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Suggest Treatment For Severe Ankle Pain

Posted on Thu, 16 Mar 2017

Question: I've been having severe ankle pain for the past week and a half. I went to the doctor yesterday and they did a CT scan. The doctor said they couldn't find anything wrong with my ankle, and that it wasn't sprained or broken. I'm still having severe pain everyday. I did just recently have reconstructive leg surgery but my ankle wasn't hurting at all until after my mom was trying to excercise my foot and ankle. She did rotate it in a 360 motion and pull it to the side it's hurting. They said it could be inflamed, I can't pick it up or move it without sharp jolts of pain, please help.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ankle tenosynovitis due to post-operative stiffness

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thank you for posting the question.

I have gone through the question in detail.

It seems that due to prolonged post-operative immobilisation after the leg reconstructive surgery,the ankle and its surrounding ligaments,tendons may have undergone stiffness .

After a certain period of immobilisation,when the physiotherapy mobilisation exercises are started,such pain and inflammation is expected for few days.
The CT scan has already confirmed that there is no other abnormality. So i do not think there is anything to worry about.

Ankle active and passive exercises,preferably done by a physiotherapist should be enough.

Ankle supportive caps /braces should be worn for support.

Anti-inflammatiory tablets with muscle relaxants and local analgesic gel application with hot fomentation will be helpful.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (28 minutes later)

Ok but the pain started almost 2 weeks ago, and it hasnt really stopped. I habemt been able to really put any weight on it without it hurting really bad. Ive had to stop going to PT. All of that is normal?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Query answered

Detailed Answer:
How much is the ankle range of movements now?

Has PT helped to regain full range of movements?

A raised uric acid levels in blood or blocked veins can rarely cause such symptoms.

You can get these checked by blood test and a color doppler respectively.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (19 hours later)

I talked to another doctor and they said that a CT scan doesnt show soft tissue and that its probaby a ankle sprain. I dont have much range or motion in my foot. I can move my toes a little or my foot somewhat up and down. My PT was working on getting my function back and I was putting weight on my foot at 50% before i hurt myself. I habe some ace bandage wrapped around the ankle but i'm still in pain. Should I put heat on it?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Query answered

Detailed Answer:
Yes,putting heat on it will definitely ease out the muscles and tendons and help release the stiffness.

You can gradually increase the weight on the affected limb as tolerated.

Continue using the bandage during weight bearing.

Thank you

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