Has anyone else dealt with multiple orthopedic injuries? I've had tennis elbow surgery in both arms, rotator cuff surgery in one shoulder, carpel tunnel in one hand and multiple foot surgeries. And let's not talk about how much the knees hurt. I used to joke that one of the rooms at the ortho was paid for by me...quite literally! Now that I have the Sjogren's diagnosis I am wondering if it was somehow related to all of the previous issues.
Good topic, Km! Other than my toes, I have not really broken bones or had those type of surgeries, but I seem to be very good at rupturing tendons, like the Achilles, but the Levaquin was surely a factor in that. I have worn so many casts and all for bad sprains, and torn ligaments and tendons.
I think that stress from chronic pain, or shock, can manifest in so many ways, and none are good! I think the stress response takes something you may have always been predisposed to and sets it into action, where if that stress response had not happened, it may not have ever really manifested. What do you think?
So sorry you have gone through so much over the years!
I wish you much better days ahead,
SK
Ok, add me to the orthopedic problem list ! I have had 2 bunionectomies, CMC arthroplasty with tendon transfer of my right thumb in 2009, left first rib resection( removed) due to thoracic outlet syndrome in 2010, torn left rotator cuff repaired, torn left bicep repaired both in 2012 and left foot plantar fasciotomy and bone spur removal in 2013. I think that does it for the surgeries. And like SK, I'm a pro with casts, splints, etc.. ugh ! However I never associated any of these with Sjogrens, but with my Psoriatic Arthritis. But since all the autoimmune disorders are closely "related" I have never been given a definitive answer as to why all this occurs. I don't ask why anymore, I just ask what do I need to do . We are such a mess at times :0)
Tomorrow I see my Neurologist , Thursday the Ophthalmologist and Friday the Rheumatologist, just a typical week ! Such is life...it could be worse though !
Take care all.
Hi,
This topic is really interesting! I was diagnosed with SS in November last year and am beginning to connect the dots between SS and all the other health issues I've had. I have severe tendonitis in my right hip and lower back, a torn shoulder capsule and significant tendonitis in my right bicep. I'm also prone to plantar fasciitis. I always thought I was just a mess from an orthopedic standpoint but always attributed it to trying to do too much when weightlifting for example. Now it seems there may be a connection to SS. Glad to know I'm not the only one.
Janet
Oh how could I forget the plantar fascitis...flares in my right foot about every 5 months. I used to blame all of this on my martial arts activity...but that stopped and the trips to the ortho didn't. NO..you are not the only one! This is what I like about this group!
JanSLP said:
Hi,
This topic is really interesting! I was diagnosed with SS in November last year and am beginning to connect the dots between SS and all the other health issues I've had. I have severe tendonitis in my right hip and lower back, a torn shoulder capsule and significant tendonitis in my right bicep. I'm also prone to plantar fasciitis. I always thought I was just a mess from an orthopedic standpoint but always attributed it to trying to do too much when weightlifting for example. Now it seems there may be a connection to SS. Glad to know I'm not the only one.
Janet
I certainly do believe that the stress will manifest itself in other ways. Now knowing of the Sjogrens and Fibro, it isn't hard to believe that a predisposition could be triggered. I can look back know at a period of time when I developed my first round of bronchitis that took me out for almost 6 months. I know that was triggered by stress and if I trace back my health, was probably the very first sign of the sjogren's...if only I knew then what I know now!
SK said:
Good topic, Km! Other than my toes, I have not really broken bones or had those type of surgeries, but I seem to be very good at rupturing tendons, like the Achilles, but the Levaquin was surely a factor in that. I have worn so many casts and all for bad sprains, and torn ligaments and tendons.
I think that stress from chronic pain, or shock, can manifest in so many ways, and none are good! I think the stress response takes something you may have always been predisposed to and sets it into action, where if that stress response had not happened, it may not have ever really manifested. What do you think?
So sorry you have gone through so much over the years!
I wish you much better days ahead,
SK
That’s so odd I’m an Aerobics teacher have been for 25 years and dia year half ago with ss and had planta fas For a year and 6 weeks ago broke my ankle and can’t work so depressed with it being a teacher is my passion and my life only 42 feel gutted 
x
Also is any one on any pills I’m on mAlaria tablets x
Hi Flo,
I was on Enbrel for about 2 years, but with either recurring or never ending UTIs was told NO MORE! So I am to get cleared by an eye specialist for Plaquenil. Is this what you're taking?
Oh, I know that feeling gutted very well! No matter what it is that we did, seems most of us can no longer do it,and it's a process to go through whether it's for a few weeks or forever! We're here for you Flo and we 'get it'! Hopefully with a good PT, they'll have you back on the dance floor very soon!
Wishing you well,
SK
babs, you sound like me, one Doctor after the other, sometimes I think they see me more than they see their wife and kids! How do they approach you as a nurse? I have heard it go both ways, either they extend you the med prof courtesy of knowing what you are talking about or dismissing you! I guess that depends entirely on the Physician, and surely no good nurse is going to put up with a lot, much less a little of the latter!
Hope it goes well, please keep us in the loop!
SK
I have also had many orthopedic surgeries throughout my life. I have told the doctors (who don’t agree) how could they not be related? Seems like with every surgery comes a new symptom that is somehow related to autoimmune issues. Again if drs.could think outside the box and put all this crap together it would help us alot. Especially when you are told over and over that it can’t be they have nothing to do with each other.
I had both knees replaced last summer and also have arthritis in other joints. Bunions on both feet which I should get fixed, but am avoiding as long as possible. Scarily, when I have SS flare ups, my new knees swell and hurt. Inflammation is a nasty thing.
I am recently experiencing severe pain in my hamstrings and my right foot in the heel
I can not blame my initial injury on Sjogren's. Unless that is a name for someone beating you up. :(
But since that initial injury to my neck and shoulder, I have had multiple blocks, radio frequencies, shoulder reconstruction and I am suffering through the healing process of my fourth neck surgery. The discs in my neck never healed from the original injury and that can point to the Sjogren's. I have hair line fractures in every disc. The doctor who discovered this said normally the body heals this up after about two years. I am at twenty one years so no, not happening. The lack of moisture that affects so many parts of the body made a difference here. So when it gets too bad with new symptoms, I go to my friendly neighborhood orthopedic for surgery. This was the first one that was from the back and not a fusion. But the next one will be another fusion (repairing the last one that didn't fuse).
Thanks Sjogren's for helping me pay for my surgeon's new home, car and office.
No surgeries for me, but I have had to do physical therapy on my shoulder, knees, and neck at different points. At times I have taken muscle relaxers, but only sparingly.