Dr. Correa saved my life.
How can a podiatrist save your life, you ask? Well... when I hobbled in to my first appointment, I had destroyed more than just my ATFL in my left ankle. Most of the supporting ligaments and tendons had been ruptured. There was a lot of damage...
I was also morbidly overweight. So my ankles and feet were already suffering abuse. They were 'weak' as it's often called. But really, they couldn't handle my clumsy nature with my extreme obesity.
Dr. Correa, in his kind and friendly manner, explained the options before me. He was matter of fact in guiding me through the factors that would affect the success of his work. I would have to be good and stay off it for months. I would have to attend physical therapy and relearn to use my ankle for months. I would need to baby it for years.
Well, as Doc soon learned, I'm not very good at following directions. Busting his ass in an hours long procedure, Dr. Correa rebuilt my ankle ligaments, encouraged regrowth of cartilage, and still managed to leave tiny scars given the magnitude of his work in there. He essentially crafted a new support system for my ankle with a new technique, and was doing everything he could to prevent me from losing the function, like my injuries should have mandated. And he educated me about it. He empowered me to know the limits of his work and the critical nature of mine afterwards by explaining every aspect of it.
Dr. Correa let me learn as much as I was comfortable with about my ankle and the aftercare process. I can be a bit squeamish when seeing my own blood, etc... but Dr. Correa created a comfortable environment for me. I went through multiple stages of casts, and he could tell my impatience when the last few came in with filthy soles.
Dr. Correa did such a good job with repairing it, he had to reign me in to ensure it had time to heal. You know how sometimes you wake up and feel amazing a few days after the flu, and promptly overdo it because your body is still in recovery mode? Yea that but for your bones.
He kept me honest by reminding me what I could risk if I busted the work he just finished. I didn't want to, but I wore braces for the better part of two years to reinforce my ankle.
I changed the footwear I wear. Correa has this cool example where he twists the bejeezus out of your shoe to prove its not a good solid soled shoe. He had a field day with my flip flop collection. But now? I rarely wear those. I wear sturdy shoes. He got through. (Hey doc! Now I wear HiTec and I even bought LIFESTRIDES at 32. I get it!!)
And he changed my life. His work allowed me to walk again without hurting. I was over 300lbs at my heaviest, and that was partially due to being off my ankle so long, but Dr. Correa wasn't phased. He believed in me. And he was right.
I'm now 4 years post op, and I've lost almost 150lbs. After relocating to the PNW, I hike rugged terrain, and dance barefoot with my mountain dog.
My only regret was moving before he could fix my hammer toes!
I was so struck when I realized it's been years since I've FALLEN because my ankle gave in... I sent a message to the amazing Dr. Correa.
He took a real shot on me with the absurd amount of damage, and he rebuilt more than my ankle.
He rebuilt my life. read more