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Cannot cope with ankle pain

14 replies

Ataxicbrother · 21/12/2019 15:12

I wrote last month about my ankle; quick backstory, my son's dad badly broke my leg (from ankle to knee). As a teen I refused any surgery, and thought it was OK.

A few years ago I developed arthritis in the ankle. I've had insoles and physiotherapy but in the end I needed to have a steroid injection, this worked beautifully.

A year later needed another one...this hasn't worked, and in fact has made my ankle severely worse. I limp (hobble) which I've never had before. I cannot bear to put weight on it, and when I try to walk upstairs it feels like it's coming out of the socket. The pain is agonising.

I went to urgent care on 5/11 and they x-rayed it, and couldn't see anything, so said I probably sprained it or torn a ligament(I hadn't I had NO injury, it just got steadily worse after the injection till I could no longer walk properly).

I was prescribed a foot splint thing, which actually stopped me being able to walk at all, as it presses into my joint. I've done ice, putting my feet up, ibuprofen gel etc.

My GP sent me for another X-ray, which the hospital refused, due to no new injury, but suggested a scan. They didn't tell the GP this!!!!

So it's been 2 1/2 months now. A sprain would be getting better, but this is getting worse.

I saw my GP who has referred me for an urgent scan, and has prescribed antibiotics as my foot is hot and red (well there are purple marks over where the injection was).

The thing that's frustrating me is that although my ankle keeps giving way, it's actually the point on top of my foot/ankle that is agony if touched, and you can feel a dent then a bone sticking up.

It's upsetting DD as if she accidentally brushes my foot when I'm sitting I scream and she cries. I have to crawl upstairs. I'm just so depressed as I can't even get things for christmas.

OP posts:
Ataxicbrother · 21/12/2019 15:16

Oh and I forgot that it also very swollen and the foot is higher than the other one.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/12/2019 15:20

Ouch,that sounds awful. Can you go back to your GP and see if they refer you as something is clearly wrong. Soft tissue damage can be agony. Did you have physio after the break? Do you use ice packs?

Ataxicbrother · 21/12/2019 15:22

I went to the GP yesterday and he is sending me for a scan. Yes I had physio after the break (it was 30 years ago). I've been using ice, but it makes no difference and actually gives me really painful pins and needles.

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/12/2019 15:43

Do you use the I've just for 10 mins at a time? Are you regularly taking pain killers? I'm sorry,I skim read and you had already said you saw the GP. I hope your scan comes through quickly. Do you have any metal work in your leg?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/12/2019 15:53

**ice

Ataxicbrother · 21/12/2019 16:11

No I refused to have it dealt with properly as I knew my mum would be angry with me. I have no idea how antibiotics will help

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/12/2019 18:08

Why would your mum be angry if you had your ankle pinned ?

BritInUS1 · 21/12/2019 18:13

If it is hot and red then you may have an infection which is what the antibiotics will help with

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/12/2019 18:14

Yes,I imagine the GP suspects an infection hence the antibiotics.

VivaLeBeaver · 21/12/2019 18:16

Get referred to ortho and ask for an mri. I’ve had chronic ankle pain for over a year, no injury and X-ray was fine. Mri has shown tendon issues, and serious stress reactions/fractures in my fibula and a cyst in the middle of the bone. 12 months on and New mri Shows the fractures are healed, the tendons look better and the cyst remains so I’m having surgery on Monday to remove it. But it needed an mri to see it.

VivaLeBeaver · 21/12/2019 18:19

Also steroid injections if they do it in the wrong place by accident can cause tendon ruptures......so that’s possible if you say it got worse following the second injection.

I had a steroid injection privately and the nhs consultant was horrified and said they could have caused the problem. I pointed out in my case my ankle was no worse since the injection, it just hadn’t helped.

Ataxicbrother · 21/12/2019 19:15

Viva I hope the surgery helps, such a horrible time of year for it though Flowers

I don't know if it's an MRI I've been referred for, only know that it was for a scan.

Thanks for all your replies Flowers

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VivaLeBeaver · 21/12/2019 19:24

Could be an ultrasound or a CT scan or an MRI....I’ve had all 3. MRI showed the problems the best, ultrasound was useless and I don’t think they saw much on the CT scan. I think with CT and MRI one is better for bones and one for soft tissue/tendons?

Thanks, I only found out yesterday that I’m having it done on Monday.....think I got a cancellation spot!

longtompot · 21/12/2019 22:56

It sounds like you may have something called CRPS. My eldest dd has this, has done for 10 years. Maybe look it up and see if there are any similarities.

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