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Ongoing ankle problem - At my wits end

Posted , 2 users are following.

gremlin168
gremlin168

Hi all, hope you are doing well.

I am totally at my wits end with the pain / issues I have had since I fractured my ankle a couple of years ago, and just wanted some advice / tips on a path forward really.

Here is the story of what happened - 

Two years ago (roughly) I was taking my housemates dog for a walk, it bolted while on the lead dragging me down a grass bank and I rolled over on my left ankle. I immediately heard a crack and was in quite a big of pain with significant swelling.  

A visit to A&E confirmed that I had an avulsion fracture, I was placed in a boot and all was well, I was due to see the fracture clinic in a week or so.   I had a phone call advising that a specialist had reviewed my X-Ray scan (never have had an MRI done) and that my ankle would be fine to heal without supervision.  I was in the aircast boot for a bout two months, and just decided myself it seemed okay to come out, the pain was still fairly bad but at least I could walk, and that was the end of it as far as treatment went.

I just stuck out the pain, but after about six months it struck me as very odd that I still had pain / issues with the ankle such as weakness, prone to spraining (which never happened before) etc.  I went to the GP and there was nothing they could do, fast forward another year I saw the GP again and I was referred to physiotherapy.  I tried to explain to the doctor / physiotherapist that my movement was okay, I could walk, i just wanted the pain addressed as while it wasn't really bad it was uncomfortable every day.

The physiotherapist said there was nothing they could do and wouldn't refer for an MRI, I went back to my GP, they said they would refer me to an expert, and now I just got another physiotherapy letter through the door  neutral

I am glad that the X-ray showed the bone had healed okay and that physio determined there seemed to be little effect on movement, but I just want someone in the healthcare profession to look at it and either say the ongoing pain / weakness is due to X and here is how we can help it or even if someone says that the pain is caused by this but theres nothing we can do about it.

I am considering seeing a private specialist / getting a private MRI done but as we all know (in the UK) this can be alot of money.

Sorry for the long post, anyone had any similar problems, how did you work it out if at all? 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • gremlin168
    gremlin168

    Posted

    Just to add, it was an avulsion fracture of the left lateral Malleolus 
  • Gillyjoo
    Gillyjoo gremlin168

    Posted

    Hi Gremlin,

    I too am from the UK and I know an awful lot about ankle now after 20 years of various surgeries and treatments on broken tibia, fibula, talus and damaged ligaments and tendons around the whole ankle.

    A fractured lateral maleolus in itself is rarely a problem. There is very little weight bearing through it (and only 10% body weight through the fibula of which this is a part of) however... Pain is very likely caused through an uneven gait over time *because of the pain*. The pain itself is very likely caused by a stretching and overuse of various ligaments and possibly overuse of other foot joints in that region (of which there are many) to compensate for the uneven gait that you're likely unconsciously causing by walking unevenly due to the discomfort. A physio will be able to help but I would recommend a foot and ankle specialist (podiatrist) who will analyse your gait and recommend treatment possibly in the form of orthotics to place in your footwear that will help your gait and therefore your overuse /misuse of other joints and ligaments. Don't underestimate the problems that an even only slight maligned gait can cause. It can even cause back problems (I know from experience).

    See a podiatrist. That's my advice.

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