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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

post severe ankle sprain

by alicia
(australia)

i severely sprained my ankle in 2012, then again in 2014. but when i sprained it the 2nd time in 2014 it lead to a ganglion cyst forming on the top of my foot due to rolling my ankle severely. Doctor said the cyst would go away on its own. Its now 2017 and it is still there. my ankle is over pronated and very weak and unstable. i cannot play sport or run for a long period of time as my ankle starts to hurt and i always roll my ankle. yesturday i rolled my ankle pretty bad and it hurts alot but there is no swelling, it feels as though something has been pulled or stretched. my ankle and its surrounding is a little tender to touch. i can still walk however there is some pain and i feel discomfort trying to move the ankle joint or stretch it.

RESPONSE

Hi Alicia,

Let me start off by saying that every time you do damage to your lateral ankle ligaments you essentially further weaken them.
Injured ligaments, when they heal are never as strong as the original ligament simply because they heal with scar tissue which is never as strong as healthy tissue.
Making matters worse, the more times you injure the same ligaments, the weaker they become, and the more susceptible they are to further injury. That may explain why you are now having difficulty running. You have always been pronated, its just that from the repeated trauma to the

ankle, it now hurts to run.
All is not lost.
I would suggest you see a sports medicine doctor in your area. Either through taping, strapping, bracing the ankle, or perhaps through the use of an orthotic you may be able to stabilize the ankle by reducing your pronation and decreasing the strain on the ankle ligaments.
If these simple treatments do not work you may require an MRI to get a better "picture" of the ankle ligaments and the ankle joint itself. There may also be damage to the peroneal muscles which originate in the leg and travel down the outside of the ankle.
You may also have to consider alternate forms of exercise if after various attempts to stabilize your ankle, you are still unable to run.
As far as the advice you were given that your ganglion cyst would eventually disappear, although not impossible, is highly unlikely.
If a ganglion cyst is not painful and does not interrupt your activities or ability to wear certain shoes then it need not be treated.
If, however, it is painful then it should be treated. This would include aspiration where the fluid is drained from the cyst. Additionally, a little cortisone would be injected to further diminish the swelling. The only drawback to this is that there is a high recurrence rate.
Sometimes the ganglion cyst is surgically removed, but once again there is a recurrence rate.
That is why ganglion cysts are usually left alone unless they hurt.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

MY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS(items I prescribe in the office)

Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain best buy in a pre-made orthotic click link below

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes click link below

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Poland

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South Carolina

Hello! I want to thank you for such an informative website! I found you based on my ankle pain search and am happy to realize that there may be a relatively simple cause and solution....

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

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anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown

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Chrissy

location unknown

Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Jackie

San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY

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Jill S.

location unknown

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Jackie

Whichita, KS

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mark

Boston, MA

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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

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Colorado

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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

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location unknown

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Nancie

Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown

Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

Renae

North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Melody

Lenoir, NC

Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

post severe ankle sprain

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