u/Ok_Welcome4642

I have about $55k in credit card debt and it’s killing me with the aprs that have gradually been pushed into the low 30% range over the last couple years!! This is not due to irresponsible spending. Mostly, it’s an income problem combined with my life being a series of unfortunate events. After a few layoffs, I am now getting full-time hours but still only at $50k/yr net. So, I’ve been living off my cards, essentially, being un/underemployed, surgeries, etc.

My savings is basically wiped out. I have a retirement account from a previous job that I haven’t been able to contribute to for several years but I refuse to tap into it. I’m paycheck to paycheck and have nothing left to save after all my payments/bills are made.

My fico score was 696 as of today and I’ve never been late nor have I missed a payment. My credit utilization is 56%. I’ve previously called creditors to have my aprs lowered and was straight up told no. And at the time I had a 750 fico score. Not sure if I should muster up the energy and try again. Last year, I applied for a consolidation loan but was rejected (first time ever) due to my debt to income ratio and a line of credit that was relatively new (for a balance transfer). Should I try to apply again or should I just go straight to the nfcc and start a debt management plan? My concern is how this would affect my need to get housing/rent in the near future. Any insight on that?

I just don’t know what is the best first move now. I actually want to pay back what I owe but with 33% aprs that won’t happen. Such high interest rates should be outlawed, in my opinion. But that’s another conversation. So yeah. If you have any helpful advice, it would be appreciated

If you had this repair already, are you glad you did it? Have you had any long-term complications/nerve issues? What led you to make your decision versus continue conservative care?

Some background - I am 50F and in November 2025, I was about a week away from having a posterior tibial tenosynovectomy when I stepped oddly and heard/felt a pop with pain in the outside of that same ankle (I blame this largely on my compensation pattern while navigating uneven ground). The pain subsided quickly but after that, I would be walking and suddenly have a sharp, stop-me-in-my-tracks pain. I’d stand still for a few seconds and then I could walk normally again. I didn’t think more of it because I assumed I’d be told to do conservative care which I was going to be forced into anyway while recovering from surgery. So, I never mentioned it to my doctor.

My surgery went well. I was non-weight bearing then partial weight bearing for about six weeks. I started PT about two months post-op but would get that sharp pain again doing my exercises (especially heel raises). We would ice and I did e-stim but the issue persisted. After about a month, I explained to my doc what happened back in November and the symptoms I was having. They had me stop PT and put me back into a boot. Nothing changed. I then was given a steroid pack. That did help with the frequency of the sharp pain when walking but I was left with chronic low-level pain near my ankle bone. We then tried a brace before getting an MRI.

The results are that I have a longitudinal split tear of the peroneus brevis tendon. The tendon is also attenuated. Additionally, I have some mild Achilles tendinitis as well as severe chronic (but mind blowingly asymptomatic) plantar fasciitis. I do have some snapping/subluxation too but only in certain positions. I was put back in the boot again but still did not notice a change. For next steps, I was told I could continue to try conservative care or surgery is an option. Since it has now been six/seven months of conservative treatment, I scheduled the surgery. I’m anxious about if I’ve made the right decision though.

I would like to get back to high impact sports and right now was told running and jumping are off the table because the tendon is already attenuated. I was looking for reassurance from my surgeon that I’m making the right call but was told it’s really based on my symptoms and my tolerance for them. It sounds like conservative care could possibly still work but, especially with a desire to reach a higher activity level, there are no guarantees. Granted, surgery isn’t a guarantee either but outcomes are supposedly, generally very good. That said, they also explained they could cut me open and it could be worse than the MRI shows.

I’m really in a gray area it seems. What’s frustrating is I can do most everything physically, but I can’t shake the constant, low-level pain. I’m nervous about compromising the integrity of the tendon if I hold off on surgery though and it still doesn’t get better. How much longer is it worth trying the conservative route? Should I try another round of PT?

Basically, how do you determine if you’re making the right choice? Am I jumping into surgery too quickly? Or saving myself time and turmoil by cutting to the chase?