Hello all. I'm wondering if any of you could help me.
I have had RA for over half my life, I'm now 62. I have been on Etanercept for about ten years and until about a year ago it was a brilliant treatment, I'm having to boost it now with steroids and leflunomide, my condition is okay, much much better than it was before biologics and I'm hoping to stop the steroids soon and get back to (my) normal.
I've had lots of surgery done to my hands and feet over the years and am due to see a consultant in a few weeks for more surgery to my feet. Foot surgery in the past has been a bit hit and miss, I want the next to be a `hit' and am wary of letting a 'part-time' foot surgeon do what needs doing.
So I am asking if anyone on the forum could recommend a surgeon who specialises in Rheumatic foot surgery. I live near Epsom in Surrey and would be prepared to travel.
Thanks, Jon.

hi Jon,

can't help re foot surgery .. but just wanted to say welcome to the Forum, i see you are not a new member but this is your first post.

Suzanne

Hi Jon and welcome. The hospital for rheumatic diseases in Bath is one of the five centres of excellence in the UK, as is Wrightington and The Agnes Jones Hunt in Shropshire. I appreciate that these hospitals are all a good way from your home, but under the present system you can ask to be seen at the hospital of your choice. I live some 40 odd miles from Wrightington, but chose to have my hip surgery there. It is also completely acceptable to ask any surgeon about his success rates with the particular op you are about too have. They are duty bound to tell you their figures. The District Nurse can also be a source of sound information. Bearing in mind they visit patients post op and will know which ops have been successful, who is good and who is not. As they don't have any particular axe to grind, they always seem to be very impartial. Once you have a name, do some research. Check out the hospital they practice in is is it classed as poor, fair or good and look àt all the info you can access. You can also speak to the NRAS helpline as they will also have the names of surgeons who specialise in foot surgery. Hope all goes well. Keep in touch.

Thank you for your info and thoughts too Jeanb and jenni_b.

I have been doing a lot of Googleing and all is becoming clearer.

Best wishes

Thanks for your advice Lyn.

Unfortunately the NRAS cannot recommend surgeons. They say individual members can offer recommendations but not the NRAS as they do not have the experience of having surgery. Shame as it would be most helpful.

All the best

Hello Jon

I had bunion & hammer toes op last June.
The process was two toes broken and straighten with metal rods that stayed in for 6 weeks and slid out by the surgeon with no pain. My bunion (bone) has been smoothed down/removed and re pinned like scaffolding inside.

Obviously my foot cosmetically looks fantastic

I was awake for my op and had 6 painful long needle injection inserted into my nerves in my foot which partial numbed the area. My foot post op took a few months for the swelling to go down.

Would I have my other foot done? At the moment no, it cosmetically can stay as it is.

Everyone is different with operations and recovery, my experience with bunion op was more painful than my first knee replacement op this February at the age of 40.

Would I have my other knee done? Yes without doubt! I was more mobile post op than my foot.

A personal choice.
Jane

Feel free to pick my brains Jon