What kind of Dr?

[Nicolepa]

(i'll try to summarize best I can.)

My daughter injured her ankle Sept 2011 playing soccer. Hurt on and off all year. She is very athletic. Did Ok until Softball season (March). I really wanted to take her in, my DH didn't think it was needed.

FF to this Sept. Soccer starts again, she has PE every day. The pain becomes almost unbearable at times. Walking w/a definite limp. DH takes her to his podiatrist. Podiatrist says she tore 2 ligaments and stretched another. Slight Injury to growth plate. He says there's nothing that can be done. It is taking longer to heal because of her age (12). Says she can continue everything she is doing. No restrictions, no physical therapy. Should be healed in another year.

Her soccer coach insisted on benching her for a few weeks because her run was so off he new she had to be in pain,. He suggested PT. Her PE teacher has said she should do PT.

Now it's March. Softball season. Her favorite sport. Sheis in so much pain she's asking not to do activities. This. Never. Happens. So I know she's hurting.

So the question is, do I go back to the podiatrist and ask for PT or do I go to an orthopedic? We have a great orthopedic, who will do everything possible before surgery. Our family a used him for 20+ years. I just don't know what kind of Dr. She should be going to? Pediatric podiatrist?

 

[lemondog]

Go to an ortho. I would think this is way more the type of injury an orthopedist would treat than a podiatrist.

 

[sam_gordon]

(i'll try to summarize best I can.)

My daughter injured her ankle Sept 2011 playing soccer. Hurt on and off all year. She is very athletic. Did Ok until Softball season (March). I really wanted to take her in, my DH didn't think it was needed.

FF to this Sept. Soccer starts again, she has PE every day. The pain becomes almost unbearable at times. Walking w/a definite limp. DH takes her to his podiatrist. Podiatrist says she tore 2 ligaments and stretched another. Slight Injury to growth plate. He says there's nothing that can be done. It is taking longer to heal because of her age (12). Says she can continue everything she is doing. No restrictions, no physical therapy. Should be healed in another year.

Her soccer coach insisted on benching her for a few weeks because her run was so off he new she ad to be in pain,. He suggested PT. Her PE teacher has said she hold do PT.

Now it's March. Softball season. Her favorite sport. Sheis in so much pain she's asking not to do activities. This. Never. Happens. So I now she's hurting.

So the question is, do I go back to the podiatrist and ask for PT or do I go to an orthopedic? We have a great orthopedic, who will do everything possible before surgery. Our family a used him for 20+ years. I just don't know what kind of Dr. She should be going to? Pediatric podiatrist?

Do you have an area college that has an athletic department? If so, make some calls and find out who they send their athletes to. I would guess orthopedist, but if you can find someone who works with athletic based injuries, that would be better. Just my opinion.

 

[anniemae]

I would say an orthopedic surgeon. We have a huge ortho office near us and they have many different doctors who specialize in different areas. Some are knee specialists, some foot and ankle, some sports medicine etc. I would think a call to the orthopedic surgeon would be best.

 

[tennisfan]

Orthopedic, Physiotherapist or Athletic trainer. I'm surprised the podiatrist said she could continue you when she had torn 2 ligaments. She needed rest and the physical therapy to build/strengthen the muscles again. By carrying on as normal could have caused the injury to get worse.

Tears tend to take longer then breaks to heal.

 

[SLP958]

Ortho. Surprised the podiatrist did not refer her to one.

 

[piglet too]

Ortho, and add me to the list that is surprised the podiatrist did not want to do anything. There is so much that could have been done to help her back in September.

 

[abdmom]

Orthopedist or Sports Medicine.

 

[Nicolepa]

Thank you all. I'm kicking myself now because sending her to an Ortho didn't even occur to me until a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like the podiatrist's solution, but my husband was convinced it would just get better. I will start with the Ortho because I have one we like. I don't have a clue about finding a sports medicine Dr. I will call this week. Thanks.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thank you all. I'm kicking myself now because sending her to an Ortho didn't even occur to me until a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like the podiatrist's solution, but my husband was convinced it would just get better. I will start with the Ortho because I have one we like. I don't have a clue about finding a sports medicine Dr. I will call this week. Thanks.

Find a doctor that specializes in foot and ankle. I had hurt my ankle over and over and it never seemed to get better. I ended up at a foot and ankle specialist because my ankle "plate" was broke across and couldn't be seen in normal x-ray. Because it took so long to find a specialist and my ankle had been injured for so long I had to have surgery for repair.

There are so many teeny tiny bones and ligaments and things in the ankle. Don't risk the injury to just any doctor. Call your insurance company about the process to see such a doctor.

