Help! Peroneal/tendon issues

ginger62

I would definitely get another opinion. If you are in Raleigh you should have several options. Do you like the doctor you saw? Was he recommended to you?
Ginger

ohitscourtney

I thought I replied to this....guess I didnt haha.

So I would get another opinion, maybe even a third. Its good to shop around and see who else is out there and what they are saying. It seems to me your current doctor is trying all the conservative measures s that can be done before something major like surgery is discussed but, if you feel that it isnt working and hes not listening than its time to find someone else. You are correct, its pointless to keep getting those shots and being in the boot if you feel or see no improvement.

Same as ginger said do you like your current doctor? Do you know of anyone who could recommend another one to try?

__________________
1/24/11 accessory navicular bone removed

4/5/12 posterior tibial tendon debridement (failed)

2/28/13 FDL transfer

1/8/15 Gallbladder Removal

Lex2727

Lex2727

You guys read my mind. I do actually like my doctor it's his nurse who I think is an idiot. I do have several people who have recommendations on another doctors in the area. I'm supposed to go back to my doctor next week I think I'll keep that appointment but if he doesn't do something drastically different I am definitely going somewhere else.

Just frustrated with the situation and wish I could just move in the direction of getting better.

ginger62

The only thing I would caution you on, Lex, is there's not a whole lot of people here that it got better for. Mine started out as a sore ankle from working out and got progressively worse for 4 1/2 years. I wish I had been more proactive. I probably could have gotten by with a more moderate surgery instead of the works. You know your body best, so trust your instincts. Good luck!
Ginger

lauralei51

Hi Lex...welcome! I'm sorry you're having so much pain with your ankle. I understand how much that affects your quality of life. I second getting a second opinion! It won't hurt matters, and it gives you some perspective and a choice.

__________________
LAURA
2/6/13: Cuneiform neck lengthening, Calcaneus Osteotomy, Brostrum procedure, Peroneal tendon repair, accessory Navicular bone excision, Gastrocnemius Recession
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lauralei51

Well, darn it, I didn't mean to post my reply that quickly...I had more to say. lol
The other thing I wanted to say is that it is a fact that peroneal tendon tears don't often show up on an MRI. I've seen many people say the same thing on these boards.

When I went to my surgeon after 2 yrs of trying conservative therapy (6 wks in a walking boot, cortisone injections and then orthotics) and explained the pain that had been increasing at a rapid rate over the past year, he immediately diagnosed a peroneal tendon tear, along with the other issues I had (listed in my signature line below). He was absolutely sure he could feel it, I had all the classic symtoms, etc. So, when the MRI came back saying I didn't have a tear, he said he didn't agree, so he was going to take a look the tendon during my ankle surgery, and would repair it if it was torn. Well it was indeed torn...in 2 places. Just thought I'd share that with you. Good luck!

__________________
LAURA
2/6/13: Cuneiform neck lengthening, Calcaneus Osteotomy, Brostrum procedure, Peroneal tendon repair, accessory Navicular bone excision, Gastrocnemius Recession
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Erie0385

I agree with getting a second opinion. It wouldnt hurt to have that. I also agree that MRIs aren't always correct. The radiologist could read it one way, the dr can interpret it another...and sometimes the MRI, dr and radiologist are all wrong. Mine was read as a split tendon tear and nothing left of my ATFL. My surgeon disagreed with it, gave me his opinion and once he got in there found there was no tear, but mass amounts of fluid and scar tissue around my tendons, the ATFL was intact but impinged, and I blew my CFL.

You need to find a good dr who is "hands on" with his/her clinical evaluation. That can tell them a lot more than the MRI.

Also, if you feel like something is wrong, it probably is. Don't give up! Sometimes it takes a while to find the right doctor and treatment, be persistent and advocate for yourself! There's no reason we should have to put up with debilitating foot pain forever.

I wish you the best!

__________________
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

lauralei51

Well said, Erie. I think you make an excellent point...advocate for yourself and I totally agree that if you think there is something wrong, you're probably right. Trust your gut instincts. Nobody knows your body and your pain the way you do.

__________________
LAURA
2/6/13: Cuneiform neck lengthening, Calcaneus Osteotomy, Brostrum procedure, Peroneal tendon repair, accessory Navicular bone excision, Gastrocnemius Recession
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Hollywood48

Hi Lex! I'm also so sorry that you are having so much pain with your ankle. I totally understand! I agree with getting a second opinion. I also wouldn't let the doctor inject anymore cortisone into your ankle. It's not a great thing for tendons. It can wear them down and cause them to rupture. Tendons aren't very vascular and so they are slow healing as it is. As Ginger said I think..there aren't many of us on here who were successful with conservative measures for peroneal tendon injuries. And MRIs are typically NOT accurate for ankles. After my first major sprain to my ankle, my MRI said that my ATF was slightly torn and that it appeared my CF was intact. My OS didn't agree. Once he got in there in surgery, both ligaments were completely ruptured. I had those repaired.

I had my 2nd surgery in Feb 2012 (after several more injuries over an 8 year time period). I had an MRI that basically said it saw post surgical changes from the first surgery and that everything else was fine (tendons, ligaments, etc). When I went to see my OS to discuss the MRI, he read the report and was like oh this looks good! Let's take a look at the film. Then his face dropped. And he kept saying "I'm calling BS on that, it is torn. I'm calling BS on that too. It's also torn, this is torn, this is torn." I finally said (with my jaw dropped) "It may be easier if you just tell me what ISN'T torn!". He got into my ankle in surgery and I had 3 torn ligaments and a "shredded" peroneal tendon. I got all that fixed plus had my fibular groove deepened (osteotomy) so my peroneal tendons wouldn't sublux. That's another thing...ask your doctor if your peroneal tendons are subluxing. Sometimes this is easy to see plain as day. My doctor asked me if mine were and I already knew about this and had checked myself for it and thought I did not. Upon his exam, I did. They just were popping out as visibly as they can sometimes. This can cause pain and can also cause the tendons to wear and tear.

If you really like your doctor, then I might keep your next appt and ask him these things. Like you said, if he doesn't do something drastically different, I would move on to another foot/ankle OS. I imagine you have several good ones where you are! Good luck and keep us updated!

__________________
Brostrom-Gould, repair retinaculum, peroneus longus tendon repair, fibular groove deepening for peroneal tendon subluxation- 2/22/12
-Modified Brostrom (failed)- 8/15/01"]

Lex2727

Thanks everyone for all your help. I will keep you posted about what happens. I really appreciate all the advice.

Lex2727

Hi everyone,

I am definitely going to take your advice on getting a second opinion. I have actually checked reviews and talked to a few people that have dealt with the doctor I am currently seeing and their stories seem similar no real answers just a lot of money ... Hope fully I will be able to schedule an appointment with another doctor that comes highly recommended tomorrow. Unfortunately their office was already closed for the day when I called today.

Lex2727

Got my appointment Monday !!!! Hopefully I can get some answers this time!

lauralei51

Good luck! Let us know what happens, ok?

__________________
LAURA
2/6/13: Cuneiform neck lengthening, Calcaneus Osteotomy, Brostrum procedure, Peroneal tendon repair, accessory Navicular bone excision, Gastrocnemius Recession
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