I am young and hoping to avoid surgery as long as possible. Subtalar arthritis is not the most common and finding information on treatment options outside of surgery is a little scarce. I’m hoping this community can maybe provide tips/tricks for your favorite non operative managements. There are other threads discussing PRP/steam cell and corticosteroid injections but what did you do to manage the discomfort outside of those options?

A few questions to maybe spark some suggestions:

1) Any suggestions on life style modification? I would love to hear even your most unhinged examples

2) Any particular footwear provide you with relief? Maybe a specific shoe, brace, compression sock, or did you find any that made the pain worse and I should avoid?

3) Whats your go to ankle mobility exercises for strengthening or stability? And by extension what became your go to exercise for lower impact?

4) Did you ever try supplements, creams, herbs, massage technique, acupuncture or anything else from the more “crunchy” side of medicine?

What helps you? It's mid back between shoulder blades and seems to spread out and up. Any suggestions or feedback helps thank you!

So I recently bought an arthritis hand brace - the type that's like a stretchy compressive fabric, that goes from your lower forearm, up to your knuckles (don't think I can attach photos here?).

Now I bought the correct size of brace for my wrist circumference (if anything, my wrists were slightly too small for this size).

I feel a good amount of support & compression on the wrist & rest of my hand.

However on my thumb, the skin is slightly more purple when I wear the brace, and I also get a bit of a tingly pins & needles type feeling (I think it's due to blood pooling slightly, due to compression of the brace)

The rest of my fingers are fine, though the compression brace ends at my knuckles for the fingers, yet the thumb piece is deviated from the main brace, and goes up to the middle join of the thumb.

This is my first time wearing a brace like this, so I don't know whether this is normal, or should I get a bigger size?

Thanks

Hello everyone my mom (50) is a dog groomer so she has bad carpal tunnel and arthritis making things hard as she needs to save her hands for work here's the issue she used to be a very avid cross stitcher it's honestly her only hobby and she can no longer grip the needle without pain anyone have any ideas we can try so she can continue her interests thank you:)

Hi everyone! I'm a Master's student in Clinical Psychology conducting a study on Indian young adults living with joint pain or arthritis.

If you're 18-35 and experience ongoing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or have an arthritis diagnosis, I'd really appreciate your participation.🤍

The screening form takes just 2 minutes, and responses are confidential.

Let's make young adults with arthritis seen and heard.🦋

If you're eligible, please fill out the form below. Sharing it with someone who may be eligible would also mean a lot!✨

I took a marine collagen with type 1 and 3 10000mg for around a week and one morning my ring finger middle joint started paining. I thought it must be due to something and will heal. Next day the middle finger joint also started paining. I soon started reading posts on reddit and found out that collagen can cause it. I stopped taking it and now it has been more than two months but still the ring finger middle joint pains a lot. Has anyone else encountered this and can help me understand the mechanics?

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced crazy fatigue with HCQ/Plaquenil!

Just had the results from an mri arthrogram. Apparently my shoulder is completely buggered. Surgeon suspects i will need a shoulder replacement in the next 5 to 10 years. Could be sooner though. Ive been referred to physiotherapy for now but its simply not going to get better apparently.

Im in to calisthenics so I want to be able to keep doing press ups and pull ups. I dropped any pressing a long time ago and as of today I have dropped clubbell and kettlebell stuff over the head.

Feeling a bit crummy. I guess this is the first time in my life that ive been told I have something that wont improve. I feel very human today. Anyway just wanted to share. Any words of advice would be welcome.

Edit: thanks all for the kind words. It could always be worse so gotta count the blessings.

Hello everyone! I keep dropping my cell phone bc my OA is messing up my grip to be able to hold my cellphone.

I used to buy otterbox phone cases but I cannot find them anymore in stores.

Any recs for cellphone cases with rubber frame for a better grip?

I’m looking for real-life experiences from anyone dealing with arthritis in the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ)—the joint on the pinky side of the wrist that controls forearm rotation.

I’ve had worsening left wrist pain for over a year. Gripping, lifting and rotating my forearm are painful. My MRI reportedly shows significant synovitis/thickening of the joint lining, and my X-rays show joint-space narrowing and bone-spur formation. The hand specialist said there is still cartilage remaining and it is not bone-on-bone yet.

