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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

8 months pregnant, left ankle hurts. Recently in Oct 2009 I had a dislocated compound fracture on that same left ankle.

by JJP
(Ft Worth, TX, USA )

I am 8 months pregnant about 33 weeks along now. My left ankle I recently slipped and fell back in Oct 2009 ended up with a dislocated compound fracture on my left ankle. I had to get plate and screws put in. Now I'm pregnant close to my due date and my left ankle is causing a lot of pain. Not sure If this is caused by pregnancy. For the last two days it's been hurting I haven't been on my feet too much. I've mostly been resting and I been icing and elevating it and nothing seems to improve. There is some swelling around the ankle area but not too much. Please tell me what should I do. I went to a walk in clinic and they say from what I explained to them I need to go to ER asap due to my current condition. There's really nothing much they could do. I would have to wait till the baby is born. Please tell me I'm not alone in this situation.

ANSWER

Hi JJP,

You do not mention how much weight you have gained, but if it is substantial that will play into your problem.
Perhaps the more important issue is the hormonal changes that your body is undergoing. It is these changes that may be exacerbating your pain in the ankle.
In both cases there is not much you can do about those factors. The good news is they will not last forever.
In the meantime I would recommend keeping the foot and ankle wrapped in something like an ace bandage of ankle stabilizer device. This will help immobilize the ankle and take the strain off the plates and screws. It will also help keep the swelling down, even though you mention there is not too much swelling it does play a role in your discomfort.
I would recommend you call your ob-gyn and see if there is any pain or anti-inflammatory medication that you could take.
Since you do not state that there was any recent history of trauma to the ankle, I suspect your pain is the result of the factors I have just mentioned.
You apparently are still young but what happens in trauma where plates and screws are placed, as you get older you will start to notice dull soreness in the area from time to time. It is never a perfect situation. As time goes on, you will be the one who always knows when it is about to rain, as the associated barometric pressure changes will affect your surgical site.
The same is probably happening now only it is due to hormonal changes.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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New Jersey

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

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This is the best site for foot problem info.

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

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Florida

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New Jersey

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a mom

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

8 months pregnant, left ankle hurts. Recently in Oct 2009 I had a dislocated compound fracture on that same left ankle.

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