I am 18. Why is my ankle still paining after surgery?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 18-year-old, 141.09 Ibs and 5'7". I had ligament reconstruction on my ankle six months ago. The surgery went well and my stability is back to normal. However, when my surgeon did the arthroscopy, he noticed mild damage to the joint, however, he said that this should heal by itself. I saw my surgeon two weeks ago as I have still been getting a lot of pain where the ankle joint is.

Since seeing him, I have been getting bruising over the joint with no injury and I currently cannot bare any weight on the ankle. When I saw him, he recommended more physiotherapy and said that the main reason was likely to be linked to the surgery I had and it should go away within time. I am currently using Cocodamol to manage the pain as normal pain relief is not helping. I would just like to know if there could be any other reasons why I could be getting this joint pain. And if it is worth me arranging to see my surgeon again if it carries on after giving more physiotherapy a try.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to iclinq.com.

After reviewing your information provided and the picture (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There are two concerning things:

1. Are you trying not to move the leg at all? (Could be a cause of one sided cold foot).

2. Are you getting this bruiseafter resting the ankle on the side of bruising? In that case it could be a pressure sore developing. Here also physiotherapy will help.

I think you should continue with physiotherapy as advised by your doctor. Physiotherapy can help in reducing the pain of movement and strengthen muscles for weight bearing. Maintaining full movement of the joint and improving the circulation and helping with this kind of pressure sore development and also cold foot.

Regarding other causes of pain, discuss them with the surgeon who did the arthroscopy (depending on the findings). Definitely see your surgeon till you are able to bear weight and do your daily life activities well. If you have cold and painful sensations in both feet or arms. or a family history of such problems, discuss with your GP, the possibility of vasculitis. Be very careful with Cocodamol, it can be habit-forming. You should not be requiring (or using) this medication for a long term. Hot fomentation can help reduce the pain as well. Please discuss this with your Physiotherapist or Orthopedic surgeon.