FRACTURE PAIN AND STIFFNESS RETURNING

A year ago, I fractured my ankle and had a slow recovery. Everything seemed to be going well, but now it’s starting to stiffen up and hurt quite a bit. Am I going to have issues like this for the rest of my life?

You might be experiencing post-traumatic adhesive capsulitis, sometimes referred to as “frozen ankle,” which is similar to frozen shoulder. This condition occurs when scar tissue forms around the joint as it heals. The body can sometimes produce excessive scar tissue and adhesions, which can restrict movement and create a cycle of pain.

It’s advisable to schedule a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. They can assess your situation and determine if you need to resume rehabilitation exercises. A physiotherapist may help by mobilizing the joint to break up adhesions and improve joint fluid and motion. If these measures don’t bring relief, surgery might be necessary.

In some cases, surgery can involve cutting the joint capsule and removing excess scar tissue. This procedure is often done arthroscopically, which means fewer large incisions and less risk of additional scarring.

Reference: Tun Hing Lui, MBBS (HK), FRCS, et al. “The Arthroscopic Management of Frozen Ankle.” The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, March 2006, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 283-286.