Community Chat

[Annabellethecat66]

@Yardlie I know it's hard to change Drs even when you don't like the Dr you have.

It's important though that you feel comfortable with the Dr you have so if you have to change you need to do that.

Please let us know how you are doing.

[GrailSeeker]

I also work for a podiatrist.  What they can do legally, and actually what defines the "foot" varies state by state.  As far as training goes, that also varies, from school to school. There are podiatrists in practice who never did a surgical residency, yet practice foot surgery.  They are not MDs, which orthopedic surgeons are.

Although the foot is often legally described as "from the ankle down" and the soft tissue that leads into that, I also do not know of any podiatrists who do reconstructive ankle surgery.  I do know they can operate to remove a bone chip, or cyst,  something along that line. 

Also keep in mind that the sprain may take longer to heal that the fracture.  I personally had swelling in a sprained ankle for over a year, but it did resolve back to its normal size.  Still get pain on the top of my foot where the muscles were torn, especially during weather changes.

[chrystaltree]

A podiatrist is fine for diabetic foot care and ingrown toenails and scraping calluses but I wouldn't trust one with anything serious like a fracture.  You have an ankle injury and podiatrists deal with feet so a podiatrist wouldn't be appropriate for you anyway.  I agree, you need a second opinion.  But I must say that it is not uncommon for a fracture to be seen only after the swelling for an injury has gone down.  I do work in healthcare, I see ER reports and your experience is common when there's swelling. They immobilize, give some pain meds and refer the patient to an orthopedic specialist...generally in week so the swelling will be gone.  You need a second opinion from another othopod for your peace of mind but there are no red flags in your case.  It's the type of fracture that will heal without surgery.  Real liife medicine isn't like to tv, it's not always straight black and white.  

[muttmom]

If you are dealing with a broken or badly sprained ankle, I would not go to a podiatrist.

Unless you live in a rural area with limited access to doctors, most orthopedic practices have doctors that deal in specific areas, like knees, feet, hips, etc.

[Moonchilde]

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@GrailSeeker wrote:

I also work for a podiatrist.  What they can do legally, and actually what defines the "foot" varies state by state.  As far as training goes, that also varies, from school to school. There are podiatrists in practice who never did a surgical residency, yet practice foot surgery.  They are not MDs, which orthopedic surgeons are.

Although the foot is often legally described as "from the ankle down" and the soft tissue that leads into that, I also do not know of any podiatrists who do reconstructive ankle surgery.  I do know they can operate to remove a bone chip, or cyst,  something along that line. 

Also keep in mind that the sprain may take longer to heal that the fracture.  I personally had swelling in a sprained ankle for over a year, but it did resolve back to its normal size.  Still get pain on the top of my foot where the muscles were torn, especially during weather changes.

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Will pop in to add that I had one of those "as bad as/worse than a break" sprained ankle many (30+) years ago. It was mis-managed by an orthopod I trusted, and has never been right since. I still have discomfort in that ankle at times to this day. I was told of the mis-management by physical therapists specializing in that type of injury, whom I also trusted. At a certain point therapy needed to be started and he okayed it 6 weeks too late, which he should have known. The therapy just never worked. He was the oldest doc in the practice, close to retirement age.

[Yardlie]

@Moonchilde ... I start PT next week. I found a really good PT who specializes mainly in foot/ankle treatment.

Sorry to hear about how your situation was handled. That's the thing...you have to be your own advocate when it comes to health care, because there are good and bad in every profession. Also, even the good can make mistakes.

[katiemichelle]

I did the same thing to my ankle.  My orthopedic doc had me wear a boot for about eight weeks.  No surgery required.

[Texussgal]

No ma'am, I've never heard of a podiatrist doing surgery either.  I have only had experience with an orthopedic doctor, 2 as a matter of fact.  I think I would be very leery of a podiatrist that wanted to do surgery on me.......of course, that is just me!!! LOL