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Sunday, February 17, 2019

Chronic Pain and Possible Surgery: Email Advice



Dr. Blake,

I've posted on your blog in the past and have appreciated your advice more than you know. The advice you had given me a while back had given me some hope. After seeing a host of what I feel to be incompetent Foot and Ankle surgeons and Podiatrists who have all seemed to throw their arms up, I've finally gotten 2 new bilateral MRI's of the ankle and a new Podiatrist.

The report on both MRI's say:
1) Mild scarring of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments, remote inversion injury.
2) Dengeneration of the deltoid ligament complex deep fibers
3) No acute osseous injury or arthritic changes of the ankle
4) Small tibiotalar joint effusion.
Dr. Blake's comment: This is typical for anyone over 40 years old, and really not meaningful. It is the normal wear and tear of an ankle, injury or just life related and the march of time.

Upon seeing the new Podiatrist, he reviewed this with me. He said this was due to a childhood sprain and meaningless. (I don't recall ever spraining my ankles in adulthood or childhood)
Dr. Blake's comment: It does not have to be an acute injury. If you are over 40, it can just be wear and tear on the ligaments with some breakdown or repair with scarring. These problems can lead to some ankle instability and pain. You treat with braces, taping, or muscle strengthening, depends on the stage of Rehabilitation you are. 

I also had an MRI of my left leg which is the worst of the two ankles. It showed mild edema around the pre-tibia.
Dr. Blake's comment: Again, the edema is from pulling of the muscles, like shin splints, and should be treated with icing, some Physical therapy if limited area, and muscle strengthening of the extensors.

The Podiatrist went on to tell me that I had edema around the the muscles and tendons of the leg/ankle and foot. He wants to do a debridement of the achilles and peroneal tendons and a Strayer procedure bilaterally, which to be honest, has me panic-stricken. I had seen an Orthopedic doctor in his same building after both MRI's were complete and he thought that everything looked fine on all imaging. I don't understand why the Podiatrist would want to do such extreme surgeries on both feet if the Radiologist's report mentioned nothing except the above. The Orthopedic and Podiatrist only agreed on one issue, disuse atrophy.
Dr. Blake's comment: Sounds like a surgical podiatrist trying to find a reason to do surgery. Definitely, podiatrists and orthopedists should be in agreement with surgery in general, and they will have different surgical approaches. I can not tell you who is right for you, but you need some other opinions. I would find a conservative podiatrist who you can bounce off what the podiatrist said to see if there is any hidden truth. If you trust the orthopedist, find out how to treat it. That is what is really important here, but you need more options. You need to know what your diagnosis is!

I know you're a busy man but would it be possible for me to pay you for a consultation to read over these MRI's to get your opinion? I would be willing to either mail/upload my MRI's if you'd consider a consultation with payment, of course.
Dr. Blake's comment: Yes, but no payment is required. Just mail to Dr. Rich Blake, 900 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109. I am reading one for a patient from New Mexico tomorrow.

To me, I've already been stuck in bed for nearly 2 years with minimal walking and all this surgery seems extreme to me. I wanted another opinion on these MRI's, didn't know who to turn to and you came to mind. You're an intelligent man (I've read over your site many times) and I'd like for another set of eyes on these MRI's to see if all of these surgeries are really necessary. I understand you can't physically examine me, but only to give your opinion on the MRI's prior to proceeding with such extreme surgeries on both ankles/feet.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this over. If you don't have the time, I understand. At this point, I feel so desperate and don't where to turn. I value your thoughts and advice. I often wished you lived here as I don't think I would've been in this condition for almost 2 years. 

Thank you for your time.

Take Care,



























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Thank you very much for leaving a comment. Due to my time restraints, some comments may not be answered.I will answer questions that I feel will help the community as a whole.. I can only answer medical questions in a general form. No specific answers can be given. Please consult a podiatrist, therapist, orthopedist, or sports medicine physician in your area for specific questions.