May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Pain Management Ankle Pain after compound fracture and surgery
Ankle Pain after compound fracture and surgery |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I broke my left ankle in 3 areas and also dislocated it 8 years ago. I had surgery the next day and had a 5 inch plate and 11 screws put in. After the swelling from the surgery went down, I had a cast put on for 8 weeks. After the cast was removed, I immediately started physical therapy and went for 6 months. I've had chronic pain and swelling ever since. I saw the Ortho surgeon who performed my surgery about 2 years after the surgery complaining of pain and he basically said I probably would have pain the rest of my life and that arthritis would most likely set in before I was 40. Well, I turned 40 in December and my ankle is at its worst. He also advised me not to remove the plate and screws. What are my options as far as pain management? I'm so stressed, depressed, upset about this. I can't do normal things like take my 18 month old for walks in a stroller. Just walking around the grocery store causes extreme discomfort. I don't know what to do from here. Any suggestions? Dear Denice: It seems your initial injury was quite severe and involved the ankle. This exposed you developing early arthritis which I am pretty sure you already have. Therefore your pain management options are those of a person with severe arthritis. These include physical therapy, pain medications and exercise. Your doctor and physical therapist can develop a treatment program that is specific to your needs. Physical therapy has shown to be quite good atdecreasing pain in persons with advanced arthritis. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 May 2011 ) |
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