HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Been Having Pain And Swelling In Achilles Tendon And Lateral

Posted on Thu, 15 Dec 2022

Question: Been having pain and swelling in Achilles tendon and lateral side of ankle off and on for months but has been constant and getting worse the past week. Any time I’m up walking on it it swells and is very painful.
I have tried ibuprofen Tylenol Icing and massage.

I had a midfoot fusin, Calcaneal graft and a gastroc procedure done this past XXXXXXX I was non weight bearing for 10 weeks in a cast then was in walking boot for another 4-6 weeks .I have been walking about a month now and now I’m having this issue.

I am worried I am gonna have to go back into a walking boot but not sure what I should do or what it could be.

Here are a few pics of the area of swelling
And a comparison to right foot

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query

It would be a normal finding for a few months after and extensive procedure as you’ve mentioned. It’s extremely important to keep the limb elevated whenever you can to help drain away swelling.

However, if the pain is getting worse, I would suggest getting an X-ray to see if everything is in place and there haven’t been any problems.

In most cases ifv there are no problems, The swelling can take 4-6 months to subside.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Thanking you.

Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. LAKSHMI

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (17 hours later)

Thank you for ur reply. This area was never swollen or painful like it is now. I find my Achilles getting super tight and it will snap at times. I massage it frequently and stretch it as well as my calf area to keep it loose but it’s not helping. I have been limping today pretty bad because adding on it at times is so painful.
The area in the picture is swollen all the time but gets really bad after being on it.
What possibly could it be? Is it the tendon? Pain has been constant for about a week now but the last 2 days it’s been very painful to the point of not being able to sleep at night.
What could an x ray show?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer

Detailed Answer:
What’s important at this stage is to see if the midfoot fusion and calcaneal graft has been taken up or have they failed or displaced pressing on the tendon

Swelling from such an operation can take even a year months to get better. Since the pain is getting worse with the swelling, an X-ray will be ideal to see the status of the graft update if successful or not, presence of any infection or blood clots.

If the X-ray shows everything good and in place, you can get an ultrasound Doppler to rule out blood clots which can be common in such extensive operations causing increased heaviness of the foot with pain.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (22 hours later)

Ok so the swelling and pain is not in the sight where the fusion took place. It’s in the Achilles and lateral side of ankle. If that makes sense. My fusion was in my midfoot this pain is in a different area.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi there. Yes, you’ve mentioned this before as well. The Achilles tendon is inserted into the Calcaneus bone. You’ve mentioned that Calcaneal grafting was done which is why swelling can take place in that region around the heel.

To find out the cause of the swelling you can get MRI if you believe the cause isn’t from the calcaneum. An MRI scan will reveal regions of inflammation, infection or trauma very clearly and can help with the diagnosis

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana