Help please

I have severe pain on my ankle and back of foot . Could it be gout as I have never had pain quite as bad

[Madlegs1]

Highly unlikely to be gout, which usually affects the large toe joint.Have you injured your ankle recently?

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for replying so quickly. No I haven't Injured myself it just started suddenly . I know gout can be felt on the foot sometimes. I haven't been drinking as much water as I should and of course not getting out much.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Hidden]

Sometimes a ligament can get twisted or caught in a wrong position.You might try gentle but firm massage all around the ankle. And maybe take some ibuprofen or paracetamol ( whichever you are able to tolerate) preferably the IBU, for relaxing the muscles.

See how that goes.

Alternating hot and cold compresses can also give pain relief.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for your advice. Take care

[rabbits65 in reply to Hidden]

Hellotanty5949

Just to say that I had gout in my knee badly 10 years ago . I couldn’t walk . I have been on a tablet called Allopurinol 300 ever since . See how you go over the weekend and book an appointment with your GP . I wish you well

[Hidden in reply to rabbits65]

Thanks ,it was kind of you to respond. I don't know much about gout but now understand it can get to many places other than the big toe which I thought was the only place it got to. I am really in alot of pain just now.

[rabbits65 in reply to Hidden]

Try elevating your leg . You may have to call the NHS helpline if it gets unbearable . Gout can be awful . I do hope you get better soon .

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

Hello, just wanted to say how very helpful your suggestion of massage and ibuprofen were. The bad pain is now easing alot. Thank you .

[Madlegs1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks,tanty! Good to hear you are getting some relief. I'm sure you'll be running the marathon by Easter!😝

[Celtic]

Gout can occur anywhere in the body’s joints so it is quite possible to occur in the ankle joint. My attack was in my big and second toe about 18 months ago and it was agony so I really sympathise and empathise. My rheumatologist considered I was already on enough drugs so, rather than the traditional gout drugs, he put me on just a few weeks of daily oral steroids at the same time giving me a steroid jab. It worked a treat. You need to get your Uric acid levels checked and meanwhile try and avoid mushrooms, oily fish and all things known to have the potential to increase Uric acid levels. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Celtic]

Thanks Celtic, I appreciate your advice and well remember once taking steroids and they quite magically made my pain and every other pain disappear. Hopefully I will be able to talk to if not see a doctor. Take care.

[Amy0302]

Could be a lactic acidosis build up, try gently massaging the area x

[Hidden in reply to Amy0302]

Hi Amy , yes I will try massage. Xxx

[cyberbarn]

As an alternative to go out could it be a problem with your Achilles tendon?

[Hidden in reply to cyberbarn]

Yes that's possible. The heel at the back of my foot is swollen and painful to touch. Thanks

[cyberbarn in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that sounds more like a tendon thing than a joint thing then. There is plenty on the internet to give advice as to how to cope with it, and if you can, try to see or talk to a podiatrist as they are the expects at these things.

[Hidden in reply to cyberbarn]

Thanks for your response, I will try your suggestions. Take care

[Betsy50]

Hi maybe plantar fasciitis does the pain radiate to your sole ?

[Hidden in reply to Betsy50]

Thanks Betty , no not on sole of foot , just on ankle . It's very painful to walk but strangely the pain is alot easier in bed!!!!!

[Betsy50 in reply to Hidden]

Trying buying a decent ankle support and stretching exercises like stand on a stair with your heal hanging off and stretch it and another one is stand at the wall push your knee into wall while lifting ankle and stretching also make up a ice bottle and roll your foot with it. Can only try hope this helps

[Hidden in reply to Betsy50]

Thanks again I will try all your suggestions but just now I am feeling very sorry for myself. It's one more painful thing in a long list. Sitting on a nearby table are two very small bottles of gin (part of a gift box of chocolates ) think I will try them first.😀

[Betsy50 in reply to Hidden]

Oh I feel your pain I live with chronic pain have done for years. It's okay to feel that way sometimes let's face it unless you live with pain people dont fully understand that's why it's good to be here all of us get it all the emotions

[saj01]

Hi. Doesn't sound like gout. Sorry to say it sounds awfully like the same as I had. Started with pain in several places on both sides of the ankle and back of the heel. After several months of pain and a misdiagnosed xray, the pain persisted so i asked to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Choose to go to the spire.

They did an mri which showed a cyst formation in the medial corner of the talar dome... i.e osteochondrial lesion... that was on the inside of the ankle. Secondly it picked up that the lateral ligamentous complex had thickened, in keeping with an old low grade tear, that was on the outside of the ankle.

I ended up having arthroscopic debridement of the lesion... and physio for ankle strengthening/ balancing for the old tear.. the partial tear was probably caused by going over on my ankle some months previous.. The surgery worked... up 'til now it has

Do take some anti inflammatories if you can, and elevate your leg as much as you can.

[saj01]

Sorry forgot to add... if the swelling doesn't go down and and it's still painful, go to your gp.

[Hidden in reply to saj01]

Thanks for your response and the advice . I am taking anti inflammatory pills. Neurophen and doing alot of moaning in between. I will try and wait a little longer and on Monday I will try and speak to a doctor. The pain seems much worse when I first get up . But walking is very hard. I will bear in mind all you say when I get to speak to my VERY busy surgery.

[saj01 in reply to Hidden]

It's a very difficult time right now to get an appointment for anything. and it's no fun limping around in pain. It's just an idea, but would a walking stick or crutch help take the weight off your foot... might be worth a shot? .

[Hidden in reply to saj01]

Hello, just got up and read your post. It's not the weight I put on my foot it's just standing up. It does feel a bit better at the moment so I will see how it goes. Maybe fingers crossed it will just disappear!!!! Now for my first coffee of the day.

[Willsm]

After a couple of trips to doctor months apart and being told soft tissue damage, ligaments etc spoke with different doc, sent for X-ray, results arthritis in both ankles and bones in my feet. Pain varies between dull ache to excruciating might be worth asking for an X-ray? Good luck, chronic pain no fun.

[Hidden in reply to Willsm]

Thanks , yes I do have arthritis mostly knee problem. It is quite difficult just now to get to see a doctor. Phone calls won't help much and I will certainly keep in mind your post. Thanks and take care