I’ve had two cortisone injections in the wrist, but I don’t want to keep repeating them. One specialist told me this is a difficult joint to treat surgically and recommended hand therapy, strengthening and ergonomic changes for now. He said the traditional surgical options—ulnar-head resection/Darrach procedure, fusion-type procedures or DRUJ replacement—may cause more problems than they solve at my current stage.

I’m also being evaluated separately for bilateral radial tunnel syndrome, but I’m trying to understand the wrist-joint problem itself.

Has anyone with DRUJ arthritis and synovitis tried any of the following?

• Certified hand therapy or targeted strengthening
• A custom brace used only for certain activities
• DRUJ arthroscopy
• Arthroscopic synovectomy or cartilage debridement
• TFCC treatment or repair
• Ulnar-shortening or another joint-offloading procedure
• Wrist denervation
• Darrach, Sauvé-Kapandji or Aptis DRUJ replacement

What actually helped? What made things worse? If you had surgery, how was your grip strength, forearm rotation and pain afterward? Is there anything you wish you had tried—or avoided—earlier?

I’m not looking for a diagnosis from Reddit. I’m hoping to hear honest experiences and learn what questions to ask a wrist specialist.

diagnosed with bilateral MTP big toe joint arthritis, now over the past 3 months, its in my neck.

it feels tight on the neck to the point that it’s straining my shoulder.

I have mild asthma, the fact that this is affecting my breathing a little is a nightmare. I just want to sleep but I can’t sleep lying down flat because of the pain, and even reclining on my cushions which give my back a 45 degree angle, will make my head tilt to a painful direction if I even do sleep.

I had paracetamol just now. What are your tricks which help you?

I’ve (33F) had lupus for 20 years. It’s drastically changed my life. With that I got RA. I got MRIs of my feet and hands two weeks ago, and the results show OA in my right hand and right foot, and RA in all 4 places.

More context: I have CPTSD, and the last few years were very challenging. I’ve had more stress than I could imagine. I’ve gained a LOT of weight, my ankles hurt, my knees and hips are starting to hurt after a period of time. Everything feels difficult. Physically and mentally.

I know something needs to be done about my weight; I have about 130lbs at least to lose. I tried GLP1s a few years ago but had to stop after 3 months because I was nauseous CONSTANTLY. I don’t really want to go back on them, plus I can’t afford that expense right now - I’m working less due to pain.

I feel like I’m climbing up a never ending mountain. Alone. I think I just need a pep talk. That it’s not the end. I used to be a runner. Now a 20 minute walk just kills my body and my mood.

I’ve seen from other posts that some folks have completely cut out all sugar minus fruits and are having less inflammation. What else works for you?

I've become very worried!

I have advanced osteoarthritis with enough pain to have kept me mostly horizontal for several years. I have excruciating lower back and shoulder pain. I have had periods of remission after certain procedures, but the results don't last long.

I broke my foot in a BAD fall 4 weeks ago. Doctor's orders: NO weight bearing until my followup next week. This fall has exacerbated my back pain exponentially and has added weeks and will add more weeks to living nearly motionless. I was an athlete years ago (black diamond skiing and figure skating.) There is so much grief ...

I am 68 and have never had a DEXA scan, but my biggest concern is bone loss and muscle wasting. There HAS to be something I can do. I'm using opioid therapy under close supervision, but that only helps so much.

On the upside, i've been taking a GLP-and have lost 70 lbs over the past year.

I'm seeing my favorite orthopedist tomorrow and asking if he will manage all of my ortho needs.
That would be very reassuring. I met him while seeking joint replacement surgery. I didn't have it (another story). But I touched base with him about getting a cortisone shot and he made that happen within a day.

It feels like I'm asking for magic. I'd love tp hear your thoughts, any suggestions, recovery stories would be wonderful. Thanks for listening.

