Why won't my ligaments heal?

[MerylSqueak]

Over a year ago I fell and hurt my ankle. Because I thought it would get better with the usual measures, like elevation, hot and cold compress etc I didn't go to the GP for a while. It then took about three months for an x-ray and physio referral to come through. She worked with me for about 8 months but nothing improved so she referred me on. I've been waiting for that for about three months now and have heard nothing.

The tendon that runs up the back of the leg was damaged but I think that's pretty much better now. It seems to me to be the ligaments over the ankle that are the problem. It hurts above and below the ankle. There is still swelling in the fleshy bit between the ankle and heel.

I'm trying to keep up with strengthening and stretching but am getting really frustrated and disheartened. Every time I make a real effort to do everything recommended, it just gets worse. If I totally rest it, it gets worse. Normal exercises are pretty much impossible. Even static cycling can set it off and the local swimming pool still isn't open. I'm getting so unfit I want to cry.

I know only a qualified person can really help me but I wondered if anyone had any suggestions.

Not much help but having ripped my shoulder tendon and after a recent ankle bone fracture I did some research.

Tendons and ligaments have very poor blood supply which explains slow healing. I had MRI on my shoulder and was told the tendon is hanging by a less than 1/4 of what it should be and the only way is to have a surgery to slice some of the bone and pin the tendon together. It would never heal by itself. I decided to leave it as it is because the bone shaving could trigger arthritis so basically I am careful how I use my arm, can't lift anything heavy with it.

I recently fractured my ankle bone and was told not to take any NSAIDS as they slow the healing process so I walk on it gently wearing supportive boots and hoping it gets better in time.

Thank you for that. I was told to take them by GP. It's all so confusing.

At the moment I have been told to do calf stretches, massage the tendons and apply ice and build up weight bearing. If I do all three, it gets worse. I am guessing I should concertedly go for one of them but I am not sure which, do I just do a little of each. This doesn't seem very effective though.

Sorry about your shoulder and ankle. I hope they improve soon.

Hopeful bump

And another one!

Have you actually had a firm diagnosis from an MRI scan? Electro nerve testing etc?

I fell and damaged my knee and the 4 major ligaments were irrevocably ruptured and could not heal or be repaired. I also did permanent damage to the peroneal nerve in my leg and never got full feeling back in my foot,

It's an MRI that I am waiting for. It's been three since the physio referred me on and I've heard nothing.

I'm sorry about your foot. That sounds awful.

Can you afford to go and see a sports physio privately?

I had an accident in 2014 and it's only just stopped swelling and being painful in the last 3-4 years. It's awful.

I'm wondering if I should @ItsAllGoingToBeFine. I'm getting really down about it. I used to run! The mere idea seems ridiculous now.

@Hotpinkangel19 sorry to hear that.

Seeing a private sports physio would be very dear for me. I'd like to understand better what they could do that the NHS physio couldn't. Anyone have any idea?

I tore ligaments in my back about 12 years ago, i do gentle yoga exercises. Walking sets it off, gardening can aggrivate it,have to be careful fluffing up my sofa cushions. Have learnt to live with it and get the sofa comfy take it easy with ligaments. A broken bone is encased in plaster for 6 weeks, a ligament is not.

@MerylSqueak

Seeing a private sports physio would be very dear for me. I'd like to understand better what they could do that the NHS physio couldn't. Anyone have any idea?

My understanding is that an NHS physios goal is to make you able to function, in every day life again ie be able to walk a short distance, dress and toilet yourself etc. They don't have the time or staff to get you back where you were.

A sports physio will be more focused on getting you back into your preferred sport at the same level you were (though you don't have to be any sort of athlete or even do sport). They will also be able to help you immediately rather than being on a waiting list which I think is important - you want things to heal right which means the right rehab.

It is expensive but when I have used them they have been great. I've been given homework away that caused real improvement, and they can tell you which to pain to ignore while you rehab because it will get better and your (in my case muscle) won't actually snap although it feels like it.

That does sound good. I might just have to bite the bullet. Difficult with Christmas coming up but really, I need to get back to exercise before I start developing problems with the rest of me.

Christmas present to yourself?

FWIW the ones I have used don't try and sell you 12 appointments or anything. I think I was recommended to come back in 2 weeks or something - they need you to do a lot of work between sessions.

Your health is really important, and it's not at all frivolous to spend money on it, especially when it's having such a knock-on effect on you.

Thank you. I'll have a look at what's available locally.

@MerylSqueak, as well as what @Itsallgoing says, you will v v likely get more time with sports physio at a single appt, than you would with NHS physio. And agree re different focus of sports physio.

Thanks.

Just as an aside, eat more foods that help healing.
Cabbage? Honey?

I saw a sports physio when I damaged my shoulder because the GP wanted to give me 6 weeks of anti-inflammatories before referring to NHS physio which was at least a 6 week waiting list (pre covid). The sports physio saw me the next day, performed manipulation to release the impinged nerve and infrared treatment to reduce the inflammation, plus a massage to reduce the tension right across my back, neck and other shoulder so I walked more balanced. I had a 60 min appt to start (cost £60) and then 45 mins a week for the next month (cost £40) plus had exercises and videos of stretches emailed to me. Recommend a sports physio to anybody, as another poster said they aim to get you back to what you want to be doing, rather than just functioning

Thank you for telling me about your sports physio.

I'll look into the food thing.