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Ankle Swollen and Painfull After Cast Removed

Posted , 4 users are following.

andy88
andy88

Hi everyone,

I have just had my cast removed after THIRTEEN weeks following a longitudinal fusion of my left ankle due to arthritic pain. This is my second fusion (Already had a lateral) and third op overall!!

After 10 weeks everything seemed to be going well. I was partial weight bearing on two crutches, then one day whilst making a short walk in town the pain in my ankle increased so by the time i got back to my car (an automatic!!) the pain was almost unbearable.

I went back to see my consultant and was advised to NWB for two weeks.

In that time the pain never really decreased (I am a widowed single parent living in a cottage!) and my ankle always felt swollen if I spent any time on my crutches and not resting.

On Tuesday last i returned to see my consultant. The cast was removed (Hooray!!). He was happy with the fusion and when I told him of my continuing discomfort he said that the bone is fixed but the tissue still needs to repair itself. I also mentioned physio, but he said not at this stage!!

My problem now is the same. The ankle swells and my lower leg goes purple any time that I am on my feet. I cannot bear any weight as the pain is quite severe. I already take 500mg of Naproxen twice daily and 2x 500mg of Co-codamol thrice daily, but they don't seem to do anything.

I need to get back to work as soon as. Can anybody help!!?

Andy

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • leelee1022
    leelee1022 andy88

    Posted

    Andy, I wish I had answers for you. Keep it elevated as much as possible and don't over do it. I am positive that someone on here will have the right answer. Good luck.
  • diane26225
    diane26225 andy88

    Posted

    Wow, I would want to know why you are stil in so much pain after so long. I undertand that the soft tissue and tendons and muscles do take time to recover, but I would be asking the question of my specialist again. Good luck
  • daphne23784
    daphne23784 andy88

    Posted

    Hi Andy does seem strange to have that amount of pain after thirteen weeks. I was in a cast for nine weeks six of them after surgery nwb. After that two weeks pwb and now fwb, I am taking it slowly as I don't want to over do it. The turning blue and swelling is normal and apparently can last for a long time. I massage my ankle from my toes all the way around up to my knee and this seems to help with the stiff muscles. Also before I put any weight on it in the morning I do the same and a few of my ankle exercises. Maybe you should have a second opinion just to make sure. Hope you recover soon.
    • andy88
      andy88 daphne23784

      Posted

      Hi Daphne,

      After another fortnight of pain and discomfort and as a result NWB I have got an answer!

      i went back Tuesday night to see my Consultant who ordered an X-ray. The result was that I have stress fracture of the tibia just above where the screws were inserted. Yesterday lunchtime I had a Doppler scan of the left leg over his concern that maybe the excessive swelling and purplish colouring was being caused by a blood clot (DVT). Thankfully nothing was found! I'm returning today for a new course of action. My boss is having kittens!!! 16 weeks tomorrow since the procedure and I still can't weight bear!!

      Wish me luck!!

    • daphne23784
      daphne23784 andy88

      Posted

      Hi Andy, I can imagine how you feel, I hope that the new plan of action works well for you and I am trusting you will soon be able to work again. Please let me know what the doctor said. Good luck.
    • leelee1022
      leelee1022 andy88

      Posted

      Hi Andy, sorry you are having so many problems. Please talk to your doctor about CRPS. I am not saying this is what it is, your symptoms just sound a lot like mine. I am 18 weeks post break, I have excessive swelling, my foot turns purple and red, I still have a lot if pain, and can't walk. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago. Just throwing it out there, doesn't hurt to rule that out. Good Luck!
    • andy88
      andy88 leelee1022

      Posted

      CRPS?

      I've seen him today and he says it's partly fluid retention and I need to go on water tablets! I'm back in a flexible cast, which I can remove for bathing, for another 4-6 weeks!! Haven't plucked up the courage to tell my boss yet!!! 😖

    • leelee1022
      leelee1022 andy88

      Posted

      CRPS, is a disease that is caused by trauma. If the water pills don't work, talk to him about it. Good luck with your boss.
  • andy88
    andy88

    Posted

    ★2 susan60212

    133 points

    Fractured my ankle 3 months ago but ankle keeps swelling and is painful

    Thanks guys for your concerns. I decided to post after reading the above mentioned forum where although the former injury is different, the symptoms are very similar, if not the same as mine. 😖

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