Well I saw Dr. Jeng at Mercy Hospital today - I was very impressed with him and the facility! He took xrays and he and another doctor did a very thorough test! My foot is still killing me from all of his tests. He thinks the first surgery was a success but thinks there is something else going on since I'm obviously in so much pain still. He took xrays and wants me to get an MRI - at his office - to see if there is anything he can do to either correct the first surgery or fix whatever else is wrong with my foot. He did alot of tests with the inside of my leg/ankle/tendons....they thing there may be something there. He did see alot of fluid in my ankle on the first MRI - that was done in July. So it will be interesting to see what this MRI will show us.
So, now I get to battle with workers comp that I need yet another MRI (you can't read the first one that was taken) and hope workers comp doesn't take too long!
I was a little discouraged, but my friend Judy was there - and she kept telling me - they can see how much pain you are in, they believe you - that you are in a lot of pain. That was encouraging to hear.
I just struggle with feeling like it's not going to get better, or they won't find anything, etc. Need to take it one step at a time and not borrow any trouble!
So, I am in significant pain from all of his tests - but I was very impressed with Dr. Jeng and Mercy Hospital! Just hoping workers comp won't sit on this for six to eight weeks - like they have with everything else....
The following user gives a hug of support to joyful123: ginger62 (01-15-2013)
Don't get too discouraged! I think. You're making progress. At least, if nothing else, you're getting a second opinion, to see if there's anything your dr has missed. You're definitely in a good facility, with a good dr. Hopefully, you'll get answers quickly, and with that, pain relief. Keep us posted and hope you're resting comfortably after a long day.
Don't get too discouraged! I think. You're making progress. At least, if nothing else, you're getting a second opinion, to see if there's anything your dr has missed. You're definitely in a good facility, with a good dr. Hopefully, you'll get answers quickly, and with that, pain relief. Keep us posted and hope you're resting comfortably after a long day.
Hi Btrfli - I am trying to NOT get too discouraged. I agree - today was a step in the right direction and I really liked Dr. Jeng. My foot is throbbing/pounding this evening and it hurts to walk on it. I had to drive home this evening - an hour and ten minute drive - it's a rough drive on a good day - very painful today after Dr. Jeng manipulated it so much. Thankfully I work at home tomorrow....
I am hoping that the approval for the MRI will be approved QUICKLY this time and that I don't have to wait 6-8 weeks for this MRI to be approved.
Thanks for the encouragement.... it was a little disappointing/discouraging today. At least he believes me - that it hurts and that I am in pain - that is definitely a step in the right direction!
I definitely think this is a step in the right direction. I know sometimes it takes doctors a while to figure it out, which is frustrating, but when they validate that you have pain is huge. I think that's why I held out with my OS for so long since he knew I had pain, just not sure how to fix it.
I hope that this new OS finally has some answers for you!
Erin
__________________ 10/2001 Left kneecap tightened and LR
06/2003 Modified Brostrom on right ankle
10/2012 Biopsies under general
12/2012 Arthroscopy, impingement removed with Brostrom-Evans procedure
I definitely think this is a step in the right direction. I know sometimes it takes doctors a while to figure it out, which is frustrating, but when they validate that you have pain is huge. I think that's why I held out with my OS for so long since he knew I had pain, just not sure how to fix it.
I hope that this new OS finally has some answers for you!
Erin
Thanks! I agree - it's so hard to find doctors that BELIEVE the pain you are in, I really was very impressed with Dr. Jeng - he was kind, very thorough and had a good sense of humor. Honestly I really was hoping for some answers today - so I need to view the MRI as GETTING the answers we are all looking for.....
The Following User Says Thank You to joyful123 For This Useful Post: newankle (01-18-2013)
Hi Joy, I feel badly for you that you've been I pain for so long. Unfortunately, dr appts are sometimes a catch 22.....they have to manipulate the ankle,,,foot,,,,leg to diagnose, and that often intensifies the pain, but those things a necessary for proper diagnosis. And, I don't know any dr who can properly diagnose these type of problems without either MRI or CT, and sometimes problems are found during surgery that didn't show up on MRI. I'm sure your lawyer will stay on top on the WC group to ensure your MRInis approved promptly. We're all hoping you have some results soon and relief from your pain. Icing and elevating Might help your foot. Rest well.
