limited range of motion due to (old) ankle sprain

hello all,

my problem is the following. About two years ago I had a bad sprain to my right ankle. Nowadays, I do not have any pain in that ankle. However, the amount of upward flexion of the foot (toes toward knee) is very limited.

Is there any treatment/exercise I could do? The other ankle (left) is fine.

Thanks in advance,
Luigi

[FootDoc]

Why are you associating the lack of normal dorsiflexion range of the toes with the ankle sprain, especially as you have no ankle pain? Without a definitive diagnosis, it would not be possible to say what treatment and/or exercises might be warranted. See a podiatrist or orthopedist.

[awyeah]

can you run/jump without problems now?

i had a bad sprain about 7 months ago, now my ankle still gets swollen after i walk alot, and i have the same problem with limited range of motion...no doctor could give me any constructive advice about it yet.. this is depressing to me, since i used to be active all my life,, karate., running, football

[FootDoc]

The constructive advice, proper diagnosis, treatment and physical therapy should have been given 7 months ago. Dollars to doughnuts you have none or insufficient of the above.

[awyeah]

hi,
doctors in eastern europe are not the same as in the west or in the usa..
most of them are just people who spent enough $$ to get the medical diploma..

and they enjoy vodka at every major occasion.. i saw about 4 or 5 different orthopedists following my trauma.. since i didn't have any fracture they just told me to forget about it and that it will get better by itself..

diagnosis of MRI (6 months later) was: (partial rupture of tendo fibularis longus) + cartilage synovitis of the adhesive capsulitis type. and again here they tell me it should get better by itself.

i read some in the internet about this.. i found out about a case called frozen ankle syndrome.. is that it ? if so anything you could advice me do to about it ?

thanks for caring to answer me doc.

[FootDoc]

DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS-ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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Adhesive capsulitis of the ankle is also know as frozen ankle and is generally seen in patients who have had repeated ankle sprains. The condition is somewhat analogous to frozen shoulder and frozen hip. Treatment is generally by physical therapy, sometimes in very severe conditions including manipulation under general anesthesia, and sometimes therapeutic arthroscopy is employed. You have indicated that access to good medical care is unavailable in your country, but none of this can properly be accomplished without professional oversight, so I don't know what can be recommend for you other than to somehow find responsible and knowledgeable professional care.

[awyeah]

yes doc, just like you said it's my 3rd sprain, the first two healed quickly with no traces.. but this one got me. do you believe the range of motion could get back to how it was with time? i read somewhere that capsulitis is self-limiting.. it it true for the ankle? i am also wondering if it's safe to run with such a condition (considering that i have no problem running except for the minor but persistent swelling that follows the next day and the slight discomfort that appears sparingly from time to time).

[FootDoc]

It is at best silly and at worst dangerous to attempt to obtain instructions on what is or is not appropriate to do from someone who has not examined you. You need competent, hands-on evaluation and advice, not guesses from forum responders.

[awyeah]

... i forgot to add that i was simply looking for a guess, and not a guideline i would take for granted. but still thanks for the kind replies doc!!

[FootDoc]

Guesses are a dime a dozen. Without basis, at best they serve no purpose other than to further muddy the waters, and at worst, you might take them as fact and act inappropriately and not in your best interests. Good luck in resolving your problem. My hope is that you can obtain competent care.