When 78-year-old Temple Riddle was in a car accident in August 2017, her
life forever changed.
With multiple injuries, doctors spent weeks and months addressing each
one. But a foot injury continued to plague her to the point, “I
felt like I’d never be able to walk again,” Temple said.
During the accident, Temple had braced her feet against the passenger side
floor board causing an ankle injury and a neuroma, which is a painful
growth of nerve tissue in the foot.
After suffering for a long time, and trying other treatment plans like
physical therapy and injections in her foot, Temple turned to
Dr. Robert Grunfeld, an orthopedic surgeon with
Powder River Orthopedics & Spine who specializes in treating foot and ankle injuries.
While Dr. Grunfeld said he’s not quick to recommend surgery, in Temple’s
situation—where she had tried several other options and nothing
was working—surgery just made sense.
“Whenever you look at a patient whose pain has gone on for many months,
they often benefit from surgery,” Dr. Grunfeld said.
Temple didn’t hesitate to schedule surgery when Dr. Grunfeld told
her he could most likely alleviate her pain.
On December 11, 2018, she underwent surgery to remove the neuroma that
Dr. Grunfeld told her was one of the biggest he’d ever removed.
At the same time, he did an ankle arthroscopy to clean up damaged tissue.
“As soon as we got the surgery done, at the next follow-up appointment
she was already doing better,” Dr. Grunfeld said. “That’s
the best outcome for the patient and the surgeon.”
After recovery and physical therapy, Temple was released to normal activities in March.
“I didn’t think I’d ever be the same,” Temple said.
“I’m now walking without pain.”
Temple is slowly getting back to regular activities. She can’t say
enough positive things about her experience with Dr. Grunfeld.
“Dr. Grunfeld was so good,” Temple said. “He listens.
He cares. The man has been wonderful.”
On a recent visit to Perkins to catch up with friends, Temple said the
conversation centered around surgeries and all the positive experiences
everyone had with Dr. Grunfeld.
“He’s just a lovely man,” Temple said. “Everybody
you talk to loves the guy and trusts him. I would hope anybody who has
trouble with their feet or ankles would to go to him.”
Expert Orthopedic & Spine Care In Gillette, Wyoming
Dr. Robert Grunfeld is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle
surgery at
Powder River Orthopedics & Spine in Gillette, Wyoming. The physicians at PROS take an innovative and comprehensive
approach to the treatment of acute and chronic orthopedic pain. Have your
procedure in our modern
operating rooms at
Campbell County Memorial Hospital or
Powder River Surgery Center.
See the PROS for:
- General orthopedic surgery
- Joint replacement surgery: shoulder, hip, knee and ankle
- Shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Spine surgery and injections, including minimally invasive procedures
- Bunions and great toe arthritis procedures
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Trauma and fracture care
- Workplace injuries
For a consultation, call 307.686.1413 or visit
www.cchwyo.org/PROS.
PROS is a Campbell County Medical Group
Clinic with Campbell County Health.
Article written by Kim Phagan-Hansel, Wyoming freelance writer