Mel

Does the podiatrist know that Alan has PN, that he is on IVIG, and all the other meds he is on, whatever they may be? I am wondering if the neurologist would approve of the surgery...at times, the surgery makes PN worse. I can't remember if Alan is diabetic, but I do think you brought up peripheral vascular disease at one point....eh, call me paranoid, but I am wondering it this surgery might be a topic for interdisciplinary discussion between specialists, and perhaps done by an orthopedic surgeon in conjuntion with neurology? Or at least the podiatrist in consultation with the neurologist. It just sounds too 'targeted' to me. The 'targeted exam' and 'target treatment' is the catch phrase for the corporate medicinal approach of the last decade. It is quite unsuccessful for us, the patients, but lucrative for docs and insurance companies, well, at least in the short run. The short run seems to be all that companies think about any more anyway. I am used to thinking about futures....perhaps this is an affliction of the younger generations, who face far more uncertain futures than we 'older' folks did.

I would call the neuro and let them know that Alan has a foot ulcer, and the podiatrist is contemplating surgery and what do they think is the best approach. If you get no human to human contact in your call to the neuro, fax them, and keep a copy of the fax....or mail it certified.