(I'm being allowed to use FD's profile to post)
I have seen a bit of your journey following the ankle injury. Just to clarify - did you have a pilon fracture? This is a very different animal to a simple ankle fracture.
I think the question you are trying to answer at the moment is 'how do I cope with chronic pain'. I assume therefore you have accepted you are going to have chronic pain and cope with it, rather than try and deal with the cause.
Of course you may well have discussed dealing with the cause with your surgeon. The reason you have this pain is highly likely to be post traumatic arthritis. The trajectory of this is variable in both severity and length. The long term is that your ankle joint is painful and stiff, then becomes more stiff and finally can fuse itself to some degree. Alternatively it just continues to get more painful.
When did you last have a conversation with a foot and ankle surgeon about your ankle and have any investigations? I know you have discussed fusion early on, is this an option you cannot consider? This is only something that should be done when you are ready for it as a pain relieving op.
Try and use what ever works for you to help you cope with the pain. If you want to deal with the pain then the long term option is to talk to your surgeon and get re-referred if you have been discharged.
Mrs FD
DOI orthopaedic registrar with interest in lower limb trauma and reconstruction
double post
wca, feel for you mate. I smashed my right ankle playing rugby 15 or so years ago. spent a couple of months in plaster and a couple on a stick.
it is now pretty much fused solid with arthritis with not much movement at all.
I don't get a lot of sharp pain or anything I cant manage, but it aches constantly. I use a lot of tiger balm/deep heat/ibuleieve type creams.
cold damp weather is worst, keep it warm if you can.
hope you get it sorted fella.
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my club foot. 😀
[url= http://singularityhub.com/2012/04/24/regenokine-the-unproven-treatment-that-professional-athletes-are-flying-to-germany-for/?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer89843&utm_medium=twitter ]Regenokine[/url]?
Couple of links to some research by Arthritis UK
Covers most alternative therapies and drugs and rates them for effectiveness, risk etc.
Have had some dogs referred for acupuncture and owners believe it makes a difference too.
[url= http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/~/media/Files/Arthritis-information/Additional-items/CAT-report-2013.ashx ]Alternative therapies[/url]
[url= http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/complementary-and-alternative-medicines/cam-report/complementary-medicines-for-osteoarthritis.aspx ]Alternative medicines[/url]
Looks like capsaicin was rated for pain relief from osteoarthritis.
Hope it helps
