why does your broken ankle still hurt?

I broke my ankle about three years ago in a car accident. I followed all of the doctor's instructions as my ankle healed, but something didn't heal quite right. Two and a half years later, I was still having severe pain and my doctor couldn't figure out why. He suggested that I see a podiatrist to have it looked at more closely. It turns out that there is a lot more to an ankle injury than I had known. Scroll through my site to find out what can really happen to your ankle when it is broken and what could cause the pain to continue long after the injury is sustained.

Foot Surgery: 5 Instances When It Is Almost Always Needed

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No one enjoys dealing with pain that comes with a foot disease, deformity or injury. Therefore, if you're suffering from any of these, then you may be considering whether or not you should undergo foot surgery. Many times, a surgery can help you get back to the point where you can live a healthy, fun-filled, normal lifestyle. However, how do you know if surgery is necessary for your specific situation? Read on to learn about five different instances when foot surgery is usually necessary.

1. Non-Invasive Options Haven't Worked.

As a general rule, a podiatrist is going to try to use non-surgical ways to repair your foot and eliminate the pain. Unfortunately, this does not always work. In some cases, the injury that you suffered may be far too severe for a non-invasive treatment to work properly. In other cases, your condition could worsen without going under the knife. If non-operative methods are not working for you, you should definitely weigh your options with your doctor about surgery.

2. Ruptured or Torn Tendons

One of the most painful ways to injure your foot is by tearing or rupturing a tendon. When this happens, the tendon is no longer keeping the bone and muscle connected together, which leads to your foot being unable to perform properly. Minimal tears and sprains of your foot tendons can often repair themselves. Surgery is generally recommended for significant ruptures and tears.

3. Deformities

When you think of a deformity, you may think of something like an extra toe. However, a deformity can be something like a bunion as well. Whatever the case may be, a deformity of the foot can negatively affect your overall quality of life since it will likely result in significant pain. Many times, deformities will cause you to be unable to perform your everyday activities because of pain. It is in this situations when surgery is often the best choice.

4. Bone Fractures

In some cases, a cast or a boot may be able to be used to repair fractures in the foot. However, if the fracture is serious, then it will often need to be repaired surgically. This is particularly true when a comminuted fracture occurs, which is when the bone breaks into separate pieces. Many times, screws will be necessary to stabilize the fracture and reduce any potential issues that could crop up in the future.

5. Arthritis

Anyone that has lived with arthritis or has seen another live with the condition knows that it can be very painful. Sadly, there aren't a lot of treatment options for it. More times than not, one must turn to surgery in order to find relief. When joints in the foot are affected by arthritis, it can cause the ankle and foot to be unable to function properly. However, a surgery, such as a fusion surgery that fuses the bones together and eliminates the joint, can restore function and reduce any associated pain.

Speak to your foot doctor regarding your specific condition and whether or not foot surgery is the best option for you. Many times, surgery is what you need to get back up on your feet and get your life back on track. For more information, contact a clinic such as East Village Foot Center PC.

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8 May 2015