I'm s glad you had such a great experience with Dr Jeng and Mercy Hospital. A foot/ankle OS who is thorough, believes you're in pain and has a sense of humor is hard to find! I really hope that WC speeds it up and you get your MRI and answers soon so you can get on with treatment and get better!! Keep your head up! Foot too!
So, I am in significant pain from all of his tests - but I was very impressed with Dr. Jeng and Mercy Hospital! Just hoping workers comp won't sit on this for six to eight weeks - like they have with everything else....
I told you he was thorough!
Glad to hear that other than being painfully thorough, it went well.
Hi Joy, I feel badly for you that you've been I pain for so long. Unfortunately, dr appts are sometimes a catch 22.....they have to manipulate the ankle,,,foot,,,,leg to diagnose, and that often intensifies the pain, but those things a necessary for proper diagnosis. And, I don't know any dr who can properly diagnose these type of problems without either MRI or CT, and sometimes problems are found during surgery that didn't show up on MRI. I'm sure your lawyer will stay on top on the WC group to ensure your MRInis approved promptly. We're all hoping you have some results soon and relief from your pain. Icing and elevating Might help your foot. Rest well.
Hi Btrfli,
Thanks for the encouragement. My foot has been so painful today that I could hardly walk on it this morning when I got out of bed and even taking a hot shower didn't ease the ache/throbbing in my ankle. The doctor did say I may have torn the perneal tendon? on the inside of my leg. He couldn't tell for sure because The MRI was such poor quality. I am glad he ordered an MRI and yet I must confess, I'm so sick of the pain and living with it for over a year - I just wanted him to be able to "fix" it and "fix" it now Sigh, I am so impatient sometimes! I am afraid it will take workers comp 6-8 weeks to even approve this MRI.....time will tell! Hope you are well. I'm headed to bed.
Hello everyone. I had another appointment with Dr. Jeng today. He looked at the MRI - said there is a lot of inflammation on the ankle still as well as some nerve issues. He does think that there could be more damage lower on the ankle as well. He thinks the first surgery was a success (Hallelujah!) However, he thinks that the first doctor didn't go "low" enough on the outside of the ankle and is afraid some of the tendons/ligaments might be shattered, etc. So, I have surgery scheduled for 3/14/13 at Mercy Hospital. He is going to release the nerve on the front of my foot/ankle to help alleiviate some pain. He is going to open up the same incision - but take it lower and longer under the ankle joint and see what is going on there as well. He did mention that he may have to take a tendon from the big toe and reattach the ligaments that way - but he said it is highly unlikely. He is hoping that "if" the tendons are torn that he can just reattach/tie them together? Absolutely NO Weight bearing for the first two weeks & then he wants to start gentle range of motion and progress to weight bearing after that. He doesn't want the scar tissue to build up on it this time.....so I am so relieved to FINALLY have an answer and to FINALLY have a doctor believe me and want to "fix" it. So, I will keep all of you informed!
The following user gives a hug of support to joyful123: ginger62 (01-31-2013)
That's great! I know the feeling and it's a huge relief. Who know's maybe we'll cross paths this spring; I'll be up there 2 days earlier for my first post-op visit. You're 2 weeks after me.
How was Jeng when he told you? When he told me they don't go far enough, it was half relucant and half apologetic.
Last edited by wilkinak; 01-30-2013 at 03:56 PM.
Reason: spelling
That's great! I know the feeling and it's a huge relief. Who know's maybe we'll cross paths this spring; I'll be up there 2 days earlier for my first post-op visit. You're 2 weeks after me.
How was Jeng when he told you? When he told me they don't go far enough, it was half relucant and half apologetic.
Dr. Jeng was not the surgeon that did the first surgery - it was a doctor out in Annapolis. He was very kind and honest. He said the success rate for doing surgery a second time is not as high as a first time surgery. He said he couldn't say that there is a 90% success rate, but thought that he could give it about a 70% chance that this will fix all these issues and relieve my pain. I really like him...
Jeng didn't do my first surgery either. When I first saw him and he told me his findings, it was almost like he didn't want to tell me the other guy kinda sorta screwed up. It could be because some people (mostly the guys) have told me I can be a bit intimidating.
