Ankle sprain?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Landed over on my ankle falling off a foot and a half drop. Ankle and lower leg swoll up like my foot had swallowed a melon. Could not weightbare on it due to pain. Had crutches from a previous injury which Im thankful I still had as the pain was unbearable to put foot to ground..went to hosp and doctor barely looked at it, got an xray and he diagnosed a sprain,he said no breaks. I asked was there possible lig damage, he relied no. 2 days later the bruising started and swelling still bad and pain was a 10 going up my leg into my knee so went to a different hosp for 2nd opinion. They gave me a boot to wear and an appt. to return in a week for a scan as they said small breaks or torn ligs will not show up in a xray due to the swelling. Cue a week later and no scan, told to return in 3 wks. Given foot exercises to do and the 2 doctors yhat looked at it have still not gave me a diagnosis however the physio suggested it was a bad sprain with lig damage due to the limited movement of my foot and pain I was having.
Cue 3 wks later. Doc looked at it. Bare in mind Im still in pain and ankle is still swollen. He sends me for an xray which shows nothing. Still no diagnosis from him. He told me to return in 2 wks for (that) scan if pain had not subsided. Seen the same physio who gave me more exercises. I kept a photo diary over a few wks which I showed him. He said it was definately a bad sprain and torn lig damage judging by the swelling and bruising. Like a rainbow sock lol.
Told to stop wearing the boot. As off last week Ive not wore it but the pain is getting worse and started going back up my leg again especially my calf muscle at the back of my knee. Painkillers arent doing anything. Starting to worry incase of DVT so keeping an eye on it but Ive still a week to go until my next appt. Has anyone had similar experiences? Apologies for the long rant. Seriously considering going to a&e over this pain
0 likes, 13 replies
keeponsingin Redzombie
Posted
Definitely go see someone else! Sounds like your injury is pretty serious and you don't want to mess around with that!
chris18785 Redzombie
Posted
leigh2420 chris18785
Posted
I had issues with Dr not knowing what was going on.. but I had a TAR done in 2001 but my fracture that they missed up inside my leg where the apparatus is .. still no better 3 months later.. then ended up with lyme and bellspalsy. . Need surgery but can't do it now so I'm going with an ankle brace.. hope it works.. you definitely have some issues going on .. 2nd opinion agreed... hope it all works out 💓
anniea Redzombie
Posted
Firstly go to gp and ask for blood thinners. It seems difficult to believe but a sprain is a lot worse than a break. Takes longer to heal too. Can try going a&e but probably won't get much support. There's not a lot of support for sprains unfortunately, keep it non weightbaring and try some hydro therapy for exercise. Hope you get some help xx
Lisa2016 Redzombie
Posted
Sorry to hear about your injury. I had a similar injury over a year ago. Same thing shrugged off at Dr.'s Found out later it was a avulsion fracture in the syndesmostic joint and complete tear of ATFL and some partial tears. I went 8 months then had surgery 16 weeks ago (was in a cast 12, brostom repair, syndesmostic joint tight rope repair). Anyway what caught my eye was the pain you had up to your calf. That is a red flag for the syndesmostic joint damage and also i had a lot of pain not only on the outside of my ankle from going over but at the back by the calf because of the avulsion fracture of the talus. Be persistent and good luck!
sabrina_94014 Lisa2016
Posted
monika01 Redzombie
Posted
Hi Redzombie, so sorry to hear about your sprain. I also had a severe accident and ended up with a TAR, total ankle reconstruction. It has changed my life forever. It has been five months and am still in horrible pain, burning sensations, and some swelling. The orthopedic surgeon recommends a neurologist so that it attenuates the pain.
These things happen so fast, that it feels that there is no time to react. Elevate your leg with pillows and ice packs. I use Ziplock bags, two portions water and one rubbing alcohol. Freeze them and then you have a great gelpack!
Get a second opinion as well! I know how frustrating and life altering this is.
Hang in there and look at the forums! Very helpful and kind people😇
Redzombie
Posted
Thanks everyone. I have a week until my next appointment. If they dont bother mentioning a scan I will demand one and remind them that I was supposed to get one 5wks previous. Will keep you posted. As for calf pain, I had already mentioned to 3 doctors and the physiotherapist that I was getting pain up my leg in the early days of the injury and not one of them bothered to tell me why. Now that that pain is back I'll be pushing for an answer Very frustrating when medical staff talk to eachother and ignore you when all you want to know is what the heck is wrong.
monika01 Redzombie
Posted
Hi Red,
I understand how you feel. Keep the post running. I'm also curious as to why the main doctor offered no explanations. They want to shuttle people in pain to other specialists? It is frustrating since I used to walk 4 to 6 miles a day. I have never had anything like this before + a teenager!!! I only have her and myself. Best wishes, Monica
anniea Redzombie
Posted
It is very frustrating. I work in the NHS (nurse) but not in ortho and I even find it difficult to push for what is needed. Unfortunately doctors skim read notes and don't have time to take full history or listen to it properly. If you still have no luck I would recommend going straight to the hospitals PALS representatives. I personally wouldn't say your issue is a a specific doctors fault but your pain is not being taken seriously and for yourself and future patients, stand up for yourself. We're very much a society that doesn't like to formally complain but we need to to improve services. Patient complaints also help doctors with their feedback to prove they are under funded and understaffed - it works for the whole system to get things noticed xx don't walk away from this appointment without a good out come x
monika01 anniea
Posted
Nobody has given me clear explanations! I'm frustrated because I can't drive yet. I have to agree and be persistent. Sometimes I'm desperate trying everything to no avail. Thankfully I found this forum! Gives me hope that there are people who are kind and understanding
Warm regards, Monica
sabrina_94014 Redzombie
Posted
I was told I had an ankle sprain for five and a half months, two trips to a&e until I had an mri and it showed an avulsion fracture and torn atfl and chopped bone amongst other things, it's been 6.5 months now and still in agony and swollen and nothing has been done, push for an mri
Redzombie
Posted
Wow that is crazy. I returned yesterday for my appointment. In total I was at the hospital for 5 and a half hrs. Firstly I waited over an hour for the appt. Seen 2 doctors who recommended a ct scan as my foot was not improving. They booked me in told me to go have lunch in the cafeteria and expect a phonecall from the ct scan dept.
Cue 2hrs later and Im waiting back at urgent care dept. and doctor walks by asking are you still waiting for the scan? Yes I replied so he went and got another doc to find out what the hold up was. He returns saying they are busy but I will be seen soon. His words 'its a waiting game'.
Another 2hrs pass still no phonecall so I hobble to the scan dept. to find out why its taking ages, to be told by reception we dont have your phone number to contact you. Even though the doc had double checked my mobile number to make sure it was right he failed to give the reception it so it was his mistake. So I gave reception my number who then told me they would ring me next day with a time slot for later in the day. So I returned to urgent care room to confront the doc over his 'forgetfulness' and how sitting for 4hrs waiting on a non existant scan, he was very apologetic. I was not amused and neither was my foot/leg which was throbbing and in pain due to the un necessary walking I was doing to find out what the heck was going on? So yes a very frustrating and long day it was. If I dont get that phonecall today Im going to be loosing the plot.