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Chronic pain

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Original poster

Where would you go if you had ankle pain that had lasted over 2 years?

38 replies

RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 20:38

I guess that makes it chronic but it isn’t so bad I can’t function.

it came on acutely around two years ago and I was struggling to walk when I got up but could walk it off in a few strides. At the time I didn’t think it needed a GP appnt and thought time would sort it. Two years down the line it’s an ongoing issue which comes and goes and prevents me from wearing a heel as the ankle is too weak to support the foot position.

it’s worth mentioning that on that side my hip is in a fixed position and has been for about 18 years due to manual work. My shoulder also has issues on that side and that knee used to trouble me when I ran years back. So I have a feeling it’s a muscular imbalance causing structural issues.

Im just not sure who to go to to unravel it.

OP posts:
ScribblingPixie · 25/04/2023 20:42

Have you done ankle exercises or worn an ankle support during that time?

Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 20:45

No! Well probably a very short stint of something but nothing consistently and no brace. I think if I literally couldn’t walk or if it had swollen up or looked bruised or something I’d have tried to make a GP appointment. But because visually it looks fine and I can walk I’ve just carried on.

OP posts:
JD90 · 25/04/2023 20:48

As your gp for a physio referral. The pain in your ankle likely won't just be related to your ankle but a collection of misaligned joints on that side from repetitive strain etc. They should be able to untangle everything for you.

Cantthinkofaname2203 · 25/04/2023 20:49

Physio.

if you can afford it make a private appt.

you’ll get seen quickly and they will assess and let you know if you need to go to the GP for further investigations.

Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 20:50

JD90 · 25/04/2023 20:48

As your gp for a physio referral. The pain in your ankle likely won't just be related to your ankle but a collection of misaligned joints on that side from repetitive strain etc. They should be able to untangle everything for you.

Yep I think that’s exactly it. I don’t mind going private but what am I looking for. Sports physio?

OP posts:
JD90 · 25/04/2023 20:54

Not necessarily sports physio, I'd just search local services and see whats available

ScribblingPixie · 25/04/2023 20:55

I'd see how long the wait is for your GP's physio first as it's free. Mine was terrific and got me pain-free although it took a few months with a really good regime that I still stick to.

PinkFootstool · 25/04/2023 20:56

Any physiotherapist really.

I have chronic foot pain from multiple injuries after initially falling down the bloody stairs 9yrs ago and ignoring the injury because I was far too busy and important to get it looked at 🙄.

I've since broken it multiple times - the last good injury I did to it in 2020 resulted in an xray. No break that time, but evidence of numerous previous and healed breaks... That's when I finally when saw a physiotherapist to prevent additional injuries.

So basically, don't be me! Get it looked at.

Sugarfree23 · 25/04/2023 20:58

Def physio, i don't know what the difference is between a physio and a sports physio although i think it might be marketing.

Cantthinkofaname2203 · 25/04/2023 20:59

try your local fb or just google.

we have one that specialises in injury rehab- people with disabilities etc. small gym attached for exercises and training. Had quite a few physical therapists as well which we actually found worked better than physio for us. They were more focussed on long term goals.

there’s another a bit far way which is attached to a large gym style gym. This suited us better as it was a sports injury so they were more understanding of the demands and recovery. They were also better with one off appts when needed.

find a couple of local physios, read the bios and specialities. Pick one that sounds as if they will understand your issue.

QuintanaRoo · 25/04/2023 21:05

Ask around locally for a decent physio. Nhs ones can be as good as private but it’s pot luck and you are sometimes limited to six sessions and they may be short. Saying that best physio I ever saw was an nhs one who sorted a chronic hip issue out in ten minutes. It’s reoccurred and my private physio has been fanning around for months with no improvement!

I will say if you see a physio you have to put the effort in yourself doing exercises you’re given. Ime a private one will also spend more appt time massaging muscles to loosen them up and maybe doing acupuncture and nhs ones are less likely to do this and more likely to focus on you doing stretches, etc. but yeah the one who grabbed hold of my leg and yanked it into place was a hero!

Cascais · 25/04/2023 21:10

https://www.rolfinguk.co.uk/

DiDonk · 25/04/2023 21:14

I've just been to see a podiatrist for insoles.

He analysed my gait, where my feet hit the floor, how I stood, and where I was unbalanced. Really amazing use of tech and cameras. Gives you clear advice on how physio etc can help

Whole thing, report with pics and two pairs of insoles will be 200 EUR - this is in France, most of which I'll get back from the health service.

Must be something similar in the UK.

Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 21:29

I do have flat feet which I’m sure doesn’t help. Although my mum also has flat feet and has never had any issues so I don’t know.

I’ve also just remember I badly sprained the same ankle as a teenager and it’s always had a swelling in a certain area on that ankle ever since. So I’m sure that also doesn’t help.

OP posts:
FadedRed · 25/04/2023 21:37

If you can get an appointment within a reasonable time, then start with your GP, who can refer you for X-ray/scan etc if necessary and advise you re appropriate referral to Podiatrist/Physio/Orthopaedic for example.

Quveas · 25/04/2023 21:41

RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 21:29

I do have flat feet which I’m sure doesn’t help. Although my mum also has flat feet and has never had any issues so I don’t know.

I’ve also just remember I badly sprained the same ankle as a teenager and it’s always had a swelling in a certain area on that ankle ever since. So I’m sure that also doesn’t help.

You see, I always had a bit of weakness in that ankle after a bad spain as a child when I fell off a slide in the playround. But you just get on with it, don't you? Latterly, a few years ago, on and off pain in the ankle, but you just get on with it, don't you? Then it started hurting all the time and got worse and worse over a couple of months, but you just get on with it, don't you?

Broken tibial bone caused by the damaged tibial tendon (no totally broken as well) that I was hobbling around on for two months because "ou just get on with it , don't you?" In other words, stop posting for remote diagnoses from a bunch of strangers and see a bloody doctor!!!! I now have almost no movement in that ankle because I had to have major surgery to place a metal frame in the foot to stop all the bones from floating apart due to the damaged tendons, ten weeks non-weight bearing recovery, and it will never be the same again. It might have ended up like that anyway, but it also might not have. But we'll never know because I didn't go to the bloody doctor either!!

Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 21:45

I don’t even m is if I can get to see a doctor in my surgery for a non emergency issue. I honestly don’t know how to do it as it’s triaged.

OP posts:
Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 21:45

*know

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 25/04/2023 21:48

Just see a physio. No GP is going to order an xray two years after the fact and they'll probably only refer you to a physio anyway! Don't waste their or your own time.

If a physio thinks you need to be seen by a doctor, they will tell you. Mine wrote to my GP and got me a Dexa scan (long family history of osteoporosis, all the unidentified breaks in my foot) without me even seeing the GP!

whatisheupto · 25/04/2023 22:02

I'd also recommend a good podiatrist

Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 22:07

Right I’m going to request a referral via the NHS app tomorrow and see what happens. My GP is pretty good at answering emails when it pertains to the children. So let’s see if anything happens.

OP posts:
EmmaBridgewaterMugs · 25/04/2023 22:14

I had a very bad ankle and it was caused by:

  1. old boots that had fallen down at the ankle and provided no support. I used them for dog walking and as soon as I switched to trainers the pain went.. coupled with…

  2. I had a very painful left shoulder and couldn’t stretch it upwards fully. I went to see a physio and basically it was linked to a stiff right hip which was linked to a strained left ankle.

So it’s interesting that you’re echoing similar things to me.

Definitely see a physio and I’d also recommend buying a massage gun as that works wonders.

Original poster
RudsyFarmer · 25/04/2023 22:22

Oh that’s so interesting. My shoulder can be incredibly painful and is again linked to a manual job where heavy lifting was all on one side for decades. I did see physios for that in the past but what really helped my shoulders in the end was walking whilst swinging my arms. Just recently I’ve had a bad flare though and the sane exercises haven’t helped but my partner massaging the area has.

I shall report back if I find anything else out or manage to get treatment. Thank you for all your amazing advice 💐💐💐

OP posts:
SchoolNightWine · 25/04/2023 22:42

DiDonk · 25/04/2023 21:14

I've just been to see a podiatrist for insoles.

He analysed my gait, where my feet hit the floor, how I stood, and where I was unbalanced. Really amazing use of tech and cameras. Gives you clear advice on how physio etc can help

Whole thing, report with pics and two pairs of insoles will be 200 EUR - this is in France, most of which I'll get back from the health service.

Must be something similar in the UK.

I'd highly recommend a podiatrist too. I saw an MSK podiatrist a year ago and she recommended orthotics which have sorted my Achilles tendinitis/tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, as well as knee and hip pain I was getting because of the way I walked. £100 for the appointment and £200 for orthotics (north west England), but worth every penny for now being pain free.

gillyweed · 25/04/2023 23:00

@schoolnightwine could you pls link to your physi/podiatry? - same region and all sorts of issues with my feet/foot that I need sorting!!!