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How do I know if foot surgery is the right thing for me to do?

7 yrs ago a guy (who I didnt even know) got angry bcz I didnt say "hello" to him when he rode alongside me on his bike while I was walking. He waited till I walked a few feet, ran over my foot with his bike, then took off. I tripped, almost fell, my foot swelled & I was crying, that really hurt. After a day or 2 my foot was fine. 7 yrs later it bothers me to where even in the flattest & padded shoe it still hurts. Doctors said its trauma arthritis (caused by injury) and the joint area is worn out & suggested options but I still experience pain in that area of my foot. They suggested surgery to replace that joint area with a "surgical pin" and a 6month to a year healing time but I'm afraid I'll be in worst shape if I allow a doctor to perform surgery. Doctors make mistakes too. But what else can I do about my foot? Should I just have the surgery & trust that it'll be ok? Because I'm starting to think surgery will be my best option to repair the damaged area. But I'm scared.

Public Comments

1. Doctors CAN make mistakes, but you have to trust them. They went through years of Med school just to work on feet (lol) and they know what they are doing. Ask if it is local or if you will be put to sleep. Local is the best because they numb the whole area and you will feel no pain. With anesthesia you never know if you will wake up in the middle of the surgery and get all freaked out and be in pain. When i cracked my head open and i had to get surgery, the couldn't do local because they cannot numb my head. So they had to put me to sleep, and i woke up in the middle of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you get the surgery you will feel much better, and you probably will be in BETTER shape, because your foot will be healed. Don't think i don;t know, my mom is a nurse/doctor! :)
2. Is it your MTP joint they are pinning? I would suggest you go for surgery. Leaving it will make it worse, getting orthoses etc will only help to a certain degree. Doctors do make mistakes, but remember this is one of the most common surgeries a podiatric surgeon performs. Its understandable to be scared ask your surgeon to explain whats going to happen during the surgery and after. Good luck with whatever you decide.