Question
About 7 months ago I rolled my ankle on a tennis ball and suffered a severe
sprain. At the time, the x-rays showed no fractures. The sprain healed, but
the ankle join was still very painful. At 4 months an MRI showed a 3mm bone
contusion on the talar dome in my tibio-talar joint. My orthopedic doc
prescribed a walking boot, but it only aggravated the injury. He doesn't want
to do surgery, as the cartilage is in tact, but he says it may take a very long
time for the bone bruise to heal. I can't walk for much more than 15 minutes
without it being aggravated, and carrying heavy objects or even stepping
heavily seems to cause re-injury. I am wondering whether an Exogen bone
stimulator is ever helpful in healing a bone bruise more quickly, and whether
you think I should pursue trying one. Also, are there any supplements I
should be taking that might facilitate strengthening of the bone. I wish so
badly that I could resume with my normal life and be able to exercise again!
Thank you.

Answer
Dear Kerry,

This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Podiatric Doc of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

I am not familiar with the term bone bruise at 7 months. You have something else-perhaps an osteochondral lesion of the talus.
A bone stim will not heal them
MRIs are not infallible-it depends who reads them and how they are taken.
You may also may have an impingement of ankle ligaments in the joint following the sprain.
There may be a few other diagnosis-but the above two are the most probable.
Go to another doctor who is Board Certified in Surgery of the Foot & Ankle. There are many qualified podiatrists out there.
Get copies of your x-rays and films and reports.
Usually a good podiatrist will be able to read the MRI & the foot xray-occasionally better than a radiologist.
If it is an osteochondral lesion,then arthroscopy may be the answer.
Usually there is relief within 1-2 weeks if the arthroscopy is done by someone who has done a lot of them
Hope this Helps &
Good Luck!


Dr George Tsatsos & Dr Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.