I broke my fibula in late November after falling down a flight of stairs. I had ankle surgery and now have a plate and seven screws. I've been weight-bearing for about 3 to 4 weeks and I've been doing a lot of physical therapy. However, I still have some severe burning/stinging on the inside of my ankle, which is the opposite side of where it was broken. It's gotten worse lately, which may be due to the PT and more use? I still have a lot of swelling (which I think is normal) and I also still have a lot of tightness, particularly around the Achilles. Anyone have any thoughts?
I'm sorry to hear ofvyour pain and struggles. What does your foot look like? Is it tight looking and shiny? Is it a different colour than your good foot? I would go back to your Dr and ask him to look at your foot again. I did same late Nov and I'm not weight bearing yet. They diagnosed me with RSD or CRPS so that is why my foot has not moved forward, literally. It is stiff and not moving much. I'm in Physio and water therapy each day one or the other. Don't give up, you'll get there, but Physio should not make you worse no matter what they say. Good luck 👣
The coloring is not bad. It's a bit more red than my good foot, but both my doctor and PT say it's normal. The swelling is really bad, particularly later in the day, and I also lose a lot of the feeling in my toes at times (I think that has to do with swelling and circulation). I'm also a diabetic and so that will probably slow my recovery. I'm just hoping the burning/stinging is normal and that there's not something else wrong with my leg. The burning/stinging is much worse after PT and after I walk on it a lot.
It's early days yet. This is my second experience of break followed by plate and screws. it's going slower this time, probably due to the fact that my bones and I are 15 years older. Be assertive with the medical profession. Ask questions. They sometimes assume you know why things are hurting or swelling. I have not been offered Physio but find gentle regular massaging and walking are bringing progress. all the best with your road to recovery
Some doctors also tend to treat just the injury rather than the 'Whole Person'
Hello. It is normal to have weird senations of burning & twinges. Its also normal to have swelling both on and around your ankle. If you are not happy though, go and get your doctor to take a look. I broke my ankle and had surgery end of September and still limping due to the severe swelling which is worse at the end of my 10 hour work shift
This forum is amazing and these folks are enduring their injuries - we all have individual issues, some similar, some not. Be your own advocate, use your voice to tell them how you are progressing, the swelling is part of this injury. I try and put my foot up after having it down several times a day even for short stints. I never found ice good for me but massage and water is. I use Epson salts in my bath water 1 cup.....never give up you are doing better than you think! Take care and keep in 👣
I broke my ankle in Jan and I am still non weight bearing, but I have been experiencing a lot of pain, burning inside my ankle. I was told that it is nerve endings firing as they heal.
My main issue is that anytime I don't have my foot propped up it becomes very tight and extremely uncomfortable. I have read where people were up doing things around their house while using a wheel chair or crutches, if I am up for just a matter of minutes I am very uncomfortable and can't wait to prop it back up. Is this normal or is something wrong?
I had the same tingling problem but no burning. My foot was very stiff too. Dr told me to keep moving.I walked a lot. The stiffness gotthen better and tingling too. Still have swelling. It does take a long time yo heal. You wiil get better. Ice it down an elevate it at night.
What is RSD and CRPS?
Hi Leele I'm in the same boat but longer since Nov 27. I have a very stiff ankle/ heel with burning. I'm not weight bearing and in chair. I move around a lot with foot down but like elevating it regularity. Water helps it feel good with salts added. Have you been back to Dr. Are you in Physio? What do they say besides nerves firing which I Think is true. Mine has developed what they call RSD and I'm working hard each day with Physio and care aid to get it moving so I can weight bear for walking. This has been more than a test of faith but I am hopeful - be patient but don't be afraid to ask questions. I did and I'm glad I did. I also have very good doctors so that's a Blessing. Take care and keep on your going get there. 👣
It is called complex regional pain syndrome, basically the nervous system not firing right from the brain. It's not a good diagnosis for me but they caught it early, I'm hopeful but realize I'm in for the long haul. There are posting here on the forum under it, but don't concern yourself with it you most likely don't have it. It's one in 40000 people get it after a injury, break or surgery. I never heard of it but I know it now....thank God for Internet to give us info as some Doctirs don't even know about it. It used to go by RSD but they changed the name. I hope this helps....take care....👣
I am still in a cast, so soaking is out. What is RSD? I go back to the doctor week after next, guess I will start PT after that. Right now, just in limbo. I have a list of questions written down for my doctor.
Same break and plate and 7 screws. The sensations are part for the course. Massaging the area helps, I have been told that this could last a year or more. I also bought a TENS machine for relief as well. I am very active and after being released from pt I am now looking to have the hardware removed, to relieve the sensations, stiffness and increase my range of motion. Good luck, I hope this helped.
Thank you, all information helps. I can't massage yet, still in cast a cast.
I have a lot of pain on the inside of the ankle if anything is touching it. When they put the full cast on I had to take lots of painkillers. Now I have a boot and as long as I keep the side of the boot from touching the inside ankle, I have no pain.
Thank you
What you are experiencing is normal as part of the healing process.
I had surgery at end of Sept and still get odd twinges and burning sensations, even in my heal which I didn't damage.
My ankle always feels tight even though I prop up my foot,bathe my feet in warm water , massage my foot & ankle with Aquarius cream twice a day.
It appears to go to sleep if I drive for 20 minutes or more resulting in me limping badly. I was totally reliant on my wheelchair and crutches, when I tried putting my foot down to pwb, the pain, pins and needles sensation made me resort back to my crutches for comfort and security. I decided that I would have to accept the sensations even though uncomfortable or have a longer journey to recovery. I am back at work, and driving unaided but I am still having 30 minutes physio every three weeks as I still can't squat fully and am not confident on uneven services or ramps yet, but this will come in time, I'm sure.
Thanks Paul
Hi. I have read a couple of posts stating that they are looking to have hardware removed. What risk is involved? and surely removal would weaken the bone and prolong recovery again? I regret having my 3 screws and if possible would have them removed but am reluctant to go through this long journey to recovery again
Paul, I have seen these posts also. After going through all of this, I sure don't want to do it again.