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

Left leg and ankle pain

Last November (2010) my 11 yr old son has a 300lb wooden book shelf fall on his leg while at school. He has complained of pain at he outside ankle joint to about 4 in above the ankle, since the cast came off in December of 2010, the orthopedic finally ordered an MRI of the ankle. MRI showed a lot of bone marrow edema and a talus fracture. What are our options for this type of fracture. My son had significant soft tissue injuries from just above the left knee down to the ankle. I have made many calls to the orthopedic nurse, I was always told this is common and will eventually get better and to just give it time. Well it has been 8 mos and there is still pain... I was told surgery and/or another cast is an option. I am at a loss here, my son is very active and athletic but has had to take it easy because of the pain.

ANSWER

Hi,
The problem with answering your question is that I do not know what type of talar fracture your son suffered. Talar dome fractures involve the part of the talus that creates the ankle joint and so there can be issues with the ability of the ankle to function properly if the fracture has occurred within the dome. If the fracture is within the body of the talus and it was a simple fracture then it should have healed by now, in an otherwise healthy child.
It has now been nine months since the injury. I am not so sure that casting alone will remedy the problem regardless of the type of fracture. At the very least he might be a candidate for a bone stimulator along with casting in an effort to heal a simple fracture.
If it turns out that he has a talar dome fracture and a piece of it is displaced then surgical intervention might be his only option. This can be in the form of arthroscopic or open surgery depending on the severity and actual location of the talar fracture.
I would think that perhaps a second opinion from a local foot specialist in your area, one who can review the xrays and MRI would probably be a good idea.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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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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Wonderful advice

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This is the best site for foot problem info.

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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 ...

KG

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Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

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Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

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Bellevue, WA

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