Even though the OS agreed that I need surgery, I am really glad I went and saw him.

For one thing, he explained my situation much, much better and much, much more clearly than the previous doctors I have seen.

I have complete tears of my Calcaneofibular ligament and Anterior Talofibular Ligament, as well as partial tears of the Medial and Deltoid Ligaments.

He was able to show me these ligaments on the MRI and show me the damage. He explained that the majority of my pain is more than likely being caused by the partial tears of the Medial and Deltoid Ligaments, on the inside of the ankle, not from the debris in my ankle, and that as I continue to walk on and use the ankle, I am causing further damage to those ligaments.

He also explained that the pain I am having in the lower and rear area of the outside of the ankle is from the tendons trying to cover for the torn ligaments and the tendons becoming inflamed.

The best part is that when I explained my being uncomfortable with the Podiatrist doing the surgery, he both explained the Podiatrist's training and abilities, and he offered to do the surgery with him. I was sooo relieved to know that my OS, who has done prior surgeries on my shoulder and knee, will be there with the podiatrist who is apparantley very well versed in surgeries like this.

I am now just waiting to hear when the two of them can be together at the same hospital so that they can do the surgery. I am still really nervous about all of this, but much more comfortable with having to go through this.

Information is a wonderful thing! Congrats on getting the answers from someone who could explain it all clearly, and now knowing what you need to do. Now you can relax (a bit) and move forward...I'm sure you'll be fine!

That's awesome.. One of my surgeries was done with an ankle ortho and a sports med ortho... Because I begged that my normal surgeon be there. I am glad you got some answers.. So they are fixing the medial ligaments then. Wow.. Good luck!!!

I am so glad that you feel better about this whole process and have the answers you needed. I wish you well with your surgery. -eko

Well, the surgery is set for this coming Tuesday. However, I may not get both doctors as I wanted. They are trying to work something out, but right now the soonest they could both do it isn't until July 28th and I can't work that long. I actually stopped working today because just can't take the pain anymore.

I am not AS comfortable with just the Podiatrist, but I am more comfortable with that then waiting another month. The podiatrist called today to see how I was and if I had anymore questions. He was surprised that July 28th was the soonest they could do it and said he's talk with my OS.

I'll be in the hospital Tuesday and Wednesday, then home to recover for 6 weeks.

I'm still really scared about how much pain I may have afterwards, but it has to be better to hurt a lot for a few weeks than to continue like this.

I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks for all the responses and support.

Don't worry too much about the pain afterward. Since you are planning on being in the hospital overnight, they will be able to manage your pain. See if you can get your prescriptions filled beforehand or have somebody fill them while you are in the hospital. That way you can take something as soon as you leave the hospital. Or ask them to give you something right before they discharge you.

Also, while you are in the hospital, make sure that they do manage your pain. In the recovery room I got demerol, which made me very happy, but then in my room they kept giving me morphine, which didn't help at all. They gave me morphine three times, twice in my IV and then a huge shot in my arm with morphine and "something to help the morphine work." I finally asked them to give me what I had had in the recovery room, and in 15 minutes I was again a happy camper! I could have avoided a few hours of pain if I had asked sooner. Also, if they want to give you any shots (shots into the muscle last longer than IV drugs), forget your modesty and drop your shorts. That first shot I got she asked where I wanted it and I didn't want to get it in my behind so I went for the arm. My arm was sore for two days, which I really didn't need while I was trying to get around on crutches. I got three or four shots in my rear and thighs with no pain afterward at all. Definitely worth a little exposure! I wore loose, stretchy pajama pants, which worked well for both getting shots and fitting over my dressing.

If you stay on top of your medications you should be okay. My biggest problem was when I first came home from the hospital after my surgery and didn't have my meds right away. By the time I took them it was too late and the pain was too out of control for them to help. I ended up going back to the hospital for an overnight.

Basically, don't try to tough it out. Take more medication as soon as it starts hurting again (as long as it's spaced out far enough), rather than when the pain gets bad. You'll be miserable for a few days, but it should get better. Looking back on my surgery, the only really bad pain I remember was right after the surgery and then getting my stitches out. Good luck!

Good luck! Even if you can't have both doctors I imagine that you must feel better knowing what exactly is going on. It has to be a relief to get this process going. I hope that everything goes well for you.

Good luck! Even if you can't have both doctors I imagine that you must feel better knowing what exactly is going on. It has to be a relief to get this process going. I hope that everything goes well for you.

It's HUGE relief to get this started. That's why I was willing to get it done on Tuesday with just the one doctor instead of waiting for a another month to be able to have both do it.

Yes, I'd prefer both, but right now I'd mostly prefer to get this over with, get on the road to recovery, and get back to work. I have disability insurance, but it isn't half of what I'd be making if I were working through the summer.

It's funny, one of my concerns with the podiatrist was that he seemed so young. I mentioned that to him today and he laughed and said, "yeah my parents say I'm immature too, but I'll be 31 in a month."

I almost tipped over. Sunday is my birthday... I'll be (gasp) 40 and have been jokingly dreading the big 40 for months now.

You know you're getting old when you're almost calling a doctor "sonny."

God help me I'm going to be operated on by a child!!! :eek:

Tell me about it! I was just watching one of those medical shows on Discovery Channel and the doctors seemed so young!! (I'm 41). Then one of them said that they had just turned 30. They looked like they were 18!
Good luck on your surgery. I just had surgery to repair my ATFL in May. I just got out of my cast about a week ago. Two months in a cast! YUCK! Although this time, I didn't itch hardly at all. Last year I had the old coat hanger always near by. I know, I know, a big :nono: (This is my 2nd surgery. The first was to repair my CFL and my ATFL. The surgery worked fine on my CFL but not my ATFL). I'm now in an aircast for 3 weeks. Actually 2 more weeks to go!!!!!! Then I start physical therapy.
When I had my injury (almost 2 years ago) the doctor's thought that I had injured my tendon and not my ligaments but my tendon was just taking the brunt of the injury. This time my OS didn't think that my ligament was the source of my pain at first but then he said that my muscles were compensating for my ligament being "shredded". He knew that my ankle was loose but when he opened me up he said it was a lot worse than what he expected. I've had more pain with this surgery than the last surgery but it was a more intense surgery.Hopefully this will be the last surgery on my ankle. My husband said that I needed surgery again because I saved the aircast from last year. So this time I'm throwing away my aircast so it won't jinx me :D
Good luck on your surgery. It really isn't a fun thing to go through. But I wish you luck and my prayers are with you.
Karen :)

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow :)

Sue

mpls21 are you there? How has this gone so far for you? Your ligament tears and tendon over compensations sound similar to my problems, would like to find out more about about your issues with your ankle. It's been almost 2 years since my accident and so far nobody has been able to diagnose the problem correctly except for complete and partial tears to deltoid ligaments. Tendons are screaming, I can't get a reason why from surgeons. What you talk about makes sense. Please respond if you can.

Coleby

Good luck. We will be thinking of you.

Rose