Chronic Ankle Pain: when should I seek medical attention?!
Question: I had a severe ankle sprain happen about eight months ago that landed me in a boot for 6 weeks. When I went to the specialist for my last appointment I told him I was still having pain. He said that there would be chronic pain.
However, lately the pain has been almost unbearable. I work in child care and it is starting to interfere with my job. I have also noticed it popping and grinding a lot and when I pull my ankle up there seems to be what feels/looks like a fluid sac. I'm not sure if I should go back to the specialist or just suck it up and keep taking anti-inflamatory medicine. When is the right time to go see a doctor for this?
Answers: I had a severe ankle sprain happen about eight months ago that landed me in a boot for 6 weeks. When I went to the specialist for my last appointment I told him I was still having pain. He said that there would be chronic pain.
However, lately the pain has been almost unbearable. I work in child care and it is starting to interfere with my job. I have also noticed it popping and grinding a lot and when I pull my ankle up there seems to be what feels/looks like a fluid sac. I'm not sure if I should go back to the specialist or just suck it up and keep taking anti-inflamatory medicine. When is the right time to go see a doctor for this?
From what you describe it sounds like the tissue that holds the tibia and fibula together at your ankle is tight and not allowing the talus (bone in the foot that meets the leg) to roll up in between them. In turn this pinches structures in between the bones and then you have pain and swelling. I would suggest that you go back to the doc and get a referral to see a physical therapist. The PT should assist you in getting back this motion to normalize the way your ankle moves. The motion that you are lacking probably is called Dorsiflexion. This is not something that is just gonna become normal on its own or that you can do by yourself most likely.
When it impairs your daily functioning and ability to work, that is the time to go back. If his consultation is not helpful at get at least one additional opinion before packing it in.