Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 12/31/2007

Question
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

Answer
Cassie,

There may be a hair line fracture in the leg but nothing should be done about it since it will heal fine on its own a lot faster weight bearing and walking then immobilized in a cast. For the ankle, you need to get a wobble board and shown how to use it properly to strengthen the peroneal muscles that are now acting as the primary supporting structure for lateral movement in your foot. This type injury of ligaments never heal in the sense that they stay stretched and never shorten back up hence the strengthening regime for the secondary supporting structures such as the muscles in the ankle. Google wobble board and buy a circular one and read how to use it or get a PT to treat it and give you one for home since this will be an ongoing problem if not addressed properly.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin