Well after a couple of months with my dr., including weeks of physical therapy then the cam walker for 5 weeks, I called today to see if I could get my app. earlier then July21, and this is her last month here. She's moving to Arizona. At my last app. she discussed surgery for haglunds, so now I guess I'll have to find another dr. and start all over. This stinks...
Sorry, just needed to vent
sbrewer

Hi Sbrewer,
Im Sorry To Hear What Happened. That Is A Bummer. Do You Think That You Will Go Through With The Surgery. Im Walking On My Foot Barefoot! It Feels So Good, And My Foot Looks Amazing, No More Bump.
Hope All Goes Well, Keep In Touch
-boarderchic

Hi boarderchic,
Good to hear about your foot. Sounds like the surgery was worth it. I don't know about me at this point, cause now I gotta find me another Dr.
It was very disappointing when I found out about my Dr. I liked her, but I guess she wanted to leave. The problem is, now I feel like I'll have tostart all over, you know each dr. I'm sure is different so who knows what the next will want me to do..
sbrewer

Sbrewer,
When you find a new doctor that you feel comfortable with, first ask him or her if they suggest surgery for you, if so, get as much info on the surgery before you deside to go through with it. Hope things get better.
- boarderchic

Thanks boarderchic,
I guess I'll start looking today. You know, my dr. was supposed to call me yesterday(thursday) to answer some concerns from me, but of course she never called. I'll keep you posted when I find another dr. Did you have a podiatrist or an orthopedic dr? I'm just debating on what to do next.
thanks,
sbrewer

Sbrewer,
My doctor was a podiatrist, and I would suggest a podiatrist over a orthopedic because, a podiatrist deals with just the foot, while the ortho deals with the whole body. My opinion would be the podiatrist, they seem to know more about foot problems.
- boarderchic

boarderchic,
Thanks for the information. My past dr. was a podiatrist and I just made an app. with a knew one for July 13, so that was quick. I figured it would take at least a month before a specialist could see you, but I was wrong. Well I guess I'll see what this one tells me, but in the mean time I'm still wearing the boot and don't know whether to stay in it or not. I guess I'll play it by ear..Are you in a boot? How are you progressing? Are you having the other foot done too?
sbrewr

Sbrewer,
Glad to hear that you got an appointment so fast. July 13 is the same day I go to my third post-op visit. Good luck with the new doc. I hope he is great for you. Personnally I don't think being in the boot is going to help you, since it's been 5 weeks, I think that is what you said? But if you want to wear it, then go for it, it's not going to hurt it at all, only help. Well I had my doc. appointment last wed. and he said then to get out of the boot by monday. But when I am at work or day, or I go out, I would wear the boot but when at home I go barefoot. Today is my first day at work without the boot, so far it hurts, but I'm sure it will get better. I also went shopping last night with no boot either, and it was fine, even walking around the mall (even though I only went to one store). I'm not having the other foot done any time soon, only if it gets bigger and I can't wear shoes because it hurts too much. Hope I helped.
-boarderchic

boarderchic,
So you're wearing regular shoes now? Is there much of a scar? But if I recall right, you didn't have any pain before your surgery, did you? No tendonitis or bursitis or anything?
sbrewer

sbrewer,
I wear mostly sandals now, not shoes because i think it would rub the scar, so I wear open things like sandals. I still have a long scar, but I think it's because it is still healing. I went to live 8 on sat. and I was standing on it for a very long time, when I got home I could barely walk on it, so I iced and elevated and the swelling and pain went down. I didn't have any pain, only when I wore a shoe and it would rub, but no tendonitis.
- boarderchic

Sbrewer,
My doctor was a podiatrist, and I would suggest a podiatrist over a orthopedic because, a podiatrist deals with just the foot, while the ortho deals with the whole body. My opinion would be the podiatrist, they seem to know more about foot problems.
- boarderchic


I have to disagree with that. Many people, including myself, have found great success with orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons, generally trained orthopaedic surgeons who have trained for an additional year in complex foot and ankle disorders. In fact, they even have their own board/society--the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society--you can look on their website for an OS in your area.

I have a board certified podiatrist that I like--he removes my ingrown toenails and such--but for surgery, I will definately go with my OS. I feel that the OS is more trained in how the surgey will affect the whole body, instead of just the foot. I also feel like the podiatrist uses "band aids" to fix problems that say, require "stitches" (I mean this not literally, but figuratively.) My OS did a much more complex surgery than the podiatrist thought he would do, but I think the OS was just being more thorough in terms of the complete procedure. It's not that they can't always fix the problems, but for people who require more complex, out of the box care, I feel the OS is much more qualified, because they do have more advanced training.

Still, the decision must be yours, and you must feel comfortable with any doctor, and they should be board-certified.

To the person whose doctor is leaving, why didn't she send you to a new doctor? They usually do that--I think they have to do that--so they don't leave you in the lurch. That way, you'd be going to someone she trusts.

Take care,

Karyn

Karyn,

I disagree.. somewhat

Many people, including myself, have found great success with orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons, generally trained orthopaedic surgeons who have trained for an additional year in complex foot and ankle disorders.

This additional year of training is what BOARD CERTIFIED podiatrist of the foot & ankle has already trained for. (plus they are trained even more in foot & ankle conditions). I do think that an orthopaedic surgeon who has had this advanced training could be just as capable as the podiatrist, but I personally think orthopaedic surgeons are more specialized in the knee, back, shoulders, ect... and the orthopaedic surgeons I contacted had little experience in feet. In my opinion, a podiatrist is a specialist in feet & ankles, and because they aren't treating other things like shoulders, knees, etc.. they are more advanced in the treatment and care of feet.

I will agree with that--you can't see a general OS and expect them to be foot specialists. Still, I would send my more complex problems to the foot and ankle OS. They really do have the whole body in mind, instead of just the foot. Is this important? Yes! They are prescribing medications that have an effect on the whole body, and know what effects future treatment will have on the knees, lower back, etc. Even though I use a board-certified DPM that I like as a sounding board, I feel my care with a foot and ankle OS has been MUCH more comprehensive, sophisticated, wholistic, and planned than it would be even with that DPM. I have had a really horrible experience with a non-board certified podiatrist who severed a nerve unintentionally, so I am very wary of them--believe me, I've heard horror stories, and can share my own.

The bottom line is that a good general OS who doesn't know feet though should not try and fix them, but send you to a board-certified podiatrist OR a foot and ankle specialist s/he trusts, and that is the bottom line!

board-certified is the key word here. It is most important that they are certified as American Board of Podiatric Surgery or American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons w/who have trained for an additional year in complex foot and ankle disorders. Doctor's can be certified in other organizations, but it really means nothing is if is not under the American Board. We as patients really need to do a little homework before we let someone cut up any part of our bodies, as the horror stories are not far & few between!