What is physical therapy?

» Joot96 - ankle tendinitis

Hi everyone, I'm looking for suggestions to help tendinitis in my ankle.

I've had a problem with it the last 6 weeks. It started after I sprained my left knee... my right ankle started hurting, presumably due to favoring that side. My knee healed right up, no pain or instability in 2 weeks. The ankle pain keeps going. I went to the Dr. (actually PA) who diagnosed me with tendinitis. 2 weeks after I saw her, it still hurt so I got Xrays, stress fracture was ruled out, and got rx anti-inflammatory (naproxen). Naproxen doesn't help dramatically but I can tell when it wears off (hurts more). I've been on it 2 weeks now and I don't feel any improvement overall.

It hurts with every step on the lateral side of my ankle, only when I put weight on it (except in the morning - when it hurts worst). It hurts behind the malleus when I point toes or go down stairs and the top front of the malleus itself (near the anterior tibiofibular ligament?) is tender to the touch. The last couple days I've noticed I randomly get a shooting pain when I turn to the right as I walk. It felt "almost" OK for about 2 days once (not hurting but felt funny), then I walked about 2 blocks at a local fair and it came back full force. I have been basically sedentary for a month which is REALLY bringing me down!!! I bought a bike when I was still hopeful that this would get better soon, and it's killing me to stare at the cool bike with the rare 68 degree clear sky days passing me by.

So what are my options? I have read that I'm not supposed to start any PT or "home PT" until it doesn't hurt when I wake up, or when I can at least walk without pain. I feel like that's never going to happen - it's been 6 weeks and it's either the same or slightly worse. The pain isn't so intense, but it's like having a rock in your shoe, pain with every step. I am 25, too young to be experiencing chronic pain, IMO.

I tried wearing a sleeve brace, but it did nothing to help the pain. I tried buying some insoles but found they made the bottom of both feet sore. I am embarrassed to say yesterday I tried Blue Emu, and I must say I was horrified how it stained my skin blue... not to mention I am a vegetarian and have serious misgivings about the source of the ingredients. But I consider buying that an example of how desperate and helpless I feel. What else can I do??? Also, I have been studying anatomy diagrams trying to figure out which tendon is to blame and what could it be? Peroneal fits for the pain along the outside, but there is no pain up my calf or down my foot, and why the pain on the top/front of the malleus?

(Please excuse the length of this post, I was thinking the more info you have, the better you can recommend something)
Thanks in advance!
Joot

-- posted by Joot96

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» ozana - Re: ankle tendinitis

In response to message posted by Joot96:

Hi Joot,

If it was tendinitis you should be good now (about six weeks is necessary for tendon to heel).
But I don't want to talk about that.
I want to tell you that you can (and must) start range of motion exercise 2-3 days after the injury. They can help you regain normal ankle motion. Therapy continues with the flexibility (stretching) exercises, strength and balance. That can speed your recovery and also prevent instability of your ankle and re-injury.
Brace didn't help. Off course, because bracing can't replace strengthening exercises. Strong lower leg muscles provide support to injured ligaments.

I am sorry that you didn't have any physical therapy, but know is not too late. You can learn few easy exercises for "home - use" and make things better!

Hope your ankle won't hurt any more!

-- posted by ozana

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