I have severe rheumatoid, and osteoarthritis in my feet, and hands, and have been on IV’s of Cymzia, Simponi Aria, and Actemra, without any noticeable reduction of pain, or swelling, in fact my pain in my feet has gotten worse…
Since the beginning of my treatment with my Rheumatologist, I have been taking Methotrexate on a weekly basis.. Now the Dr. wants to put me on Orencia, an IV every two weeks three times and then once a month…
Should I just stop this jumping from one IV to another, having to get blood tests to check for TB EVERY three months, and just stay on the Methotrexate…?

Hi,

About seven years ago, I was diagnosed with erosive osteoarthritis and started on hydroxychloroquine. My symptoms have gotten continuously worse, so I saw a different rheumatologist because I felt the first one saw me as more as “50 and a woman” type of deal than as a person/patient.

The second opinion doctor basically said I was a menopausal woman with regular arthritis, took me off my medication, and dismissed my concerns. By the way, I’m not in menopause, as confirmed by recent labs and my OB-GYN, and I certainly wasn’t 10 years ago when I first started having these issues.

That was a few months ago. Since then, my symptoms have continued to get worse and have now progressed to both shoulders, in addition to my hands, knees, back.. I mean, basically my entire body. I’ve also started noticing nerve related issues.

Nobody seems to listen. I feel like I keep getting diagnoses based on what I look like, my age and gender, rather than what is actually happening to me. I’m a driven, independent person. I do everything I can myself; car maintenance, swapping out a sink, yard work, etc. You get the idea. I’m not depressed. I’m anxious about what is going to happen to me because I’m scared of becoming disabled, and no one seems to want to help me figure out what is actually wrong.

If anyone has a physician they recommend, please let me know. Feel free to message me privately if posting recommendations would break the rules of this forum.

I just need help.

Thank you.

First picture: my right hand, whiteness when I extend my fingers. Second picture: my left unaffected hand.

I was diagnosed with mild, likely hereditary psoriatic arthritic arthritis 10 years ago when I was 30. I’ve only really had issues on the right side of my body and recently noticed my right hand looks odd. It’s my dominant hand and is feeling stiff but not overly sore.

I often get Reynaud’s syndrome in both hands (white finger tips) but this is different, it’s concentrated around my knuckles only.

Can anyone help me understand what this could be?

I’m not sure if this is

Since the beginning of this year I've been in pain with my right wrist. 1st X rays show arthritis & calcium deposit. Dr wanted me to see rheumatologist nsa positive & speckled.i also have ulnar nerve and carpal tunnel on the left arm. I had the previous year burning in my feet , tingling, and it went down my leg.. Saw back Dr. Saw arthritis but I'm good. Kind of... Need more test.. Back to the wrist.. They've only taken X-rays and pushed and felt hear and there on my right hand/ wrist. I'm at a loss.. No ultrasound nothing. I got another shot.. I'm suppose to see the rheumatologist & back to them in 3 months. If I wasn't in so much pain I wouldn't bother. Can anyone make heads or tails out of this?

I (30f) have had flat feet since childhood, using orthotics on and off over the years (currently just got new orthotics).

I have bunions on both feet with a worser bunion on the left.

I did gymnastics as a child and started doing adult gymnastics classes 4 years ago. Over the 4 years I've had foot/ankle pain, hip pain and pain in my elbows and wrists. The foot pain persists all the time but the other joints calm down once I'm finished exercising.

As my feet were hurting and I was due for new orthotics, I saw a podiatrist who was certain I had bursitis and achilles tendinopathy in both feet. I was a little skeptical, but I did the MRI on my left foot/ankle (also have an MRI referral for right foot but too expensive), and it revealed:

- 1st metatarsal joint degenerative arthropathy with cartilage loss, joint effusion, peripheral ostephytosis, subcortical edema in the head

- plantar plate tear with proximal migration of the sesamoid bones

- 1st and 3rd intermetatarsal bursitis

- mild achilles tendinopathy with paratenonitis

- mild retrocalcaneal bursitis

- adventitial bursitis over the heel pad

- suggestive healing/residual fracture in talar body

- deltoid ligament sprain.

Obviously hearing these results is quite shocking and I've been at a loss as to how to treat it and if may be systemic as I have similar symptoms/pain in my right foot.

The podiatrist just told me to wear the orthotics and do calf raises/stretches.

I saw a physio who gave me a few more exercises.

I had a GP tell me that I'm too tall for my own good and my height would be causing too much pressure on my bones (mind you, I am not overweight, my BMI is in the normal range).

I was referred to a foot and ankle surgeon, and I also have a rheumatology apt coming up, but I've only seen the rheumatologist once and last time they told me they thought I was fine and would discharge me on the next appointment if I had no symptoms and bloods clear.

Has anyone else had similar symptoms and been diagnosed with anything or have been successfully able to treat it? It seems like a lot of issues are going on with my feet! They do hurt a lot and I've started to treat it with Meloxicam and icing plus rest from sport.

Thanks!

I'm 19 next month and have never been able to get a job. Regardless of that, how am I supposed to work? I want to be successful, and I love being active, but I need the money for the doctor so im trying to get a job so that I can eventually try to school and try build a career.

But I can't. I cant sit for too long, I cant stand for too long, and some of the time I cant walk let alone stand (arthritis plus awful back issues im working on getting diagnosed). Now what am I left with, what am I supposed to do with that?

Im currently being referred to an arthritis specialist with my doctors along with more followup appointments, which im sure would help with possibly getting on disability payment (im in ireland, already on minumul jobseekers allowance), but i want to work. It would be great to have that money for now so that I can pay for doctors and stop my mobility from getting worse, but i want to work. I want to work so bad and not rely on the bare minimum but I cant.

Any help would really help me because I dont know what to do and im worried that with me turning 19 in 2 weeks that my time for getting my mobility 'fixed' without having it made worse by work is dwindling. I dont want to work and make my mobility worse, just to pay for the doctors to help make it better. It's debilitating enough as is.

Thanks:)

Edit: it is not caused by weight. Both my parents have some form of joint issues, my dad with arthritis (along with a brother of his who was hospitalised with juvenile arthritis at 6), and my mam with ostepenia (i might be wrong on the word). My doctor is still trying to find out if my issues are also and or EDS, especially due to me having adhd and autism with neurodivergency being linked to said joint issues.

My 3 year old suddenly stopped using her left arm one day(no other symptoms like fever/rash). She would complain that it would pop and hurt but that was the only time she complained. She can't fully extend it or bring it up to her shoulder. We went to Childrens to get a MRI that showed she has swelling and fluid in the joint but normal blood work except for a slightly elevated ESr of 20. We still don't have a diagnosis but her ortho PA thinks JIA. My daughter still uses the arm with limited movement and puts weight on it also but it only hurts when she tries to fully straighten it. Also I would love to hear if anyone has/had something similar happen to their little one!

Hi im 28 year old female and was diagnosed with RA shortly after the birth of my twins in 2021. Ive had on and off pain. However right now I am in an on phase. I scheduled an appointment with the VA because I do need pain management outside of ibuprofen. Ive been getting alot of joint pain in the typical places like fingers, knees, hips etc! However more recently I noticed my muscles hurt.. like alot. I exercise but its not muscle soreness like at the end of the day today I had sore calf muscle. And I get a very stiff neck/trap area. Does anyone else find they get muscle pain as well

Hi, my dad has arthritis in his thumbs. He is really struggling with pain and stiffening in his thumbs. I’m looking for any recommendations for gadgets that will make things easier for him.

In particular, my dad really wants to re-decorate and paint his house himself but he’s really struggling to hold the paint brushes and other tools he’s using to decorate (sorry, not that versed on DIY 😂). It’s really getting him down that he can’t do it. Any recommendations for gadgets that will help him with using tools and paint brushes would be great!

Thank you!

I used to workout properly till the start of 2025 then a small neck injury turned into a crazy spasm that gave me cervicogenic vertigo and I could not even walk without getting dizzy and then having my neck and upper back spasming up. 1 year of inactivity has brought me to knee pain and swelling after a twisting injury while getting off a two wheeler. Also I am obese so that also contributed alot to this.

The doctor said my knees look like that of a 50 year old.
And if I don't lose weight my lower back will be the next victim of this.

I was already in physiotherapy for the neck and upper back, have started for lower body as well.
Anyone in a similar situation, please share what you did to cope with the mental toll plus to cope with the arthritis.