Question
Long story short, i had a femoral neck stress fracture that was NOT diagnosed by MRI or bone scan but by clinical and xray not showing fracture. After 16 weeks unhealed. Still no mri but dr did orif surgery. immediately after surgery had no feeling, numbness in toes and cold foot. Problem has progressed in foot w/changes of color, blue, purple, coldness, burning, cramping pain in my leg and foot (at hip). at 5 weeks dr put me on weight bearing, some slight improvement in temperature but foot is still bluish purple/then gets bright red. Now my hands and other foot are showing the same symptoms. I have continued pain in my hip and down the front of my thigh, cramping pain and burning in foot is worse at night. Currently not really pain in my hands or other foot, but coldness and fingers will turn purple/blue randomly. Sometimes it's just my thumb, other time my forefinger and pinky. They will also turn bright red on the palms. OS is sending me to neurologist.
I have been a heatlhy,diet concious, active person up until this Injury/surger. All these symptoms coming after surgery. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says......

Dear Leslie,

These symptoms you describe are quite rare and difficult to pinpoint.

Sometimes after these kinds of surgeries there is an irritation of the nerves that go to the leg and foot. This can cause the symptoms on the injured side. These symptoms may also make you sensitive to other forms of pain. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome(RSDS).But this happens in only about 5% of injuries/surgeries.

If you are overweight, this will cause you to shift your weight to the other hip and may produce similar symptoms.

If you have arthritis of the spine the above actions may also cause some of the issues in your hands.

The neurologist is the best person to make the diagnosis!Go see him or her and if they are unable to make the diagnosis seek a second opinion from another neurologist.
Sounds like you are also may be disappointed in the above treatments and time frame. Your mood may also magnify any pain and symptoms that you describe.


Hope this helps!

Good Luck My Friend!
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
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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