Question
I have developed a burr on the top of my arch probably coming from something dropping on my foot in the past and causing a burr to develop where the bones meet when I walk. It's starting to hurt when I walk and I love to walk. I had gone to a podiatrist about a year ago or so and he xrayed and said it was like a very localized arthritis condition. I have no such condition anywhere else in my body. But I want to do something about it other than shots of cortisone. I am wondering what are the risks of having something done surgically and if this is a choice, how do I find a really expert foot surgeon in the Arizona area. Any ideas?  Should I just live with it (no fun) or try and do something about it. What I don't want is to end up with a worse situation than I have now.  I would appreciate any inputs you have. Thanks so much, Marilyn Erickson

Answer
Hi Marilyn

In this day and age there is no reason to live with pain.  I don't blame you for not wanting the cortisone, I did not want that either when my knee flared up.  I personally do not know what can be done surgically, since my expertise is with hips,  but the best way to find a surgeon is to call the largest hospital in your area, preferably a teaching hospital and ask for the department of orthopedics chair.  Then ask for a recommendation.

Also, ask around your circle of friends, more likely than not, someone you may be acquainted with in your daily life has used an orthopedist that they liked or in some cases, would tell you not to use.  Then when you find a doctor, ask to speak to his patients.  The staff will normally not give the patients phone number out but will give your telephone number to patients, but be sure to ask things like:

how long was the recovery?
how did he manage you pain?
what was the procedure used to contact him, and if he returned calls promptly.  

Things like that matter.  Most people will come out and say, the surgery was fine...and not volunteer much more unless you ask the right questions.  After you do that, get a second opinion and then possibly a third opinion.  Most insurance companies will pay for a second opinion.

Oh, one more thing, if a surgeon offers you a procedure, ask how often he or she performs that procedure.  You want a surgeon who has had experience in whatever he wants to do.

I hope I have helped you, and best of luck to you.

Sharon Davis