Chronic Ankle Sprain

[cmasse]

I sprained my right ankle two years ago and it never healed properly. I was practicing soccer and kicked the ball over the fence. I climbed the 5 foot fence (which is over my height) and jumped over and twisting my body around to avoid the garden on that side and landed in a hole. I heard a "pop" at the time of injury. I got an MRI done recently and it showed swollen ligaments. Now the pain is much worse and it goes from my ankle, up my leg, to my knee. I also notice when I press down on the left side of my right ankle I have alot of pain. Also, when I press down on the bones on my leg, I am also in alot of pain. Should I get more tests done? Could there maybe sonething wrong in the leg also?
Cassie

[GregasGP]

Hi Casse

I have had very similar problems for the last 6 months now, but on both ankles. I sprained them in May 2006 and September 2006 - both very bad sprains. I've had physio and acupuncture to no resolve. Had an MRI done which showed diagnosis of chronic ankle sprains to the ATFL liagment which are diffusely thickened by 2mm (they are 4.5mm in diameter).

I think the only option for me is to have a keyhole operation (ankle arthroscopy) to repair the injured ligaments, remove any scar tissue and clean out the inflammed fluid. Plus, this procedure provides a clear view of the ankle joint as the MRI scan can miss up to 20% of problems as stated by Simon Moyes, top Ankle surgeon.

I would suggest you visit an orthopedic consultant for a thorough check-up. Don't go with physio in my opinion. If the problem has been there for 2 years, physio won't alleviate it now. It's too much of a conservative approach.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Greg