Burning nerve pain following severe trauma to foot/ankle

Posted by delia74 @delia74, Sep 7, 2023

Anyone have experience with and can advise/guide me on what more I can do about 24/7 burning nerve pain?
I had a traumatic fall onto concrete floor in a store in June '21, suffering hard impact injuries to entire body but most severely on entire left side of body. I can't go into details (litigation pending), but ever since that day I have suffered intense pain in all areas on left side, and nerve damage determined by neurologist in entire leg, particularly the ankle/foot. Have been seen by foot orthopedists, had MRI, nerve-muscle conduction tests, etc. Have been told by orthopedist and neurologist that there is nothing more that they can do regarding the 24/7 nerve pain that is never less than a 5 and gets as high as 8 out of 10. Contributes greatly to my depression and sense of futility. Have been to pain management specialist, so please do not recommend that. What I want is answers to why in heavens name am I still dealing with sensation of walking with a dead foot, as if my ankle were twice its size (does get a bit swollen but not to twice its size, jut feels that way), and what can be done for the CONSTANT BURNING NERVE SENSATIONS? Nerve damage ascertained by neurologist, and it extends up the sides of leg (especially so on outer side), with those areas also 24/7 numb-like conditions. Top of foot also affected as are sides of ankle, around to the back (Achilles tendon) and heel. Yes, I am at wits end right now since all on my care team have indicated there is nothing more they can offer/do...I just turned 75 and am praying that I can regain at least some of the functions that I had prior to the fall, and can resume using my gym equipment. Knee suffered serious injuries, including torn meniscus and ligament/tendon damage. Have had 5 knee joint injections, several rounds of PT (presently on 4th!).
Decided last night (while awake at 1:20 AM) that I want second opinions for the foot/ankle (am getting help from sports medicine doctor sought as second opinion for the knee). I have other serious health issues (involving CNS, fibromyalgia, and way too many others to list here) but I aim to be proactive.
Please respond with any and all suggestions, but NOT about taking pain meds because my system reacts with hallucinations, night terrors, etc....all I can take is Aleve. And although granted certificate to obtain medical marijuana, have decided against that.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope to gain insights from your responses.
God bless you all!😊💖

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@delia74, So sorry you are having to deal with the burning nerve pain 24/7. I think getting a second opinion is what I would do also. Here's some information that sounds like it might be a possible cause.

"Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) occurs when you have tibial nerve damage. Your tibial nerve runs through your tarsal tunnel, a passage of bones and ligaments in your ankle. TTS symptoms may include pain, burning or tingling in the bottom of your feet and toes. Often, nonsurgical treatment decreases symptoms."
--- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22200-tarsal-tunnel-syndrome

There is another discussion you might want to look at:
--- Can someone tell me about Tarsal tunnel syndrome? Treatments?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome/.

Do you have an appointment scheduled with a orthopedic sports medicine doctor?

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@johnbishop

@delia74, So sorry you are having to deal with the burning nerve pain 24/7. I think getting a second opinion is what I would do also. Here's some information that sounds like it might be a possible cause.

"Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) occurs when you have tibial nerve damage. Your tibial nerve runs through your tarsal tunnel, a passage of bones and ligaments in your ankle. TTS symptoms may include pain, burning or tingling in the bottom of your feet and toes. Often, nonsurgical treatment decreases symptoms."
--- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22200-tarsal-tunnel-syndrome

There is another discussion you might want to look at:
--- Can someone tell me about Tarsal tunnel syndrome? Treatments?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome/.

Do you have an appointment scheduled with a orthopedic sports medicine doctor?

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I appreciate your response!😊
The info that you have provided makes so much sense, John. And I can understand it, since I had carpal tunnel syndrome (nastily intense at times) for a couple of decades. Much improved, thanks to therapy, braces, and not teaching anymore! Retired 13 yrs so no more grading tests/quizzes/essays; all of that hand movement contributed to the damages.
I have an outstanding sports medicine doctor to whom I am grateful for what she did for my traumatized left arm (the entire arm, including hand/fingers) and the shoulder (rotator cuff tear, damages to ligaments, etc.). Yeah, all of that from the hard fall onto concrete floor....Took several months and 3 injections (and lots of OT for the arm/elbow/hand-fingers) but one year ago this August those areas were finally pain free! I still cannot and will not chance doing certain activities with that arm but I am a happy and grateful camper.
I am calling her office this morning (right after sending off this message) and asking her staff if indeed she will attend to the issues with my ankle/foot. I honestly had not thought of that since I've been told that only FOOT ORTHOPEDISTS take care of foot/ankle injuries, etc. It was the foot orthopedist that I was referred to (and who helped as best he could) that told me there was nothing more he could do....
I have deep trust and faith in Dr. Belkin (sports medicine ortho). I turned to her as second opinion for my left knee injuries/pain, and she immediately had different avenues for treatment than the sports medicine doctor that I left altogether. Actually, I have left that entire medical group and now ALL my doctors are within another one that is associated with NY Presbyterian-Columbia University. Both my husband and I did that, and we are very happy that we did. Quality of care is incredible. Doctors are not dismissive, nor have God-complexes (as did the orthopedist to whom I was sent for second opinion on my rotator cuff torn shoulder), and they think out of the box in order to best help their patients.
Thank you for the links! My husband is eager to learn about TTS; he has seen the agony that I have experienced.
If you don't mind, I'd like to update you once I have info to share.
¡Mil gracias! 😊🌺

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@delia74

I appreciate your response!😊
The info that you have provided makes so much sense, John. And I can understand it, since I had carpal tunnel syndrome (nastily intense at times) for a couple of decades. Much improved, thanks to therapy, braces, and not teaching anymore! Retired 13 yrs so no more grading tests/quizzes/essays; all of that hand movement contributed to the damages.
I have an outstanding sports medicine doctor to whom I am grateful for what she did for my traumatized left arm (the entire arm, including hand/fingers) and the shoulder (rotator cuff tear, damages to ligaments, etc.). Yeah, all of that from the hard fall onto concrete floor....Took several months and 3 injections (and lots of OT for the arm/elbow/hand-fingers) but one year ago this August those areas were finally pain free! I still cannot and will not chance doing certain activities with that arm but I am a happy and grateful camper.
I am calling her office this morning (right after sending off this message) and asking her staff if indeed she will attend to the issues with my ankle/foot. I honestly had not thought of that since I've been told that only FOOT ORTHOPEDISTS take care of foot/ankle injuries, etc. It was the foot orthopedist that I was referred to (and who helped as best he could) that told me there was nothing more he could do....
I have deep trust and faith in Dr. Belkin (sports medicine ortho). I turned to her as second opinion for my left knee injuries/pain, and she immediately had different avenues for treatment than the sports medicine doctor that I left altogether. Actually, I have left that entire medical group and now ALL my doctors are within another one that is associated with NY Presbyterian-Columbia University. Both my husband and I did that, and we are very happy that we did. Quality of care is incredible. Doctors are not dismissive, nor have God-complexes (as did the orthopedist to whom I was sent for second opinion on my rotator cuff torn shoulder), and they think out of the box in order to best help their patients.
Thank you for the links! My husband is eager to learn about TTS; he has seen the agony that I have experienced.
If you don't mind, I'd like to update you once I have info to share.
¡Mil gracias! 😊🌺

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It would be helpful to hear your update after meeting with your sports medicine doctor. Thank you!

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I can verify John’s TTS comment. My daughter was lucky enough to get to Mayo Rochester after an incorrect diagnosis of her inability to bear weight on her foot by more than one doc. She was diagnosed at Mayo with TTS. Dr. Spinner did surgery. It’s a rare syndrome so docs don’t know it.

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@docb99

I can verify John’s TTS comment. My daughter was lucky enough to get to Mayo Rochester after an incorrect diagnosis of her inability to bear weight on her foot by more than one doc. She was diagnosed at Mayo with TTS. Dr. Spinner did surgery. It’s a rare syndrome so docs don’t know it.

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Thank you for your post. I did an incredible amount of research today, including sites from UK (which gave me a professional organization). I learned a great del, and will post those sites here on another night. Everything I read captured precisely what I've been experiencing.
Right now, I am winding down from a long day, which also included PT session for my left knee that was also seriously damaged during the fall that damaged the ankle/foot.
How wonderful that your daughter was able to obtain care at Mayo! If it were possible, I would so want to do the same. I'm happy for her, that her quality of life will be so much better!

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@delia74

Thank you for your post. I did an incredible amount of research today, including sites from UK (which gave me a professional organization). I learned a great del, and will post those sites here on another night. Everything I read captured precisely what I've been experiencing.
Right now, I am winding down from a long day, which also included PT session for my left knee that was also seriously damaged during the fall that damaged the ankle/foot.
How wonderful that your daughter was able to obtain care at Mayo! If it were possible, I would so want to do the same. I'm happy for her, that her quality of life will be so much better!

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Thank you. It took many months of therapy for her to bear weight again on her leg and then walk. An incorrect diagnosis can cause needless delay in healing.
I hope you get the correct diagnosis so you can get better.

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Hi everyone.... I had blockers put in my neck and lower back... now going back to burn the nerve's because it is such a success. It can last i am told from 3 to 18 months or so but i now understand what the pain specialist is talking about that you don't realise how much pain you were in until it is gone.

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@docb99

Thank you. It took many months of therapy for her to bear weight again on her leg and then walk. An incorrect diagnosis can cause needless delay in healing.
I hope you get the correct diagnosis so you can get better.

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Gracias for the expanded info on what the post-surgery involved.

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@leannestork

Hi everyone.... I had blockers put in my neck and lower back... now going back to burn the nerve's because it is such a success. It can last i am told from 3 to 18 months or so but i now understand what the pain specialist is talking about that you don't realise how much pain you were in until it is gone.

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Can you explain just what it means to have blockers placed in neck/lower back?
I have spinal stenosis and issue in lumbar area of spine, so when pain management doctor recommended injection into the spine, I turned it down. His thoughts included that such a procedure would take care of leg/foot/ankle nerve pain. What the referring neurologist had indicated in the referral sheet was a sympathetic nerve block and when I told him the PM doctor's plan, he agreed with me about not having spinal injection. Unfortunately, the only other PM doctor that is highly recommended is at considerable driving distance, so I cannot go there. So please expand my knowledge, which I'd appreciate. If indeed it can last at least 12 months, I'd consider what you had done. I've had injections (2) into both sides of ankle, and it did barely nothing. Pain was excruciating when anesthetic wore off.

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@delia74

Can you explain just what it means to have blockers placed in neck/lower back?
I have spinal stenosis and issue in lumbar area of spine, so when pain management doctor recommended injection into the spine, I turned it down. His thoughts included that such a procedure would take care of leg/foot/ankle nerve pain. What the referring neurologist had indicated in the referral sheet was a sympathetic nerve block and when I told him the PM doctor's plan, he agreed with me about not having spinal injection. Unfortunately, the only other PM doctor that is highly recommended is at considerable driving distance, so I cannot go there. So please expand my knowledge, which I'd appreciate. If indeed it can last at least 12 months, I'd consider what you had done. I've had injections (2) into both sides of ankle, and it did barely nothing. Pain was excruciating when anesthetic wore off.

Jump to this post

Hi there. I was with you on this and said to the pain specialist…what is the point of it only last a few months. He said one of his clients with blockers lasted a couple of years. I also had your experience with my big toes but with quarterzone inj and it hurt like hell and a total waste of time. They put me under anaesthetic in hospital. He explained it is sort of like a quarterzone / deadened into the area. They work out if it has done the job .. because if you are still in pain slightly near where they have …then they know what they are working with the next time the go in. I can tell you I was a completely different person ….and only until then did I get what to doctor was saying.
It is so worth it because as he said you don’t realise how much pain you become used to …until you don’t have it. It’s heaven. There is another person here in this forum that was saying they don’t get put under just get done in docs rooms. I dont have a good pain tolerance for needles.

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