Had a lot of foot/ankle fusions, mostly from problems from birth..cervical fusion, in 91..and knee replacements..diagnosed in 95, but mad at a ortho that did a minor foot surgery and told me in 91, i had a lot of arthitis in the foot. I never thought i got RA, like my mom!..so too bad it wasn't diagnosed sooner..started in the thumbs, knees....the whole thing with the stiffness..I remember the days it took 3 tries to get out of a chair!

I have a bad case of degenerative disk disease, with spondylethesis, stenois, herniated disk L4 an L5, but am not getting a back fusion, or any more big ankle surgeries, because i found my "hero" that has made superior orthotics(cork), to hold up my collapsed foot...and darn they are expensive, some good shoes, with extra depth

My hero, the orthotist has made me a back brace and orthotics, that has made it almost bearable, so no more surgeries, if i can help it!