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I Am Having Back Surgery On Friday. Ten Days Ago
Question: I am having back surgery on Friday. Ten days ago I woke up at 4 AM with severe deep pain in my right ankle. It felt swollen and warm to the touch. I had done nothing to it as far as I know. I nursed it around all weekend and finally gave in to the pain and went to an emergency center. The physician's assistant had no information as to why this would be occurring. She ordered blood work and it came back as having high white count. She put me on antibiotics and still no relief in the pain. Could the infection be entirely something different, and what is your assessment on the pain in my ankle. It is in the right ankle which is the side that I have experienced sciatica in for years. Is that inflamation causing pain now in my ankle or could it be something else?
Brief Answer:
It is unlikely to be related to previous sciatica. Gout can be a possible cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I do not think the problems you are having now with the ankle are related to previous sciatica you had years ago.
The quickly swollen and warm ankle can be caused by a joint infection or gout. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Your doctor has already given you antibiotics to cover possible infection.
As for gout, anti-inflammatories are needed. In this case, ibuprofen in high doses taken regularly is recommended. Using cold compresses may be helpful to reduce inflammation. You may need to raise up the leg when you are not walking so the swelling is not worsened.
You should avoid aspirin as it is found to make it worse. Avoid alcohol with diet and also avoid a high protein diet (meat, fish, eggs, etc).
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe colchicine or steroids to control the symptoms if non-steroid anti-inflammatories are not working.
I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
It is unlikely to be related to previous sciatica. Gout can be a possible cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I do not think the problems you are having now with the ankle are related to previous sciatica you had years ago.
The quickly swollen and warm ankle can be caused by a joint infection or gout. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Your doctor has already given you antibiotics to cover possible infection.
As for gout, anti-inflammatories are needed. In this case, ibuprofen in high doses taken regularly is recommended. Using cold compresses may be helpful to reduce inflammation. You may need to raise up the leg when you are not walking so the swelling is not worsened.
You should avoid aspirin as it is found to make it worse. Avoid alcohol with diet and also avoid a high protein diet (meat, fish, eggs, etc).
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe colchicine or steroids to control the symptoms if non-steroid anti-inflammatories are not working.
I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
So Gout can be in your ankle? I do not drink.
Brief Answer:
Gout offten affects ankles
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
Ankles are very often affected by gout. The joint at the toe is another commonly affected joint in some patients.
It is good you do not drink. Be mindful of the rest of the advices related to pain killers and diet.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Gout offten affects ankles
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
Ankles are very often affected by gout. The joint at the toe is another commonly affected joint in some patients.
It is good you do not drink. Be mindful of the rest of the advices related to pain killers and diet.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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