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What Causes Pain In Ankle While Walking Post Treatment For Calcaneus Fracture?
Question: Hi Dr XXXXXXX
I have been to see my consultant with my calcaneum fracture. The bone has healed well and I can now weight bear and can try a trainer for a short while. I am now able to walk up the stairs and down with my crutch and am walking with one crutch around the house. I have more exercises to do from my Physio who is also pleased with foot. I am at week 8 tomorrow, but the problem I am having is my left side ankle (injured foot left) is just really painful on walking. The consultant checked it on the x Ray and himself and there is nothing evident. The Physio also checked and says its just weak. It is more painful than the break was or the bruising. I have been doing the extra exercises but cannot weight bear in bare feet on the injured foot alone. One of the exercises is to weight bear just on the injured foot. It does seem ok first thing in the morning but by mid morning it's starts to get painful. I have tried Ibruprofen Gel and a Deep Heat at different times but nothing seems to help. It is swollen all the time and the skin is also sore to touch. I feel I have taken a step back!! If I didn't have this I would be walking without my crutches!! It doesn't matter what I am wearing, boot, trainers, heavy based pumps etc, the pain will be there. I wear the boot in the morning to get my chores done and then change to trainers etc around mid-day. I would just like to know why this is happening and if you know what it might be.
Thank you
XXXX
I have been to see my consultant with my calcaneum fracture. The bone has healed well and I can now weight bear and can try a trainer for a short while. I am now able to walk up the stairs and down with my crutch and am walking with one crutch around the house. I have more exercises to do from my Physio who is also pleased with foot. I am at week 8 tomorrow, but the problem I am having is my left side ankle (injured foot left) is just really painful on walking. The consultant checked it on the x Ray and himself and there is nothing evident. The Physio also checked and says its just weak. It is more painful than the break was or the bruising. I have been doing the extra exercises but cannot weight bear in bare feet on the injured foot alone. One of the exercises is to weight bear just on the injured foot. It does seem ok first thing in the morning but by mid morning it's starts to get painful. I have tried Ibruprofen Gel and a Deep Heat at different times but nothing seems to help. It is swollen all the time and the skin is also sore to touch. I feel I have taken a step back!! If I didn't have this I would be walking without my crutches!! It doesn't matter what I am wearing, boot, trainers, heavy based pumps etc, the pain will be there. I wear the boot in the morning to get my chores done and then change to trainers etc around mid-day. I would just like to know why this is happening and if you know what it might be.
Thank you
XXXX
Brief Answer:
You may be having post traumatic stiffness.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It may be due to post traumatic stiffness if x ray is normal. You are likely to get benefited by active mobilisation excercises of ankle. Physiotherapy will help. Elevation of foot and ankle during resting period will help. Pain is likely to reduce gradually with passage of time. You can take analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. Avoid to keep limb dependent will reduce swelling and pain. Such swelling and pain is usual after such fractures.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
You may be having post traumatic stiffness.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It may be due to post traumatic stiffness if x ray is normal. You are likely to get benefited by active mobilisation excercises of ankle. Physiotherapy will help. Elevation of foot and ankle during resting period will help. Pain is likely to reduce gradually with passage of time. You can take analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. Avoid to keep limb dependent will reduce swelling and pain. Such swelling and pain is usual after such fractures.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hi
Thank you for that but what do you mean by 'avoid to keep limb dependant'?.
Thank you
XXXX
Thank you for that but what do you mean by 'avoid to keep limb dependant'?.
Thank you
XXXX
Brief Answer:
It means avoid keeping foot hanging.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It means you should avoid keeping foot lowered( hanging) except during walking. It should be supported on table or stool during sitting so that fluid doesn't accumulate in ankle and foot.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Everything else already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho
Wishing you good health
Take care
It means avoid keeping foot hanging.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It means you should avoid keeping foot lowered( hanging) except during walking. It should be supported on table or stool during sitting so that fluid doesn't accumulate in ankle and foot.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Everything else already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho
Wishing you good health
Take care
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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