I figured that the MRI wouldn't take too long, and determined that it was not worth getting someone to watch the kids. I like having them with me and it is good for them to see that they are not the only ones who have to see doctors etc. I took all 3 kids with me, and we arrived at the appointment time. They were very nice at the imaging center and I was taken back relatively quickly. The lady asked me if I had someone to watch the kids (that was probably my first sign of trouble). I let her know that I didn't have anyone to which she said "ok, that's not a problem - they will have to stay in the dressing room while you are having the scan". Not being clear on what that meant, I agreed and we proceeded to the dressing room.
It was a small, clothing store sized dressing room with a door that opened into the hallway, across from the nook where the people administering the scans were working. I took off my belt, emptied my pockets, told my eldest (5 1/2 yr old) that she was in charge of the other two and that I'd be right back. As I was being walked over to the imaging room, the lady said "don't worry, we'll keep an eye on them". I thought that was nice of her, and figured I'd be done in a few minutes and the kids would probably be fine.
I lay down on the machine, put my foot into a holster that kept it absolutely still, and I was given headphones ("because it thing gets pretty loud"). I lay there listening to the radio for a minute or two until I heard the lady's voice:
"OK, we are going to start the machine now. We will run two tests in a row for the first past, each will be about 8 minutes. All together we should be done in about 45 minutes."
Ehhhhhhhhhh... 45 minutes for a 5 yr, 3yr and 1yd old to stay quiet and self-contained in a small box of a room with a handful of toys... that WASN'T going to work....
"I don't think my kids will be OK for that long"
"Don't worry, we will keep them occupied..."
Suffice it to say that I spent the entire time wondering what they were getting into. At the end of each section, she would say "OK, that scan is complete. The kids are doing fine."
Almost exactly 45 minutes later, we were done. I went across to the dressing room and the kids (thank you God) were in great form and had been very well behaved. We had to wait around for about 10 more minutes until they could give me a copy of the MRI images on CD. I took the kids to Red Robin as a treat and my dear wife joined us there.
On July 23rd I returned to Ortho #1 and he re-examined my toe and reviewed the MRI with me. He showed me the bone fleck that the Podiatrist called a fracture. He said that it is common on tendon injuries for tiny pieces of bone to come away with the tendon as it pulls off. The X-Rays and MRI show (in his opinion) that the tendon has pulled away from the bone with the exception of a fine thread which is why they tendon has not retracted into my foot. That was the good news.
The bad news was that the MRI confirmed his original theory that the tenon is damaged and will need surgery. As a tip of the hat to the podiatrist, he said that leaving it for 8 weeks might actually cause it to heal but being that is is 7 weeks after the injury already, the chances of it healing we low and waiting that long would probably rule out tendon surgery at that point, and the only surgical option would be to fuse the joint which would leave me with a straight, unbendable toe. He explained that the tendon had frayed at the end (somewhat like a shoelace with a thread that is attached and the remainder is bunched up around it). The procedure would be to disconnect the tendon, cut off the frayed section and re-attached to the bone with a clean cut. he showed me some MRI images but they were difficult to decipher but I got a sense for what he was saying.
I spoke to him about what the podiatrist said about surgery being wrong, and about orthopedic surgeons being scalpel-happy. He said that there is a historical rift between podiatrists and foot/ankle orthopedic surgeons. Basically it amounts to a difference of approach to treatment and that both has merit but that some people are more of a "fundamentalist" on one side of another. he likened it to Physical Therapists and Chiropractors.
I told him that given that I had 2 diverging opinions that I would like to seen a third opinion before surgery, but that we should proceed with making the arrangements for the procedure (to get on the books so to speak). He did some pre-operative examinations (listening to my heart etc) and I set a surgery date of Friday July 30th. He was very supportive of getting another opinion.
When I went home from my visit with Ortho #1, I recalled my experience with trying for find my 2nd opinion doctor and wasn't very optimistic that I would find someone who would see me between July 24th and July 29th but I proceeded with my search efforts. This time I decided to look close to the main cities close to my home. Again I spoke with 15 or more surgeries, each offering appointments in September as their only option. Then I had a bite!
I called a surgery (possible #1) and explained my situation, and the lady on the phone stated that their next available 'new patient' appointment was at the end of September, but after some discussions, she agreed to review my case with the doctor and asked me to hold. When she came back she said confirmed with me that I was looking to have the doctor provide his opinion on a diagnosis and that I needed to see him within the next week in order for it to be useful to me. I confirmed and she said that I needed to have my doctor fax over a "urgent referral" and they would be able to get me an appointment earlier than the "late September" date.
I called Ortho #1 and they said that they don't refer patients to other orthos and that I should have my primacy care physician do the referral. So I called my doctor, her office took care of the referral that afternoon. The following day I got a call (in the afternoon) from possible #1's office and they stated that they received my paperwork, and that the doctor has agreed to see me. The next available time to see the doctor was...... wait for it...... you know what's coming..... August 17th. I reiterated that I had surgery scheduled for July 30th.... that I has informed the person from the previous day of that fact... that by Aug 17th I would be over 2 weeks post-op.... She said "well that is the earliest you can be seen, if that doesn't suit you, then I'm sorry".
What a waste of time. Back to searching for opinion #3.
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