“Big trouble for ankle/calf?”
I woke up one morning 3 years ago and I had bruises, one on my back calf below the knee and one along the arch of my foot and below the inner ankle bone. I had been doing yoga the night prior. I went to the ER and they examined me for a blood clot and sent me home with no clots. Pain and weakness in my foot, my calf, and my knee on the side of the injury have progressively worsened, and now my other foot is hurting on the inside of the right ankle and the knee on another side also.
I have unbearable spasms in my foot where some of my toes go up and some go down on the injured foot. It hurts so badly I scream. There is a constant ache in my inner ankle. If I barely touch it, I feel what I could describe as a ‘shock’ sensation goes through my entire foot. Have I done some type of irreversible damage? Is there anything I can do to heal this without surgery? What do I do if I cannot afford an MRI?
I have unbearable spasms in my foot where some of my toes go up and some go down on the injured foot. It hurts so badly I scream. There is a constant ache in my inner ankle. If I barely touch it, I feel what I could describe as a ‘shock’ sensation goes through my entire foot. Have I done some type of irreversible damage? Is there anything I can do to heal this without surgery? What do I do if I cannot afford an MRI?
Female | 36 years old
Complaint duration: 3 years
Medications: None
Conditions: None known
6 Answers
OrthopaedicSurgeonOrthopaedicSurgeon
Hi, Before any treatment options is decided, a root cause of your symptoms is needed. when treating the root cause then the symptoms will go away. From your post, I would ask for MRI evaluation, this is the most specific test to decide what is the root cause of your pain. As far a affording the MRI, I recommend that you call the local radiology place by yourself, ask them how much is self pay rate for mri, ask them if there are any payment plans, care credit, or discounted rate if you pay one time payment. hope this helps.
You not only need an MRI to evaluate this problem, you also need a nerve conduction study/Electromyograph performed by a Neurologist. It is not normal to have pain for 3 years and for it to be progressing, as yours has been. The symptoms you are describing are worrisome. The longer you wait to have this properly evaluated, the more likely you are to have some sort of irreversible damage or problem. There are several things that may be causing this-but you need professional, medical testing for proper evaluation.
I recommend you make an appointment with your Primary care Physician to begin a workup to establish a working diagnosis
Sounds like some degree of a nerve entrapment of the lower limb to which nerve conduction velocities performed by a neurologist would confirm diagnosis. Treatment would range from medical and surgical as last resort. Alternative therapies would include shockwave and stem cell.
With progressive weakness, increasing pain, and weakness, it is necessary for you to consult a neurologist who can recommend appropriate testing and surgery if indicated. Unfortunately, without examining you and getting at least some X-rays, I am unable to make any kind of diagnosis.
Christopher B. Michelsen, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FACS
Christopher B. Michelsen, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FACS
Appropriate specialist referrals are indicated. See your primary care provider first.
