Hello,
I am a person (43 yr old female) suffering with RA. Not sure if I am in the right place or not, but am looking for support/information. Considering at this time a fusion or joint replacement. Anyone out there dealing with the same problem? I would love to talk.
You are in the right place. I was diagnosed a month ago after the onset of a big flare back in September. If you are looking at joint replacement I gather you have had the disease for much longer. I don't have any experience with the joint replacement but wanted to welcome you. I am sure there will be others with useful information for you.
Jamie
Thank you Jamie!
Yes, I actually woke up one morning about 6 years ago with neck pain so bad I couldn't move. I finally found out after many doc visits that I had Spondylitis. That is better through therapy & Chiropractic care. About 4 years ago I started having pain in my fingers, both hands. My middler finger on my left hand just went crazy and got worse and worse. I've been complaining to my doctor for 2 years about the pain and they just keep putting me through xrays, MRI's etc. Well, now I'm to the point of bone on bone and was told this past week that I have 2 choices and that is for a fusion or replacement. They really aren't doing too many replacements in the finger joints.
How about you, where is your RA and how bad?
Hi My name is Rich , you said your middle finger went crazy. I have RA in both hands and wrists and been on ORENCIA for a few months now. Both my middle fingers are very stiff and cant bent them fully. I try and no matter how far I stretch them they always go back to be so stiff and painful, does this mean I may need joint or fusion replacement ???? if so that would suck. Are you taking a pain meds that works for you ?? I am taking ULTRAM-ER 200MG day it help......a little .
Thanks
RICHI
Hi Richi,
I had another xray last week that showed bone one bone. I believe that is why they are suggesting the fusion or replacement. That was done by a hand/bone doc. I see my regular rheumatologist is 2 wks for more info. I am not on ANY meds and I belive that is why this has went so far. Every time my doc tested me, via blood work, MRI's, Xrays, the results were always inconclusive, so she didn't want to do much. I was on celebrex for about 3 months and did not notice any relief at all, so was taken off of it. I am hoping after this last xray that my Rheumy will see the need to put me on something like Remicade.
So in answer to your question, you probably want to get an xray
hi rich, i'm melanie.......i was reading your reply to laura and i'm curious to know if you've ever been to a hand surgeon. the dr that is one of the experts on this site has recently put out an article on surgery for arthritis, it's very interesting, i think you need to check it out. where i live, joint replacements are very common, even on hands. i wish you good luck and let me know how you are doing! melanie
p.s. after i had the fusion to my neck, my neurosurgeon sent me to a neurologist to have an EMG test done, it was not fun, lots of needles, but i got though it and it showed carpal tunnel syndrome and severe ulnar nerve damage. which they told me to plan to have worked on soon, before my fingers go numb forever. i have my ring and little finger going completely numb when i sleep. anyway, just wanted to throw that in.
Melanie, Thanks for you comments and I will ask my RA Doc if I should get xrays or see a hand/bone specialist,or if she may know what is going on with my middle knuckle joints. . I read the article looks like the finger joints can be replaced but I am not sure about the knyckle part of it . I had my right ankle fused about 6 yrs ago , and I am not or ever was even an athlete.
Take care .
Richi
Laura, Hi I've had RA for about 6rs its in my hands . I am 42 yrs old for the past month and 1/2 I've been on Orencia ( IV infusion) It has helped with making my hands looser but still very painfull mostly in both middle finger joints , I was told I have to me patient. Easier said than done . Take care Only Arithritis people really know how pain feels, not Doctors who say be patient.
Thanks
Richi
Laura,
I have been diagnosed with RA for about 5 years now. Don't give up! I was on Remicade for about 4 years and then had infections all last summer. Been on Enbrel for months now - through Out Patient Clinic - an injection in stomach each week. It is beginning to react now, so there will be something different in the future. I continue to work and am now 60! I have to work and REFUSE to let this RA get me down. I had Osteoarthritis for years - including disc surgery. Don't let it get you down.
Doris
Laura,
I have been diagnosed with RA for about 5 years now. Don't give up! I was on Remicade for about 4 years and then had infections all last summer. Been on Enbrel for months now - through Out Patient Clinic - an injection in stomach each week. It is beginning to react now, so there will be something different in the future. I continue to work and am now 60! I have to work and REFUSE to let this RA get me down. I had Osteoarthritis for years - including disc surgery. Don't let it get you down.
Doris
I love my new joints, I have new knees and a new ankle (which I would advise fusing). I have had my middle joints on my 2,3,4 toes to straighten them. My big toe is fuesd.
