Talar dome fracture/Osteochondral defect - Foot Problems Message Board

blakemall · 07-11-2006, 11:35 AM

Hi:

I am new to this board and was looking for some input. I sprained my ankle badly about 4 years ago when i stepped into a hole. At the time I was told that it was just a sprain and I had no further problems. Last March, I started having sharp pains in my ankle joint. I went to my doctor who did an x-ray and said there was nothing on x-ray that showed any problems.

Meanwhile...the pain kept getting worse and worse. I started having popping and locking of my ankle that was causing me to fall. Finally my doctor referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon who did an MRI. The MRI showed that I had a talar dome fracture/OCD defect. I spent 6 weeks in a walking boot, which did nothing.

when I came out of the boot...the pain was worse than ever. Ten days ago I underwent an ankle arthroscopy with debridement and drilling. I had an appointment yesterday for my first follow up. My doctor removed my cast and stitches. I have very little swelling or bruising. I am to remain 3 more weeks NWB, but he gave me nothing to support my ankle. I am so paranoid of hitting it as it is very painful when I move it. I am to start moving it up and down only...not side to side. So far I have not been able to move it at all.

Can anyone give me some of their experiences of post arthroscopy and what I can expect?

Thanks...

eko · 07-11-2006, 11:46 AM

Welcome to the OCD Club, sorry you had join us here. I am 11 weeks post-op from arthroscopic surgery with the drilling. I am surprised your Dr. did not give you anything to support your ankle. I was 6 weeks NWB, with limited movement the final four weeks, during that time I was in an air cast. After the six weeks I went PWB to FWB with a air cast stirrup splint.

Don't worry about moving it all at this point, initially my movement was very small and gradually improved. You have some swelling in the joint which is making it more difficult, just keep trying. If after several days you are still unable to move it, call your Dr. I still can't believe he didn't give you anything to protect your ankle, especially since they do not want the side to side movement - hmmmmmm.

You can read about my experience under a post called Osteochondral Fracture. I just started PT today, so I posted a short update.

Sorry you had to join on, but feel free to ask questions, share advice or just vent along the way, that is what we are here for.

-eko

blakemall · 07-11-2006, 11:59 AM

Hi Eko:

Thanks for responding. By the way my name is Lisa...

Before my surgery I was told that I would be six weeks NWB, which is still the case. I was just so shocked when they took off my cast from surgery that I left with nothing on my foot at all. THey took out the stitches and put on steri-strips and encouraged me to move it up and down only.

Last night any movement at all sent me through the roof. It was the same familiar pain as before the surgery...the grinding of bones...

I ended up wrapping it in an ACE bandage to try to give it some support. I did not sleep at all last night because I was so afraid that my husband would kick me or I would get it caught in the covers.

the other problem that I am experiencing is that I have a lot of numbness across the top of my foot. when my foot came out of the cast that is where I had the most swelling was across the top. Is this normal?

I go back in 3 weeks to my OS and then he said he would start me in PT.

I am so tired of dealing with this ankle...it has totally upset my life for the past year and a half and I need this to be the end...

Lisa

eko · 07-11-2006, 12:21 PM

Lisa,

If the surgeon, which he probably did, used a distraction device to help widen the joint, yeah, you'll have the swelling, numbness and maybe stiffness on the top of your foot. What they do is put your leg in a brace to hold it, then a band around the top of your foot and pull down on it, opening up the ankle joint. The top of my foot was sore and stiff, it hurt to wiggle my toes. So, it is okay to wiggle your toes and flex your foot up and down. I actually found massaging the top of my foot really helped.

The purpose of flexing the foot is to help shape the fibro-cartilage, just do what you can. A little moist heat will also help loosen up tight tendons and muscles.

I can so relate to being tired of dealing with an ankle, I am at a year with this injury, but had a long run of issues before and after my Brostrom repair in 2003, same darn ankle.

Maybe you should call your Dr's office and ask if there is anything you can do to help protect your ankle. I understand the husband and cover issue totally, than I add to mine kids and pets. I'd also be worried about falling or accidently bumping it or something like that. Nothing wrong in calling and asking - it is your foot, have to protect it somehow. I just can't believe they didn't give you something.

Let us know how you are doing.

Sending you healing thoughts -Ellen

blakemall · 07-11-2006, 12:28 PM

Ellen:

Thanks for your encouraging words. I wish I had found this site long before now. Finally someone who understands...it is hard to explain to people who have no idea what number one you are talking about and trying to explain the level of pain...they just don't get it...

I am going to call my Dr...I have to get some sleep and be able to be functional...I don't feel like I am now...I have laid on my couch all day only getting up to go to the bathroom because I am afraid of hitting my foot...I too have two kids, three cats and a new bassett hound puppy who is all play.

Thanks again..
Lisa