Question
QUESTION: Well to keep a long story short. I was in a head to head collision with
another car on May 12,2010. Prior to the collision I tried to slow the car
down to try and reduce impact speed. During my foot was on the brake
pedal. The motor of my car was pushed in I think and the force from the
impact and me pushing down to stop the car fractured my ankle. I had
surgery the next day and had ORIF done. I'm recovering but I still have
pain on the medial side. Also I have a lil swelling behind my ankle....I
think it's the peroneal tendon. It doesn't bother me alot as the pain on the
medial side. I have an 1 inch incision on the inner side. It feels like it's in
the joint but it's just on the far medial side. I have good ROM but not as
good as my left ankle. The swelling hasn't been a problem. When I walk
it's troublesome. I have to walk with my right foot at a 2 o clock angle to
help with the pain. After walking for about 20mins the pain sets in around
my whole ankle. I haven't been able to find any answers at all. I hope you
can shed some light on what's going on.

ANSWER: After a wreck and injury like that, there is going to always be residual trauma and weakness that has to be dealt with.  After 6 months, you should visit with a podiatrist, who may put you in an orthotic or an AFO (ankle-foot orthotic) to balance your lower extremity and make everything work more efficiently.  You have to angle your right foot to compensate for the mechanical trauma, and hopefully that will become less over the next couple of months.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider

http://tanglewoodfootspecialists.com
http://www.houstonrundoc.com
http://www.facebook.com/HoustonPodiatrist
http://www.twitter.com/HoustonFootDoc

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I kind of understand. I have another question. Similar to a finger, can an
ankle jam? I mean like if I try to catch a football and the tip of my finger is
the first to contact and the force of the ball pushes down. It may jam the
finger,similar to my ankle. Is this possible? Another question is. When will
I be able to run? I have enough strength to walk with a mild limp. Anyway
to build up my strength and what muscles to work on will help?

Answer
An ankle can't really jam...different kind of joint.  Not to say that the ankle can't forcefully dorsiflex, providing trauma and pain.  Work on balancing (standing on one foot) and overall strengthening.  If you have not worked with a physical therapist, it would be a good idea.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider, DPM

http://tanglewoodfootspecialists.com
http://www.houstonrundoc.com
http://www.facebook.com/HoustonPodiatrist
http://www.twitter.com/HoustonFootDoc