Have my arms shrunk?

Not only that but all clothes have sleeves that come over my hands!!

I have always had trouble with high shelves/too-long sleeves, as I am only 5ft tall (or short!)

However, since I have been diagnosed with the dreaded osteo in my right hip and knee, life is even more of a pain - literally.

I can cut my left-foot toenails, and put on its sock and shoe. No problem. As for the right........well the toenails are a definite no-no, and putting on my sock and shoe, even with the long shoehorn I bought recently, involves a lot of ouching, and even the odd swear-word!

I can still touch my toes. It's the leg-lifting and bending that pains me. I don't know if, or when I will be eligible for a replacement. I just hope that I will be fit enough to cope with the long flight to Australia, for my daughter's wedding, in November.

How long does it usually take from diagnosis to replacement op?

No, but I bought a linen shirt in M&S last week and, after trying it on at home after unrolling the turned up sleeves, found that they were much longer than any other sleeved clothes I own.
I rang up M&S to ask why, as my arms are a 'normal' length but they just said they'd refer the comment to their buyers.

I think my arms have shrunk as sleeves seem to come down over my hands now. Middle bit ok and I can just touch my toes.

Sorry to ask but do arms really shrink or have you gone up a dress size or two and the sleeves are cut longer in those sizes? Just asking…

Gone girl. It's the area just below the muffin top.

Part and parcel of the aging process or so my kind and sympathetic GP would give in answer to my
'whys'?

i have an answer to the toenails question. I have a chiropodist come and do mine every seven weeks! she not only sorts out my toenails but also gets rid of any hard skin and, at the end, applies a wonderful cream which makes me feel like i'm walking on air [odd feeling if you're a larger than you should be lady].
as for the flexibility, i've started swimming again after my second knee replacement last august and a car accident just after christmas [cracked breastbone - very painful] and i'm thinking of taking up tai chi as i've read that's very helpful with flexibility. or going to a flexercise class.
can't get down on the floor any more - i'd never get up again owing to the knee replacements so yoga and other exercises are out.

EllanVannin. ? Re farrier!

Bradfordlass
I had a hip replacement at the end of August and I know what you mean about worrying about 'disturbing' the titanium. I'm having the other hip done on Tuesday so restricted movements again will give me plenty of time to read Gransnet!

Remind me what a waist is?

I thought my waist had got higher but then realised its the bust that's got lower!

Ooooh, I do "arm chair " exercises for my middle. It involves getting up from an armchair without resting on the arms. Keeps the abdominal muscles strong and thighs too as you wrestle with your balance.
I've got it off to a fine art now.

The trouble is, as we get older, we restrict our movements. If you watch children, they move every inch of their bodies, but adults restrict their movements and this causes the body to stiffen. The longer we keep moving as children do, the longer we will have full movement. Get down on the floor with your grandchildren and join in with their games.

I can longer reach the frying pans I keep on top of my kitchen cabinets. Have to stand on a chair now. I have always had long arms. It's the middle bit of me that has moved downwards and outwards. I think my legs might be shorter now too.

My arms haven't got shorter but it is stiff shoulders and expanding waist that limit my reach.

I am trying to work on stretching and increasing suppleness. Just 10 minutes a day each on shoulder joints, including arm strength, and hips, including thigh strength.

Even as a child, I couldn't reach my toes. Because I was never any good, I hate all forms of sport and exercise, and nowadays with the added spare tyre, it's exhausting tying shoelaces - never mind cutting toenails!

BradfordLass isn’t that what the Romans used to do, but they dipped their sponge on a stick in vinegar (not sure whether before or after?!!). Nothing new under the sun?

Very tactfully put, BradfordLass
I think being supple is the key; it helps reduce falls, too.

Reading these comments I realise how lucky I am.

Despite being a very big woman, I've always been supple and can still touch my toes.

I had 2 car accidents and a hip replacement (over 16 years, not all at once ) and each time my goal was to get back to my normal flexibility.

Until I had my hip replaced, I could even sink into a graceful splits. I wish I could still do that but I don't dare try in case the Titanium fights back!

There's a US company, Amplestuff, started years ago by friends of mine, who do a variety of items for those 'hard to reach' places. One of their best sellers is a sponge (replaceable each time) on a stick for toilet use.

They ship Internationally too.

Toenails-----yes. No trouble reaching them as I bend in the middle ( lucky me ) it's the nails themselves ! I'm seriously thinking of visiting a farrier because my nails have got so tough to cut. Nail clippers have all broken.

Just a pause MissAdventure

Yes, toenails are an issue, particularly my little toes.

The sleeves on many items in the shops would fit a giraffe as those hems often reach my knuckles.
Anyone having problems in the toenail department? It seems to take more effort to cut them than before - I expect my big round tummy being in the way doesn't help.

My height has shrunk by 2 ins plus as well but it’s shrunk off my back so I ve still got long legs I ve recently lost half to three quarters of a stones and it’s not gone off the little pod I call a belly but off my legs and arms bah humbug However although I ve got arthritis in various joints I m still very flexible always sit on the floor for relaxation (why I have a sofa and chair I have no idea) and can still do a full lotus and put my foot on my forehead, touch my toes with straight legs etc etc so that pleases me