So yeah, that whole surgery thing...

Turns out I don't need it. Dr. Vora says the fracture did not dislocate my fibula and the break will heal on its' own. Thus, I don't need surgery. As for that MRI Dr. Sheffey ordered, apparently that is unnecessary as well. Vora says that I might have ruptured a ligament on the opposite side of my leg from the fracture, but that will heal on its own as well. He gave me a walking boot and told me to ice and try to put as much weight on the leg as possible until a follow-up next friday.

So, holy shit. An orthopedic surgeon and a podiatrist come to the same conclusion that I need a plate to connect the fibula where it was broken because the break dislocated the fibula. Vora basically calls those doctors idiots and says I just need to rehab and it will heal on its' own. He even wants the names and numbers of those doctors to "discuss" their conclusions. Vora said he's a surgeon and it's in his best interest to operate on as many people who need them, but I certainly don't. We are supposed to discuss the PT timeline after the follow-up.

Unsettling? Yes. Relieving? Yes. I guess the lesson is to do your research on who you choose to treat you. My parents had always done it and I had to start from scratch in Chicago. I never really needed a doctor til this.

Day was filled with trying to walk around the apartment with this gigantic boot and icing. Calling work tomorrow and discussing my schedule.

Change of Plans

So my brother John (a radiologist) did some research about the doctor I was referred to. To make a long story short, that doctor was a podiatrist, and while he is certified to perform the surgery, John wants an orthopedic surgeon to do it. I got a referral from my primary physician to the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. The doctor we selected is Dr. Anand Vora. He did his residency at Northwestern and was among America's Top Foot and Ankle Orthopaedists in "The Guide to America's Top Orthopaedists." So that works for me. I guess it's good to have a doctor in the family to set me straight.

So I didn't have the MRI today, but I have an appointment with Dr. Vora tomorrow at 10:30. Hopefully everything gets decided on tomorrow and we can schedule the surgery. Dr. Sheffey originally projected I would be on crutches for 6-8 weeks after surgery and would have to undergo 6 additional weeks of physical therapy before I would be at full strength. Regardless, my left leg is going to lose a ton of strength and I'm going to have to be "diligent" in my rehab. The Dr. Cottom in Florida claimed I would be on crutches for 3 weeks after surgery. So who knows. We will see what Dr. Vora says tomorrow.

So what have I been up to? I received all of the short-term disability paperwork today and spoke with one of the partners from my firm. We are going to discuss what's going to happen after my surgery. Hopefully I can return sooner rather than later. For now, the doctor has to sign off and I'm "cave-ridden" until then. I am still taking the vicadin (sp?) but not as often as recommended. I don't think I need it anymore. I am growing an "injury beard." It could be pretty thick by the time I need to go back to work. Should be pretty fun.

I basically spent up until 2pm today on the phone with doctors and my mother trying to sort all this stuff out. Then I flipped on the tv and there was a law and order svu marathon waiting for me. It's at least 14 hours long. I have spent the rest of the day making meals, showering, and discussing fantasy football trades. The meals and showering take way longer when you only have one leg. My right leg and glute are going to be really strong at the end of this thing.

Tomorrow, I'm going to go to the appointment, check in with the parents and John and then try to do something productive. Any suggestions on good books?

So this blog is a way for my friends to keep up with my rehab. It's not because I don't love you all, it's just that I don't want to retype the same information over and over again.

For those who don't know, I broke my fibula this past weekend at Club Nationals. I went up to grab the disc, collided with my defender mid-air, got off-balance, and landed wrong on my foot. I saw an orthopedic surgeon named Cottom in Sarasota who said the fibula is broken and dislocated. He referred me to a podiatrist named Sheffey here in Chicago. I saw him today and we took off the cast I had on. The break is right above the outside of my left ankle. The interesting thing here is that that area looks almost completely normal, outside of a little swelling. The other side of my ankle however, looks awful. Truly awful. It is purple all over and crazy swollen. When I saw Cottom in Sarasota, that side was swollen but not colorful, so he said it was just a strained ligament. Sheffey said he wants an MRI to make sure no ligaments are torn. That appointment is at 1 tomorrow. Sheffey will reassess after he gets the results of the MRI, but said he will try to schedule my surgery for next Monday.

Sorry this post is boring. Just the facts for now.