opinion of left ankle x-rays

by grace Mackay
(monterrey, nuevo leon, mexico)

Hi, on august 21,2011 I fell and fractured my right ankle, they put a plate and 11 screws. Still on the stage of not putting weight on it, and being put on a cast on the day 32 of the injury.
On the same fall it seems I sprained my left ankle, my dr told he was not worried about the left ankle. and when I have my appointments with my surgeon he pays no attention to the left foot that by the way is the one I´m using to "walk" with a walker help.
Here are my questions, 38 days after my fall, since it still hurts and seems to have a bump on the outside of the ankle. I was seeing my xrays and would like an opinion from your site about my "good" left ankle.




Hello Grace,
Whilst I look at lots of X-rays I'm not a trained radiologist, and thus I'm reluctant to give an opinion, particularly seeing that I can't examine your foot itself.

It does seem there is some swelling adjacent to the lateral malleolus, but I can't see any fracture. This is probably due to some sprain of the ligaments.

The posterior process of the talus seems somewhat enlarged, but has nothing to do with the injury. However, it would limit movement in the subtalar joint.

The surgeon it would seem is doing a good job of your right ankle. I would take your left ankle (and these X-rays) to a local chiropractor who works with feet. Not all chiros treat ankles and feet, ask before making an appointment.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Dr B

PS. I'm impressed you can load these X-rays! You don't give your age, but I suspect you're no longer sweet sixteen!

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Oct 01, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks,
by: Grace mackay

Thanks no I'm not 16, I'm 46 years old, but I did master in computers 27 years ago, I'm out of date but I follow instructions. So I shouldn't worry about my left ankle developing arthritis?
Thanks




Hello Grace,
You certainly should be concerned, particularly at 46. Provided you're not a smoker or have high cholesterol and a rotten diet, you have another forty years to look forward to, and with two lousy ankles...

Fixations in joints cause what physiologists describe as Immobilisation Arthritis. Key the phrase into the search function at C-H. Basically, lack of movement starves the cartilage of nutrients causing arthritis. Chiropractic is about mobilising fixated joints to prevent exactly that.

Not all chiropractors treat feet and ankles, so when making an appointment, ask.

Dr B

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Interesting challenges of the day

1. Mr S is a 76 year old man with neck pain of some 9 months duration. Luckily, most of the discomfort is upper cervical which is only rarely arthritic; his lower cervical spine is a degenerative mess that I've left alone. After seven treatments his pain and stiffness is 50 percent better, and he's happy in the circumstances. He can sleep through the night now and that makes a huge difference.

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Despite a hectic job, she wisely took my advice and stayed home for what I call exercising bed rest.

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6. I too have had serious lower back issues, luckily fixed by my own chiropractor; so I too have to do my exercises, take care when lifting supers full of honey, gardening and using the chainsaw. Regaining the function of your spine is just as important as the pain.

7. My own granddaughter, only 7 is hypermobile giving her pelvic, knee and ankle issues. Xrays show a mildly dysplastic hip. Years ago we would have called it growing pains. She too regularly needs chiropractic care and luckily responds well. Increased range of motion is more difficult than too stiff in my opinion. Our care is for kids too.

8. This 65 year old lady is a serious gardener; every day she is bending, lifting and digging for 2 to 3 hours a day. It regularly catches her in the sacroiliac joint, so she has a treatment once a month that sorts it out. She does her lower back exercises faithfully.

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