Old ankle ligament injury causing whole body problems

Hi,

Appreciate any help or advice I can get here before visiting a physio.


About 7 years ago I twisted my right ankle twice within the space of a month. I didn't get any treatment for the injury as I presumed it would just heal itself as previous ankle twists always had.

Around one year later I really began to notice that walking was beginning to feel a bit weird and the foot felt weaker than my other foot. The muscle on my calf was also wasting and the leg grew noticeably weaker. This obviously affected my gait. I put up with this for about another year and a half before I visited my local chiropracter (I had seen an ad where they stated that they analysed gait etc). I had some sessions here and did a little physio too until financial constraints meant I could no longer afford it.

During this time I was also a reguar gym-goer (Cardio and resistance work). In fact, it was my lack of balance in the gym and the under-development of my right-hand side that prompted me to look for a solution. Basically, my whole right side is weaker and less developed than my left side. My legs look like they are from different people! Recently I've been back at the gym and this is really frustrating me. My whole body seems out of sync.

I'm just wondering is there a solution here? Is it possible for regular physio sessions to correct this problem or am I stuck with it?

Hi JD29,

From what you have been describing, it sounds as though that right ankle and lower leg never got an oppurtunity to fully or correctly heal. And since then you have been developing some compensatory patterns which, as you described, are apparent during your gait. This problem, if severe enough, could have affected your biomechanics up the kinetic chain superior to the ankle. Remember that our feet and ankles are our platforms from which we, as bipedal mammals, move. So any alterations here will be felt sureriorly. Again, this may or may not be the case in your current situation regarding the whole right side of your body being out of sync. There may be something more going on. My recommendation would be to see a Physio who is skilled in Musculoskeletal conditions who could do a proper evaluation and assesment regarding your complaints. Best of luck.

Thanks very much. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I know there is definitely a problem but I really want to sort it out. I'm going to take your advice and visit a physio with the skills you mention. Hopefully I can sort this out and "rebalance" myself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JD29

Hi,

Appreciate any help or advice I can get here before visiting a physio.
hi :D

About 7 years ago I twisted my right ankle twice within the space of a month. I didn't get any treatment for the injury as I presumed it would just heal itself as previous ankle twists always had.
Hmm... in the future perhaps see a physio first, then save many problems later?
Around one year later I really began to notice that walking was beginning to feel a bit weird and the foot felt weaker than my other foot.
Do you ever get sudden and rapid weakness in the foot? Or is it a more generalised weakness due to muscle disuse?
The muscle on my calf was also wasting and the leg grew noticeably weaker. This obviously affected my gait.
Ok sounds like you did not do much in that year to strengthen that foot?
I put up with this for about another year and a half before I visited my local chiropracter (I had seen an ad where they stated that they analysed gait etc).
Chiropractors are doing lot's these days to try to save their profession, on the other hand Physiotherapy is blossoming due to the abundance of evidence behind treatment modalities.
I had some sessions here and did a little physio too until financial constraints meant I could no longer afford it.
Hmm... interesting
During this time I was also a reguar gym-goer (Cardio and resistance work). In fact, it was my lack of balance in the gym and the under-development of my right-hand side that prompted me to look for a solution. Basically, my whole right side is weaker and less developed than my left side. My legs look like they are from different people! Recently I've been back at the gym and this is really frustrating me. My whole body seems out of sync.
Unfortunately the way your train can significantly impact muscle balance. I would recommend taking up your gyms free personal training session for a biomechanics assessment for most movements, and safe use of equipment
I'm just wondering is there a solution here? Is it possible for regular physio sessions to correct this problem or am I stuck with it?
Although the problem occured 7 years ago, there of course is a solution. However, expect results to come more gradually and over a long term. If there is significant muscle wastage for example it will take time to see noticeable difference in the size of the muscle fibres in order to fully recover. Expect 12 weeks of intense physiotherapy, else if it is moderate (24 weeks) or low intensity (52) weeks. Unfortunately constant progression and adaptations are required to see optimal results, for this reason I recommend continued assessment and re-evaluation.

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as above regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JD29
Hi,

Appreciate any help or advice I can get here before visiting a physio.
hi

About 7 years ago I twisted my right ankle twice within the space of a month. I didn't get any treatment for the injury as I presumed it would just heal itself as previous ankle twists always had.
Hmm... in the future perhaps see a physio first, then save many problems later?
Yes, I would have thought my post shows that I have learnt my lesson. :)
Around one year later I really began to notice that walking was beginning to feel a bit weird and the foot felt weaker than my other foot.
Do you ever get sudden and rapid weakness in the foot? Or is it a more generalised weakness due to muscle disuse?
Very rarely. Sometimes when I've been walking for a while, it'll get a little bit weak. It's never been painful and I can run in the gym quite comfortably. It's just a bit wobbly.
The muscle on my calf was also wasting and the leg grew noticeably weaker. This obviously affected my gait. Ok sounds like you did not do much in that year to strengthen that foot?
I put up with this for about another year and a half before I visited my local chiropracter (I had seen an ad where they stated that they analysed gait etc).
Chiropractors are doing lot's these days to try to save their profession, on the other hand Physiotherapy is blossoming due to the abundance of evidence behind treatment modalities.
I've learnt my lesson on this too. :) I realise I should have went to a physio at the time.
I had some sessions here and did a little physio too until financial constraints meant I could no longer afford it.
Hmm... interesting
In what way? It's not that the sessions were overly expensive. I was in college at the time and just couldn't afford it.
During this time I was also a reguar gym-goer (Cardio and resistance work). In fact, it was my lack of balance in the gym and the under-development of my right-hand side that prompted me to look for a solution. Basically, my whole right side is weaker and less developed than my left side. My legs look like they are from different people! Recently I've been back at the gym and this is really frustrating me. My whole body seems out of sync.
Unfortunately the way your train can significantly impact muscle balance. I would recommend taking up your gyms free personal training session for a biomechanics assessment for most movements, and safe use of equipment
I've already availed of this.
I'm just wondering is there a solution here? Is it possible for regular physio sessions to correct this problem or am I stuck with it?
Although the problem occured 7 years ago, there of course is a solution. However, expect results to come more gradually and over a long term. If there is significant muscle wastage for example it will take time to see noticeable difference in the size of the muscle fibres in order to fully recover. Expect 12 weeks of intense physiotherapy, else if it is moderate (24 weeks) or low intensity (52) weeks. Unfortunately constant progression and adaptations are required to see optimal results, for this reason I recommend continued assessment and re-evaluation.
Thanks. I'm not expecting a quick fix and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be honest. I'm in the frame of mind where I just want to work on this problem.

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See above.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. :D

Hi

did you have any neurological assessment? reflexes, coordination, etc

all the best