January 2011

Dr. Polun- Wanted to write and thank you for all your help. I am a very active 44 year old woman who runs, plays tennis and is constantly on the go. A little over a year ago, I found I had a neuroma on my right foot and it completely crushed my lifestyle. I was miserable; it hurt to just plain walk let alone does anything active. I went to two different doctors and tried cortisone shots, exercises and short of doing surgery which they both recommended when the "pain was intolerable", I was desperate to get relief. A friend then told me about a "miracle" doctor in Potomac and was he every right! I came to you skeptical but from the minute I arrived, you have me such positive hope. You informed me there’s something I can do. You showed me my neuroma on ultrasound, something neither doctor had done and then told me about the alcohol injections. You have me research to support your findings and told me about why you have found this to be so successful. We set up a plan and I left there feeling hope for the first time in a year. I just finished my sixth shot, I ran a five mile race last week and I feel like I am living pain free for the first time in a year. Within a month, I was feeling immense relief. Not only was it physically and mentally painful on a everyday basis, and now I feel like I am back to normal. Thank you so much for your positive care and support and for looking and researching for better answers. I would highly recommend your practice to anyone that has any foot issues!

Thanks again
L. Clueck, Columbia, MD

March 2010

I first saw Dr. Polun last spring for a painful neuroma in my left foot. My younger sister had been singing Dr. Polun’s praises for years following her successful bunion surgeries, so I made an appointment and saw him in his Potomac office. Walking was painful and I was concerned that I would not be able to take my annual backpacking trip. From his first examination, Dr. Polun was confident that with several alcohol injections, I would be able to make my trip. I was and I had a very successful trek in August.

When I returned, I began seriously discussing bunion and hammertoe surgery on both my feet. I had put off surgery for years—I was first seen by a podiatrist when I was 10 and I was now 59. My feet had reached a width of Quad E and it was very difficult to find shoes that would fit, never mind look nice. More importantly, my feet were continuing to cripple and Dr. Polun told me it was likely I’d be in a wheelchair by the time I was 80.
Dr. Polun did an excellent job of explaining the surgery and recovery to me. I scheduled the surgeries for December, two weeks apart, so that I would have the holidays to recuperate. The first surgery went very well and I went back to work the following week. When I went in for the second surgery, I had no fear and was confident I’d do just fine, which I did. Dr. Polun, his nurse Faye, and his very capable office staff were available to answer all my questions throughout my recovery period. Through careful pain management, I experienced little to no pain. Dr. Polun recommended a GameReady ice therapy machine that did wonders to reduce swelling and pain.

It is now 2 ½ months post-surgery and my feet have heeled well. I can walk normally and I am looking forward to an active future and no bunion pain. My only regret is that I didn’t listen to my sister and see Dr. Polun 15 years earlier. I highly recommend Dr. Polun to my fellow bunion and hammertoe sufferers and urge you to consult with Dr. Polun about your treatment options.

Many thanks,
Kimberly Cole

Dear Dr. Polun,

You were literally my last hope for the 2 neuromas I had in each foot. You were my 4th podiatrist and I tried every conservative and not so conservative treatment available, so I thought.

Before my first visit with you, I was in pain all day and all night. Running felt like I was trudging through broken glass but walking and sitting were very painful too. During my first visit, I told you that all I wanted to be able to do was run again, ideally a half marathon. You were very confident that you could cure my problem. I was cautiously optimistic but also a bit skeptical given my history with trying to get this problem treated. I figured that if your treatment plan of alcohol injections didn’t work, that I’d have to resort to surgery to remove the neuromas. Needless to say, foot surgery on both feet while having 2 young children was far from ideal, but the pain was so unbearable, I really didn’t feel like I’d have a choice.
After a couple of months of alcohol injections, I am happy and slightly amazed to say that I am able to walk and run without pain. I still have some discomfort first thing in the morning when I get out of bed, but I am in the process of training for a half marathon and feel confident that my feet can handle it. I went for a 5 mile run last week and was pain free. I am so grateful to you for your patience and dedication to my treatment. I would, without any hesitation, recommend that anyone with foot problems go to see you. And I will sing your praises as I cross the finish line this September!

Thank you so much,
Janice Beinart

August 21, 2008

Dear Dr. Polun,

Choosing to have bunion surgery on both feet this summer was a major decision for me. Because of the horror stones that I heard about the recovery process, I endured pain for years on my left anti right bunions. However, I was concerned that if I develop osteoporosis, I might not be able to have a successful bunionectomy, so I made an appointment with you.

You had performed surgery on a friend, and she recommended that I talk to you. From my initial visit, I felt comfortable with your expertise. Keeping up with the latest trends and being Board Certified were critical in my decision tb have you perform my surgery.

Thanks to your skills and suggestions, pain from the bunionectomy was minimal. Surgery on my left bunion was conducted in June 2008, and I was back to work in a week. You recommended equipment to use for icing and putting pressure on my foot, and I had almost no pain from surgery on my left bunion. So: when surgery on my right bunion was scheduled six weeks later, I proceeded without any hesitation. Although I had some pain while recovering from surgery on my right bunion. I was also able to return to work within a week.

Dr. Polun, you and your team are terrific, Without hesitation, I have referred several people to you. I can't thank you enough for helping me to walk without pain.

Regards,
Nancy Gunning

July 19,2008

Dear Dr. Polun,

It was with great reluctance that l finally decided to have, bunion surgery. I had heard many horror stories about the surgery itself and the terrible pain continuing for wars. Obviously those patients never met Dr. Polun.

I have been very pleased with the sequence of events during and after my surgery in April. I experienced virtually no pain and was very pleased with the professional manner in which the after care was handled. All of my questions Overt: answered promptly and you were always available.

Certainly lack of driving ability for a few weeks was inconvenient and the "boot" is definitely not my footware of choice, Aside from that I am happy that I had the surgery and am now back to normal, I would be more than willing to speak to any potential patient in the future considering bunionectomy or shopping for physicians. The positive aspects of my experience were definitely due to your expertise and thorough manner. In my opinion you are the best.

Sincerely,
Carol S. Smith

March 2009

My doctor recommended a Game Ready device to assist with my recovery after elective foot surgery. Immediately after surgery, the wrap helped to relieve my pain and swelling, even while I slept. When my cast was placed, my doctor was able to position the Game Ready sleeve inside it so that I could continue to benefit from its cooling and pumping effects. I was grateful to have a way to relieve the heat and painful swelling underneath the cast! As soon as the 30 minute treatment ended, I could resume my active lifestyle as a mom and a physical therapist, nearly pain free! I highly recommend this device, particularly for patients requiring casting after surgery or for those with pain from inflammation and swelling at night.

Linda Green, P.T.