Ouch! My foot!

Last night, at work, I hurt my foot. I was helping a customer purchase an aquarium and was walking with them to the aisle where they could find an appropriate filter when I heard (or felt -- it's hard to tell) something similar to a rubber band snapping. And, then, when I tried to step again, I found that my left foot (on the left side of my heel) was stiff and very tender. I thought I just mis-stepped so I continued on, but I never was able to walk it off. And, by the time I got home from work some 4 hours later, my foot had swelled some. There was no bruising and it wasn't tender to touch, but walking was difficult since I didn't have full range of motion in my heel. It's not my achille's tendon, I know that. But, what I don't know is what it is or what's wrong.

I thought that by icing it for a bit last night and then keeping off it while sleeping that it would be better by morning. But, it's been stiff ever since I woke up and it's still quite sore when I walk. There's still only some slight swelling and no bruising, but it hurts. I don't know what I did to it. I mean, sure, I'm a clutz. But, I don't know what happened to make it hurt so much.

I don't have to work again until Saturday, but I have a long weekend ahead -- 10 hours on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. And, I'll be on my feet and expected to walk the entire time. I'm going to take it easy until then, but any suggestions on what else I can do to help minimize the damage? I've been icing it for 15 minutes ever hour or so and am taking Tylenol for the swelling. I'm also keeping it up as much as possible. Hopefully, it'll heal itself. But, until then, let me just say...ouch!

OWIE! So sorry you got hurt.

Tylenol will do nothing for swelling. You need aspirin, ibuprofen or Aleve to help with that.

You might want to look up "plantar fasciitis" and see if that fits your symptoms. In any case, ice and rest are very good ideas. If you think it might be plantar fasciitis, the sooner you see a podiatrist for it, the better. It can become chronic and then, OH BOY, what a pain (literally)!

You're right, Tylenol won't do anything for my swelling. I meant to write Advil, but had Tylenol on my mind because I just saw a commercial on television for it .

I looked up the information on plantar fasciitis. While some of my symptoms match up, it came on quickly. I literally felt a snap and was in pain. I've never felt anything like it before. It's certainly not the worst pain I've ever felt, but it is a different pain. I can walk, but it is very tight and I can't flex my foot or heel normally. And, when I just looked at my foot, it is very apparent that it is swollen. It is not the bottom of my foot -- it most definitely has something to do with the heel area. And, the pain travels up into my shin. It's hard to explain...

I did call my doctor's office, but they couldn't get me in until mid-week next week. And, even then, the nurse I spoke with didn't think there was much my doctor was going to be able to do. I know it's not broken (I didn't do anything to break it!) and the nurse said they could only do something for me if it was broken. Usually, my doctor's office is on the ball, but whoever I spoke with today was quite rude. But, that's neither here nor there. So, that being said, what do I do?

I really need to catch a break. I just went back to work last week after recovering from pneumonia. The last thing I need is an injury. Let's just hope I'm overreacting and that this is just in my head.

Years ago (10 years? dang) I was running across uneven ground and twisted my right ankle around so far there was a loud snap. Sounded a bit like a stick breaking. My father refused to let me see a doctor - so without medical care that took about 4 months to heal. A few years ago some x-rays did show some odd bone growth in my foot so something messed up that probably could have been fixed at that time.

Then there's my left ankle. Due to my ankles also being hypermobile and that one even weaker, it will roll and pop loudly. There's usually pain, stiffness, and some slight swelling from that. But it can set off a cycle of that happening several times a day so that I need to brace it. There's not really much that can be done for that.

Neither one are good to deal with, but the former injury was something more serious - so I hope you didn't do something like that. If it turns out to be a bad roll you may need to brace your ankle or wear a shoe that provides some ankle support.

I hope that the doctor would take you sooner than mid-week. Especially since you heard/felt something snap. Even if the doctor can't do anything, at least knowing what was wrong would help. Until then, continue your icing and the Advil. Keep the leg elevated as much as you can (which is difficult to do sometimes), and, in general, try to stay off the foot.

What do you think about some kind of wrap for the foot and ankle? Without knowing exactly what's wrong, though, that might cause more harm than good.

I hope you'll heal quickly! Be as careful as you can on Saturday.

Were you on a fluoroquinolone antibiotic *Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, etc* by any chance? Fluoroquinolines can cause ruptures of the achilles tendon. I know you said it wasn't the achilles, but the achilles attaches over a wide area, and you very well may have had a partial rupture. Please research the antibiotic you were on and see if tendon rupture is a possible side effect.

Cally

I was, indeed, on Levaquin. I took a 14 day course when I was sick with pneumonia. My last dose was taken a week ago this past Monday. So, yes, I'm just about two weeks out from finishing my antibiotic.

I am aware that Levaquin has been linked to the weakening of tendons -- namely the achille's tendon. I've taken Cipro for years for issues and have not had a problem. I do know that with Cipro the risk for tendon rupture is slim. However, with Levaquin that risk is extremely high. It is all over the television through commercials for class action lawsuits and it was listed as the number one side effect on the paperwork I received from the pharmacy. I suppose it is possible that I ruptured my achille's tendon, but wouldn't that cause my pain to be much more severe? I tend to work through pain and discomfort since I suffer from chronic pain issues so it is difficult for me to determine what is in my head versus what is very much real.

I don't know much about the achille's tendon. I thought it was a very specific injury in a very specific place. If I were dealing with such an injury, what would I need to do in order to treat it? How would such an injury be diagnosed? I know I didn't roll on my ankle and the injury occurred just during walking (and I was wearing sensible, flat shoes). A break, while possible, doesn't seem likely. But a torn ligament or ruptured tendon, I suppose, is a possibility. I don't want to be presumptuous and head off to the ER for nothing, but I don't want a simple injury to cause me lifelong pain either.

I'm going to ask my roommate what she thinks when she gets home from work. I don't know what I should do going forward, but I am taking an anti-inflammatory, icing, and elevating my foot. The pain has crept up my leg now too and it's uncomfortable, but, for now, I'm okay. I guess only time will tell.

ICK...I was afraid of that. Sigh...

An orthopedist would likely be the doctor to see. Depending on the severity, there would be different interventions.

I hope you get it figured out soon.

Well, my roommate came home and promptly ushered me off to the ER. And, as it stands now, I'm not a happy camper. Not one bit .

I got to the ER and was, thankfully, taken back right away. The doctor came in, manipulated my leg, ankle, and foot and told me that he was concerned about an achille's tendon issue. He was honest and said that he didn't think I had completely ruptured the tendon, but that I had most likely partially ruptured it. He sent me back for x-rays of my foot, ankle, and leg and they confirmed the (at least) partial rupture.

So, they put my leg in a partial plaster cast. The cast runs from my toes on up to just below my knee. But, it is only on the back portion of my leg. The rest of my leg is covered with webbing (which is also beneath the plaster cast) and then a couple of ace bandages. This is only a temporary splint and I may have to go into a full cast once I see the orthopedist. I may also need surgery, but since it's a partial rupture the likelihood of surgery being recommended is slim. The most likely scenario is that I see the orthopedic surgeon and he has me put into an air cast or boot for a period of time followed up by physical therapy. That is what I'm hoping for. Right now, working this weekend is out of the question. I'm not allowed to put any weight on my foot and I'm on crutches. I am hoping to see the orthopedist tomorrow, but it's possible I may not see him until Monday. But, even if I were to see him tomorrow, I doubt they'd okay my working this weekend. However, once I've been seen and there's some treatment plan in place, I'm expecting to return to work.

I'm in quite a bit of pain tonight. They moved my foot around so much that I'm feeling it now. They gave me Vicodin in the hospital, but it's wearing off at this point. They did prescribe some, though, and I will take it this evening before bed. Overall, I'm just disappointed. I feel stupid that I got injured by just walking, but it appears that the Levaquin I was on really did play a part in this injury. The fact that I've been on Cipro for years also is part of the problem. I'm upset that I can't work this weekend and am terrified to talk to my boss tomorrow. This has not been a good start to the year and I wouldn't be surprised if I find myself without a job going forward (they won't fire me for being injured, but I do suspect that something will come down later on). I missed work in November when I had my appendectomy after having appendicitis and again just last month when I had pneumonia. I was expected to work 19 hours this weekend -- they're not going to be happy. And, really, can I blame them?

I'm just upset right now. I hope that I don't have to stay in this cast for longer than a day, but if I can't get in to see the doctor until Monday, I won't have a choice. I just want everything to be okay. I know I'm lucky this isn't likely to be a complete rupture, but I've had a string of bad luck and I'm really ready for it to be over.

Oh, and did I mention this cast is super uncomfortable?! I'll try to be more positive later, but I just can't right now .

aww I'm sorry! But at least you know what is wrong and you will know very soon what can be done for it! And with it truly being an emergency hopefully your boss wont mind. Did you get the ER to write a doctors excuse for you?

I hope you heal up soon!

Did you ask for a doctor's excuse from work at the ER? If not call and talk to someone there about getting things in writing if you are scared how your boss is going to react. I hope talking with your boss goes better than you think it will. I had a friend who did the same thing to his ankle and he was working retail management at the time. He had to wear a boot for a while but was able to go back to work pretty quickly. My friend hurt his ankle shifting his weight while he was singing at a karaoke bar. He does not drink at all and he was really embarased too about how he got hurt. I hope your ankle heals quickly. You may need to find a way to sit down at work when you do go back. Can you ask if you can sit down and run a cash register when you are allowed to go back to work. Try to stay off it as much as you can and keep icing it to help with swelling. The ice will help a little with the pain.

Oh no hun, I'm so sorry to hear this, I hope you heal up soon and I am sure your work will understand, it can't be helped. x

I am cheering for your roommate! The more I read in your thread, the more I was thinking, oh dear, my goodness go to the urgent care or ER!

But I did want to add my sympathy and understanding for your pain and work fears.

Let us know how you're doing.

It's now 8:30am and I've officially been awake for over 24 hours . It seems that I was so uncomfortable last night that I couldn't sleep. It's a good thing the kitties were up with me because I think I'd otherwise have been bored to tears.

