, too. I will have plenty of down time. My sweet husband got me a laptop to keep me sane!!
BTW Zoe and Joy are my beautiful black cocker spaniel puppies who are now boarded while I recover. I miss them.
Lynne
Bless your heart Lynne. I'm so sorry about your feet. It sounds like you got a caring man, though. I don't know anything about that product but I just wanted to welcome you. I see by your signture that you have "erosive inflammatory OA" what exactly is that? I've always wondered about my diagnosis and I'm curious.
Hopefully someone here will know something about the Roll-a-bout.
Hi Lynne and welcome to the board. After I had my knee and hip surgery the doctors gave me a special kind of crutch. It had a platform that I rested my arm on instead of the long crutches that go under your arm. I have bent up arms so I couldn't use regular crutches. I'm not sure how it would work with your thumbs because you still have to hold on to the front.EOA is a generalized arthritis which unlike regular OA is inflammatory. It is called erosive inflammatory osteoarthritis because I guess they cannot think of a better name. It has a look on x-ray which the docs can tell from RA. It is bilateral, so attacks the same joint on both sides at the same time. It is a surprise where it will go next. (I HATE surprises!) The top of my feet were red and hot to the touch. It must look similar to RA by symptoms and x-rays as some docs have wondered if I had RA, then ruled it out when they did further tests. You will not have a positive rheumatoid factor with this. The treatment is usually similar to what they do for OA Lynne
Hi Lynne, - just wanted to say welcome, and I hope that you can get hold of a good device that will assist. I can't hold anything that has to take grip or my weight either, so can see what you mean.Hi Lynne. Welcome to the group. So glad to have you with us.
Your the only one, other than me, who has had thumb joint replacements. Mine was from OA, I only had the second one replaced with an implant. The first one, right hand, was done with a tendon from my wrist (forearm area), to replace the joint that was removed. That one failed in 6 months.
The second was done in April, this year, with a full joint replacement, but still needs another surgery to tighten up the tendon. It still wants to hyperextend, because the tendon is very loose.
Were yours on the thumb joint near the wrist? A bit of trivia for you; the doctor that did my joint implant is the doctor who developed that particular joint, 30 years ago. Cool, huh?
Sorry, I get carried away when someone has the same thing as me
I also use a cane from time to time, padded handle. But, as you know, those can really hurt. What I use for longer distances, like shopping or outings, is my little red scooter. It at least keeps me mobile.
The scooter is just an idea for you. Of course, you would have to work to keep your muscles from atrophying. Mine are pretty bad, but that was happening anyway, due to other health issues.
Hope your Roll a Bout works well for you. I've never seen one called a "knee walker" Sounds like it will be a big help. I'm going to do a search for one. Now I'm curious.
Every good thought for your fast healing.
Hugs, Nini
The doctor who did my wrist/thumb was one of the authors of the definitive article on the procedure. He is in Columbia, Mo, but trained in Indiana. Tendons were used to replace the trapezium joint and ligaments and tendons were reattached. I have about a 6 inch incision on each hand on the inside which you can barely see. Probably our docs know each other. I need to get to sleep. Hugs, Lynne
My poor foot got a new cast yesterday and it is more tight and more sore. Just when I thought the pain was decreasing! It is bruised and cut up and looked somewhat bride of Frankenstein. Arthritis is not pretty anyway.
My roll a bout should be here in a few days. Hopefully, I will be able to get out of bed and go a few places with a driver.
I love my doc, but the PA ticked me off! Since I have to take Oxy, she treated me like a drug seeking addict. Then she told me to quit reading medical journals!!! The surgeon, on the other hand, had given me copies of journal articles to read. Annoying and belittling!
Lynne
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