Metal plate in ankle/left leg

Hi All,

5 years go I dislocated my ankle which broke my fibula in my left leg. It was quite a complicated break as it was twisted and slightly split.

I had an operation where they put in a metal plate and 6 screws. I was not offered any physio treatment or anything so had 5 months out then went back to playing football.

Last summer when I started pre season training I was getting a lot of pain in my ankle and into where the plate sits, the docs sent me for an x-ray which showed the plate hadn't moved and I was sent on my way. I have recently started pre season tranining again and due to the hard ground I'm now having issues again. Ankle pain and swelling and sharp pains into my leg where the plate is.

Any ideas what the issue may be? Anything I can do? I can do about 15mins then the pain starts.

Emma
P.s. I play football but I am a goalkeeper

Hi Emma

Thanks for your post.

Following an injury and surgery like yours two things may change- 1. the physical structure 2. the way the nervous system manages movement around the injury.

It sounds like the consultant has told you there is no structural reason for your pain? So it may well be that there are some changes in how your nervous system manages how you are moving e.g. how the muscles are working and joints are moving.

Our nervous system is highly skilled at adapting and compensating for injury in order to keep us moving. Sometimes these less efficient patterns remain even after the injury has healed. Pain doesn’t necessarily mean any damage is occurring, it can be just that the nervous system (rightly or wrongly) feels some threat. Physiotherapy can certainly help with the way your nervous system is managing movement. However without a proper assessment it is not possible to give any advice. I would suggest going to see someone who has experience of working with the nervous system to get your movement back to your full potential and playing football pain free.

Regards Orson