ankle and foot pain

[lm772]

My daughter, 14, has a knot on the outside of her ankle just above the knobby bone and on the top of her foot. She hurt these two areas at separate times while running. She is a softball player and runs track. We had both areas x-rayed and the x-rays did not show a fracture in either area. We have applied ice and heat and also given her anti-inflamatory medicine for 8 weeks. She tried jogging again and it is hurting again and seems to be worse. I have made an appointment with a podiatrist. Do these area take a long time to heal or do you think there might be stress fractures that are not showing up on the x-rays?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Various possibilities are there.It can be a ganglion(a swelling that often appears on or around joints and tendons in the hand or foot) , aneurysm(a localized, blood-filled dilation (balloon-like bulge) of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall.) , callus(may cause pain if irritate the nerves) or  infection.

Fractures do cause pain but don no cause localized swelling as the one you are describing.Moreover,the x-ray also has come out clean.So it is less likely a diagnosis.

I sincerely advise you to discuss these possibilities with a podiatrist and get your daughter investigated for these.Various investigations are required to rule them out and confirm the diagnosis.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your daughter is  doing or if you have any additional doubts.

[gidget1967]

It could be a ganglion. That is a lump or knot that forms with fluid. I had one for about three months, then it went away for half a year and came back. If that's what it is the doc says they may fill and drain on their own unexpectedly. You can have them drained or surgically removed. Wikipedia gives a better description...Good luck!