Hello!
Wondering if someone could assist me in regards to what type of doctor I should see, and what the possible diagnose could be.
In May 2009 both of my ankles started to swell and I noticed two lumps on my lower right leg (right above the ankle). The lumps were not discolored and were not painful. I went to see my primary doctor and she thought the issue could be related to my sodium intake so she told me to start drinking more water each day. I did that and the swelling and lumps remained. I then started to work out and noticed that after ten minutes on the eliptical machine my ankles would swell, and the lumps also began to swell with me not being able to bend my right ankle and my foot going numb. This still occurs today when I just go outside and walk around a store, and of course anything more physical. I also have a dull achy feeling within my right leg (knee and down) that is off and on thru the day, and progressively gets works with exercise or standing to long.
The lumps are about the size of a quarter each and are on my lower right leg - right above my ankle. Both of my ankles continue to swell but only my right leg has the lumps. I also only get the pain in my right leg.
History of diagnosis and treatments:
Primary Care doctor thought the original issue was my sodium intake and asked me to drink more water. After that did not resolve the issue she had me go and take a sonogram to check for blood clots, and referred me to a vascular doctor. The sonogram came back negative for blood clots and the vascular doctor stated that all was clear on the sonogram and that he believed it could be a hernia. I then went to an orthopedic surgeron who took xrays and an MRI, and sent me to physical therapy for peroneal tendinitis. I went to physical therapy for 2 months (about 8 sessions) with no resolution, and then got referred to another orthopedic surgeon. This doctor (my most recent) also took xrays and an MRI, and it stated that it didn't look like a mass. He diagnosed me with right ankle - lower leg peroneal muscle strain and myofastial/trigger point pain. His treatment plan is for me to go another 4-6 weeks of physical therapy (2-3 times per week) of physical therapy, and then if that doesn't resolve the issue he stated that his next option would be steroid injections.
A few of the doctors have pretty much acted as if they have no idea what the lumps are, and how to treat them and I am at a loss. I have been dealing with this for over a year and any help you could provide me would be greatly appreciated since I feel like I am hitting a dead end.
Thank You So Much!