Ankle Sprain 5 months ago and still can't walk - Foot Problems Message Board

crzygrl_78 · 01-27-2005, 02:01 PM

I just found this board and was looking through some of the offered advice, it seems like there are a lot of knowledgable people here. I am hoping that you would be willing to offer me some advice, suggestions or tell me to just get over it.

I fell over 5 months ago and sprained my ankle, grade III sprain with 3 torm ligements and a broken bone. Since that time I have been in a lot of pain. Most of the pain is throughout the ankle the outer part and bottom of my foot. The Doc sent me for a little bit of phsycal therapy but nothing very strenuous (sp?). My foot/ankle is still so swollen that I cannot wear a regular shoe and so I am still in the walking boot. I am putting full weight on my foot but I get sharp shooting pains with every step. I am in so much pain that on some days I am taking 2 percocet every three-four hours. The doc is sending me to a rehab specialist to start working on my ankle or something I don't really know what they do. But I get the impression the doc thinks I am being a big baby about this or that I am faking but I am not. I have had other severe injuries that didn't effect me this much.....

Any idea of what could be going on or what steps I should take next. I can't take this pain any longer. I just want to curl up and cry but I can't I have a family to take care of and work and what not. Thanks for any help.

kwj001 · 01-27-2005, 02:40 PM

If you're foot is swollen...there's no reason for any physician to think you are faking it! Find a new doctor! It does take awhile for ligaments to heal, so ice it whenever you can, and elevate it whenever possible...but see the rehab specialist or a new ortho!! Good luck.

eko · 01-27-2005, 03:54 PM

Obviously they did an x-ray on your ankle, and I assume you have some since that showed that the bone has healed. Have you had an MRI yet? Have you seen a foot and ankle specialist (could be an o/s or pod)? At five months you should not be experiencing that type of pain.

Ask for an MRI and a referral. Good Luck -eko

Bigdog Two · 01-27-2005, 04:28 PM

Ankle sprains are serious and can take a long time to heal. There are also many other underlying causes of ankle pain which are often misdiagnosed as a sprain.

I had a grade III sprain about 14 years ago. They suck. I was on crutches for over a month and then still couldn't walk without pain for about six months. I was not prescribed PT and continued to sprain/twist it many times a year since then. I had ankle ligament reconstruction surgery nine weeks ago.

What kind of Dr. are you going to? Does he/she specialize in ankles/feet? I would suggest getting a second opinion. You should be comfortable with the treatment your Dr. is giving you. An ankle/foot specialist will be more inclined to pick up on any other issues that are causing you pain. I was going to a sports medicine specialist for awhile and then switched to a foot/ankle OS. The foot/ankle OS found a peroneal tendon tear that the sports medicine guy had missed. There also was a clear difference in the knowledge of the two doctors with respect to ankle problems.

Cindyn2003 · 01-27-2005, 04:52 PM

Sounds like you and I are going through the same exact thing. I fell and sprained my ankle (grade 3) 8 months ago. I had an X-ray immediately and the doctor said it was normal--just the sprain. The accident was in May. I suffered through May and June and during the summer months I seemed to do ok--I'm a teacher so I don't work during the summer. I spent most of the summer in Florida visiting my mom and doing alot of relaxing and swimming--nothing too strenuous. I went back to work in August--after about 2-3 weeks of being at work the pain started again and it was BAD. I called the doctor--he did another x-ray and MRI and found a fracture and that I had a 3cm rupture of the peroneal tendon. He said I needed surgery to fix the tendon rupture. I had surgery on November 29th. I was in a walking boot for three weeks prior to the surgery, then in a cast for a month, non-weight bearing, and then after a month I was put back into the walking boot which is where I still am. I am still having pain--I've had 2 cortisone shots since my surgery. The doctor thinks the fracture is not healing properly and that I will need another surgery to fix that. He is also diagnosing me with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy--which is basically chronic pain caused by an injury. I go to see a pain management doctor in 2 weeks but in the mean time I can't work and I can barely walk. My foot still swells up, still turns blue/purple, is extremely sensitive to hot/cold, etc.....it seems like a never ending battle that I'm fighting.
So....like I said, it seems like we have alot in common. Feel free to email me anytime and I'd be happy to talk with you more. [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]

P.S. Sorry for the long post.

Cindy