Arthritis leaves woman facing amputation

Phoebe Phillips, a 29-year-old from Chester, is facing a daunting medical future involving a potential double knee replacement and subsequent double leg amputation. Diagnosed with severe psoriatic seronegative inflammatory oligoarthritis in 2019, her condition has progressed to the point where she has lost all cartilage in her knees.

Phillips describes experiencing pain so severe that she required tramadol and liquid morphine, highlighting her ongoing struggles with the disease. She expresses feeling dismissed by healthcare providers over the years, which she believes has exacerbated her condition and led to the current advanced stage.

As a result, she has turned to private healthcare, with the initial double knee replacement surgery estimated to cost upwards of £15,000. Phillips is fundraising to cover these expenses, hoping to regain some quality of life after missing out on her young adulthood.

Her symptoms began in October 2018, and despite seeking medical attention, she felt her concerns were not taken seriously until a formal diagnosis in March 2019. Various treatments, including methotrexate and sulfazalazine, provided little relief, and she was not adequately informed about the long-term prognosis.

Phillips is now exploring all available options, including a potential injectable drug called arthrosamid, before committing to the major surgeries. She has also documented her journey on TikTok, raising awareness and seeking support for her cause.