Suggest Treatment For Pain In Heel And Ankle After An Injury

Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2014

Question: Hi, my name is XXXX I'm a 70 yr old female who suffered multiple fractures in a head on collision 1 year ago. After a month in hospital, & 10 months under the care of a Good Orothopedic Dr. & physical therapy, I've been released with those words "Sorry, this is as good as it's going to get". Everything healed with the accept ion of my Heel & Ankle. which was crushed in the accident. I still have constant pain, the more I'm weight bearing on them, the more pain I'm in, I am therefore, limited to only walking when necessary, with the aid of a Cane, Walker, & or wheelchair........it's a heel & Ankle for Christ sakes! Dr.'s Don't give up on Athletes, so why give up on me? It's not like I don't have a life. I'm otherwise very healthy, no Diabetes, I'm 200 lbs. This has changed who I am, from a very active person with a life to a "Handicapped" couch potato! This may be the condition & issues I will have to accept & accept I will, but only after I know I've turned over every stone possible. My Dr was an Orthopeadic Surgeon with 33 yrs experience, specializing in Hand, Hip & Knee. This :r. was appointed to us. I was told they were going to wait a week before operating on my foot, because they needed to get an orthopedic that specialized in foot and ankle. I made the assumption, the entire time I was under his care,(10 months) that, that was who was caring for me. I just learned that yesterday, when I was researching one with Fwllowship and foot & ankle specialist! So I really do wonder now, if there's another set of eyes & or brain will help me. I have researched an Orthopeadic Surgeon with Fellowship, specializing in Foot & Ankle, in the area, to set up an appt. for a second opinion. My Question; WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS, AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVISE, TO ME, ABOUT MY CONDITION IN GENERAL?

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Every surgeon experience is different

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

If your Orthopedic surgeon is of the opinion for surgery and has more competent surgeon than him who can do well. He would be sure about it. He knows who is comeptent in the area who can operate on your foot. Yes there are people who are trained only in the surgery that was mentioned to you.

In my opinion you should start believing in the doctor and go ahead with the surgeon. If you are prepared for the surgery then please go ahead with the one whom your experienced Orthopedic surgeon will refer to. If you do not want the surgery and go ahead with conservative treatment you should re discuss the advantage and disadvantages of avoiding or delaying the surgery. Your condition is not specific and has no great details to comment on.

Hope this helps in taking a decision.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli