You’re hurt....not sick. Be happy.
Swelling in random places on the foot as well as the big toe sounds like gout to me. I had it a couple of times and the pain was unbearable. Like pins and needles in the various joints in my left foot.
She ended up getting the tendons in her ankles stapled. 30+ years later and her ankles are still as stable as anyone's.
Herbal remedies will not reattach torn tendons.
Torn ligaments and tendons DO NOT HEAL.
They must be surgically reattached. It’s possible that you do not have torn ligaments and tendons - just severely sprained, bruised and inflamed as you say. And even light walking and standing on a daily basis is not helpful.
In any event - seek a second opinion. And try therapy.
First of all, you need to see an orthodepic surgeon PRONTO, or sports medicine doctor. This is WAY beyond a podiatist’s expertise, and I am shocked that they didn’t recommend you to go to one, let alone gave you the directions he/she did, which probably worsened the situation.
Is there a more accurate and precise diagnosis?
If ligaments and tendons are actually torn, I think it’d take surgery to correct. Even with that, no quick recovery time.
6 mo sounds right for ligament sprain. Could be longer.
Discoloration and swelling this far out seem odd.
My only experience with this was midplacing my foot and tearing the cartelige off my ankle. I hobbled around on crutches with a flex wrap around my ankle gor several weeks (maybe longer on just one crutch) and tried to limit pressure in that foot.
The doc who saw me had this happen himself and was healing some injury of his own. He said I could expect it to happen more frequently after the one time but it hasn’t in 20 years hence.
X-rays at the time showed no break or fracture.
You need another opinion. if you really tore all the ligaments and tendons, I doubt the treatment you were advised is the right treatment. You sound like someone who, like me, hates going to the doctor, but you need to get to a big city and see a specialist.
I haven’t been through what you describe, but the fact that your foot is still slightly blue makes me wonder if you have a circulatory issue. Is your foot cool or cold when the other foot is warm? Regarding the swelling, have you or your doctor conducted a pitting test? You might want to get a second opinion.
Do exactly as the Dr. says. Nothing more, nothing less.
It takes a while to heal.
not to hijack the thread or anything but i have a med question as well...
Why have i been feeling dizzy for the last 2 weeks...like being on a boat in rough seas?
otherwise i feel ok, no fever or anything.
Get a second, or third, opinion. Doctors are not miracle workers, far from it. They often make quick decisions with incomplete information - and are wrong.
Ask around a little bit who is “the best” in your area. The cream usually rises, and you can find out who the specialists are with a little investigation.
My wife dislocated her heel about six or seven years ago and tore all of the tendons and ligaments. She went through what you are going through now. It was a full year before she had for flexibility with her foot. Otherwise, from what you posted, the situation is almost identical. She said just wait, because recovery will take a long time. She enjoys being outside and hiking, and it just took time.
Try an Orthopedist instead of the Podiatrist.....
People that I know who have had foot injuries and or foot surgeries have told me that it has taken over a year to 18 months for the foot to recover and not be swollen.
There is a cluster of nerves on the sole, just behind the big toe connection that is unbelievably sensitive to pressure, and can be extremely painful. Also, I have just recently discovered that tendon injuries can take forever to heal. I would recommend an orthopod rather than a podiatrist.
I used to bounce back quickly, but after 60, something changed. Not in my mind, but in my body, and my mind hasn’t caught up yet. It hilariously thinks that I am still 35 and hot chicks dig me.
Bump for orthopedic surgeon.
Mine was a knee but required surgery to fix. I suspect that you will need an MRI. It is my experience that torn soft tissue can indicate other tears that are not as visible to an external examination.
Take an aspirin.
Sprained my ankle twice playing football, that was in 1975. To this day I still have minor problems with it from time to time. If I’m not careful and step off a curb wrong or in a hole for example it can minor sprain easily. What you Dr. said about a break healing faster is exactly what mine said back then. As far as footwear, not sure wearing hiking sandals with firm soles is enough support. You might want to opt for ankle high boots and sneakers for a while if you have them. Sounds like your ankle needs all the support you can get right now so it will have time to heal. Also, ice does me wonders for swelling.
Having said all that, what Sacajaweau said....it could be worse. Good luck.