So Dr. Jeff,
What do we say to Sally? Is it to get her to define what you can/can not say here? Is it that they are trying to get you to shut the board down? I don't really understand what would be the best thing to say to her in an email that would be helpful.

I'm sorry I didnt go under new topics but I couldn't find it!!! You see, I'm new to the forum and I'm sorry to hear of it closing but before you do I need help! I am a 33 years young(lol) female from new orleans,louisiana. no health problems at all well, maybe a little overweight but anyway. I was shot with a .38 gun 16 yrs. ago from behind(so you see I was running when I caught it)in my ankle from the back part of it. right where you buckle a sandal around the back. I hope I'm picturing it for you. well anyway the bullet has been in for 16yrs. cause at the time the drs. said the bullet was too close to my nerve
s to take out. so eventually the bullet would push itself outand I could get it removed. 16 yrs later nothing has changed, no movement no pain, nothing until now. about a month ago I woke up one morning and I couldn't walk on it firmly.It was swollen and it hurt at the touch of it. I went to the ER, they took x-rays of it and said their was nothing they could do but give me pain pills hydrocodone(500mg)to be exact. few days later the pain stopped but the swelling continue.three weeks later pain comes back, swelling even more,and hard to walk on. made appt. to foot dr. , he took more xrays, then sent me to get a CT scan on foot since I couldn't get a MRI on it due to the bullet being metal. The results came back of a large synovial cyst which maybe arising from the posteromedial aspect of the posterior subtalar joint. whatever that is!!!! and then it talked about the cyst being inferiorly within the tarsal tunnel down to the level of the bullet and superiorly within the tarsal tunnel to just above or superiorly to the ankle joint line. I'm lost to some of these words. so what can I do to not have surgery and injure a nerve or something? And what does all this mean?

I sent her an email. Wasn't sure what to say, but I spoke from my heart.

Is there any chance something can be worked out soon?

Sallie's been my contact person at The Ohio State Medical Board. I think your candid comments are what's most important. Tell her what you think and how you feel about not only this forum, but how the Internet is becoming a tool for medicine in the future. I think Sallie knows that The Board will have to address this issue at some point int he future, but without an incentive or spoken need, it'll never happen.

Jeff

That is so sad... that it may never happen. Tomorrow will be a sad, sad day. Thanks for all you've done, Dr. Jeff. I can't imagine finishing out my ankle saga without you there when I actually do get better. Your real life patients are very lucky to have you.

Dr. Jeff,
Windrunner here...
I hope this is not a final farewell, but a "til we meet again.."
You have given me more help and time and care than me own doctor...I had posted on the boards since Feburary 21, 2008 seeking guidance and help and you provided that to me and countless others.
I will ALWAYS remember the the 'good docter, Dr. Jeff Oster..'
you are the best!
Thanks for guiding me through my post-op pain and the through the reality of RSD..
I will be grateful forever for you time, expertise, and kind heart.
"til we meet again!!"
I will miss you!!!
Windrunner

Howdy all,

The reason the forum has been suspended is that I cannot obtain clear guidance from my state medical board as to whether this forum is considered the practice of medicine. Without that guidance, it puts me at risk for two reasons. First, I risk my Ohio state medical license. And second, I'm put at risk for professional malpractice for which I would have no coverage.

I realize that this forum has helped many folks by answering simple questions, giving reassurance and enabling people to recognize that they're not the only one who has this or that foot/ankle problem. To all of you who have been active participants in the forum, I wish to thank you. I hope you realize that by your participation, you've helped many others who are readers, but afraid to post.

Hopefully we'll be back. But until then, the forum is still a great resource. Just use the search function to search for conversations or go to the foot and ankle knowledge base for more information.

Thanks again.

Jeff