Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, and a Fused Ankle

I'm 48-years-old, 5'2", and at last weigh in I was 312 lbs. In the past three years my mobility has gone rapidly down hill. I have severe osteoarthritis in my knees (as well as chronic bursitis) and in my spine, osteoporosis throughout my body, and an ankle that was mangled and dislocated in a car wreck then later fused in order to be useful again. I am in chronic pain that is often so bad I can barely stand using a walker. It seems to me that I will soon be doomed to life in a wheelchair and that is not what I want!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to fight this creeping immobility?

Hi,
Did you have WLS?  I have severe arthritis in my right hip and I had WLS on 2/15/11.  I am in pain right now because I cannot take my anti-inflamatory medicine until a month from now.  My plan is to loose a good amount of weight,  then I would look into a hip replacement.  Don't give up! You can get a knee replacement.  My friend got booth knees replaced and now she can go dancing and do things she could not do before.  Do your research and talk to specialist.  Take care!

Hi,
Thank you for responding to my post. No, I haven't had WLS surgery yet but we're hoping to by the end of summer. I've been working toward it since January 2008 and finally had to switch clinics last fall when my insurance said the first clinic wasn't eligible. 

My orthopedist sent me to see a colleague that specializes in knees and that doctor told me, "Yes, you have severe arthritis. Yes, you need surgery. But no, I'm not touching them until you lose a significant amount of weight." So that was more incentive for me to have the surgery (like I needed it, right?).

I hope you heal quickly and that you have much success in your weight loss journey. Take care!

Rebecca 

  Hi.  I am new to this forum and was just browsing.  Amazing that I found your post - one says when the student is ready the teacher will appear.  I had WLS 5 years ago, but got lax and now I am getting back on track.  In those 5 years I went from Osteopenia to Severe Osteoporosis, and I also have had Osteoarthritis like, forever.  I had back surgery 1983 which did not not help.  I found this great doctor who examined and tested me, put me on mega dose of Vit D, I also got back in touch with a bariatric group and am anxious for my first meeting.  Anyway - getting off track here.  Losing weight has helped my arthritis somewhat (little is better than none).  Doc put me on new meds (Forteo, injection) when my bone density test showed the severe Osteoporosis.  Objective is to retest in 24 months with goal to have regrown bone.  I have relocated this past year and I feel encouraged by finding this great doc and new bariatric group and hope to get back to losing weight and enjoying life again.  By the way, I am retired.  Sure hope you are feeling better soon, and hope that my insight may have helped you some.

This might be best solution for you but surgery always is not success it may cause other complication too. I suggest you the natural way do exercise and consult to good therapist and have nutritive and balanced diet.

Before my surgery I used a cane and if I had to walk more than 100 ft. I needed a wheelchair. I started with the physical therapy department at the hospital where I was going to have my surgery and learned exercises I could do on my bed. I also watched the TV program "Shimmy" that teaches belly dancing. I sat in a chair and did the belly dance moves which helped strengthen my core muscles. I was on my pre-surgery diet and lost 29 pounds before surgery. The PT department also started me on exercising in the heated pool at the YMCA. Today my preferred exercise program is in the water, aqua jogging, aerobics and aqua Pilate's, I work out in the deep end standing on pool noodles so I have resistance but no impact. The pool is the key for me to manage pain and get in my exercise. Believe it or not movement keeps the pain at bay.  Recently I started using the weight machines in the gym so I could build even more muscle. I love the rush of endorphins I get after just a few reps!

I had to lose about 100 pounds before I had significant pain relief and could put away my cane. I was highly motivated because I also did not want a life in a wheelchair. Today I am doing quite well. I still have arthritis but it is manageable. I have the freedom of being able to get around. Continue on your path. it will be a wonderful journey and you will be surprised.

Hello there! I am so sorry to hear about all your pain! Man! I just posted a similar question about my knee pain on the VSG forum. I got several responses you might like to read. My question was if WLS would help with my knee pain. I got several responses and all but one said yes. One lady even said she was in a wheelchair most of the time due to pain and was now able to garden, move rocks and more! I just thought you might like to read what they had to say.

I would certainly have this surgery if I were you. I think it might solve most of your problems. I wish you the best and feel for your situation. I pray you find what you need to make the most of your life.

Take care of yourself and let me know how things go for you.