I have an appointment to see an orthopedic surgeon this afternoon at 2:30pm. They wanted to give me an appointment for a week from today, but that was ridiculous so they found me an appointment at another location for this afternoon. I'll be honest -- I am afraid to see the doctor. On one hand, I don't want them to tell me that I need surgery or need a full cast, but, on the other hand, I don't want them to dismiss me and tell me that my injury isn't real. Something has to be wrong for my foot to hurt this much. And, after all, they did see something on the x-ray despite my still having some range of motion. I have an issue with feeling invalidated by doctors, but I have no choice but to take a leap of faith. And, besides, I have x-rays and physical symptoms to help back me up.

As far as work is concerned, I'm absolutely terrified to speak with my boss. My roommate told me to wait until after I see the orthopedist to call and that makes sense since his recommendations may be different. But, realistically, I don't think anyone is going to okay my being at work and standing for 8-10 hours a day this weekend. And, while they did say I'd be able to return to work rather quickly, I do have to take into account that I have a very physical job. There are some circumstances where I can find myself up at the register as a cashier, but, by and large, I work in pet care and am either taking care of the animals or doing customer service. And, that means I'm very much on my feet and running around. So, I'll have more information after I see the doctor this afternoon, but it looks like this weekend is out where work is concerned. My boss has been very good to me in the past, but this is a lot all at once. I just returned back to work after being knocked out by pneumonia. It's only been two weeks and now I'm looking at more time off -- even if it's only this weekend. At this point, I'd fire me. I hate being the cause of so much drama...even if it's not my fault.

So, that's about it. I guess I'll know more later. As for now, I'm exhausted. And, seriously, my foot hurts. A lot. Here's to hoping I can get some sleep this morning and that I am, at the very least, heard by the orthopedist this afternoon. I'll have to make some tough decisions about work later on and that's something I'm not looking forward to. But, it'll all work out. It always does...

yes, things do have a way of working out somehow, but I understand your stress. All paws crossed for you, but yes, you most definitely cannot work this weekend and by all means ask for a note from the surgeon about it.

Cipro/Levaquin is some evil stuff. A doctor put me on it a few years ago, and never gave me any warning about what it could do.....it didn't yet have the FDA "warning" on it. While I was on the 10-day course, I continued running. On one run, I felt what you did....a little "pop". I stopped, did a little rotation of my ankles, and continued running. Two days later, both my ankles swelled up and I was in incredible pain. I called my doctor and suggested it might have been the Cipro.

I've been running for over 30 years and I know my body very well, and I've never had a structural running injury (that's happened because of running). I told him it was uniform, in both Achilles. I had finished the course the day before. He sort of scoffed and said, "The Cipro wouldn't cause the swelling and pain. See how it is over the weekend." I was done with him and decided to treat it myself.

I continued to ice both ankles, took ibuprofen, stopped running, tried to keep my feet elevated, and wore an Ace ankle brace on each ankle for whenever I had to walk anywhere or be on my feet. The ankle braces were key, as they kept my Achilles immobile and that helped them heal.

Everything's fine now, but it took about 5 weeks.....slow progress, but the pain gradually went away, and I'm back running and have experienced no lingering problems at all. But I did have to give in to it for that length of time and treat it. I would also dunk my feet in ice bathsat the beginning...for about ten minutes. It really helped with the swelling.

A year later, the nightly news all lead with the story of Cipro and Levaquin getting "black-bordered box" warnings. And they actually said "particularly the Achilles tendons." I just stared at the screen and said, "Ah-HA!"

I'm so sorry you're going through this, but it will get better.

UGH! I'm so sorry it was a rupture after all.

Did they not give you pain killers?

Please take care and keep us posted.

C

I just woke up after a nap. I slept for about 2 hours and while I still don't feel great, the sleep was very much needed. I think my main issue now, aside from the pain, is anxiety. I'm beyond nervous about speaking with my boss. In fact, I'm heading closer to a full-blown panic attack with each minute.

I don't really have much to report since I haven't seen the orthopedist yet, but I did forget to mention a couple of things earlier. One, the ER doctor who treated me did give me a note for work. It was a standard note stating that I needed to be re-evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon prior to being able to return to work. If the doctor today feels I can't work this weekend (which I'm assuming will be the case), I'll need a new work note. I know I technically can't be fired for missing work due to an illness or injury, but this is an employment at will state and I also know they can decide I'm too much trouble and fire me after I have returned. I can hope I'm a strong enough employee, but there are no guarantees.

And, I was given painkillers at the hospital. They gave me Vicodin while I was seen in the emergency room and prescribed the same for me to take at home. I took a dose a couple of hours after I got home, one right before I went to bed, and another during the middle of the night. Unfortunately, it didn't do much. I'm not sure if the pain I was feeling was from my injury, a pressure point created from the cast, or what. Thankfully, I will have some more answers later. And, I'm really hoping I won't be in a cast when I get home.

For now, that's it. I'll post again later on once I've seen the doctor. Wish me luck!

LOTS of luck to you!

I would imagine you are quite anxious. You've had a horrible run with health challenges lately. Remember to breathe and always keep in mind that this is temporary...you will eventually come out the other side!