Ankle Mobility

ajay

^Once punched Jeff Kennett. Don't pick an e-fight
So I've been hampered with terrible ankle mobility since surgery to repair the end of my fib/tib with screws/plates after a nasty fracture a few years ago. The lack of mobility in itself doesn't really affect me much but the pain associated with it troubles me.
When I do the classic stretch keeping a flat heel, driving my knee in to the wall, I get a nasty pain across the top of my foot/ankle. The pain is similar to a ligament sprain but goes away as soon as I stop the stretch. The people I've seen have brushed it aside saying theres been a lot of trauma there, the pain is to be expected etc. But it feels like a ligament is actually getting squashed between bone/hardware.

I'm reluctant to see a specialist straight away purely for the money pit it could turn in to, but I'd be interested to hear anyone elses interpretation or similar experiences.... any clues as to what that might be?

Kinda vague, and yeah I should get a CT scan, but im a tight arse.
 

pharmaboy

Eats Squid
First - don't do the stretch then........

Second - how long since the op?

Third - yes, see your dr, the interwebs ain't the best place for this kind of advice ( yes, I get the irony of providing advice, then saying don't take it....)
 

ajay

^Once punched Jeff Kennett. Don't pick an e-fight
The description of the stretch was just to outline the movement that causes pain. But climbing stairs, squating to pick something up, stepping on raised pavement on the footpath etc will set it off. So riding rough terrain and jumps have a similar effect.

About 6 years since the op.

Yeah I know re the doc. But given how common ankle injuries are in mtb, I'm just seeing what peoples experiences are...
 
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John U

MTB Precision
Sounds like I had a similar injury, It was more than 20 years ago. I had a plate and 7 pins. Broken tib and fib. It was removed after about 3 or 4 years from what I can remember.

Why do you still have the hardware in there?
 

scblack

Leucocholic
I have had ankle ligaments torn a few times each ankle. At times, the same pain you describe hits me. But it never really stays around. Not sure what causes it, but I have no after effects and good joint movement.

I reckon its not much to worry about, but I'm not a doctor either.
 

Mywifesirrational

I however am very normal. Trust me.
Why do you still have the hardware in there?
This was going to be my question too, I've seen many smashed ankles at the hospital, if the lack of ROM is not causing any problems it's an issue, but as you have said it is an issue, if climbing stairs and bending cause an acute pain, whic is a daily issue and unacceptable.

The issue with leaving the hardware in is the screws can start to extract, which means you you flex a joint, ankle in your case, the tissues are forced to stretch and compress across the joint, is a screw head inderneath is abraiding in the tissues - most likely in your case perhaps the inferior extensor retinaculum it was cause pain where you have indicted.

See your GP ask for a referral for x-rays or to see a joint specialist. Pain is almost always an issue after tramatic joint juries, but it can be something as simple as lack of rehab or a loose screw.

I will be a Dr specialising in joint injuries in hopefully 3-4 months after 11 years of study.
 

pharmaboy

Eats Squid
The description of the stretch was just to outline the movement that causes pain. But climbing stairs, squating to pick something up, stepping on raised pavement on the footpath etc will set it off. So riding rough terrain and jumps have a similar effect.

About 6 years since the op.

Yeah I know re the doc. But given how common ankle injuries are in mtb, I'm just seeing what peoples experiences are...
The plates etc can get removed, even in the public health system - especially if they put them in. Depends on the exact type of plate etc, but it's not uncommon for 20% of people to get removal - convalescence is similar as for a fracture, so 3 months off bike.

If orthopod says it will fix it, I'd sure think about it
 

ajay

^Once punched Jeff Kennett. Don't pick an e-fight
Thanks for the response MWI, I was hoping you'd chime in. Thats pretty much what it feels like across the top of my ankle joint, like an impingement. Also, a day after heavy excersise, it feels like the screws in the side are being tightened - if that makes sense.

Pharma - It was all done in the public system, so hopefully I can see an orthopedic surgeon via an outpatient clinic. I guess I'll have to get that ball rolling... Cheers.
 

Mywifesirrational

I however am very normal. Trust me.
So will you provide bulk billing interweb treatment suggestions??
Not allowed to, my medicare provider number has to be attached to a specific address where treatment or consultation occurs, with a different number for each location, bulk billing across the net is a great way of losing your provider number asap. I just find things like this interesting especially if people update when relevant.

Don't worry, I think he's becoming a proper doctor not a medical one? ;)
Yeah, not a medical one, but since I have allied health accreditation, I can and do work with surgeons inregards to both conservative treatment and post surgery rehab, get treated quite well from them, getting work fulltime back in the private and pubic health systems won't be a problem if I am inclined. But accademia pays well for easier work with less responsibility. Kind of burnt out, being thinking more and more about riding a bicycle around australia.

Thanks for the response MWI, I was hoping you'd chime in. Thats pretty much what it feels like across the top of my ankle joint, like an impingement. Also, a day after heavy excersise, it feels like the screws in the side are being tightened - if that makes sense.

Pharma - It was all done in the public system, so hopefully I can see an orthopedic surgeon via an outpatient clinic. I guess I'll have to get that ball rolling... Cheers.
That tightening feeling is localised inflammation, your surgeon will know best, its not uncommon for people to back years later to have things reassessed and removed if needed. Also I am a fan of the public system, it can be slow, but the outcomes are good, unless you have multiple things compounding each other.
 

link1896

Mr Greenfield
This was going to be my question too, I've seen many smashed ankles at the hospital, if the lack of ROM is not causing any problems it's an issue, but as you have said it is an issue, if climbing stairs and bending cause an acute pain, whic is a daily issue and unacceptable.

The issue with leaving the hardware in is the screws can start to extract, which means you you flex a joint, ankle in your case, the tissues are forced to stretch and compress across the joint, is a screw head inderneath is abraiding in the tissues - most likely in your case perhaps the inferior extensor retinaculum it was cause pain where you have indicted.

See your GP ask for a referral for x-rays or to see a joint specialist. Pain is almost always an issue after tramatic joint juries, but it can be something as simple as lack of rehab or a loose screw.

I will be a Dr specialising in joint injuries in hopefully 3-4 months after 11 years of study.
Not allowed to, my medicare provider number has to be attached to a specific address where treatment or consultation occurs, with a different number for each location, bulk billing across the net is a great way of losing your provider number asap. I just find things like this interesting especially if people update when relevant.



Yeah, not a medical one, but since I have allied health accreditation, I can and do work with surgeons inregards to both conservative treatment and post surgery rehab, get treated quite well from them, getting work fulltime back in the private and pubic health systems won't be a problem if I am inclined. But accademia pays well for easier work with less responsibility. Kind of burnt out, being thinking more and more about riding a bicycle around australia.



That tightening feeling is localised inflammation, your surgeon will know best, its not uncommon for people to back years later to have things reassessed and removed if needed. Also I am a fan of the public system, it can be slow, but the outcomes are good, unless you have multiple things compounding each other.

Congrats on the pending credentials. I think a lap of the country on a bike is well deserved.
 
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