Life With Arthrtis

About 5 years ago, I had to have my wedding ring,  engagement ring, and anniversary bands cut off due to swelling in my fingers from arthritis.  After decades of wearing my rings, I felt naked without them. So, I had arthritic shanks made so that I could wear two of my rings. However, over the last year the pain and swelling increased to the point that I could no longer even wear them. Last week I saw a rheumatologist and finally got some relief by way of cortisone injections into my painful joints. I kid you not, childbirth didn't hurt as much as these injections. First, a numbing injection between the joints and then the cortisone injection in both fingers. My fingers felt like balloons that were about to pop from the pressure of the fluid invading my deteriorating joints. The doctor said that with the stage of my arthritis I may not benefit from these shots but it was worth a try. 

My fingers prior to injections

My fingers today, a week after the injections

Although it's been just a week, I have had some relief from the constant joint pain. The joint on my middle finger is considerably smaller and the swelling has decreased to where I don't feel like I'm sporting sausages for fingers. My next appointment is in 4 months, and at that time I will decide whether this course of treatment is one that I want to pursue.  If I chose injections as a sense of relief, I will receive shots every 4 months for life. I guess I better get over my fear of needles!

Arthritis...A painful way of life

For the past decade I have been dealing with a painful foot which I was told was a bunion.  This was the diagnosis from one of the best orthopedic foot doctors in our area. However, after years of using bunion pads, toe spacers, and a bunion splint worn at night, I have had no relief. 

My bunion paraphernalia

This led me to research bunion surgery options.  After searching the web and watching several you-Tube videos I knew this was NOT the route I wanted to take.  So I decided to make another appointment with the orthopedic surgeon for an update on my bunion dilemma. Since I wasn't able to see the one I saw years ago, I made an appointment with the other foot surgeon. An early morning appointment yesterday offered some answers to my pain. After several X-rays, he confirmed what I suspected for the last few months, Hallux rigidus or severe big toe arthritis. Along with arthritis I also have bone spurs on the top of the bone of my big toe. OUCH! No wonder it feels like I have been walking on glass shards.  If I were younger, he would recommend a clean- up of the affected joints. At my age, the options are joint replacement, bone fusion, or custom carbon orthotics.  Since I dislike needles I am going with the orthotics.  Hopefully they will offer some relief.  Although my foot is painful, nothing compares with the constant pain from the arthritis of my hands.  Unfortunately there is nothing that will offer relief from this pain.  

Right hand with crooked pinkie

Left hand with bulbous fingers and crooked pinkie

My joints are already dreading the cold weather. Thankfully only 6 months until Spring!