Can swelling of the foot occur even after years of a foot injury?

Question

Hello doctor,

My sister had a foot injury seven years ago. She had a hairline fracture in the upper part of her foot near her ankle. She recovered within six months. Now after seven years, she got an injury on the same foot. There was a hole in the floor and her foot twisted badly and as a result, got sprained. She did not consult a doctor considering it a minor injury. But it has been a month and her foot still causes pain when she walks downstairs. Walking upstairs does not cause a problem though. Her foot also gets swollen easily. Climbing stairs and walking on uneven surfaces causes her foot to swell. She is using olive oil right now which improves her foot condition for some time. Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I read your query and understand your concern. It seems to be an injury to the ligaments or the subtalar joint. You need to do an x-ray, as below. I suggest applying air cast ankle stirrup orthosis (You can wear shoes over it too). Apply ice thrice daily for 10 days, You need to take the following medicines,

Tablet Piroxicam (colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch) 20 mg 1-0-1 x 10 days after food,

Tablet Rabeprazole (Rabeprazole sodium) 20 mg 1-0-1 x 10 days before food,

Tablet Shelcal (Calcium) 500 mg 1-0-1 x 30 days before food,

Tablet Vitamin D (60 k) units.

Once daily for 10 days, then once a month for 11 months.

Take these tablets only if you are not allergic to them. Do not take these tablets if you have bronchial asthma. Follow up immediately in case of any untoward reactions, I hope I have cleared all your doubts.

Thank you.