Patient Stories
Chronic Ankle Pain Relieved with Microfracture Surgery: Elizabeth's Story
Date posted: 8/6/2026
Last updated: 8/6/2026
Key Takeaways
After three ankle injuries left her with chronic pain, Elizabeth Vine was diagnosed with a torn tibialis posterior tendon and an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT), a cartilage and bone injury in the ankle joint.
Years of undertreated ankle instability led to worsening pain, reduced mobility, and 100 pounds of weight gain
Dr. Simon Lee, a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, treated her with microfracture surgery combined with a posterior tibial tendon repair.
Microfracture surgery is a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure that stimulates new cartilage growth by creating small holes in the underlying bone.
Ten weeks after surgery, Elizabeth is largely pain-free, walking barefoot again, and planning to return to team sports and try horseback riding.
Table of Contents
A Lifetime of Ankle Injuries Leads to Chronic Foot Pain
At ten weeks following foot surgery, Elizabeth Vine, 39, of Chicago, is relieved to have finally found a doctor who could treat the chronic ankle pain that was severely altering her once-active life.
“Is this really a possibility?” she wondered post-surgery. “Can I really start doing the things that I have been avoiding?”
Elizabeth's foot issues began as a child. Very involved in sports, she fell at age eight and sustained a serious sprain and tendon injuries in her left ankle. Then, later as a college student, she injured the same ankle again. She admits that she didn't seek any follow-up and presumed that the ankle would heal on its own. In 2017, she stumbled and injured the same ankle a third time.
The third time was not the charm.
Diagnosed with a Torn Tendon and Cartilage Damage
Experiencing a lot of pain, she visited a local hospital and underwent an MRI, which showed that her ankle had been dramatically affected by the three injuries. She was diagnosed with a torn tibialis posterior tendon, which is the tendon that wraps behind the inside of the ankle and attaches under the arch of the foot. It is essential for foot movement and acts as an arch stabilizer, preventing the foot from flattening during walking.
In addition, Elizabeth was diagnosed with an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT), which results in damage to the cartilage and underlying bone. This heals in most cases, but in Elizabeth's case it caused ongoing pain, functional limitation, and instability.
Living with Untreated Ankle Instability
Her initial physician instructed her to complete a course of physical therapy and adjust her activity and footwear. She wore orthotics and was told she should never run again.
“Running and walking my dog for long distances were things I really enjoyed, but I resigned myself to a lifetime of just short walks,” she says.
For several years thereafter, her pain and mobility worsened. She no longer took walks and found herself limiting the time she stood on her feet. Many days, she described her pain level as seven or eight. Back pain also became a problem, and she gained 100 pounds.
Finding a Foot and Ankle Surgeon Who Listened
Frustrated, she decided to try another foot and ankle surgeon and dug into her research. She discovered Dr. Simon Lee, a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. He had great reviews online, and Elizabeth was hopeful after learning more about him. She booked an appointment immediately.
In his Chicago office, Dr. Lee reviewed Elizabeth's MRI and X-rays to get a complete picture of her case. He noticed the deteriorated cartilage in her foot that he suspected was also causing her pain. Together, they discussed treatment options.
“I really liked his realistic approach; he was very down-to-earth,” Elizabeth says.
A Personalized Treatment Plan: Microfracture Surgery and Tendon Repair
Dr. Lee recommended a microfracture procedure, the least invasive option, in addition to repairing her posterior tibial tendon. He explained that he didn't feel a more complex reconstruction was needed.
“Ideally, there should rarely be any foot or ankle injury that would cause significant limitations of daily living that cannot be treated,” says Dr. Lee. “Unfortunately for Ms. Vine, she presented with a history of this condition but didn't get the right recommendations from her initial consultations. Ankle sprains do typically resolve completely over time, and the fact that hers did not should have been an indicator that something more significant was occurring. I was confident that I could fully repair and correct her condition with these procedures.”
What Is Microfracture Surgery?
Microfracture surgery is a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure used to repair damaged joint cartilage. By drilling tiny holes into the underlying bone, the surgery releases bone marrow and stem cells to trigger the growth of reparative cartilage.
When cartilage is damaged, it doesn't heal well on its own because it lacks a direct blood supply.
Dr. Lee explained that during the procedure, he would insert a tiny camera (arthroscope) and instruments through small incisions to assess the lesion and clean up any scar tissue that had developed. He would then punch several small holes into the subchondral bone with a sharp tool (an awl) just beneath the damaged cartilage. The goal is for these microfractures to cause blood and stem cells from the bone marrow to leak into the joint, creating a “super-clot” that, over time, would become fibrocartilage, acting as a replacement cushion. In addition, he assured her that he would repair the posterior tibial tendon as well.
Relieved to have a solution, Elizabeth agreed and successfully underwent the procedures at Rush University Medical Center.
Pain-Free and Back on Her Feet
Today, Elizabeth is mostly pain-free and enjoying adding more steps each day. She is happy to walk barefoot and take her dog to the beach.
And now able to make active plans for the future, she is looking forward to playing team sports once again and trying horseback riding.
Struggling with Chronic Foot or Ankle Pain?
If years of ankle sprains, foot pain, or a previous diagnosis have left you feeling like you're out of options, it may be time for a second opinion. The foot and ankle specialists at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments, including microfracture surgery, to help patients get back to the activities they love.
Schedule a consultation with a Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush foot and ankle specialist today to find a treatment plan that's right for you.
