Ankle injury - Help!!

[jl22aries]

Hi all,

So my already busted bad ankle has sprained or inflamed or hyper extended, or pronated? Does any one have any expertise or advice on chronic ankle injuries? I have been told I have a pronated foot, and have custom orthopedics fitted for the last two years. I still walk with discomfort and it feels as though I am misaligned pretty constantly, affecting my lower back and hip as well.

I am in the middle of a 6 month back packing adventure and suffice it to say, I am far away from home. Still I need to get this looked at...can anyone recommend what kind of specialists I ought to see? Orthopedic? Podiatrist? X ray? I am overwhelmed and, well, bummed out. Appreciate any insight!!!


Thank you all!

[vesperholly]

See a podiatrist. Orthopedist is for surgery.

[Anita18]

I suggest just going to a hospital and they'll send you where you need to go!

My dad cracked his tooth while he and my mom were on a long road trip. They had to cut it short to go home so he could get it taken care of. It was not fun.

Good luck!

[Karina1974]

Orthopedist is for surgery.

Yeah... that's why, when I ended up in the ER with what turned out to be a broken foot, they sent me straight over to an orthopedist's office to get a cast put on. I've gone to that same orthopedist's office to be treated for every single twisted this or banged up that I've had and, as a dancer and competitive baton twirler in my teens, they've made some $$ off of me. All of my injuries have been orthopedic in nature, and it's nice to get an appointment with someone who can actually treat my injuries rather than sit around the ER for hours on end, feeling as though they've forgotten you are even there, only to be sent somewhere else like what happened that first time with my foot (I was 11 when that happened). And I never got turned away because I didn't need "surgery", either.

[taf2002]

See a podiatrist. Orthopedist is for surgery.

Podiatrist is just for feet. The ankle is not the foot. Orthopedists are full doctors - podiatrists are usually not MDs or ODs, at least the one I went to years ago was not. It's like going to a eyeglass optomistrist instead of an eye doctor.

[aliceanne]

I vote for orthopedist as well. They know how the leg-hip-back interact. I had an increasing pain in my leg that I couldn't attribute to a specific cause. The orthopedist looked at how I moved in various positions, did a bone scan, and asked me about my physical activities. In 1 visit he was able to determine the cause (transferred pain from nerves in my back) and the fix. He told me to come back and he would do more sophisticated tests if the problem wasn't solved, but I never had to.

As far as your trip is concerned, you will probably be told to rest your ankle until the pain goes away, which may take several weeks.

[Rob]

Orthopod for sure. Where are you?

[FigureSpins]

My doctor sent me to a sports medicine orthopedist for my knee injury. Ditto for my sister's ankle issue.

I went to a podiatrist for my Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs. He did the steroid shots and orthotics. Don Klingbeil told me to go to a Sports Medicine specialist the next time. *shrugs*

[Stormy]

Absolutley an orthopedist, one that specializes in feet/ankles if possible. When I had a bad ankle injury I had an amazing orthopedic specialist. Good luck, I know how frustrating an ankle injury can be. Be careful on it!

[vesperholly]

Yeah... that's why, when I ended up in the ER with what turned out to be a broken foot, they sent me straight over to an orthopedist's office to get a cast put on. I've gone to that same orthopedist's office to be treated for every single twisted this or banged up that I've had and, as a dancer and competitive baton twirler in my teens, they've made some $$ off of me. All of my injuries have been orthopedic in nature, and it's nice to get an appointment with someone who can actually treat my injuries rather than sit around the ER for hours on end, feeling as though they've forgotten you are even there, only to be sent somewhere else like what happened that first time with my foot (I was 11 when that happened). And I never got turned away because I didn't need "surgery", either.

Podiatrist is just for feet.

Ohhhh. I honestly didn't know that a podiatrist wouldn't cover the ankle.

[jl22aries]

You guys are amazing. I am on langkawi island in Malaysia. Could not be further away from home eh?!

And for the last 10 years of this problem, the orthopedist is the only specialist I have not seen. So there you go. I will try to find one when I fly to my nearest family base tomorrow in hong kong.

Thank you thank you!

[Debbie S]

Ohhhh. I honestly didn't know that a podiatrist wouldn't cover the ankle.

Theoretically, they do, but for a problem like the OP described, an orthopedist is the best choice. There are orthos that specialize in foot and ankle. And as aliceanne pointed out, they understand how ankle problems affect other areas of the body. Given that the OP has had problems consistently, it seems like he/she needs a comprehensive assessment and care.

FWIW, I wouldn't see a podiatrist for anything other than simple foot problems - corns, etc. When you are talking about bones and ligaments (sprains), you need to see a medical doctor.

[Karina1974]

Ohhhh. I honestly didn't know that a podiatrist wouldn't cover the ankle.

Just like you didn't know that orthopedists aren't just for surgery, yet you chose to make yourself look stupid by rolling your eyes when someone who has experience on the subject corrects you.

BTW, this is the place where I was treated, and I have been treated by this doctor and this one.

[Stormy]

Just like you didn't know that orthopedists aren't just for surgery, yet you chose to make yourself look stupid by rolling your eyes when someone who has experience on the subject corrects you.

I think the rolling of the eyes came from your condescending douchenozzle attitude.

Which leads me to my next point....

[jl22aries]

So, anyway...

I have seen a gp ( travel insurance required me to see the gp before heading straight to a specialist) and he insists I do not need to see an ortho, but suggests physio (which I have been seeing already). He says it is a sprain and tendinitis, and thinks I need bed rest, exercises and anti inflammatories. So here's hoping...?

[Karina1974]

^^^This is why I am thankful my own health insurance doesn't require referrals to see a specialist. If I were in your shoes I would have demanded a referral to an orthopedist.

Did the GP at least set you up with an aircast and crutches for the sprain? I had a sprained ankle once and I had to wear an aircast (we already owned a pair of crutches!) for several weeks. i think the aircast is still upstairs at my parents' house.

[jl22aries]

After a week of increasing pain, I went back for a follow up and he at last referred me to an orthopedic. Thanks every one for your help and two cents, it makes such a huge difference!