Question
Hi Dr. Katz,                                  05/24/08
I have been dealing with pain in both feet since 1998. I have had many procedures in each foot including: too many cortisone injections to count with limited relief, taping and padding, Orthotics (which lessens the pain so I can exist), Lidoderm pads on the bottom and top of my feet (when the pain is unbearable, this will help for a short time), sclerotherapy (7 injections with about an hour of relief). I have spent so much money on padding and cushions?you name it, I have it in 1 of my 2 full shoeboxes.
My surgeries include:
Bunions removed (left ft. had to have a 2nd surgery to put a screw in); Neuromas in the 2nd interspace which gave me about 2 years of pain free living. They grew back even worst than the original Neuromas. To make matters worst, I developed a hammer toe (the 2nd toes) on each foot, the right much worst than the left. I have been told these can happen as a result of too many cortisone injections. During the 2nd Neuromas surgery on both feet, the Dr. removed each re-growth Neuromas (his comment about the RT ft was 搕hat was an angry one) and fixed the hammer toe on the RT ft (he actually shortened the toe). I was pain free for about a year, when I started to have that all familiar pain. This time it is in the 3rd interspace and again in both feet. I do not understand why I get them in both feet at the same time. I wear my Orthotics religiously. I work in a hospital laboratory, so I wear scrubs and wide width leather Easy Spirit open back shoes with my Orthotics in them everyday. When I抦 home I wear open back wide width sneakers with my Orthotics. I am in pain 24 / 7. I do not want to have the conventional surgery if I can avoid it. I already have a lot of scare tissue and don抰 want to add to it. I live in Maryland and am looking for a Dr. who does cryosurgery.  I have Aetna POS ins. I would like to find a Dr. who participates with this ins. Aetna tells me if I find someone, they will pay 100%. (they of couse have over 500 Dr.抯 on their list but couldn抰 help me find one) If not, they will pay only 70% after I pay $1200. At this point I would just like to start a dialog and ask for help to find out what is available to me. I have never used this type of forum, and am a little scared but now desperate and do not see any other way to get help.
Thank you,
Robyne


Answer
Hi Robyne,

I personally have no knowledge of cryosurgeons in Maryland.  I will give you a site to find a dr that does cryosurgery, however, I have no personal knowledge of the skills that these drs may have for your condition.  Having had multiple neuroma surgeries and injections certainly complicates any other procedure.  I would advise you against more nerve removal or injections.  Cryosurgery is certainly the procedure of choice but needs to be done by someone with experience.  I do not take Aetna unless it is out of network.

Here is the site:
http://www.cryotech-int.com/DoctorLocations/Defaut.htm

Good Luck,

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


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