Well, where to start? I have searched and read SO much information on the web without really finding the answers I wanted/needed. Whatever question is asked seems to always be rerouted along a different path. Sometimes I think doctors tell you the least of all because they are so reluctant to venture an opinion without first seeing the injury (and even after seeing it, they'll often still only answer the questions they want to).
My condition is this:
1. On April 15, 2009, I suffered the above fracture falling down some steps in an unlighted street.
2. I was operated on 3 days later and had a plate and 6 screws inserted in the broken ankle.
3. Since then, I was in plaster for 7 weeks, used a stick for a week and have been walking unaided for over a month now. I attended physio, moving from simple exercises and water treatment, to work in the gym.
4. I see my doctor at fairly regular intervals (usually about 3 weeks) and he assures me the bone has healed well and the injury will soon be completely repaired.
My problem is:
1. For the last month, after the first euphoria of being weight bearing, I have seen little improvement. I feel the bone has healed and can probably take the same weight as before--but the ankle itself has no spring or elasticity in it and when I try to do a jumping exercise, the pain is excruciating (and, basically, I can't jump).
2. I limp. My doctor, at first, said I should go through the mental pain barrier. I tried this, but after a while the pain was too much and I began to limp badly and needed to pull my ankle forward, consciously, with every step. In general, the ankle still feels very wooden--no subtle movement of muscles.
I want to ask:
1. Is this pain due to damaged soft tissue? I assume that when a severe fracture occurs, lots of soft tissue gets severely damaged too? Am I still waiting for the soft tissue to mend?--or should that not be an issue? What is causing the pain? Why doesn't my ankle have any spring or elasticity in it?
2. Is this a chronic condition? My doctor tells me I'll be able to run in a couple of months--but I just don't see it. The pain I suffer is real and not psychological. But from where is this pain coming? Injured soft tissue?
I'd be glad if someone feels able to answer these questions without being so bland that the response becomes meaningless. (i.e. "Yes, soft tissue is often damaged, but this differs from case to case. Only your own surgeon can advise you about your own particular case....etc., etc.") As I've already said, my doctor has told me it's fine and I should be running in 2 months--but the lack of spring and elasticity makes me pessimistic about that.
