Good afternoon! Okay, I sprained my left ankle in May 2009 (by walking down some stairs to work, and I somehow missed the last step and when my foot hit the sidewalk, it rolled to the side). I still went to work and it got better... but walking around work, it got worse and I went to urgent care, where they said I sprained it. I had never sprained anything before so until after the doctor, I didn't adhere to RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation).
It eventually healed and all is well. But I've noticed - usually when the temperature changes - that it starts to hurt again. Like this week it suddenly got cooler, and now it hurts. In the past I've resorted to putting a brace on it, sometimes, when it starts to hurt.
I guess the reason I'm posting is... will I live with this on-again-off-again pain the rest of my life? Or is there some kind of range-of-motion exercises I can do to help? Or should I go to a doctor (podiatrist or physical therapist?) to see what they think? It doesn't hurt terribly or anything - just really annoying, mainly - but I'm only 27 years old and don't feel like I'm old enough to have chronic pain like this!!!
Hi I had a very bad fall about 13 yrs ago, knee give way, twisted 180 on my ankle. Was very swollen and sore for a few weeks. Foolishly waited till could walk sufficiently until went to Doctor, who said believed just a very bad sprain, and didn't have XRAY or MRI etc. Still suffer pain, and seem to have permanent swelling/slight pain on fore foot. Due to suffering other - more severe pain wise joint problems - never really prioritised getting treatment for this. Now referred for physio, may be a ligament problem requiring surgery, but given extent now of knee and back problems may struggle to get an OS willing to operate if needed.
So my advice is simply do seek further medical advice, and don't trivialise it just because it doesn't seem to be constant or severe enough to you. You may regret late in later life not getting to the bottom of this now. Good Luck.
Ask a doctor for a referral to physical therapy. It's possible that exercises will help the pain, and prevent you from injuring it again in the future.
Agree with both of the others. Get it seen by a foot/ankle orthopedic surgeon. That way a thorough exam cane done and studies if warranted and an Rx for PT to strengthen your ankle. Big component! I just had my 2nd ankle reconstruction for ankle sprains and the first surgery was done by general ortho (mistake) and I had no PTZ after (or before for that matter) and I believe that's what led to the further sprains which is why I needed #2 and then I put that off for 8-9 years only to sustain further injuries needing more repair work than the first time! Name of the game with ankle sprains/injuries is proper evaluation by the correct doctor, proper treatment in a timely manner (sooner than later). As far as the pain with weather changes... That you may always have. It's because of the barometric pressure changes causing pressure in the joint somehow. I don't understand it completely, but several docs and 2 of my meteorologist friends confirmed this. Mine has hurt anytime it gets cold and/OR rainy for the past 11 years. Let us know what you decide to do!! Good luck!
The injury may have caused some arthritis to set in to the damaged area which is what you are probably feeling when the weather changes. Especially if it received sub-par treatment.
I agree about talking to a someone who is a specialist in ankles to get their opinion.
__________________ Severed AFTL and osteochondral lesion of the talus dome
Resulting from a fall on Jan 6, 2012.
