[ECHOES]

I posted last week about knee pain from an injury last year and now this foot pain on the top of the ankle. Over the last week an ankle support helped so I could walk again, but now that pain is not being helped by the ankle support and the knee pain is worse. It's the kind of pain that makes you nauseas.

Thought I was on the mend. Maybe extra hours at work this week (last two weeks) aggravated it.

Just really tired of hurting, throwing my own pity party. lol
Thanks for listening to my sad song...

[January]

((((((((((( Echoes ))))))))))))

I hope you feel better very soon.

[Rhapsody]

[Beholden]

I'm coming to your pity party ECHOES. Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time with the pain. Hoping you will find some relief soon.

[ECHOES]

Thank you, it's actually much better. I don't know why.
I have had other things going on so I have been drinking a lot of water and cranberry/blueberry juice, taking an anit-viral (acyclovir), and resting a lot.
Something helped

[Beholden]

Happy Toes



and Happy feet





AND ANKLES




and knees








to you ECHOES

[ECHOES]

lol, Beholden! Thank you

[Beholden]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

lol, Beholden! Thank you

You are welcome. Now that starlite*111 has taught me how to add images, I love finding fun ones!

[ECHOES]

It's back, the respite was very brief. Going up and especially going down steps is agony. I'm so afraid I will fall going down at work. Each step is just so painful, it aches when I rest, can't sleep. Both the knee and ankle, the whole lower leg. I can't see my doctor at this time. I have high-deductible insurance and just paid off last year's bill. I pay slower than they like so they discharge me until my account is good again. So now I have a zero balance, but no cash to pay to go. I am considering the ER but I think I will just get a big bill for some pain meds. What I need is an MRI. My doc wanted to to one when I first injured my knee in Oct 08. I don't have $1500 for the MRI or more for any kind of repair/treatment.

[slowinmi]

Echoes,

I am late to this conversation, but have you tried a knee support for your knees? You can buy them at most discount stores in the pharmacy now (including Wal-Mart). I recently bought one for my son and there were several styles to choose from and most were less than $20. It probably isn't a long-term solution, but it may give you some support so you don't fall down the stairs until you can get to your doctor.

Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

echoes,

have you tried icing the knee and taking an anti-inflammatory pain reliever? can you tolerate N-SAIDS (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen and the like)? the ice cannot be placed directly on your knee - it must be wrapped in a paper or cloth towel. it's best to elevate the knee and ankle too (provides more healing blood flow). the problem with the ankle might be caused by the extra stress being placed on it by the bad knee, in other other words, you're relying on your ankle more or moving it in an unnatural way to take pressure off the knee. ice the knee and ankle before and after work and keep them elevated as much as possible when at home. (at work, if you have the option of sitting, do so so that that the knee and ankle are rested.) i've had knee surgery and am somewhat familiar with knee issues. other things that can help are shoes that are shock absorbing, light and that fit properly. high-top sneakers / boots might provide support for your ankles. inner shoe orthodics - especially ones that support the arch of the foot - can help too. i wear them everyday and some of the otc ones are pretty good. make sure they provide more than cushioning though; they should provide arch support so that the foot does not pronate (lean inside). a pronating foot can lead to ankle and knee problems. stay off your feet as much as possible and rest the knee and ankle. basic advice is to follow R.I.C.E. (Rest Ice Compression and Elevation) Some people also have success with alternating between ice and heat. stretching your leg muscles might help too, just warm up a little beforehand so that the muscles are warm and stretchable.

hopefully, this will help with healing. if not, then you must see an MD. if the above helps, consider strengthing the knee when the pain subsides. ideally, this should be done with the help of a physical therapist. light weights are best for this.

btw, where does the knee hurt? does it hurt when you touch it? if so, that's the place it should be iced.

hope this helps.

[ECHOES]

Thanks all.

I can tolerate nsaids only so long.
I used the foot/ankle support and that was helpful.
I didn't find a knee brace that would work.
But...

I am no longer limping!
I think this is what "cured" it or, is giving it a rest. Either way, I'll take it...
At work I saw there was a spare chair with arms and mine didn't have arms so I thought I would swap and see if I liked it. Withing a few days I was no longer limping. The ankle pain and knee pain are only slightly there, barely even noticable.
How about that. I'm planning on this lasting and if not, I sure am enjoying it.

[Perna]

I'm glad things seem to be getting better Echoes. Your experience reminded me of when I had foot pain after walking so innocently went to the podiatrist and they made a cookie for my shoe that felt much better but in a couple weeks I had knee pain that got worse and worse. I ended up having to go to a couple orthopedic surgeons, one of whom finally figured out it was the cookie making my feet "perfect" and perfection ain't something anyone is supposed to be; it was throwing off my knee :-)

[sunrise]

ECHOES, you said this pain was due to an injury. Was the injury suffered on the job? If so, workers comp would cover it, no matter if you have health insurance or not. Just a thought that occurred to me as my sister recently was injured on the job. That is interesting that having arms on a chair helped your foot/leg. If your employer doesn't provide comfortable chairs etc., and you suffer pain because of that, it seems that might be covered by workers comp also.

[ECHOES]

Thanks Perna

Sunny, I don't think the arms on the chair have an effect, but it was that the chair had arms that made me think I would switch chairs. I could be completely coincidental.

No, a heavy chair fell on my leg when my leg. I was moving and carrying one end of it. I missed a step upt and went down. My leg was extended over that step when the chair fell onto my leg. I think it hyperextended my knee and tore things. Could hardly walk for weeks between knee pain and pain in the back of my calf and thigh. When I went to my doctor, he xrayed it and the xray was fine. He wanted to do an MRI but I have lousy insurance and I just don't have cash for an MRI, let alone to fix it.
I've noticed it still makes crunchy sounds, so I think something is loose in there and when it gets in a certain spot, it becomes painful and limits my movements. It always feels hyperended when I lay on my back.
But for about 6 weeks recently, I was limping badly and it hurt no matter what I did.

Sorry to go on and on.
For now, I can walk and it mostly feels good.
The chair may be simply a coincidence in timing, but I'm glad whatever worked.. did