Question
Hi Marc:

I too am an all experts "expert" I'm in the auto area for Pontiac questions. Long story short I asked you a question about this injury a year ago and you were SPOT ON with the answer. I had a talus and cuboid injury bruising/stress fracture along with a moderate sprain. I was in 2 casts for a total 7.5 weeks and did 1 month of intense PT before returning to work. The ankle has felt good up until about a month ago. I changed jobs and now work 5 straight days and by the time Friday rolls along I have a dull pain right in the ankle joint. It's on the inside of the leg just below and in front of the bone that jots out above the ankle joint. I have also had a few instances where I have "twisted" my ankle pretty good. No real pain after but I never had this issue before the injury. I know that it will never be 100% again but I'm afraid I'm going to "twist" it and wind of falling and break the ankle of leg. At work I wear very good light but supportive boots "high tops". I'm only 39 and am in great health and a non smoker. Any help suggestions would be appreciated.  Oh P.S. one other odd thing this past winter if I were out in the cold for an extended amount of time and returned back into the house the ankle would tighten up almost instantly when I came back it almost to the point that I couldn't walk. But back then I'm sure it wasn't but maybe 75% back to where I once was VERY odd.

Answer
Hi Todd,

Well here's the story.  When you injured the talus and cuboid you likely tore and over stretched some of the ankle ligaments.  So you will have instability which can lead to sprains.  The boots are a good idea but you may benefit from a custom ankle foot orthosis which will help stabilize the foot and ankle to relieve the strain.  Weather changes will also cause tightening of the joint.  You could consider more physical therapy and I would see your dr for some follow-up x-rays to see if you are developing any arthritis.

Good Luck.  


Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.cryosurgerypodiatrist.com


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