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

Sprain and stretching in foot

by Karin Abu-Haya
(Israel)

Hello there,
I have hurt my foot 3 months and 22 days ago while doing my usual daily sport.
It turned blue immediately and started swelling, I went to the family doctor and he told me I need to do an X-ray, so I did, and after it, the doctor told me there's a sprain and a stretch, he added it needs time just don't walk too much on it and relax it by putting a item (pillow for instance) under my leg - ankle. I did that for weeks, and then stopped it for a while, after one month I went for an orthopedist and he told me, I should probably walk on it a little bit and it needs time, it could also hurt more than a broken foot.
It didn't work either, eventually I was advised for reflexology, however the doctor of alternative medicine told me reflexology won't effectively help, and I was admonished for acupuncture.
I did four meetings in acupuncture, it helped at the beginning , I was told by my acupuncturist to start walking 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes each time, I did for once, and it didn't hurt much, but after two days at night, I couldn't sleep due to the pain and I felt so distressed, I used to do sport daily and go to my karate courses too, but have stopped this, I'm afraid its going to be a chronic pain, cause whenever I walk too much during the day I feel the pain is back.
Please take into consideration my worries, I'm looking forward a great assistance.
Shall I continue with my acupuncture? I hope it will cure as soon as possible.
Thanks a lot in advance.

RESPONSE

Hi Karin,

In three months and 22 days most

simple sprains and strains should have long ago resolved themselves. You do not mention if you actually had an accident while exercising or this occurred simply from exercising. That would be helpful to know.

In any event the fact that the foot turned blue and began to swell tells me it was probably a little bit more then just a simple strain or sprain. There is always the possibility that you tore a ligament or partially tore a tendon.

There is also the possibility that you actually sustained a fracture, one small enough, that it did not show up on the initial x-ray. I am wondering if the orthopedist took another set of x-rays?

At this point, I think you need to know exactly what type of damage you sustained to your foot. For that reason, I think an MRI would be indicated. It should show any soft tissue damage as well as a fracture if one does exist. Without really knowing what is causing your pain, it is difficult to recommend a course of therapy. Without knowing what is causing your pain, you could go on for months more and still have pain.

Acupuncture is fine for reducing pain, but if there is a tear of a ligament or tendon, it is not going to be of much help.

If it turns out that there is a soft tissue tear or even a small fracture, then immobilization and physical therapy will probably be recommended.

Keep in mind, if there is a more serious injury and it is not properly treated, there is always the possibility that your pain may become chronic.

My suggestion would be to go back to the orthopedist or perhaps a different orthopedist and hopefully he or she will draw the same conclusion that I have come to.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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May 17, 2015
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Many thanks
by: Karin Abu-Haya

Thank you very much for your genuine response. I appreciate it.
It occurred by an accident while training, I bent my foot in some way and fell down.
I didn't do another X-ray to be honest.
Therefore, I will take your advise into account. Thanks a lot again, I hope it goes well.

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Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

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Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

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Sprain and stretching in foot

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