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What Causes Swelling Around The Wound Site After An Ankle Surgery?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Feb 2017
Question: I broke my distal fibula 12 months ago today. It was a weber b fracture and I was put in a cast for 6 weeks. I broke it slipping in mud and true end my ankle first inwards then out. It didn't heal. A small fracture was also discovered at the top of my fibula. After a ct scan i had an op in May and 2 screws inserted. These moved and the fracture widened so I had a plate and 6 screws put in end July. These hadn't moved on X-ray in sept but the bone couldn't be seen to tell if it was healing. I was signed off from the surgeon to have physio. Mobilisation hasn't been easy, had neuropathic pain and put on gabapentin last month. This has helped and I sleep better but my rom is limited, i can point and flex the foot reasonably ok butI can't bend my knee over my foot well , it just doesn't move. It feels like I have a tight band around my ankle. My ankle is swollen around the injury, I continue to have red itchy spots around the site and scar, it is excruitiating at the site of the fracture to raise to the ball of my foot and I still can't walk down steps as the rom isn't there. My toes also tingle after walking and climbing stairs. Could it be the plate causing the problem? Should I look to get it removed? Or is this about right for my stage of recovery. I am so fed up with limping around and really want to stop gaba pent in sometime. Could it be arthritis ?
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Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Needs Xray

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query

The could be various reasons for the joint stiffness, like disuse stiffness, arthritis, implant block.

I suggest you get an Xray of the ankle done. Then the problem can be addressed. If the fracture has healed but the implant is causing a block, the implant can be removed. Even arthritis can be found on the Xray.

Do hey physiotherapy done for ROM of the ankle.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Aashish Raghu

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 5482 Questions

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What Causes Swelling Around The Wound Site After An Ankle Surgery?

Brief Answer: Needs Xray Detailed Answer: Hi there Thanks for the query The could be various reasons for the joint stiffness, like disuse stiffness, arthritis, implant block. I suggest you get an Xray of the ankle done. Then the problem can be addressed. If the fracture has healed but the implant is causing a block, the implant can be removed. Even arthritis can be found on the Xray. Do hey physiotherapy done for ROM of the ankle. I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. Regards, Dr. Aashish Raghu