1. Welcome to the Foot Health Forum community where you can ask about foot problems and get help, as well as be up-to-date with the latest foot health information. Only registered members can ask a question, but you do not need to register to respond and give help. Please become part of the community (here) and check out the shop.

broken, but no swelling?

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Unregistered, Dec 22, 2008.

  1. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    Thanks for the advice - I went to see a foot specialist who diagnosed a stress fracture. Angry that I wasn't listened to and walked on a broken foot for two weeks. My advice - don't go to the doctor first, see a specialist, then go back to your doctor and tell them what is wrong with you!
     
  2. Hobbler

    Hobbler Guest

    I've had sharp pain on the tops of both (extremely high-arched) feet for months. I quit running due to the pain but still walk about 8-10 miles a day for my job. I did go to my doctor who is board certified in sports medicine. He said I couldn't have fractures as I was not swollen and gave me no further advice on how to stop hurting. I have to keep walking to keep employed. At least here on this site I've learned about the ice bottle rolling. As my pain is on the top of the feet, I will ice that area as well as roll below. Thanks at least for some advice.
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Like others, probably, I found this page through a Google search for my symptoms. (Electric twinges, then pain down my ankle while running, better with rest; increased but intermittent pain over time - and, it appears to move across my ankle and top of foot; no swelling; tingles and itching across the foot (feels like in the bone). Today any weight on any part of my foot at all has me yelping.

    Tomorrow I'm going to see my GP (again), but am not optimistic about coming out with a diagnosis. Early on in my pain (February), I had an idea it could be a stress fracture. (I still think it is.) My GP thought it could just be random nerve pain, since of course there's been NO SWELLING, but had it x-rayed. I knew from reading that most anything but a frank fracture wouldn't show up. Like, even if it's a question of a ligament, or whatever, unless it's practically clean off the bone it probably won't show up on an X-ray. And, if it *is* a stress fracture, it wouldn't show until it started healing. Probably, he only ordered it to humour me.

    I'm not really sure who I should go to if I come out without any clearer notion of what this is. A physio? I don't think they can order an MRI. A podiatrist? Sports medicine doctor? Orthopedist? Who is best placed to explain wtf is going on with my ankle/foot?

    This article, from Podiatry Today, suggests stress fracture is way under-diagnosed, and that even 'foot specialists' miss it. But don't bring it in with you, or you'll be accused of being a hypochondriac. If I don't come out with some kind of answer, or at least a referral to someone who knows how to come up with one, I'll be tempted to learn how to run and read an MRI myself.

    Ok, can't post links. The article is "Secrets To Treating Stress Fracture Of The Ankle", Podiatry Today, Volume 15 - Issue 6 - June 2002.
     
  4. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I just posted the previous comment/question. (Apologies for the vitriol in it; it's borne of pain and frustration.)

    (Additional info re pain - today, there's been mild pain along the inside of my left ankle when my foot is doing anything but resting on a pillow, and moderate to severe pain when I put any weight on it [heel more so than toe].)

    Also wanted to highlight the actual question embedded in my rant: other than a GP, who can someone like myself or the other posters see to obtain a diagnosis? (I know systems are different; I'm in Canada.) Would a referral be required, or could I self-refer?

    What are the likely treatments consequent to a diagnosis? I do know that physios offer conservative treatment (manual therapies, home exercises); that orthopedic surgeons deal with surgery and probably very serious problems; and podiatrists appear to treat a range of foot things, from dermatological issues to musculo-skeletal ones. My impression is that sports medicine doctors treat elite athletes. Who among these does it make most sense to see (for the types of symptoms mentioned in this thread)?

    I didn't mean to be so hard on my GP... I gather they're expected to know everything about everything, and that's impossible. Also, mine is very nice but doesn't always offer thorough explanations (to which I'm partial). It's hard sometimes to advocate (or, 'press')... you don't want to come off as a jerk or neurotic, or find yourself altogether alienated from care.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2011
  5. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I'm confused because you're talking about 2 different parts of the foot. The one that causes your arch to fall is the posterior tibial tendon, and that runs along the inside ankle. Plantar fascitis is a tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot, and typically causes pain in the heel. The treatment you got is what is typically given for pf, not tibial tendon. You may have falling arches, but don't think they were healed with a frozen water bottle and massage...!
     
  6. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Doctors just think I am making up my pain I am quite sure. My right foot hurts sharply on walking or weight bearing but has no bruising or swelling. Was xrayed too but nothing found.
    Also no pain when poked or prodded. Doc just gives me anti inflams and says rest. Very frustrating indeed.
     
