Severe burning in foot 14 days after ankle surgery

Hi

I'm 9 weeks in and still in cast but had a lot of nerve issues with my toes.

Usually it's related to the plantar nerve that stem from the back foot in the ankle and to the toes.

Imagine a tree splitting out into your toes.

With fusion the nerves can be stretched or squished and this causes the pain, burning or cold

I found increasing the level of touch the toes helps (doesn't feel it at the time ...) an old toothbrush is ideal. Gently brush the skin and this helps stimulate her nerves. Also a cold pack behind the knee.

I was in excruciating pain from 14 days with nerves but it has subsided massively. I am now pretty much pain free.

Thx for the info Julie.

It is funny you mentioned stimulating the toes by touch. I have noticed that it helps also! I will try the ice behind the knee suggestion, & will steal my wife's toothbrush for the toe simulation. 😉

It has been 6 wks, & I can hardly wait to be able to walk again in 4 weeks time. The burning sensation is not something I was expecting, but it is nice to know it will gradually subside.

Good luck to you.

I have twelve weeks cast then a boot and then a frame to help my gate.

I had fusion, realignment if my leg and foot, new spring ligament and ligament repair plus removal of bone and arthritis. It's been twelve years since I severed my foot and it was reattached and for the first time I am pain free!! It's amazing!!

Hi welcome! 

First off I'm sorry you have to deal with the burning pain, it was horrible!

Since everyones experiences are different I can only share mine. I had a trimalleolar ankle fracture and about 9 days after surgery the burning started. Also my 3rd toe and most of the top of my foot were numb and my 4th toe totally numb. I pretty much went against drs. orders and took Motrin (some studies show it can slow bone healing) cause I was so desperate to get relief and I took it with Tylenol, I couldn't take the oxycodone anymore because of side effects and also I had run out of them anyway. You could try ice, personally ice did not help me. Once I was put in the boot I had someone lightly massage my foot and that definately helped but the foot was too painful to touch before that. The tylenol and motrin helped take a little bit of the edge off but most the burning persisted, only time and massage helped me personally. I hope you find something that works for you.

I am over 4 months from surgery now and unfortunately my 4th toe is still totally numb and some parts of my foot are numb but the nerve pain is NOTHING compared to what it was, I don't even have to take anything for it. It comes and goes and it's not so bad now and if I rub the foot the pain goes away so don't worry it gets so much better with time. 

Also, the dr. told me they did not cut the main nerve they only moved it, I read that just moving the nerve can irritate it...the last visit the Dr. admitted to me that they do cut very small branches of nerves and so I assume some people are more sensitive to this surgery than others and come away with the nerve issues but like I said it does get tons  better so just hang in there!

Hi KelKel,

Thx for the reply. I had the identical break, along with the tibia / fibula break. (I am on the ground, with the sole of foot was still firmly planted on the pavement, but the leg above the boot was bent 90 deg horizontal - ouch)

I will try the ice behind the knee, & let you gus know how that went for me. Nice to know the massaging helped. When out of the boot, I keep my foot wrapped in a blanket, as I found the burning feels worse when the foot is cold.

Time will tell if the nerve pain lingers....

Sadly, both of us can no longer qualify to be foot models. Too bad, as i like wearing flip flops. Or is it now flip flop thuds? ;-)

Oh no, sounds really painful! 

I stepped into a hole and fell sideways and my foot stayed in the hole 

I didn't have an issue with the cold like you do but I had to put the foot on top of a soft pillow or it was painful, I still like to put it up on a pillow when im sitting in the recliner. Yes try the ice and massage for sure! Let us know if it helps!

I'm fine. Just don't chase chickens and get your foot trapped in a hole 😂😂😂

Hello

Take different types of materials and rub all over. It will confuse the nerves. I'm 14 weeks post op. I still have numbness which will take some time. I had microfracture done. I had ankle reconstruction surgery ligament tendons cartilage. Night time is still hard I'm elevating and using my ice machine again. Your symptoms will go away with time.

KeiKei, Capital Clutz, Mark, Julie,

I agree with Capital Clutz' reply of "gracefully tripping over an ant"; makes me feel like the whiner of the century.  You guys have experienced some very serious injuries and/or are recovering from surgery.  I promisded to report what my latest doctor said or I wouldn't bother.  Absolutley nothing about the burning foot, so number 4 who has not addressed the burning foot issue.  I will keep reading to see if anyone posts a REAL SOLUTION.   

Hi

Sorry your still not getting any answers.

It's like an endless battle or I find it feels that way.

My consultant said he was sure mine was due to stretched plantar nerve. I feel like the under side of my foot it's about to pop, it burns and has a popping sensation. The big toe and pads of feet feel squished like vice. It's draining

Hi. I don't want to concern you but the burning is a trade mark of Complex regional pain syndrome. Please look it up. It's serious and can result from surgery and nerve damage. I am currently suffering from it and I'm on nerve medication 24/7. It needs to be treated early. If it's very sensitive to touch, especially from others, and goes red or purple and blotchy compared to your good foot then I'd suggest requesting a referral to a pain team. A standard orthopedic consultant generally won't have enough knowledge to help. If you do think you might have it, avoid ice and cold and it will make it worse. Light exercise and physio will help.

HI there, is your toe still numb?