Eventually I will have my elbows and hands done. Having this stuff done is so great for me, I was in a wheel chair in 2000, and now I am doing great. MyRemicade got me out of the wheel chair. I never have a problem with my new joint.
debi
hi girl, hey, you came to a great place for RA support! i had a fusion to the lower 3 vertebrae of cervical spine and it was the best decision i've ever made. i had neck/shoulder pain, horrible burning-crawling electrical feeling pain and the neurosurgeon told me he could relieve about 80% of the pain and he was right. i still have some, i also have another bad disc above where he worked and will probably have to have the same thing again in the future. i have RA with spondylosis in my hips, i take humira weekly, methotrexate for the RA. anywa, we're all here to help, e-mail me anytime. i met a wonderful lady in MN a while back and we talk every day! so, jump in and talk, we're all hear to listen. melanie meiel@aol.com
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for the comments. I thought Spondylosis was a disease of the back. Is there much of a difference between sponylitis and osis? Is Humira an infusion or injection. I'm still learning about these drugs. Of all the RA drugs are there certain ones that are more likely to cause weight gain?
I have your email and I will definately shoot you an email.
Thanks for your support!
hello again laura, i hope you had a good pain controlled week. our weather here in the texas panhandle has been going from 80 in the daytime to below 30 at night. the drastic difference in temperatures just kills my joints. you've probably heard of anklyosing spondylitis. that is when bones start fusing together and that is the spine. the way my doctor has explained my problem to me is that there is inflammation where the ligaments hook on to the bones that hold the sacrum to the iliac bones. i don't know if mine will turn into anklyosing. the itis at the end of a term is when there is inflammation. osis is just the disease itself. that humira is just a little injecable shot that goes into the fat of your abdomen. it took me a few times to get up the nerve to give myself the shots, but i do it now without any trouble! i've taken it for a little over a year and started the methotrexate about 3 months ago and i'm now having pain free "episodes", that last for a few hrs. for about 2 days after i take the methotrexate, i actually am having periods of increased energy where i can cook and clean like a real mom! i have had huge guilt problems because when i was working full time, i'd come home and have to take a 1-2 hr nap and i know very well my family was disappointed that there wasn't a hot meal ready for them at suppertime. i had my rt sacroiliac joint injected last week and had instant relief of pain and i still don't hurt. it's so good not to hurt, but on the other hand i'm sitting around waiting for the pain to come back. RA is like a ghost that follows you around and won't leave you alone. it's awful. but it sure does help to come to this site and talk to people or send out a cry for hellp when you are sad. well, write back soon and let us all know how you are. let us know if you've been started on anything new or if you're trying to decide to. we'll all help you out. good luck to you, melanie
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for explaining that. I wasn't for sure. I am actually going to see my RA doc today at 230. I have hight hopes for a miracle, but have a feeling I will leave disappointed again. I know that I need to go on the big drugs to stop the damage to more joints and to control the pain, but I am scared. I've heard of some really crappy side effects, which I see varies from person to person. I guess my most feared is weight gain. I already work really hard to lose/maintain my weight. Oh well, I guess I will see in just a couple hours. Thank you for your comments. It's very helpful.
Have a great day!
Hello,
I have RA and have had an TAR (total ankle replacement). I highly recommend joint replacements and would do it again in half a heartbeat. You did not say which joint you are considering the fusion or joint replacement but I would not get a fusion for any joint unless it was the very, very, very last resort. Besides ankle replacements there is shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip replacements so I would definitely get a replacement instead of a fusion. If your orthopedic surgeon only pushes for a fusion find a orthopedic surgeon that specializes in joint replacements. Hope this helps. If you want more information feel free to email me. Here is the website for information on ankle replacements: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ankle_Joint_Replacement/
Sincerely, Rabbit
Laura,
My ankle replacement is going to be fantastic, I had to have another surgery for a neurological problem I have from a head injury I suffered several years ago that I didn't know I had until I got the ankle replacement. This problem (valgu hindfoot spasticity) was masked by the arthritis, my orthorpedic surgeon did a valgus hindfoot osteotectomy split anterior tibiel tendon transfer procedure last month and once I heal from this surgery I will be walking normal again without pain. Hope you get the help you need with your hands.
Rabbit
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You are in the right place. I was diagnosed a month ago after the onset of a big flare back in September. If you are looking at joint replacement I gather you have had the disease for much longer. I don't have any experience with the joint replacement but wanted to welcome you. I am sure there will be others with useful information for you.
Jamie