Question:

Is it time I see the Orthopedist again?

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So at the very end of April this year I was skate boarding and after doing a trick my left foot missed the back of the board by a hair and I thought it hit so when my right leg stayed on the board my body continued to move forward when my foot did not.

My foot stuck to the cement and my ankle was dislocated along with my tibia (sp?) being fractured in a very unusual place.

When I went to the ER the Dr. just told me my leg was broken and probably dislocated. After a couple days I had my follow up appointment with an orthpedist and he said I deffinately dislocated my ankle and from the x-rays he said the break looked very unusual.

He told me from some angles my bone didn't look broken at all, some it looked like a small fracture that would heel up on its own, and from another he said it looked like it definately required sergury.

He said since this was happening, that I should get a catscan in my leg. I did that and returned back to the orthopedist a week later or so.

He said the radiologist personally emailed him saying he had never seen anything like it because the break was so weird and in such a weird place. The orthopedist said he could go in for surgery, but it would most likely just make things worse since the break was in such a weird spot and he thought I wouldn't need it. He just said he'd play it by ear and see how it recovers.

After lots of physical therapy, and a month an a half later, I returned for a quick check up.

He told me it looked like it was healing fine from the x-rays they took and disregarded my concern about my leg still hurting, a lot.

I just finished up about another month an a half of physical therapy and most my ankle works great. How ever, I still am very limited to what I can and can't do because there are certain movements that strike servere pain in my leg. The physical therapist tried to identify what was causing it and he said it was not a musscle or tenden strain or weakness. He said I should probably go see the orthopedist sooner than my mid September check up if things didn't get better.

Should I? Or should I wait until my appointment to see if it gets better.

Also, if I had to get surgery now, how many more months of PT am I looking at? I've already done 3 months for a little injury and it is making me very angry I have to waste my gas/money/ and time to keep going. I have lucked out because I am on summer vacation and I just go from work to PT, but if I had to do more it would interfear with school and I absolutely am not crutching around campus. It is just too much work to crutch 1-2 miles at a time. Luckally I'm not on campus this year and will have easier access to my car.

Thanks!

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  1. I would go see another orthopediast and get another opinion. He obviously wasn't concerned about your concerns; which is always a red flag.  Depending on the type of surgery (arthroscopic or open) and if they have to put screws/plates in; you are looking at about 3 months PT (you can just go once a week and do most the work at your house).  You probably would only have to be on crutches 2-3 weeks; which isn't bad.  You need to get it fixed; no matter the inconvience.  It will just cause larger problems down the road if you don't.  Surgery is a hard decision; I'm about to go in for my 3rd knee surgery in a year.  I know rehab is going to be rough (4th time I'll be going through it).  but you have to take care of your body.


  2. If the therapist recommended seeing the doctor, do so.

    You obviously have an unusual injury, but everyone seems competent and you're getting treatment. Keep on top of it.

    PT after surgery varies, but the minimum should be 3 months... but if your doctor recommends against surgery, listen to him. He makes more money doing surgery, but he's being honest in telling you it's not indicated in your case.

  3. Well, your PT seems concerned enough to have you go sooner than later...maybe he knows something that hasn't been described. Based on your description, while it sounds like it isn't getting any better, it also doesnt' sound like it's getting anyworse. considering the length of injury, I wouldn't think there is any reason this has to be done right away, but like I said, maybe your PT is privy to more information.

    personal opinion, I'd call the Dr., if he feels there is no reason for it to be done right away, I'd give it more time unless it's getting worse.

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