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Chronic pain

My ankle is still causing me pain when I start to walk. It’s been nearly two months now.

18 replies

FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 09:59

I have no idea what’s going on with it. When I walk a fair distance I’m fine. When I’m standing, sitting, laying down - no pain at all. No swelling or heat. No injury, I’m pretty sedentary so no sports have done it.

I can’t even properly identify the pain. When I strike off into a walk from a standing or sitting position I limp for quite a while. I can’t flex through the ankle properly to stride properly until I get going. The pain seems to be on the inside and outside of the ankle but I also feel tightness in the front and back. It’s easier to walk on tiptoes than it is to put my weight on my flat foot.

I just don’t know what to do. I’m worried it’s going to start impacting my knee and hip joint. Do I need a doctor or a physio?

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CovidCorvid · 25/11/2021 10:09

Physio initially. Ask around for a decent one. I've had similar for 3 years now. Can't flex my ankle, hurts to point toes up or down, pain and tightness at the back and clunks and pain at the front.

Physio ended up doing a steroid injection and found a lump. I had a cyst in the bone and ended up with surgery. Also had a torn tendon which was repaired. Still not right though.

If you go to the gp they'll only refer you for physio initially. Though I guess that might be on the nhs.

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JustButtingIn · 25/11/2021 10:12

Definitely see a physio. Check your area you may be able to contact your NHS physio department directly.

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 10:18

@CovidCorvid

Physio initially. Ask around for a decent one. I've had similar for 3 years now. Can't flex my ankle, hurts to point toes up or down, pain and tightness at the back and clunks and pain at the front.

Physio ended up doing a steroid injection and found a lump. I had a cyst in the bone and ended up with surgery. Also had a torn tendon which was repaired. Still not right though.

If you go to the gp they'll only refer you for physio initially. Though I guess that might be on the nhs.

You’ve scared me now 🥴

Deep heat helps which makes me wonder if it’s muscular. I just don’t know. I’m going to start doing a daily stretching regime to see if it improves it. Then my next step is a physio.
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Bramshott · 25/11/2021 10:45

I think if you have something like a ligament or tendon injury it's quite normal (a) for it to be painful on getting moving as it's cold and stiff then; and (b) for it to take several months to improve.

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 10:50

I’ve been sitting on the floor stretching and flexing my foot for the last 15 mins and the pain has lessened. I’m going to get up and walk and see if the pain is as strong. I too think it could be a tendon. Let’s see.

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 10:51

Yeah much much worse. My angle doesn’t like that at all 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 10:52

*ankle

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 10:56

It’s also worth noting that I have flat feet. My mother also has flat feet and it’s never affected her negatively. She’s eighty now and has no issues with her mobility. I do wonder though whether my flat feet might be exacerbating this.

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OssieShowman · 25/11/2021 11:05

I have similar, it’s similar pain to plantar fasciitis or heel spur.
Doctor said just rest. First thing in morning it’s been agony.

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 13:50

So I’ve just finished my first session of yoga from the app and my who left side is completely tight. My shoulder has had issues for 17 years, my hip i knew was closed from being unable to horse ride anymore and now my ankle on the same side. Just that hour of stretching has helped. I’m going to do it everyday and report back to see if my ankle starts to improve.

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endofthelinefinally · 25/11/2021 13:56

Flat feet cause many different problems from foot pain, knee and hip pain all the way up through back pain to jaw pain and headache.
I would recommend seeing a chiropodist who does biomechanical assessments. When you go, wear shorts under track suit bottoms so that they can see you walk without your legs being covered.
Orthotics that are properly fitted can make a huge difference and prevent everything getting worse.

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actiongirl1978 · 25/11/2021 14:06

I have physio diagnosed achilles tendonitis and that's how it feels a lot of the time for me.

Could be an achilles problem.

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 14:10

@endofthelinefinally

Flat feet cause many different problems from foot pain, knee and hip pain all the way up through back pain to jaw pain and headache.
I would recommend seeing a chiropodist who does biomechanical assessments. When you go, wear shorts under track suit bottoms so that they can see you walk without your legs being covered.
Orthotics that are properly fitted can make a huge difference and prevent everything getting worse.

Thank you xx
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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 14:12

@actiongirl1978

I have physio diagnosed achilles tendonitis and that's how it feels a lot of the time for me.

Could be an achilles problem.

I feel like the main issue is actually the top of the foot. When the foot/ankle meets the shin. That’s why I can’t walk normally as I can’t flex my foot/ankle properly at the beginning to drive the walk.
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dreamingbohemian · 25/11/2021 14:23

I would try to see the GP first, yes they will refer you to physio but might also get you an x-ray

I'm having similar issues and so far it looks like I had a small stress fracture which has led to tendonitis (waiting on MRI). I have no memory of injuring it btw.

The GP said ankle pain that comes and goes can be because of a bone shard floating around so X-ray is a good idea.

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CovidCorvid · 25/11/2021 15:21

Could be anterior ankle impingement. I think I have this as well as a peroneal tendon issue (that was the one that was torn) and an issue with my achillies tendon. My calf on that side feels very tight and almost like the calf muscle is going to burst from too much pressure from the inside. The calf throbs a lot. I also have very flat feel and saw a podiatrist who custom made me some orthotics which have made no difference whatsoever.

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FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 17:13

Wow there feels like so much can go wrong when we age. Kind of frightening if I overthink it.

I am secretly hopeful the stretching im planning on doing daily might help as it definitely feels less painful now I’ve properly stretched through the 45 mins of beginner yoga I did today. If it’s muscular then I suspect it might improve. If there’s something structural at play it won’t and I’ll need to see a professional.

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lljkk · 25/11/2021 18:00

I have or have had a zillion chronic niggles in my life. Physio never cured any of it. Time got me better, though. I'm only carrying manageable niggles right now. I hope you have better results than me.

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