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

sprained ankle with torn Achilles tendon

by Christine Lohmann
(Ocala, Fl)

My husband sprained his ankle on Nov. 9, 2008, his family doctor told him to do the RICE treatment and to come back in 2 weeks.He could not step on it al all. At the next visit he was no better and was referred to a DPM surgeon who put him in a soft cast for 2 weeks - which was put on too tightly and had to be partially removed. by next visit no improvement - still swollen, bruised, painful, etc.. whoops - doctor missed the fact that he had torn his Achilles tendon up above his ankle - next stop surgery to repair torn tendon - now in hard cast for 2 1/2 weeks. Hard cast off, surgery looks good, ankle, foot and toes still swollen. Hard cast again for 2 1/2 more weeks, hard cast off, ankle, foot and toes less swollen, most of bruising gone. Transition cast put on but once again foot and toes swelled up like a purple ballon - took cast off after 12 hours and swelling goes down - he has done no weight bearing at all and as long as he keeps his leg elevated his foot looks better, less swelling, purple subsides but as soon as he puts his foot down it starts to swell and turns purple again, also gets very cold. He is on Metanx now for help with what seems to be a nerve injury (doctor is not sure what is going on). Do you have an opinion as to the cause for the swollen, purple and cold foot? It is still throbs and he has some shooting pains in his ankle also. Thank you for any help you can give us with this.

Hi Christine,
I do not know how old your husband is or his medical history but what concerns me is a cold foot in what I assume is an otherwise healthy male.
Read my section on CRPS and if the article in any way sounds like what your husband is experiencing get him to a neurologist immediately.
As far as the discoloration goes that seems to be more a venous return problem possibly from a cast that was on too tight. He has problems here and they need to be addressed with more than Metanx,
Marc Mitnick DPM

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May 17, 2009
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Foot still swollen 2 weeks after cast removed
by: Anonymous

I broke three toes two months ago and have been cast free and walking for two weeks now. My ankle remains swollen and becomes worse after long days of standing and walking. Is this normal and if so, what should i be doing to heal? My big toe, second toe, and pinky were fractured. They are still stiff.
thank you for any comments. i am in Taiwan and the doctor's can't speak English so any help would be GREAT!

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

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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

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Madison, Alabama

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Tampa, Florida 33624

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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New Zealand

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Arizona

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Florida

1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

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Poland

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South Carolina

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unknown location

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Arlington, VA

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San Clemente, CA

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

location unknown

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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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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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Bonnie

location unknown

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Bill

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!

Tracy

Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

I just want to say thank you for the quick response and the good info. I find it amazing and a super nice thing that you do here by answering medical questions at no charge.

Russ W.

location unknown

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location unknown

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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

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

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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Wisconsin

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

Julie

location unknown

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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

I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC

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

Rustam

Bellevue, WA

I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

sprained ankle with torn Achilles tendon

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