HELP! Pain in both ankles: could this be Fibro? (Or related to fusions?)
Hello,
I have a few questions about some weird ankle pains I've been having...
I had both my big toes fused due to bad hallus rigidus (about 2 years ago). Recently I've been having lots of ankle pain in both ankles (I always seem to be symmetrical.)
This pain varies quite a bit, Sometimes it's in one larger area -- like all over the front of the ankle or all over the back. Sometimes I even get pains that go up into my shins -- sort of an all over burning pain. Once it went even higher and I get weird 'twisting' kind of feeling -- like my thigh muscle is being twisted or something (not sure if this makes sense -- this is really difficult to describe) -- this only happened once and went away fairly quickly. Sometimes it feels like the pain is more localized -- like it could be a sore ligament. Just when I think I have it figured out it changes again some other area will hurt all over in a totally different way.
Also, I do get hip pain (again, both sides) especially when I'm lying down.
HELP!!! What is going on here?!?! I went to my doc and they did an arthritis screen and it came back negative. My doc says it could be fibromyalgia but wasn't sure.
I do wear orthotics -- could this type of pain be caused by orthotics that need to be replaced? Any other ideas?
Help!!! Any advise would be most appreciated -- of course I'll be going back to my doc for a diagnosis but would really appreciate any words of wisdom since this is worrying me quite a bit.
Another note: I thought that these ankle pains could be related to my fusions but wouldn't this have shown up sooner? I was in Italy last fall and walked up and down steep hills for many hours at a time. I would think that would have done it if anything way going to...
(Also, do you think I should see my orthopedic surgeon who did my fusion surgery? Or back to my family doctor?)
Thanks!
~Heather
(P.S. This is also posted on the Foot Problems Board.)
Re: HELP! Pain in both ankles: could this be Fibro? (Or related to fusions?)
Have you been diagnosed with FMS? The symptoms you describe CAN be related to FMS, but you would have a lot of other general FMS symptoms that would accompany what you are experiencing. One of the things that FMS does to your body is cause accumulation of metabolic material to attach to the ligaments in your body. Eventually, there is so much of this gunk on your ligaments that it will cause pretty severe pain, as well as muscle aches/twisting of muscles. If you haven't been diagnosed with FMS and you feel this might be a road to explore, make an appointment with a rheumatologist or FMS specialist (call your local hospital for references, if you don't have a reliable source for such referrals).
Re: HELP! Pain in both ankles: could this be Fibro? (Or related to fusions?)
I do not believe periomenopause is causing the symptoms you described. Acid reflux is a common symptom of FMS. Try some investigating and reading so you can be your own best advocate. St. Amand's book "What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia" is a good information source. When you have a multi-faceted syndrome such as you have been experiencing, you can no longer rely on the physician to make everything known to you. It is a frustrating journey, but one that can be remedied through research.
Re: HELP! Pain in both ankles: could this be Fibro? (Or related to fusions?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by imhdab
This may be a strange question -- can these pains possibly be caused by perimenopause?
My FMS is triggered hormonally. I flare badly every month right around the time I ovulate and usually feel better by the time my period starts. *shrug*
I do have a theory on your pain...
Are you familiar with Morton's Toe Structure? Morton's toe is when the second metatarsal (the long bone in your foot leading to the toe) is longer than the first metatarsal (which leads to your hallux, or your big toe). The bone leading to the big toe should be longer -- this is how your body is designed to balance itself when you walk. Those of us with Morton's toe will have a large callus underneath that second digit because the head of the metatarsal, being longer than that of the first digit, takes to brunt of our weight when we step forward.
Perhaps your toe surgery has simulated an imbalance like Morton's Toe, wherein you are favoring the big toes and inappropriately distributing your weight onto the other metatarsals. This could be putting stress on the different leg and foot muscles as they compensate for this imbalance. Does your orthotic extend down under your big toe? I've seen store-bought orthotics modified, cutting away around the other 4 toes but leaving a strip under the big toe to encourage that part of the foot to bear more weight during standing and walking.
HELP! Pain in both ankles: could this be Fibro? (Or related to fusions?) 