 

[Nicolepa]

I figured out which podiatrist DH took her to (s I can get her records), so tomorrow I will call my Ortho guy and get her seen. He works with one of the high schools here with a very intense sports program so I'm confident he will be able to figure out what is going on.

 

[ohiomom28]

Make sure your insurance doesn't require a referral to a specialist.

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[maps]

FYI--a GOOD podiatrist who specializes in foot and ankle would have been able to treat your daughter just as effectively as an ortho. Notice I said a GOOD one! Sounds like the one you went to was just plain lazy. Unfortunately there are just as many lazy orthos too.

 

[bballmom56]

My DS rolled his ankle very badly when he was about 15. He spent the rest of the day on it, walking, etc. When I finally saw it, it was huge and black and blue. Off to the ER we went. After that healed, he had problems with it rolling very easily as the ligaments were stretched. Since he played competitive basketball all year round, we wanted to see what could be done. Finally his podiatrist prescribed physical therapy for him. That did wonders! After that was complete, he rarely rolled his ankle and when he did, it was far less severe than it had been in the past.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

(i'll try to summarize best I can.)

My daughter injured her ankle Sept 2011 playing soccer. Hurt on and off all year. She is very athletic. Did Ok until Softball season (March). I really wanted to take her in, my DH didn't think it was needed.

FF to this Sept. Soccer starts again, she has PE every day. The pain becomes almost unbearable at times. Walking w/a definite limp. DH takes her to his podiatrist. Podiatrist says she tore 2 ligaments and stretched another. Slight Injury to growth plate. He says there's nothing that can be done. It is taking longer to heal because of her age (12). Says she can continue everything she is doing. No restrictions, no physical therapy. Should be healed in another year.

Her soccer coach insisted on benching her for a few weeks because her run was so off he new she had to be in pain,. He suggested PT. Her PE teacher has said she should do PT.

Now it's March. Softball season. Her favorite sport. Sheis in so much pain she's asking not to do activities. This. Never. Happens. So I know she's hurting.

So the question is, do I go back to the podiatrist and ask for PT or do I go to an orthopedic? We have a great orthopedic, who will do everything possible before surgery. Our family a used him for 20+ years. I just don't know what kind of Dr. She should be going to? Pediatric podiatrist?

You need to go to a pediatric orthopedic doctor which includes sports medicine and then in addition you need a PT that specializes in sports injuries.

I hate to say this to you but you really need to get serious with this or you will be setting your dd up for a major injury. Playing ALL sports for her is off the table until she is fixed.

I am in PT for injuries. It sucks and takes a long time to heal.

Good Luck!!!

 

[Nicolepa]

Make sure your insurance doesn't require a referral to a specialist.

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My insurance does not require a referra to see a specialist.

My DS rolled his ankle very badly when he was about 15. He spent the rest of the day on it, walking, etc. When I finally saw it, it was huge and black and blue. Off to the ER we went. After that healed, he had problems with it rolling very easily as the ligaments were stretched. Since he played competitive basketball all year round, we wanted to see what could be done. Finally his podiatrist prescribed physical therapy for him. That did wonders! After that was complete, he rarely rolled his ankle and when he did, it was far less severe than it had been in the past.

That's what 'm hoping we can start with.I was shocked the podiatrist didn't recommend PT but my husband was convinced it would just get better.

 

[leebee]

I'd get her to an orthopedic specialist ASAP. However, until you can get an appointment, a good chiropractor might be able to alleviate some of her pain. I never thought much of chiropractic, but it has been amazingly helpful for my daughter, who is a dancer.

 

[Nicolepa]

Ok, I called my pediatrician and she wanted her to be seen at Children's. So, she has an appointment on the 10th. I'm even going to the main hospital even though its farther and a PIA in general because the clinic couldn't get her in until forever. But it works out because its spring break so she won't miss school.

Until then we will just take it easy as best we can.

 

[Tickanee]

I'd get her to an orthopedic specialist ASAP. However, until you can get an appointment, a good chiropractor might be able to alleviate some of her pain. I never thought much of chiropractic, but it has been amazingly helpful for my daughter, who is a dancer.

I agree with seeing an orthopedic specialist ASAP. However, OP stated that the podiatrist said there is slight injury to her growth plate. I would not have her seen or treated by a chiropractor. Until she sees the specialist, rest is her best friend right now. I know that is so tough for kids who play sports to hear.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Thank you all. I'm kicking myself now because sending her to an Ortho didn't even occur to me until a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like the podiatrist's solution, but my husband was convinced it would just get better. I will start with the Ortho because I have one we like. I don't have a clue about finding a sports medicine Dr. I will call this week. Thanks.

That podiatrist is a totally incompetent idiot.

Because of her age, I would look for a pediatric orthopedic.

I cannot believe he didn't recommend that your daughter see one.