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Sore leftt ankle provingd to walk on -any suggestions?

Posted , 6 users are following.

leonard12916
leonard12916

I've had a sore left ankle that is proving hard to walk on.  I had a reflexology treatment 3 weeks ago thinking it might help me relax more but the next day my left ankle was sore and both legs had discomfort in the upper thighs.  Three weeks later the only problem now is the ankle and the discomfort moves from the top to the bottom and it's hard to walk on it.  I'm a 73 year old male and have been on Cortisone for 3 years for PMR and possibly arthritis and am at about 7 mg right now.  I'd like to ask if any of you have had similar issues and how to deal with it or who to see.  I find my doctors not to be much help with my PMR related issues which it appears this is, muscles that are weakened by the steroids.  The ankle is getting worse not better with time!  Thanks.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Oregonjohn-UK
    Oregonjohn-UK leonard12916

    Posted

    Leonard - we are all different and in general term the muscles will be weaker.  I had a lot of niggle pain after I got to around 10 mg, but it was at this point I increased my activity as I was feeling 'better'.  I just had to learn to take it easy and build up my leg muscles'
  • pam7653
    pam7653 leonard12916

    Posted

    I've had the same issue Leonard. I'm a 63 yr old female and been on Prednizone for 3 years for PMR.

    I stressed my foot about 4 weeks ago just running a few short sprints in the rain. Probably about 100ft. each time. My foot has killed me for weeks. I've upped my Prednizone but it didn't help. I saw my podiatrist last week and he injected it with a steroid shot. I'm not sure I'll do that again. It's been a week now and had some relief, but the night of the shot the pain was intense.

    I have had a few other issues lately too. Went cycling and stressed my unused upper back muscles. There is only one thing that has been working for me. Find a massage therapist. My upper back was bad for 10 days. After the massage it was gone the next day. Yesterday I got a massage on my foot. It really helped when I woke up today. Now I have intense lower back pain from my limp. I'm searching for a massage therapist TODAY!

    Try it!

    • jancorb
      jancorb pam7653

      Posted

      Hi Pam

      I'm on holiday so just catching up on the forum.

      Your mention of upper back soreness after cycling, is exactly what I've had this past week.

      At 7 weeks in and down to 12 mg, I have been really pleased I've been able to get back on my bikee,

      doing 8 miles on Sunday. But the discomfort between my shoulders is a real problem.

      Particularly when cooking, leaning over the worktop to prepare food or washing up at a low sink.

      I would have expected pain in the legs? Have you found other exercise helpful?

    • pam7653
      pam7653 jancorb

      Posted

      I hadn't cycled all winter so that ride was just too much at once. It's a road bike where I lean over the bars. I rode 15 hilly miles. My back felt like it was on fire. Yes, anything at a desk or using my arms intensified it. Seriously a massage was my only relief. IT WORKED!

      I feel the massage just dispersed the inflammation. 😁 Who knows!

      I've cycled since with no issues but I find the longer I have this PMR and take steroids the more I need to ease into my exercise. I'm not good at that. To me 15 miles was nothing. Rhumy nurse said 5 miles!!!! Not 15!

      Please find a massage therapist, deep tissue of course.

      Pam

    • EileenH
      EileenH pam7653

      Posted

      Careful with deep tissue massage - it can release cytokines from other areas and make a PMR patient feel as if they are into a major flare! Not saying it will - it can!

      I was forbidden by the physio and the pain specialist to ride a bike because of my back problems - unless it was a reclining one. 

    • pam7653
      pam7653 EileenH

      Posted

      I'll keep that in mind Eileen, but I have to tell you it's the only thing working for me right now. For me it almost instant relief. Ive tried nearly everything. Everyday seems to be just another adventure. 😉
    • jancorb
      jancorb pam7653

      Posted

      I will try a gentle massage to begin with, meantime I'll try swimming, another of my favorites.

      I'll seek advice on my return to get an exercise plan for PMR, I've not found one online, but as we are all so different I suppose it's difficult .

    • EileenH
      EileenH jancorb

      Posted

      You are unlikely to find an exercise plan as such, for many patients, even when on pred, anything more than walking is a tall order - some can't even manage that! There is a clinical study ongoing where patients are being given pedometers and encouraged to increase their walking. 

      In terms of exercise it is really a case of finding something you can manage and enjoy and then trying to build it up gradually. In the first 5 years when I had PMR but wasn't on pred I did aqua-aerobics most mornings, at my level and in a warm pool, after which I could manage a Pilates class that was adapted for me. I also did Iyengha yoga classes, also very adapted. I couldn't swim - my shoulders wouldn't let me. Cycling was also a no-no, even on the static bikes at the gym. In fact, most gym equipment was beyond me and I even had to change gym to find one that had a pool.

      I also skied then - I started the season with a couple of very short runs with a good rest on the lift and built it up so by January I could ski for a couple of hours. I couldn't ski on consecutive days until towards the end of February. I found the hip movement in skiing really loosened me up - I crawled up to the top but when I came home I could walk normally! I had to give up skiing a few years ago - really miss it though.

    • leonard12916
      leonard12916 pam7653

      Posted

      Pam, did you get aother massage for  your foot and did it help again? 
  • EileenH
    EileenH leonard12916

    Posted

    It sounds as if it needs some RICE! Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation!

    I've used reflexology but only before PMR. Did the therapist work on that area? If it keeps getting worse it may be coincidence and it needs investigation.

  • leonard12916
    leonard12916

    Posted

    thanks for your thoughts on how to relieve a strained ankle, I wish there was a quick way to improve the situation.  On another matter, have any of you had an itchy sore scalp from your steroids?  This has started to be an issue for me lately as I approach 3 years on the meds.  Any suggestions for ointments that you've applied that have helped?  Should I start a new discussion around this question to get more members to be able to potentially share their ideas?

     

    • EileenH
      EileenH leonard12916

      Posted

      A new discussion might be a good idea Leonard yes.

      The time before last I washed my hair I noticed my scalp was itchy afterwards - but I had also started a new bottle of shampoo. This time I used some conditioner (I don't always) and it doesn't itch.

      I am inclined to wonder if it is a combination of drying scalp and the time of year - a lot more sun on your head. Your scalp can burn even if you have a fair bit of hair.

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