Osteoarthritis

[Greentime101]

I’m trying to help my mum (79) manage the osteoarthritis in her ankle. She is so wobbly, uses a stick and it’s obviously painful.

She has almost stopped moving all together & gained a huge amount of weight. I’m worried she will soon seize up entirely

I was astounded yesterday as she would rather sit behind me in the car rather than walk round to the passenger side of the vehicle. She is taking minimum steps at all times

It must be painful but she doesn’t like taking tablets so not happy to take any painkillers

Ironically the new build village she lives in has a swimming pool opposite her front door that she pays a service charge for - I got her pool noodles, non slip swim shoes etc - she won’t go

I can’t really do any more to encourage her to keep moving without it seeming like bullying

I suppose the other option would be a radical diet to lose the weight and that might benefit her ankle but that seems very harsh for a 79 year old

Any wise words?

I have osteoarthritis, in a lot more places, but it resulted in a bad ankle that is similar - is actually rebuilt and I'm very unstable. So, being honest, the problem isn't the ankle, it's the attitude! She would rather be in pain than take painkillers. She then chooses to reduce the pain by not moving much. And the options she has she won't use. There isn't a "thing" that will help if she won't let it!

I'm not saying that to be mean. It's simply the truth. From the sounds of it she's generally not all that bad - not to minimise her problem, but just a fact. I'm 65 now and over the last 10 years or so I have got to point where I am severely disabled. The difference is that I exercise, I have a rollator (like a walking frame on wheels) - I'd kill for a pool across the road. I get out, I walk. Not far, but I do because it's necessary. But also because I want to have a life!

I'm afraid the answer does lie with her. You can give all the encouragement, or help her with aids, but in the end she had to want to do it.

I was debating if I should post at all in case I came across as unsympathetic!

I was hoping someone with the condition would reply so thank you.

I agree with all the points you make and thought that it might be a mind over matter thing. Am very impressed reading all the activities you make yourself do it can’t be easy

It isn't always easy. But I'm currently exploring Mexico! My Irish mother used to say " you are a long time dead", basically you can grab every opportunity or not, but once you are gone so are all the chances! There are many things I can't do that I used to. I'm glad I took her advice and did them all when I could and didn't put them off. But I haven't finished yet! I just have to plan more, and accept that there are some things I'll not be able to do, or not be able to do again. But if there is a will to do something, you find a way. She needs to want it, and if that want isn't enough, nothing you do will make her want it. I'm sure that it's sad for you, but you can't give her that will. The only thing that might is if there is something she wants badly enough...

I have osteoarthritis. I have been told to do physio and lose weight. The physio is certainly helping. If I know I have got to walk more, I take an ibuprofen. I'm getting an injection too.

if your Mum won’t take tablets, would she use localised cream instead?
I’ve started using this on my wrist and it seems quite good.
Worth trying maybe.

Thank you I will mention the cream and possibly injections to her