Question
Dear Dr. Katz,
I have a broken ankle. I have been wearing this cast (air cast; the one which looks like an astronaut boot) for more than three months. Every time I see my doctor he scans my ankle through ultrasound. Then applies pressure (using his fingers) on some points on my ankle. It hurts a lot and I feel that he slows down the healing process and causes damage by doing this and asks me to wear the boot for more. Because every time I see him I feel pain in my ankle afterwards and it stays there for a while. What he is doing, is it normal? That I feel pain after every time I see him.
Many thanks in advance.
Best Regards,
Baris

Answer
Hi Baris,

The best way to monitor the healing of a fracture is with a plain old-fasioned x-ray.  Ultrasound would not be the best choice.  Fracture healing normally takes about 6 weeks and then I send my patients for physical therapy.

I would seek the opinion of another doctor.

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.