Second Opinion....help!!!!!!!!!!!! - Foot Problems Message Board

susieblueyes · 04-22-2004, 08:00 AM

Hello Everyone

,
How many of you have had to go for a second opinion after already having surgery by one Doctor? If you remember, I had right foot bunion surgery with two permanent (HA HA) screws back in Nov. 03, In Mar. 04 I had more surgery to have the screws removed due to a lump on the ball of my foot. Which the Doctor thought were the screws forcing their way down.After having the screws removed I still have the lump. He took xrays and said it was my sesimoid(sp) bone which was causing the pain as I walked, because the bone was moved to where it should be after the bunion was removed.He said it was because my sesimoid bone was so out of wack before surgery now it feels different and I would get use to it! Well, guess what, it hurts like he -- when I stand on it. Also after the second surgery I developed a pretty good size bump on the top of my foot where the scar is, which could be scar tissue?So thats the story on my right foot. Well, if you remember me saying that after the first surgery the Doctor said I would deffinetly need bunion surgery on my left foot,after the right one was healed.So when I went back for post op from having my screws removed he said I was ready anytime. The next visit he said I wouldn't need surgery for a while and my feet hurt so bad because they were not operating properly.(Whatever???????) Oh and he also said I have arthritis in my feet another reason for the pain.He gave me a shot to relieve the pain. Since the shot my foot has hurt more and more each day.Iam due to go back on Tues.to see how the pain is.
In the meantime I went for a second opinion and this Doctor was sooo different and informative. He actually took time with me and explained everything in detail.He took xrays there and went over them with me every bone by bone.(LOL)He told me I deffinetly need surgery soon on my left one. He explain what he thought was going on with the sesimoid bone and the lump on the top of my right foot.During my original surgery he said the repair was too tight and that is why my toe goes up and my sesimoid bone goes too far down, puuting all the pain on the bottom of my foot.It would have to be opened up and relieve some of the tightness. The bump on the top of my foot....could be scar tissue but it looks like there might be something in there and he would have to take a look at it.
The left......the procedure would basically be the same as the right one,but done correctly.LOL With my 2nd toe hammertoe corrected also.
I have an appointment with the second Doctor on Tues. also.To go over any last things and to bring any questions with me. By the length of this post do you think I have questions?

LOL
If I have totally confused you, take a look at some of my other posts. Especially the CRAZY DOCTOR one.
What do I do about the second opinion issue? Do I tell the first Doctor that I have chosen someone else to take care of my feet? What do I tell him when I cancel my appointment for Tues.?
And what do you guys think about having both of my feet operated on at the same time? I have already been out of work for 8 weeks back in Nov. and 2 weeks in Mar. I can't afford to take another 2 seperated times of from work.
Someone HELP!!!!!!!!!

SUE

danged_feet · 04-22-2004, 02:21 PM

I wouldn't go back the 1st Dr at all, I would just call and cancel the appointment. You don't owe him any kind of allegiance, especially if you believe you got and are getting inferior care from him. I don't trust people who keep changing their story on what's going on. From your post the 2nd Dr. seems way more on the ball and willing to really help you understand what is happening with your foot.

Getting both feet done at the same time? Boy I dunno, it would depend on whether you need to be totally non weight bearing for any time. I couldn't imagine crawling to the bathroom

For me there was no way I could have, 6 weeks non weight bearing. I would have callouses on my knees from all the crawling, how would you even get to the Dr ?

eko · 04-22-2004, 04:36 PM

I agree, you don't need to provide Dr. #1 with any kind of explanation, they are your feet and you have the choice as to who operates on them. If you are more comfortable with the Dr. who provided the second opinion, then go for it.

Getting both feet done at the same time - well there are others on the board who have done it, I couldn't do it. What's the Dr. say about it? Would you be total non-weight bearing on both feet?

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best! -eko

susieblueyes · 04-22-2004, 08:45 PM

Thank you for the suggestions

As far as help goes I have a super great boyfriend that helped me out quite a bit last time and I also have an older sister that will do anything in the world for me.So I think I will be okay as far as help goes.This is going to be my main question for the Doctor on Tues.I just want to get everything overwith.
New development with my left foot today. It will be 2 weeks on Tues. since Doctor #1 gave me this really painful shot on the top of my foot. He pulled on my big toe and shot the needle twice. I'm not sure what kind of shot it was. I know,stupid me(what kind) but I just figured it would be okay. The pain that I experienced with that shot was like no other pain from a shot before.I still have pain,but now I have this huge lump on the top of my foot toward my ankle. It feels like it is on the same bone that he gave me my shot.The lump just moved up my foot.It is very strange and it hurts like crazy.Any ideas? Is this something I should be concerned with or can it wait until Tues. when I see Doc. #2?

KarynLR · 04-22-2004, 09:22 PM

I had the same situation, different foot problem. I didn't leave things the way I wanted to with doctor 1, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from getting the problem fixed correctly with doctor 2. I was quite shocked when I mentioned to my PT that I was getting a second opinion, and he said, "don't tell the doctor!" I didn't for awhile, but when it was clear that he wasn't helping me, I told him about what doctor 2 said. I really thought he'd be glad for the suggestions since we seemed to be at a standstill, but he was not. He told me that I was making the wrong decision and doctor 2 was not good. I apologized, but this is the way I felt and had to switch. I truly expected him to follow up on the situation, but he didn't. I'd either have my last appointment with him and then tell him you're leaving, or if you don't want to do that, just cancel the appointment, and have the new doctor's office deal with getting the records, etc. Good luck! I know this can be a tough and frustating time.