Ankle Injuries-Questions - Foot Problems Message Board

Hollywood48 · 03-13-2009, 02:32 PM

Hey guys, thanks for taking time to read my post. I have a long history of ankle injuries (all on my left ankle). When I was younger, it was ankle sprains in gymnastics. Then in my early 20s, I was playing flag football and and came down on the side of my foot and heard the most sickening pop and felt the most excruciating pain. I had completely torn 2 of the lateral ligaments. I had them reconstructed, was in a cast for 2-3 wks, in a boot for 4 wks and on crutches for a month. Had PT. I went back to work too early while still in the boot (on my feet for 13 hours a day) and had some problems with it from that. But it got better. About 2 years later, I was hiking and felt another pop. Didn't even roll it. Immediately a knot formed and swelling and bruising. Another MRI, more treatment, but no surgery. 2 years after that, I sprained the same ankle, tore cartilage, and broke the 5th metatarsal. Crutches for 6 wks, NWB, and a bone stimulator. Was told I'd need surgery at some point to clean out the scar tissue.

Those were the main injuries. Since then, I have 3-4 sprains a year that will bother me for about 4-6 wks each. I usually have to use crutches for about 2 a year. Sometimes the least little thing will turn my ankle. When it happens, I have swelling and sometimes bruising and definitely pain. Pain on the outside of my ankle down the side of my foot and into all of my toes. I have problems moving the foot side to side, pushing off the ball of my foot (even with just walking) and moving my toes. My toes become SO tender and moving them is out of the question after a sprain. I ice it, wrap it, brace it, elevate it and use crutches for about 1-2 wks. If it weren't for pushing off the ball of the foot or bending my toes, I wouldn't need the crutches. It's not the weight as much as it is the bending.

Currently, I sprained my ankle 3 wks ago. The swelling is almost gone, no discoloration, but the pain is still there. It's really painful, VERY stiff, and my toes are SO tender and still can't move them without pain. My husband massages them to try to loosen them up and sometimes that helps, but they tighten back up. So I'm still using crutches. I try to use just one, but sometimes it's bad enough I need both. The cold, rainy weather makes the pain worse (like today).

My question is has anybody else experienced this and if so, what did you do about it? I don't want to go back to the doctor for simple sprains, but is this the way it's going to be from now on? Should I still be needing crutches for sprains and does anyone else have the pain and tenderness in their toes after a sprained ankle? Thanks for your help!!

Socrriss18 · 03-14-2009, 12:57 AM

Also being a competitive athlete most of my life and experiencing chronic sprains, I've always been told that each you sprain it, you are that much more likely to sprain it again. That basically a sprain never fully heals to 100%. I used to sprain my ankles all the time, constantly rolling them. Mine never got to the point of needing surgery or having the lingering effects that you have. At this point, if I were you, I would look for some kind of a specialist. It doesnt sound normal to have the frequency and severity of sprains that you are having. I dont know the specifics, but there may be some kind of surgical intervention or reconstruction needed, good luck

Hollywood48 · 03-14-2009, 01:36 AM

Socrriss18-Thanks so much for your reply. Glad to know I'm not the only one with a history of a lot of sprains. I, too, have heard that the more you sprain it, the more it is likely to keep occurring. I agree though, that I'm still having too many. I have an orthopedic surgeon (who did my reconstructive surgery) but don't want to go see him if I don't have to. I'm wondering if my ankle is so weak and unstable now that when I do sprain it, it just isn't strong enough to heal without a lot of treatment? You said you sprained your ankles several times in sports. Did you ever have pain in your toes and pain when moving your toes?

janewhite1 · 03-14-2009, 08:32 AM

I can't speak to everything you've said, but I don't have toe problems. Okay, I had toe pain for 2 days when I was learning to walk again after surgery, but that was all.

I think that the toes might be more related to your 5th metatarsal fracture, those can be tricky to recover from.

Yes, I do think it's worth you talking to a surgeon again. Removing scar tissue is a simple procedure that can be very helpful.

emmie54 · 03-14-2009, 10:28 AM

Hollywood, have they ever considered ankle instability? My daughter had a tarsal coalition which was missed in the MRI until she asked for a radioligist who specializes in feet to re-read it and there it was, clear as day (to him!). Just a thought since you continue to sprain it. It's true that once you have sprains the foot is weaker but it could be more going on.

Which toes are hurting?