“No one prepared me to get better from the pain that I had for eight years.”

Hilary worked as a paramedic, loved to run, and spent most of her time up on her feet. But after she rolled her ankle on the job, her life changed forever.

Since her injury, Hilary has had six major reconstructive surgeries, but none of the procedures ever relieved the residual nerve pain at her knee that radiated down to her foot. Hilary noticed that the nerve pain was becoming progressively worse, interrupting her daily functions. Her daily nerve pain also kept her tossing and turning at night.

In 2021, Hilary could no longer sit without being in pain. Some of her health care team told her that this would be her “new normal”. But one of her surgeons suggested that she see a surgeon who specialized in nerve injuries. “My ankle surgeon told me that he thought it was nerve compression,” recalled Hilary. “So I started researching nerve surgeons.”

During this time, Hilary went to pain management doctors who suggested a nerve block for the pain. But Hilary wanted to look into nerve decompression and find a doctor that specialized in nerve injuries. “Through my research online, I found Dr. Attiah at UNC,” said Hilary.

In December of 2023, Hilary went in for a consultation with peripheral nerve surgeon, Dr. Mark Attiah. Hilary was immediately impressed with Dr. Attiah’s thorough examination and honesty, noting that he said that he didn’t know exactly what was causing the pain after his initial examination, but that he would figure it out.

Hilary also met with Dr. Kristopher Karvelas from UNC Health’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for a nerve conduction study. Her results from the study came back as abnormal. “Without Dr. Karvelas doing such a good job on the study, we would not have had evidence to do surgery to get me better,” said Hilary. “I thought, ‘there is an issue, I’m not crazy’ when I got the results of the study.”

Hilary also learned that scar tissue from a previous ankle surgery was pressing on the nerve, which had made her symptoms even worse.

Dr. Attiah then recommended surgery to relieve the compressed nerves. On February 22, 2024, Hilary went in for peroneal nerve decompression surgery. Her nerve was really compressed by scar, to the point where we could even see the indent on the nerve after we freed it from underneath.

When Hilary woke up after surgery, her persistent nerve pain that she had struggled with for over eight years was gone. “I woke up out of surgery and immediately thought ‘I’m better,’” said Hilary. “No one prepared me to get better from the pain that I had for eight years. Even the post op surgical pain was half of the pain that I had been living in daily. I felt better than my best day before surgery.”

Hilary’s surgery was scheduled for 7 a.m. and she was discharged and on the road by 10 a.m. “This was the easiest surgery that I have had,” said Hilary. “Katie, Dr. Attiah’s nurse coordinator, did an excellent job getting my appointments scheduled, and answering all of my questions.”

“My significant other noticed that I don’t toss and turn anymore. Now I just fall asleep and stay asleep.”

Since her surgery, Hilary has completed physical therapy and is getting back into the active lifestyle she enjoyed before her injury. She also recently completed her bachelor’s degree and is now pursuing a master’s degree and a career in data analytics. “I’m hiking, socializing, kayaking, and hanging out with my friends and family,” said Hilary.

In addition to easing back into an active lifestyle, Hilary is finally able to enjoy a good night’s sleep. Something that she had not been able to do for years. “Before surgery, even if I stayed home, by the end of the day the nerve was so irritated that I struggled to fall asleep and stay asleep,” said Hilary. “My significant other noticed that I don’t toss and turn anymore. Now I just fall asleep and stay asleep.”

“Dr. Attiah is on the list of people that I will remember forever.”

Hilary’s most recent follow-up nerve conduction study showed that her nerve is healing and regenerating. She hopes to continue working on her health and seizing her second chance at a pain-free life. “It was so long term that I was just adjusting to it,” said Hilary. “I’m glad that I pushed to find a surgeon that could fix me. Life on the other side is a billion times better than life before.”

Hilary now tries to be intentional with her life and admits that the experience changed her entire perspective. It was a long road to finding the right diagnosis and surgeon for her nerve pain, and she is grateful to be on the other side. “I’m thankful that previous me did not give up,” said Hilary. “Dr. Attiah is on the list of people that I will remember forever.”

 

Article by: Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, UNC Health Department of Neurosurgery