What Causes Stabbing Pain Post Ankle Repair Surgery?

Posted on Mon, 7 Dec 2015

Question: Thank you, I had two ankle repair surgeries in the last 10 months. The first surgery involved screws and plates to help support the joint, also I had donor bone inserted to replace the damaged talus.....I developed osteomyolytis and had to have all of the metal removed. I had a second surgery to repair the ankle again using my own bone from my shin................. Question, why do I have a stabbing pain and no support when I stand. It feels as though the bone is going to break. First my surgeon said it was neuropathy. Prescribed Gabephentin, then lyrica, then cymbalta.....could not take any of these. What is happening? Pain level is about an 8 or 9 , with swelling....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Fracture may have not united yet or sympathetic dystrophy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query

I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Your fracture may have not united yet. Due to this it may have not be taking weight. It can be confirmed by x rays of ankle joint.You can take analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. I can serve you better if you can upload x ray.
Second possibility is reflex sympathetic dystrophy due to long immobilisation. Treatment of it is analgesic such as ibuprofen. If pain is not relieved by it then tramadol can be taken whenever required for pain relief. Mecobalamine is helpful in this condition. You can discuss with your doctor about it.
I wanted to know how many months are passed since second surgery?
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar