Ankle Injuries

[zoeken]

Well, I went back to the foot and ankle specialist on Monday. They removed my cast to do more x-rays. I am back in a boot - a new one. My doctor is not happy. It has been over 3 months since I was "immobilized" and my x-rays show not signs of the fracture healing. I do not know if maybe I went to long prior to the ortho putting me in the boot or what. It has been 4 months since I injured my ankle, but no one every did anything about it. Quick care did not even do an x-ray just said it was tendonitis
The specialist is trying to get approval for a bone growth stimulator. If that does not happen then he said surgery will have to be done. If the insurance approves the stimulator then I have several more weeks of treatment, then another MRI if there is no significant improvment. What to do? This is very frustrating.

[footankledoc]

I'm sorry to hear that you're frustrated about the whole ordeal. Bone stimulators are commonly used for hard to heal fractures or for fractures that don't heal. It helps enhance the body's ability to bridge the gap in the bone. It's the last conservative effort before one has to go back in for surgery to fix the bone. I'ved used bone stimulators in my office for hard to heal fractures and in all cases it has helped heal the fractures faster without having to do surgery. Good luck!

[zoeken]

Thanks for the info. I am glad to hear that the bone stimulators do work. I have had another set back - last week I had to go back to the doctor after something felt like it popped in my ankle and I now have severe pain. Now I have reinjured the bone, and yes I had my boot on. I was trying my best to be good - at least as much as I can. So now, we are just waiting on approval for the stimulator then the doctor suggest doing the surgery in combination with the stimulator. He said that he is not telling me that I have to have the surgery. I am at the point that now I think it would be the best thing for me to do. Now Ii am worried about how long I will have to be out of work. Any info or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks for everything.

[footankledoc]

Without looking at a x-ray and an exam, it's hard to say how long you'll need to be off your foot or how long to be off work after revision surgery. Again, as a general rule, bones in the ankle take about 6-8weeks to heal and if used in combination with a bone stimulator, it can heal about 25-30% faster. The time to heal even with surgery is the same except the rate of healing is easier since the bones are placed back anatomically and with a stimulator can enhance its healing potential. Again, these are general rules. Best of luck with everything and wishing you a speedy recovery!