Ankle surgeon recommendations?
Ankle surgeon to recommend? Preferably in the Berkeley/Albany/Oakland area though willing to travel further for someone excellent. I was just told that I will need surgery on my ankle to address two torn ligaments as well as a few other things (“cleaning up” damaged cartilage, removal of a small bone fragment) and I’d like a second opinion. I’d also love to connect with anyone who may have had similar kinds of ankle surgery themselves about their experience and recovery. I have two young kids and it’s my right ankle - the prospect of being non weight bearing and not driving for 8+ weeks is daunting!
Jul 11, 2019
Parent Replies
Catherine Cheung is phenomenal. I met with foot and ankle surgeons for over a year across SF and the East Bay and endured a ton of pain and limitation as I just couldn't find anyone great - I knew Dr. Cheung was the one at our first consult. The surgery was flawless, and then...I fell during my recovery doing an activity I should not have been 10 days post surgery (stairs, alone). The Physical Therapist I worked with said she had never seen anyone have such a good outcome despite a fall that delayed PT and caused more swelling/scar tissue. Friends who saw other people for the same foot surgery I had don't have anywhere near the outcomes I have - I have biked thousands of miles, climbed Mt. Whitney as a day hike (tallest peak in the lower 48 - 23 miles RT in 14 hours), and done 2 weeks of backpacking in Patagonia. None of it would be possible without the expert technique and skill Dr. Cheung exhibited, and her tight collaboration with my chosen physical therapist (I used SOL PT in Rockridge). She was absolutely worth the drive to SF or Marin (I saw her both places) in my opinion, and if you can swing it, Marin isn't bad if you can go mid-day to avoid Richmond bridge traffic). Good luck! https://www.goldengatesportsmedicine.com/meet-our-team or Phone: 415-757-0509.
My husband had major foot surgery including tendon transfers with Dr. Ford at Kaiser Oakland. Dr. Ford was fantastic and also have him the information fully, including the potential for it to not work as planned (it did work). We appreciated his direct anf honest approach to communication and the surgery was successful too. Good luck, it will be hard but you'll get through it!
I was delighted to see your post at the top of the queue, because I am a couple of steps (ha ha) behind you. I have tendonitis or a tear and will undergo MRI to determine diagnosis and treatment. The orthopod I saw is in the John Muir system; some of their surgeons are ankle specialists; I would definitely go with a doc who has that specific expertise. I sympathize with your postsurgical concerns and have a recommendation for you. My husband broke an ankle a few years back and did not like crutches. (For example, he did not like having to ask me to carry his cup of coffee from the kitchen to the office!) He got an iWalk device that worked perfectly for him. It leaves hands free, so you should be able to handle more tasks with your youngins and all. Hope that helps; maybe the moderator can put us in touch.
I broke my ankle very badly while I was 31 weeks pregnant and I had to have emergency surgery. Our son was then born at 35 weeks so we now have a 10 week old for me to try to keep up with. The doctor that I saw in the ER ended up being great! He's with Kaiser though so I don't know if that will work with your insurance. If it does, his name is Dr. Joseph Dickinson, DPM (he's a podiatrist who's a foot and ankle surgeon). Since mine was a traumatic injury and I was pregnant, I'm still healing after 14 weeks but I've been able to drive and walk without a boot for several weeks now.
I hope that helps. Good luck!