This post is for all the nurses/docs out here. I'm posting this for a friend and we are at our wits end about her problem. Several weeks ago shhe complained of pain in her ankle. She has been prone to Stress Fractures and her "Sports Injury" doc diagnosed her with a stress fracture of her ankle and sent her on her merry way. Two weeks later she was in utter pain, went back to doc, and he put her in a walking cast. Still in great pain, her ankle now bruised and swollen she went back to doctor who ordered a bone scan. The scan showed "hot spots" at ankle travelling up to mid calf. Now her doctor has said she does NOT have a stress fracture but instead has Rheumatoid Arthritis. He said if it were a fracture it would be healing - but I don't think it would unless it was totally immobile in a cast. I am beginning to have serious doubts about this man. First of all, did not know a bone scan would show arthritis and secondly did not think there would be bruising from arthritis. Anyone out there have a clue what she should do next?

As I am not an orthopaedic doctor and with the kind of details you are providing, there is no telling what is actually going on. But I suggest you go and get a second opinion with a different physician. It is better to be aggressive for your treatment and needs than hang around and hope the right treatment decisions are being made. Anytime you feel doubts about the care you are recieving you should look for alternative opinions.

Thanks Sherasi - I should have mentioned in the previous post that she has been to 3 additional doctors and all types of blood work have come back negative for all major diseases and/or infection. This is a puzzler.

I think Sherasi is right, get a another opinion untill you know whats wrong.

I have RA, and the only way to determine if you have RA is thru a blood test, period. X-rays cannot see Rheumatoid Arthritis. A bone density scan can determine bone loss, as with Osteo Arthritis, or bone loss caused from medications used to treat Arthritis such as prednisone. Tell your friend to ask for the results from all the blood test, and if they did not test for RA your friend should have that done. The longer it goes untreated the more damage it will do that cannot be undone.

I agree with Sherasi you really need to go to another another and ask them their opinion. Take any xrays or test results that you have with you so he won't have to repeat them. All you have to say is you wanted a second opinion. Ask your first doctors office for copies of test results and xrays just tell them you are getting a second opinion. They won't care people do it all the time. It is better to speak up than just sit their. You could also go to a doctor that specialized in Rhuemotoid problems. They would be able to help you more if that is what it is. Good luck!

Well, my friend has now been out on benefits. She has seen 2 more doctors, had another set of x-rays made, and more blood tests done. The concensus now is she does indeed have a stress fracture which simply is not healing. And it is a non-weight bearing bone - thus the reason she has never been in a cast. So now her benefit time has run out and she'll be back at work Monday and no better off than she was 5 weeks ago!

Sometimes docs just amaze me!