talus fx

[lilliz5o]

I fell the er xray said small right avulsion fx with severe sprain after 5 weeks of swelling and pain I had an mri done results showed a non displaced slightly comminuted fx of posterior talus extending to medial process contusion of the calcaneous inferiorly joint effusion and grade ll ligament damage with partial tear. What is the next step for my ankle to heal I was put in cam boot pwb the first 5 weeks and now he said non weight bearing for 3 weeks and it is still painful burning , and aching the ankle and foot is wider and larger than the left and I can bearly walk , I have been going to pt since the first week 3 times a week pool and land for 2 1/2 hrs .  I am so scared this is not healing right and I will end up with a deformed foot and ankle and be crippled.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

It seems like your injury turned out to be much worse than originally suspected. Calcaneal fractures are very difficult to treat.  I would certainly like to see improvement 12 weeks after the injury, but I am not surprised that you are still symptomatic.  Sometimes these injuries continue to hurt for a year.  If you are concerned, you can always get a second opinion from an Orthopedic foot and ankle specialist.

[lilliz5o]

I made an appointment for a second opinion , but  he can't see me till mid of Feb. ,  I am still in a lot  of pain walking and the swelling continues It was so bad one night I had to go to the er the pain was over whelming and after taking 8 alieve I just couldn't stand it anymore. I am reallly getting tired  and frustrated. I had a bone scan : I am not really sure what the results were : the er doctor just said it was abnormal some sort of  delay uptake in right ankle, right hindfoot and mid foot  suggest a neuropathic joint this does not have a typical patern of rsd.  But my doctor can better explain to me  next week .  For us to try to get the pain in control he did give me something stronger for pain , and put me back on crutches . It is just so frustrating  All I know it hurts and so stiff and so painful to walk and I  am not a diabetic.   So I  am not sure what is going on if it is healed what is going on , I am being to think the workman comp. Dr is right  he say pain is in your head I just need to try to walk better. But my ankle& foot tell me they are in terrible pain ,  my heart says something is wrong or I don't go back to the doctor till next week so hpefully  he can explain and help me figure out who is right .  Thanks for the support and answering so quickly.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

The key to recovery for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or as it is now known, Regional Pain Syndrome, is early diagnosis and agressive treatment. The hallmarks are excessive pain, dry skin, skin sensitivity.  Bone Scan can help in the diagnosis, but may not be conclusive.
See the specialist.  If you have Regional Pain Syndrome, the sooner treatment is started, the better the prognosis.  

[lilliz5o]

I can't have rsd,    I don't want this , how am I going to work ,  I can't drive because it is my right foot and I am 58 and no known health issues and very active before this .   I am going to ask for a second opinion . this just can't be right.

[lilliz5o]

Thanks for answering so quickly , my Dr is an ankle specialist , we did a cat scan today ,
he said everything is healed and is was such a small fx  I shouldn't be having these symptoms,  I wear a size 10 shoe but I had to buy a size 11 shoe for that foot . He really know why I can't walk properly why there is so much swelling and pain . He sent me for a venous doppler but it was negative too.
He said it he thinks it could be RSD, I am not sure what this is but he ordered a bone scan and a consult with RSD Specialist .   Thank you again for answering