Question
Hello,
When I was 17, I tripped over and quite badly hurt my ankle. I thought I had just twisted the muscle or sprained it, so decided to keep my foot up for a few days and be done with it. It swelled up to almost three times the size, which eventually completely went away after about a month (being 17, I didn't think to go to a doctor). I thought that was the end of it, but over the next 4 years, I have stumbled 7-8 times - even just slightly - and the swelling has come back again, stopping me from walking properly for at least a week. I had guessed I might have done something to the ligaments, but didn't think there was much that could be done, so have just dealt with it. But now I started going back to the gym at the beginning of this week. I was on the running machine for about 20 minutes, when my ankle clicked (it usually does this after walking for a couple of hours), and now it hurts no matter how much pressure I put on it, or which direction I twist it. There is no swelling, though. The last I went to a doctor about this, about a year ago, they told me nothing could be done, so have decided to avoid that option for now.

I'm quite worried there might be some real severe damage there, and I'm not entirely sure what I should do to find out. Should I avoid running and the like completely?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Orthopedic Podiatrist of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Dear Karen
Sorry for the delay-I was on Holiday
That said-sounds like you need to get a re-exam and possibly an MRI of your ankle. Painful clicking of the ankle joint or tendons is an indication of an injury that has not healed. Good news is that it only becomes aggravated with exercise and not just walking. You need to find out what the injury to your ankle is and what your conservative versus surgical options are.In the meantime you can wear an ankle sleeve brace-until you get your appointment. Check out our web-store at AnklenFootCenters.com for examples of ankle braces.
Hope This Helps!
and
Good Luck!

The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot& ankle fractures.
We are Podiatrists in Chicago & Elmhurst
Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661 said
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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