Swollen Ankle after Anterior Hip surgery

I had a tkr 3 months ago and I am also having trouble with my ankle.
For the pass month my ankle will swell when doing small activities around the house, sitting and walking. It has cause me not to be able to push myself to work on my knee. My PT, knee surgeon and a ankle doctor can not find anything wrong. I am wearing compression socks, ankle brace and pt. Nothing helps or improves. My ankle swells and aches on the right side of the foot. I am getting a MRI next week.

@repsher I hope I’m in the right division of MCC. I have not had THR but have a sore ankle resulting from doing squats and other core exercises barefoot. This has been an issue for almost 2 months.

X-ray showed no fracture. Orthopedic doctor had no ideas for me. PT gave me exercises that exacerbated problem. Acupuncturist has given me 3 treatments. After the first I felt improvement in pain level. After second, no improvement. No improvement after the third. Acupuncturist thinks it may be a chronic issue and is not sure she can help me, in part because I have extreme sensitivity to the needles.

I should also report that I just turned 90, have advanced OA, but have never fractured anything and have no other serious joint problems.

Can anyone suggest what I might try next so that I don’t spend the rest of my life limping?

Some kind of injection? What kind of doctor might best address a problem like this? I have a pain management doctor who has been treating stenosis and other back problems.

I would so much appreciate ideas from all of you helpful and knowledgeable folks on this forum. And sorry if I’m sending this to the wrong department.

@jackiet Maybe you can try posting a new discussion about your issue here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/arthritis-and-joint-conditions-268850/
A helpful title might be "Sore ankle resulting from exercising barefoot, no fracture. Any suggestions?"
Then include the details you have given above. I'm sure you will get some helpful responses.

My suggestion would be to consult a foot and ankle specialist, not a general ortho doc.

@sueinmn Thanks Sue. Will do. Jackie

@sueinmn

I agree. Before my right total knee replacement I was having pain in my ankle area. I was pretty sure it was referred pain but I went to a foot/ankle surgeon just to be sure. He told me my ankle was fine and after my right knee replacement the pain disappeared.

I am not quite your age but in a few days I am turning 81. As we age we develop a range of problems that require addressing. I have a magician for hip/knee issues (he has replaced my left hip and right knee with no post surgery pain either time), a neurologist for my restless leg syndrome, a neurosurgeon for my spinal and lumbar stenosis and a pain doctor for everything.

Almost a year ago my asymptomatic stenosis suddenly became symptomatic radiating pain down both legs. A steroid shot stopped the pain and it has not restarted. My pain doctor gave me a caudal epidural steroid shot and it has worked so far. My neurosurgeon is the Director of minimally invasive surgery at the Barrows Neurological Institute so if I need surgery, I am confident that he can do it in a minimal way.

At your age I think it would be good to have your exercise program managed by a physical therapist. Can you have your internist give you a referral (if you need one)? I think I would look for a small PT shop where you will be interacting with the therapist herself, not primarily techs.

We have to get you to 100.

@steveinarizona How very kind of you.

The PT I went to gave me some exercises that exacerbated the ankle problem. Next I had three treatments with the acupuncturist. After treatment number one I had some relief. No relief after next two. Dr. Wang said she didn’t know how soon I could expect healing from her, and I am very sensitive to the needle.

I next have an appointment with the PM guy who has done some procedures on my back. We’ll see how that goes.

Thanks so much for your reply.

Jackie in Buffalo