Re: Doctor visit a FLOP!!
Posted by Eileen on 2/13/99
I had a more positive experience with Dr Graham in Norfolk/ Virginia Beach, VA. He is an orthopedic doctor specializing in the foot and ankle. He understands PF. My pain, as posted earlier, came on after laser tag, not something I usually do, and was intense. The pain did not go away with ibuprofin 800 mg, or a treatment of prednisone. I work in a hospital and I am on my feet 8 hours a day straight. Dr. Graham gave me a choice of three things that I could do to help with the PF. It was my choice what I wanted. What we did--this was my first appointment with him--was all of them. He marked the bottom of my foot, after a physical exam of hard pressure to show him the area that was involved. He gave the cortosone shots in and about the concerned area. Then with using these markings, his assistent, cut out some foam pads so that the area that was involved would be elevated, and then he casted my foot and leg so that I would not have weight bearing on that area. I will keep the cast on 4 weeks and return to the Doctor. The plan then is 4 weeks of physical therapy and I believe he has a specially made to fit-shoe insert that he will suggust I wear. His assitant wears these inserts himself and says he has been painfree.It has only been two days since the injection and casting, but because I am not weightbearing and I assume the injection, the pain is only subtle. I don't like the cast, but because I have to work on my feet, I wanted both the benefit of the injection and then the rest from the stress of walking.
Dr. Graham said that Ibuprofin may mask the pain, but it is not affective in taking away the PF. Rest and time off the foot is the major benefactor. This is my interpretation of what he said. So, to have the shots, and not either greatly reduce the amount of time you spend on your feet, would not help one recover.
I'm glad I met up with a Doctor who would treat me and took my complaints seriously.
I too like the information I received on this message board and the studies done on the home pages. I think I want to him more knowledgable. Good luck to everyone.
happy67.whro.net 09:09:41
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