| Non-Surgical PTTD - personal story
Hope my story will help someone on this forum.
My ankles (both of them) began hurting about 10 years ago. For the first few years I just took lots of Aleve but they continually got worse. I went to a local podiatrist and got fitted with orthotics. These really helped for about 2 years and then the pain came back stronger then ever. During this time I was experiencing body aches and pains as well, mostly in my shoulders, neck, and knees. These body pains became progressively more intense. Along with my ankle pain I was having trouble walking and standing. Pain killers were really not helping any longer. I tried getting new orthotics, but they did not help. I bought every kind of shoe I could find, none really made a difference. I went back several times to my local podiatrist, finally he made me a pair of Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). These were horribly uncomfortable, difficult to wear, and did not help. During these years I had appointments with several orthopaedic surgeons. All diagnosed me with PTTD and offered various surgical options. I consulted with a long time friend who lives far away but is also a orthopaedic surgeon. He concurred, I needed surgery on both feet.
I decided to make one last attempt at finding a non-surgical cure for my PTTD, and at the same time searched for the top doctor in NYC to help me diagnose my body pain. My first appointment was with Dr. Rock Positano. He examined me and did several tests, one which I had never seen before. I believe it was an ultrasound of my ankles and feet. He said I had damaged tendons running under my foot and swelling and that he could design an orthotic that would help me. He did not feel I needed any type of surgery. Within a few weeks I received my new orthotics and I could feel the difference within days. The pain in my ankles had lessened by 80%-90%.
I know this sounds like a miracle but there is more to tell. In the same week I visited Rheumatologist, Dr. Michael Belmont in NYC. Even though my tests did not show Arthritis he said I show all the signs and I should be treated for arthritis. He put me on Naproxen (500 mg) and Sulfasalazine, both twice a day. So, to put this in perspective, I was now wearing my new orthotics and taking new med's. Between the two my body and ankle pain are basically gone. I have the occasional ache but nothing I can't live with.
I cannot say for sure which one of these things have helped me more. I have been using the med's and orthotics for nearly 1 year now and am doing fine. Previously I was in pain walking across my kitchen, now I can walk literally for miles with only a normal amount of pain for my age (I'm 49 and not over weight).
I am surely not a doctor, I write this in the hopes that it can help someone. I know how bad it can be. There were many days I thought I'd never walk again. Days in so much pain I wondered how much longer I could bear it. Please feel free to ask any questions. I am happy to answer them if I can.
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