  7. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I was on a 3.5 mile jog when I started to feel slight pain in my heel but I kept on running anyway. At the end of the jog I couldn't run because it hurt too much. That night I limped around on my foot because it didn't hurt too much. The next morning I got out of bed and nearly fell to the floor because it hurt too much. I went to my dads office to get an x-ray but nothing showed up. There was no seeable swelling or no pain when pushed on. As soon as I got up to walk it hurt again! I was given an boot to wear and it took away the pain. The next day it hurt like the first day. But the next day I was walking around and the pain was not as bad! I don't understand what condition I had.
     
  8. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I had the same issue as the original poster. I went to my local walk-in yesterday, and even though they couldn't see anything on the xray, I was told it was a stress fracture (those are very hard to see on xrays). They told me that if I couldn't spend five days at home with my foot up (ha!) then I would have to use a boot. Lame, but at least I can walk now.
     
  9. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


    dear "Foot Doc" you seem to be a Doctor that I dont want to go to. Most people come to sites like this to try and get an idea of what could be going on with their bodies and to find out what treatments are available for each individual problem. If I were a doctor and i decided to check out the internet postings about the type of problems that I help to diagnose and treat it would probably read something to this effect... " I am competent doctor who specializes in podiatry, (i.e. a foot doctor) based on the signs and symptoms that are described you could have A, B or C wrong with your foot. The treatment and care for A would an X-ray followed by an MRI if the the Xray did not reveal anything, and then followed up by care instructions from your doctor with out any surgery. or if it is B that you are diagnosed with then the treatment and discovery process would be XYZ, Or if it is neither A or B it could be C with is tested for by, and then followed up with ZYX depending on your doctors orders based on your condition. However, the ONLY way to determine if you have these problems is to be seen by a competent medical professional who specializes in foot care." that would be an example of a better to respond to these posts than way that you are. YOUR ATTITUDE IS THE PRIME REASON WHY PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO GO SEE MOST DOCTORS THESE DAYS! IF YOU DONT LIKE WHAT YOU READ TO COME AND READ THE POSTS!

    A guy who does not mind telling it how it is!
     
  10. As a college runner, we come across these things alot. There are things they call a stress reactions, no quite a fracture, but close enough to have a pain. If you fractured something, you will know! Just take it easya few days, is the best remedy i have found.
     
  11. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    My Doc had no answer for me, but I had the exact same symptoms about a month and a half ago. Same pain in the same area of my foot, around the fifth metatarsal, but no swelling. It started off with minimal pain for the first 3 days. I figured I had tweeked something at work. Then I woke up the next morning after going to a club and I could barely put any weight on my foot at all. I couldn't figure out how I had hurt my foot, but having broken my foot before, the pain seemed familiar. I was almost certain I had broken my foot again. I went straight to the Doctors on the way home that afternoon, but had to wait til the next day to get an x-ray. The x-rays came back negative. The pain remained intense for another day or two after that but then very quickly faded and vanished. I found this odd because I've broken about ten bones and suffered many other muscle injuries in my life due to various sports and the nature of my work, and every time the pain has gone away gradually as the injury healed. In this case however, the pain came on gradually, was intense for 3 or 4 days, then I woke up the next morning and aside from a little stiffness, the pain was almost completely gone. My Doc had no explanation as to what might have caused this, she found it odd herself, but told me that if the pain returned to go back and see her... I haven't felt anything since.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2012
  12. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    First things first, I despise the attitude 'If it's broken you'll know', I've broken my ankle, wrist, elbow, knuckles, and toes (probably) and each time I hesitated about going to the doctor. Nobody wants to feel silly.

    I can't believe the people who didn't get anything checked for months! About 10 hours ago I had an accident playing football, limped home, and have been in agony since, so much so that I've thrown up! I'm on Ibuprofen now, but still in pain and debating going to A&E.

    My symptons are slightly different to everyones here, pain when elevated and no pressure, unable to move toes, but I ended up here because I have no swelling! And I'm told no swelling = no break or major fracture.
     
  13. Ren1a

    Ren1a Guest

    I can only relate my own experience..Twisted my foot coming off a curb..tried to ignore however the following morning my foot was the size of a small grapefruit with some bruising. Getting out of bed there was no way I could walk on it, felt like a bee sting 100 times over. After spending 5 hours in emergency, the doctor took one look at it and ordered 6 x-rays..Ordered me to see a Orthopedic surgeon asap...Thankfully it was not a displaced fracture and was a pseudo-Jones fracture...Get my cast off next week and will need to wear a walking boot for an additional 3-4weeks..Best advice I could give anyone is to see your doctor asap. Everyones experience is different....
     
