Don't know what this feeling is

[jabal380]

In 2007 I broke my right ankle and leg very badly.  I still have two screws in my inner ankle and a rod with 6 screws up my calf.  For the last year I have had periodic ankle pain.  The best way I can describe (besides the pain and swelling) is that it feels like I have 100 rubber bands around my ankle.  Impossible to flex much and so darn stiff.  Is this arthritis from my surgery and injury?  Ibuprofen does not help.  I am 60 yr female and have to work but it is getting so hard to even last a day.  The only thing that helps is to wrap it in ice as much as possible.  Is it the joints or ligaments?  I would appreciate any thoughts. I can't find anyone (even my ortho) who says they have heard of the rubber band symptom.....thanks

[PedroH]

I pretty well had the same injury-I did have my hardware removed though- By rubberbands do you mean like it's something restricting your movement or like rubberbands being snapped on you? You almost probably have arthritis. With age it is most probable & totally probable where you have had an injury. I ended up getting my ankle fused over it. The fusing didn't  solve all my problems for sure,but did eliminate some pain.

[Ellen038]

I know they say that metal implants can sometimes cause pain. I'm like you, won't have my hardware removed in my back even tho its been 5 yrs and the bone is completely grown in.  I have swelling in my ankle of my bad leg also (I have nerve damage from the multiple back injuries) I know for myself my leg feels tight when it starts to swell a good amount. Sitting is the worse you can do for the swelling. It may be worth getting a second opinion and maybe finding out what options there are. Cortisone injections can be painful but they can also last a long time.  I wish I had an answer for you but I think I would def go for a second opinion. Good luck to you!

[jabal380]

I get bad pain and it swells on the outside ankle bone all the time.  No matter how much ice I do it is still larger than the other ankle but I think that will always be. I mean I know it will never be the same after such a bad injury.  I broke it so bad the whole foot was pointing out to the right.  It looked scary!  I just wish I knew what that damn rubber band feeling was.  It is so stiff all the time.  I was just wondering if the joint maybe a cortisone shot would help but if ligaments nothing can be done I am afraid.  My ortho wants to take screws and rod out.  I am not going to do that.  I can't be down for another 6 weeks and it has been too long now I am afraid

[Ellen038]

Could it be scar tissue from the surgery and some arthritis from the injury?  Is the doc able to see any signs of arthritis on the x rays? Things just aren't the same after injuries are they? Do you have swelling or only pain?