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Still in pain 6 months after fractured fibula

Posted , 25 users are following.

manicat
manicat

Some 2 or so months ago I posted on here as I was concerned that 11 weeks after fracturing my fibula and suffering soft tissue damage I was still in a lot of pain. I had a lot of helpful advice from other posters so thank you for that. However it is now 6 months since my accident and I still can't walk very far or do much because of the pain in my foot. When I last posted I was about to see the NHS physio which I did and was given exercies to do but I'm still in almost as much pain when on my feet as I was months ago. Can anyone explain what is causing the pain and why it is not easing off? It is under the outside ankle, on the upper outside of the foot and on the inside arch. I appreciate that as I am 66 I may not heal as quickly as a younger woman but this seems to be going on a long time and I keep wondering whether there is something else causing the pain and not just tissue damage. Has anyone else been in the same position or can give me some advice?

0 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • joan9
    joan9 manicat

    Posted

    I am in much the same position manicat, I broke my fibula 15 months ago and still have pain, and am unable to walk ! It really is such a frustrating and exhausting experience ! Every morning I think, maybe, it will be a little better - I have been told when it does heal, it will heal quickly I.e one day you have it, the next it has gone ! Let's hope so ,
    • manicat
      manicat joan9

      Posted

      Thank you joan9 and everyone else who has been kind enough to reply. I think what I find so frustrating is that it was a very simple fracture with no operation and here I am still struggling just through being knocked over by my dog. At least I know now I am not alone as I was beginning to think there was something else wrong that hadn't shown uo on the x-rays. I may ask my GP for the compound that  jannie26408 is using. I am taking prescription pain killers but only once a day in the morning so I can walk the dog. I tried comfrey & arnica cream but not for long as it only supposed to be used for a max of 4 weeks a year which was a bit off putting.
  • shana_61181
    shana_61181 manicat

    Posted

    I am 5 months out and have the exact pain. It's on the inside ankle. It burns and hurts when I walk. I have zero pain sitting/laying. I have 2 screws on that side but the pain seems to come from under the ankle bone. Sometimes it feels like a sting. I have tried massaging Without much help. I am so frustrated and depressed.
    • MsCamboot
      MsCamboot shana_61181

      Posted

      I am post op 10 MONTHS and have exactly the same pain as you where the two screws are. I can't have mine removed but if you're young, you may be able to have them removed but your surgeon is the best to ask. 🙂
  • jannie26408
    jannie26408 manicat

    Posted

    I so feel everyone's pain.....I'm six and a bit months not walking. Two breaks and dislocated . I'm FWB now with forearm crutches but my leg and foot are not functioning properly. I'm in wheelchair to do chores and walker for pools. I had same pain your talking about and at two months diagnosed with CRPS/RSD pain is the main symptoms with burning, stabbing, red swollen foot that is shiny. They told me 1 to 1 1/2 years to walk. I'm determined to be sooner, I'm grateful I'm up on crutches. I am using a compounded cream of gabbapentin and ketamine, it has wiped my pain out. It goes on base of spine three x day works amazing. It is not mainstream treatment lucky my Dr knew about it. I'm 65 so know things take longer but chipping away day by day. I wish you all welol. Take good care. Best. Jannie 
    • angeladvocate
      angeladvocate jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jannnie, sorry for your circumstances.  CRPS is a horrible condition. Glad to hear you found some help.  

      Wondered what type of doctor diagnosed you and what doctor prescribed the cream??? 

      Thanks and best to you for continued healing. 

  • MsCamboot
    MsCamboot manicat

    Posted

    Hello.

    I totally understand. I shattered my ankle. Plates, screw in both Fibula and tibia with 2 screw inner ankle bones. Mine was osteoporotic fractures which cause greater pain and take longer to heal, as I'm 60. I didn't find this out until after I fractured my ankle and had a Dexa Scan. I was walking at post op 5 MONTHS WITHOUT aids and my foot killed and sometimes still does today post op 10 MONTHS. The muscles etc are all conected to the foot and with invasive surgery everything gets cut and this conects to that , hence I had/ get great pain in my foot.I am still doing physio and still have pain when standing long periods or walking. I'm not there yet but come a long way. Keep patient and it will improve. 🙂

  • joan9
    joan9 manicat

    Posted

    I have been told the Orthoptic Clinics are very good, if you have one close by, and can get a referral.! They also take private patients, but would probably be quite expensive - anything  is worth a try, if you are in pain !
    • angeladvocate
      angeladvocate joan9

      Posted

      Joan, I looked up ORTHOPTIC and it seems it's related the eye???  Did you possibly misspell the word?
    • joan9
      joan9 angeladvocate

      Posted

      Sorry angeladvocate, my mistake ! I should have put ORTHOTIC - sorry about the P !
    • angeladvocate
      angeladvocate joan9

      Posted

      Oh Joan, that's okay, just wanted to look up and see if we had any here.  Thanks for response :-)
    • joan9
      joan9 angeladvocate

      Posted

      They are brilliant, apparently ! I have managed to get a referral on the NHS, but would probably have gone private had I have not. Apparently, it is expensive, and the waiting lists are very long, but I need to get something done, or I think I will go mad from frustration !
  • angeladvocate
    angeladvocate manicat

    Posted

    Hi there, can't imagine this going on for 6 months.  Did you get CT, MRI or bone scan?  If not I would insist on something higher than plain xray. 

    What type of doctor are you using? Orthopedic, podiatrist, neurologist??  Maybe a visit to a Pain Management Specialist, not for meds, one who does injections for inflamation could be worth an evaluation.  They evaluate the condition prior to any shots and can also order testing such at CT/MRI/BONE SCAN, etc.   

    Also, look up 'Anterior Ankle Impingement' and 'Ankle Arthroscopic surgery' (sometimes used to identify & correct at same time by orthopedics).  See if any you can relate to any of these articles. I know we all should avoid surgery if other non-evasive methods can help.  Just some considerations since you are struggling so.  

    My best to you that you get some improvement soon.   

  • susan21687
    susan21687 manicat

    Posted

    I have the same problem. I also have pain on the front of my foot because my toes are not flexing properly. I started walking again a few weeks ago but put too much weight on my heel until it started hurting more than my foot. SO I started wearing sketchers type shoes to get the pressure off my heel but then I the front of my foot hurts. It's a vicious cycle. 

    I have been instructed by. My PT to sty to stand and balance on the bad foot, bearing all my weight on it. I have to do it to break up the scar tissue or something like that.

    Ugh.

    • joan9
      joan9 susan21687

      Posted

      Hi Susan. I am still unable to move the front of my foot, or my toes, 15 months post fracture ! Actually, I am still not able to walk unaided too - .what a nightmare ankle breaks are - utterly exhausting ! Get well quickly .
    • angeladvocate
      angeladvocate susan21687

      Posted

      Susan, I have the same issue.  How long have you been weight bearing???  I started 3 three weeks ago after 10 weeks NWB fibula  ORIF surgery on 3/15.   Can only bear weight on my heel.  Not on front of foot or tip toes no matter how hard I try.  Pain causes me to walk on heel, but with pretty bad limp.  Can only stand on bad foot for a few seconds before pain causes my good foot to drop or grab the counter to catch my balance. Pain more on top of foot vs bottom.   Keep going back to one crutch to support bad foot as I too am feeling too much pressure on heel holding all my weight.  Surgery was on angkle, not foot, so I don't understand why all this pain/weakness with the front of foot and toes???  Have a follow up Friday and gonna see if doc thinks a bone scan or CT of foot is appropriate as this doesn't make sense.  Keep thinking maybe they missed a stress fracture in foot. Need piece of mind.      
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