Broken Ankle - A Bit Wonky

[Greedyfly]

As you may know I badly broke my ankle a few years ago and have had a fair amount if surgery to try to alleviate pain but to no avail. I'm waiting to see my ortho surgeon again as I have a new problem which needs to be fixed (something is floating around causing a locking issue).

The last year or so I have increased knee pain on the same leg due to my poor walking and I guess over compensating. My husband noticed recently that my 'broken' ankle/foot is twisted outwards so when I walk I have one virtually straight leg and one considerably different that sticks out to the left quite a bit. It's been a long time but I'm pretty sure it was bit that way before I smashed it.

I'm concerned that this is one not helping with my knee and hip issues on the same side and will only make them worse and two that it could be the reason why my ankle pain has never gone away.

Anyone have any experience of this? I'm worried that this will cause yet more issues in the future especially when it's been suggested that I will likely continue to need surgery to clean the ankle out regularly.

Would it not make sense to straighten it? Would that be too hard? Or best to leave it alone regardless if the continued need for surgery?

Thanks

GF

[Greedyfly]

Or is it my hip pulling my leg outwards?

[Sqad]

Difficult....very difficult.

\\\\I'm concerned that this is one not helping with my knee and hip issues on the same side and will only make them worse and two that it could be the reason why my ankle pain has never gone away.

Yes, on both counts

\\\Would it not make sense to straighten it? Would that be too hard? Or best to leave it alone regardless if the continued need for surgery?\\\

That is the $1million dollar question and yes if it was operated on it would be "fixed".....arthrodesed......an operation of last resort.

A difficult decision for an orthopaedic surgeon to make.

[Greedyfly]

Thanks Sqad, I will obviously be asking my ortho what he thinks when I see him next. I worry that his diagnosis of surgery for possibly life until it's fused could be changed by re-setting the ankle straight.

I'm no ortho so I don't know, I just know it's knackered and seems like it will never be fixed.

[pixie373]

This may not be relevant, but when my son broke his leg, his foot turned outwards for a while after. Apparently due to the muscles weakening, and your hip naturally rolls the foot outwards because it's easier. He had to concentrate on pointing it forward until the correct muscles had restrengthened.

[Greedyfly]

That makes sense Pixie, I suppose mine is weaker then usual due to the continued surgery - Thanks