How wonderful to have some answers. It's hard not know exactly what he's going to do, knowing that some of the issues - the nerve issues - will be fixed.
March seems so long but in the scheme of things... It's not that bad!
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
LOL. A bit intimidating huh? Well, he thought that the first surgeon did the brostrum procedure correctly - but didn't go low/far enough to look at the other tendons/ligaments. My friend, Judy, who has been on this adventure since the beginning - she can be very intimidating as well...... maybe we will cross paths
How wonderful to have some answers. It's hard not know exactly what he's going to do, knowing that some of the issues - the nerve issues - will be fixed.
March seems so long but in the scheme of things... It's not that bad!
I wish it was sooner, but he is booked out all the way to March. I am a little anxious - as Judy, the one who has been going through all this with me, is leaving on 3/31/13 for a month with her husband. I have found somebody who will stay for me with another week or two - and Judy & RB have agreed to let me stay here while they are gone - so that will help a lot. I have been so spoiled by Judy - I dread not having her during four weeks of recovery....but I have others who will step up to the plate.... I'm just extremely spoiled with Judy is all. I wish it was sooner, but oh well. I'm glad it is planned and on the books - now workers comp has to "approve" it. Last time it took them almost 12 weeks to approve the first surgery - so who knows if I will actually HAVE the surgery as scheduled.
Yay Joy!! So glad you got answers and are on the books for surgery to get this fixed! I'm also glad you like your new doctor! So important!! Did he tell you the name of the nerve he's going to release? Is it a sinus tarsi tunnel release? Just wondering because it is lower on the foot and sometimes develops after surgery. Also it is rare that they have to take the tendon from your big toe to fix the ligaments especially if your Brostrom was successful (another yay!), but they can transfer the peroneus longus tendon to the brevis tendon if that is torn again or didn't heal correctly. Ask Snowrunner in that! She just had that surgery done! Sorry Judy will be gone 2 weeks later but glad to have other people lined up. Hopefully not as much work will have to be done and you will be off crutches by the time she leaves! Hang in there! Answers coming! Now come on WC! Approve it!!
Hi Joyful, I recommend you put your name on the cancellation list -- my surgery was moved forward 8 weeks! If/when they move you forward, you have to be ready to move with pre-op checkup, etc, but its worth it.
__________________ Jan 18, 2013: PTT transfer, peroneal longus to brevis tendon transfer, calcaneal osteotomy with medial slide, plantar fascia release
Yay Joy!! So glad you got answers and are on the books for surgery to get this fixed! I'm also glad you like your new doctor! So important!! Did he tell you the name of the nerve he's going to release? Is it a sinus tarsi tunnel release? Just wondering because it is lower on the foot and sometimes develops after surgery. Also it is rare that they have to take the tendon from your big toe to fix the ligaments especially if your Brostrom was successful (another yay!), but they can transfer the peroneus longus tendon to the brevis tendon if that is torn again or didn't heal correctly. Ask Snowrunner in that! She just had that surgery done! Sorry Judy will be gone 2 weeks later but glad to have other people lined up. Hopefully not as much work will have to be done and you will be off crutches by the time she leaves! Hang in there! Answers coming! Now come on WC! Approve it!!
Hi Hollywood - I don't remember the name of the nerve. The one that is giving me problems is the one where they put the scope in for the first surgery - on the front of my foot/ankle. Does that help? He drew on it yesterday He did say that taking the tendon from the big toe really isn't a concern for him - he doesn't think it will happen - but wanted to give me a heads up about it...just in case. He did say absolutely NO weight bearing for the first two weeks & then gradually increase to PWB. He wants me to start rehab 2 weeks after the surgery. I guess I will start up here near Judy's house & transfer down to my house when I am able to go home. Since it is my driving foot - I'm not sure how I will even get home, etc .... but I'm sure it will work out! He also wants me to take shots after surgery - I had a blood clot in 1991 when I had knee surgery - so he wants me to use Lovenox every day for the first two weeks after surgery(by injection through stomach) and then take coumadin for another two weeks. He was very, very cautious and honest. I am SO glad I was referred up there......who knew
Re: Apt at Mercy Hospital and Dr. Jeng 
