Please Help

I injured myself the first part of sept 2007 where I sprained (so I was initially diagnosed) my left ankle pretty badly. When Physical Therapy didnt work I was sent to an Ortho. Had MRI in Oct which presented possible torn achillies in a verticle format. 6 weeks later in a boot, it was removed and my ROM was still less then 2% and the pain factor was high. A cortison shot given into the ankle proceeded to swell my ankle up to softball sized again. I was then referred to a podiatrist who wanted me to get back into PT. to loosen tendonitise that was apparent. Agony again to a point I could not walk after my 5th session. I was then put back in a boot and sent to a Pain Mgmt Doctor. From there I was given a nerve block to rule our RSD (which had no effect) and a Triple Phase Bone Scan. Bone scan showed normal blood flow and bone in my injured leg, but showed abnormalities in my "good" foot. Is this from the last 7 months of overcompensation?? Now I am waiting for an EMG becuase my bad ankle is now twitching in my arch of foot and big toe (Would this be from still being in a boot since Jan??). But I also managed to somehow get a piece of glass in the bottom of my bad foot and didnt realize it till blood saturated my sock and I saw it. I know I have feeling in my foor still, but it feels swollen alot and I have to move my toes to make sure I have feeling. The pain is horrible and burning under the ball of my ankle and up the back of my leg into my calf. I started swelling up again to about a baseball size in my injured ankle and its constant pain.

It has been 7 months and I have gotten no better. I have been on Vicodin, Vicoprofin, Ladicane patches, neurotin, lyicra, diladen (just after the spine injection) motrin, ... im sure more. Nothin helps the pain .

What can I ask the neurologist when I see him? If the EMG shows nothing, what can I expect next? Is there a chance that they will just open my ankle and find out what is happening to me?? I am only 27 years old female with 3 kids I have to take care of on my own, I have to be able to walk and work. Please advise.

[Cookie122]

Is it possible that you have an infection of some kind? Bone infection, infection from the glass, splinter, bug bite,...? I can't believe that they wouldn't have tested for an infection of some sort, but you never know. Besides RSD, I don't know what it could be and you already had RSD tests.

[savvysgirl]

These problems happened immediately following my injury. It seems like they are progressing now where im losing feeling in my foot and having almost electrical like feelings in the back of my ankle and toes. The twitching is pretty new (about 2 weeks) but the pain has never gone away.

[Cookie122]

The reason I asked about infection is because the sprain may have caused an infection in your foot that has progressed. As obsured as that sounds simple things like that have happened and people didn't realize it and it got out of control. How exactly it would have happened I don't know, something torn inside your foot released something into your system... Don't rule out the impossible or obsured. Like I said it could be caused by such a little thing as an infection that has gone undiagnoised and untreated.

[savvysgirl]

I would just figure that an MRI or Bone scan triple phase would have identified that but I dont have a degree so its certainly worth asking. I do have an appointment with a Neuro tomorrow and an EMG. I am hoping it shows something just to have an answer and know what i have to do to get better.

I had an episode the other day (and this might be TMI) but my BF and I were engaged in intimacy and when I peaked (you know how the toes will point) well i think it was the farthest that my foot has pointed in 7 months. The pain completely over claimed the moment and I almost fainted. It was horrible!!! Of course the BF wanted to take claim to the glory and think he did it to me, but from then till now, walking has become next to impossible. Now how do I explain this one tomorrow ... lol.

[Cookie122]

LOL

Keep us posted on what the docs say

[savvysgirl]

Ok went there, swollen as anything @ 10:00 am this morning. People can't believe i have dealt with this the last 7 months. Doc does his exam reflexes watches me walk (or more like stump around) does EMG and then a muscle test .... everything shows normal.

How is it that it can possibly show normal WHEN I CANT ROTATE MY ANKLE!?!? The doc has to physically move my ankle left, right, up and down with me shrieking and crying in pain>?

What now>? Oh and he did laugh at the previous comment :>)

[Cookie122]

I think it might be time to go to a different doctor for at least a second and maybe third opinion. Apparently this doctor is missing something and you can't continue to live you life like that.