Still in Pain?

[Iliketojugglejuggle]

Hey everyone. I’m a 40 year old male, 5’11” 170lbs non smoker very light drinker, physically active. About two months ago I got kicked on my right shin playing soccer ( football for you UK lads), I had a pretty deep cut from the guys cleat as I wasn’t wearing shin guards that day (stupid me). Obviously the initial contact hurt, but it wasn’t insane and I treated the cut at home. A week later the area was still hurting, like a dull ache and weakness on my entire lower leg so went for an x ray, it was negative for any breaks or fractures. Started to feel a little better after so I started going for some longer walks and did some yard work. The pain came back but now it was more of a shin splint type feel but constant so went to doctor, he said it was just healing slowly because of the sensitive area, got another x ray which was also negative and an MRI which just showed some mild soft tissue edema around the impact area. My orthopedic surgeon also said the pain often last longer as the area is healing or could be nerve damage. I’ve been in a walking boot for about two weeks now as that lets me walk around mostly pain free or very low level of pain. Im just not understanding why I’m still in significant pain this long after the injury, especially since it seems like it’s healing (the cut at least). Physically both my legs and feet look the same aside for a little swelling sometimes on outside of my right leg above ankle. Thanks for reading!

[Bananas5]

Be patient and listen to the experts

x

[Konagirl60]

I think you may have nerve damage. Does the area tingle? Burn? Spasm?

Give it some more time and add vitamin C to your diet.

[Iliketojugglejuggle in reply to Konagirl60]

I think you're right, my PT, GP and orthopedic seem to suspect this as well as they have ruled out nearly everything else. I get some tingling and numbness on the sole of my boot, not much burning, maybe once in a while. I have that spasm feeling along my anterior tibialis muscle, but I don't actually see the muscle spasm, just has that shin splint feel. I'm seeing a neurologist tomorrow, I know nerves take long time to heal and my doctors so far said that and to be patient, that it will heal in time, I'm just very anxious about it as I don't want to develop a chronic pain condition. I've been taking B6, B12, Vit. D, fish oil for about a month now, I feel like I get enough Vit. C through my diet but maybe I'll supplement. Thanks for the info!

[Konagirl60 in reply to Iliketojugglejuggle]

I hope the neurologist helps you. I’m curious to find out what he says and suggests.

While you get through this and to calm your anxiety, can you try taking Passionflower tablets. They are a natural anti-anxiety and they calm the nervous system. They are natural.

Re the vitamin C, get it through foods like red pepper, kiwi fruit, mandarins or oranges, broccoli, strawberries, cauliflower ….the natural and healthy way. Good luck.

[Iliketojugglejuggle in reply to Konagirl60]

Hey! Just an update since you were curious. Neuro wants to do nerve conduction study/EMG, but they wouldn’t really commit to a best pre test guess. Neuro did say not long ago they had a patient who had a broken leg and after the leg healed they were still having pain similar to my case. That person scheduled a nerve study but pain went away after about 5 months and they cancelled the study. Im a little skeptical as I’ve done multiple x rays, MRI’s, and all the tests and doctors visits are taking a toll on me financially and still no clear answer. I started PT and they seem to think it may be whether nerve related or myofascial pain. Either way pain management for both cases would be almost identical and I’ve been pro active in treatment.

[Konagirl60]

Good luck. Keep me posted. I pray you heal.

[Iliketojugglejuggle in reply to Konagirl60]

Quick update. Completed my NCS and results were normal, upon follow up the neurologist PA said I just have some unknown neuropathy, then she consulted with the head doctor who I have never seen personally and he said it’s likely CRPS. Three other doctors including my pain management specialist and PT said it’s not CRPS. I challenged the neurologist PA how the doctor can make this diagnosis without physically examining me himself. They are standing by their assessment, but to me that seems very unusual. Then again CRPS is some diagnosis that’s thrown out when doctors can’t or won’t actually find the cause of symptoms. Just curious to get your take.

[Konagirl60 in reply to Iliketojugglejuggle]

I think I’d get another opinion. Can you see a neurologist privately?

[Iliketojugglejuggle]

I’m in the US so really it’s all private practice, and yes I have already made an appointment with another neurologist. My pain management specialist says the right exam for that diagnosis wasn’t performed. I wish these doctors talked to each other more and came up with some kind of combined strategy or plan, but unless you’re dying that just doesn’t happen here.