Chronic Pain

[tgb]

I sprained my right ankle two years ago and it never healed properly. I was practicing soccer and kicked the ball over the fence. I climbed the 5 foot fence (which is over my height) and jumped over and twisting my body around to avoid the garden on that side and landed in a hole. I heard a "pop" at the time of injury. I got an MRI done recently and it showed swollen ligaments. Now the pain is much worse and it goes from my ankle, up my leg, to my knee. I also notice when I press down on the left side of my right ankle I have alot of pain. Also, when I press down on the bones on my leg, I am also in alot of pain. Should I get more tests done? Could there maybe sonething wrong in the leg also?
Cassie

[tulch001]

When you hear a joint "pop" – especially at the time of injury – it frequently indicates serious damage to a ligament. Your recent MRI seems to have confirmed this.

It is possible that your earlier sprain was a syndesmotic sprain, sometimes called a "high ankle sprain." This sprain results from an outward twisting of the foot and ankle that causes injury to the ligaments that hold the two main leg bones (tibia and fibula) together near the ankle. A common symptom of these sprains is the patient's failure to heal after standard types of treatment. The most common tests to diagnose a "high ankle sprain" are X-rays (to rule out a possible fracture) and an MRI.

Surgery sometimes is recommended for a syndesmotic sprain. Recovery from these types of sprains is measured in months, not weeks, even after surgery. The fact that you recently had an MRI suggests you are under a physician's care. Your doctor is best able to advise you on a course of treatment. If surgery has been suggested, you may want a second opinion. Many orthopedic groups have physicians who specialize in sports medicine and/or whose expertise is in treating ankle injuries. Your healthcare provider can help you find an appropriate specialist.