Misdiagnosed Avulsion fracture of ankle

[tlee014]

Approximately 6 weeks ago I stepped in a hole and my ankle rolled outward. I heard a loud pop and then immediate pain set in. I was unable to bear weight on my ankle without experiencing a lot of pain and instability. I assumed I had simply twisted my ankle and treated it at home using ice, elevation, and over the counter ibprophine. After 3 weeks the pain and instability were still remarkably present so I went to the see a doc. X-rays were done and the doctor along with the radiologist said that I had a lateral avulsion fracture. I was placed in a walking boot and given a cane. I spent 3 weeks in the boot with little relief. Walking on uneven surfaces such as out in the yard is the worst.
Today I had a follow up visit and new x-rays were taken and this radiologist stated that it wasn't an avulsion fracture and that it had something to do with my ligament and rounding.. I'm honestly not sure as the PA wasn't able to be very clear about what was going on with my ankle.
I was placed on compression therapy with an ankle sleeve and a lace up brace and told that this was something that was going to cause me pain for a very long time.
I'm at a loss; I have no idea what's going on with my ankle and simply know that I cannot live with this sort of instability or pain for the rest of my life. Can anyone explain to me what they could be talking about? It was something that started with an O I believe but the conversation was so brief and the PA was going off of what the radiologist said he had experienced in the past and that's supposedly how he knew I had this whatever it is.

[tlee014]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to post that. I agree that an ortho appointment is what is needed here but I have to run the course that the VA directs for me and wait until the PA I'm seeing now orders a referal. After that I could be waiting another 2 months to see an ortho PA then if I'm lucky I'll get to see an MD specializing in orthopedics.

As for the MRI.. no an MRI hasn't been ordered as of yet. As I said, the radiologist that read my first films stated I had a lateral avulsion fracture and you could clearly see a small piece of bone that looked to be floating around in my ankle. The second xrays showed no change and the radiologist that read that one is the one that suggested to my PA that it wasn't an avulsion fracture but this "rounding" thing of the ligament thus changing the course of treatment.

The "compression" therapy that was recommended has given some bit of relief but not in the way I was directed to use it. I have placed the compression sleeve on my ankle and then placed my walking boot on and the stability it provides has kept me almost pain free. I am seeing continued swelling and new brusing but I'm not in tears as I was before because it hurt so badly.

I will do some reading on the calcaneofibular ligament and see if an injury to that ligament matches up with where my pain, brusing and swelling are occuring. I am scheduled to return to the PA for a follow up in the second week of April. If I don't notice a significant improvement I will ask specifically for an Ortho consult and if he won't give me one, I'll see a private doctor as not being comfortably mobile is very taxing.

[run4you]

I found this:
http://www.orthoteers.com/(S(ou2zir4azkplpq5rem3ghqyn))/mainpage.aspx?article=88

It says:
The calcaneofibular ligament

A discrete, extra-articular, round ligament that spans the ankle and subtalar joints as it courses obliquely from the inferior tip of the distal part of the fibula to insert posteriorly on the mid-lateral part of the calcaneus.

Maybe that's the 'round' reference they made? They didn't do an MRI, though? That's how they find ligament issues...

I'm not a doctor, but I have had surgery to repair ankle ligaments (mine was the ATFL, though) - due to instability. I was repeatedly rolling the thing, causing damage.

I had wonderful luck seeing an Orthopedic/Sports Medicine doctor. He was very thorough, we tried physical therapy before surgery (no luck, kept spraining the thing)... less invasive is always my preference :)  The PT helps to strengthen the muscles and tendons around there to try to get your ankle stabilized...

Anyway - if it were me, I'd make an appointment with an Ortho. I wouldn't be comfortable with the non-answer you've been given.