  14. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    What a JERK! 'reasonable person??' As a health professional myself I'm embarrassed by these stereotypical patronising types that let us all down. All this guy cares about is getting people off the forum and into his clinic, for $$. You're telling this guy to go to a clinic yet you're hanging out on foot forums waiting to abuse people who simply want a little advice? Not sure who is the ignorant one here.
     
  15. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    It IS possible to have stress fracture without visible swelling and/or severe pain. During 10 miles run I landed arch of the foot on a cluster of packed/hard grass. I felt a sharp "sting" like sensation under the foot. I finished my run without much pain, just a little discomfort. I had pain while walking for next 2 days. After 2 unsuccessful attempts to run (pain under the ball of the foot), I went to podiatrist: x-ray taken - everything looks good. Taking ibuprofen for next 2 weeks, less pain, completed a few short runs without pain, but my foot still hurt while walking in shoes with less padding and also during rest/sleep. Three weeks after the initial accident, my Dr. ordered MRI and it showed metatarsal stress fracture. I believe it was a combination of increasing milage too quickly, old shoes and uneven running surface. I am now sitting in the aircast for at least 2 weeks and no running for at least 4 weeks. Just wanted to share my experience, as the stress fracture was the last thing I was expecting based on the research in the internet.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
  16. Ren1a

    Ren1a Guest

    Stress fractures among runners are not uncommon (friend who runs marathons) and are usually hairline fractures...If you suffer a complete break as in a Jones fracture (you have my complete sympathy) or pseudo Jones fracture(me), I can guarantee you that you are looking at a minimum of 4 weeks cast and another 6-8 weeks in a walking boot with crutches as I have discovered (12 weeks just to walk again with help of PT)....If not, you need to see another doctor or a specialist as in orthopedic surgeon....From experience, a complete break DOES involve some swelling (in my case a lot of swelling) and A LOT of bruising around the perimeter of your foot...Just go in to be sure it is not a complete break and do not try to walk through the pain you may dis-place it and then you are looking at surgical pins to hold it together...
     
  17. wwaassuupp

    wwaassuupp Guest

    im confused

    alright, well i had surgery on my ankle last year around feb, and i have the same pain in my ankle and i have it on my left ankle. I had surgery on the outside of my ankle but i dont know what the tendon i had surgery on... what do i do? I think i need an MRI. but those are expensive!!!!!
     
  18. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I know I'm kind if late, but the same thing happened to me only in the right foot. I ended up seeing the podiatris yesterday and got xrays and they came back clean. He put me in an air cast for a week and have to go back for another check. He said if I'm still in pain after a week we will do an MRI. My pain was so unbearable in the beginning and I must say it has gotten a little bit better each day, but still hurts when walking and standing. No bruising or swelling present. Hope this helped!
     
  19. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I have gotten x-rays and a MRI before because I had the pain that describes a stress fracture. When the the results came back I only had inflammation. But since I have gotten those results the pain has merely increased instead of getting less. I'm getting more and more worried as I have had to loosen all my tennis shoes to the point where they're barely even tied at all. I run track and am in season at the moment. I have immense pain in my 1st metatarsal when walking, jogging, running, and pretty much any movement that requires weight on my foot. The minute I'm sitting down, though, it goes away for the most part. But if I keep my shoe on the foot it continues to hurt immensly. I'm curious as to whether or not the inflammation became a stress fracture but I've yet to see any swelling. I've done RICE and it hurts from the moment I stand on my feet in the morning until I go back to sleep. I can't think of anymore information other than the fact that I used a boot on the foot for like a month after I had been diagnosed. I need some help because my parents won't take me back to the doctor unless I am either unable to walk or the foot swells up like a balloon.
     
  20. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    This forum sucks and I hope none of the doctors running it are paid.. ever. I stubbed my pinky toe on my bed and it hurt. At first i thought it was just sore so i continued walking on it. It really didn't hurt that much the first day, i went to the gym and got home to notice a bruised line on the inside of my small toe and a small bruise on the under side of the toe. Since that day it has gotten painful to a point that it's difficult to walk on. It does not to appear to be majorly deformed, (minor differences between the two toes but none that stand out) and did not swell up. I just placed gauze in between the toes and wrapped it.. its day 4 now and it still hurts, i assume it's a brake or sprain. I'll wait it out a few more days and see if any new symptoms arrive before going in. I wouldn't expect an intelligent or professional answer on this forum.. but if i do go in, i'll post a reply giving you guys the diagnosis.
     
Loading...

Share This Page