lymphedema treatment doesn't have to be the whole leg. It can be just ankle and foot. It won't heal until the swelling is gone.The leg is not swollen, just the ankle and the foot. I tore the peroneal tendon 9 months ago and walked on it for 6 months thinking I tore the ligament but it was the tendon so it did not heal. I also have plantars faciitis so I was taking alot of ibuprofen and acetaminophen when I injured it so I did not realize it was serious.
After a week it was still swelling over the top of my shoe and the pain was making me throw up so I went to my doctor. She prescribed a diuretic for swelling and did not even note my ankle injury.
I went to urgent care 4 months later and when the doctor did an xray she said it was not broken and that due to the swelling I might need surgery. I saw a specialist in December who wanted me to do physical therapy. The physical therapist told me I should not be doing physical therapy and needed an MRI. I finally got an MRI in February and was told I need surgery.
Surgery was scheduled for March 15th so I saw my doctor on the 8th and had her look at the rash. She told me to use hydrocortizone. I went in for surgery but it was cancelled due to the rash. It seemed to be healing so I was scheduled for the 26th but I was sent home a second time.
I stopped taking ibuprofen before my first surgery date and started Tramadol instead. It is a pain killer but not an anti-inflamatory so I can't put weight on the ankle anymore. I have to keep my ankle elevated to keep the swelling down. I had been using compression for swelling and to stabilize the ankle while I was walking on it and I think that may have caused damage to the veins.
I have done alot of research online because I don't have alot of confidence in doctors. I will look up lymphedema to see if that might explain my symptoms.
I have tried hydrocortizone cream, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soap, antibiotic ointment, fungal cream, oral antibiotic, A & D ointment, and now aloe gel. The ointments make the rash worse for some reason. I have been able to get the bumpy thickened oozing patches where the ankle brace supports were applying pressure against the ankle swelling to resolve so I am left with sores from scratching the itchy texturized skin (which became dry and scaly before healing). Sores on other parts of my body have healed just fine but not on my lower leg.
I have never had a problem healing before so this 9+ months of non-healing from an injury is depressing. I was leading a horse with a rider on a trail and I stepped off the trail into a ditch because I was watching the riders and horses on the trail ride instead of watching where I was stepping in my riding boots. It was a work-related injury but I signed a waiver of liability for the job so I can't get workmen's compensation to help with my medical bills.
I tore the ligaments years ago during an emergency dismount so the healed ligaments are scarred. I guess that is why the tendon tore this time. When I tore the ligaments I was told it takes longer to heal than a break and I think it took 6 months to heal. With the torn tendon it has been 9 months already and I have not even started healing yet. I would have been on my feet already if surgery had happened in March but now I don't even know when I will be on my feet again.
