DocTalk

It's a fluid situation.

 

Your ankle can swell for a variety of reasons in addition to trauma. Some of the decision points include fever and/or pain. If it is just one ankle and not both, then likely related to the joint and not a systemic illness. If its painful without trauma, gout is always a possibility. Sorry I can't be more specific

 

I did notice a scratch near the outer ankle bone, perhaps a spider bite that became infected. I rubbed it with Neosporin last night and the swelling seemed to subside. Put more on this morning. Went to the gym a while ago and there's no pain, and the swelling seems to be going down a bit more. I'll let you know if it turns into gout. Thanks for the reply.

"Out with Gout '88!"

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NFL 101: Learning about medicine and the body, one player at a time. Peyton Manning recovers from dehydration and the flu.

http://mddirect.org/2014/12/15/dehydration/

 

The storm hit quickly, just as the fans were leaving Raymond James Stadium, and an early Christmas miracle was witnessed. Nobody died, including the seven victims who survived being hit by lightning. That isn't always the case and this week's column talks about the consequences of a lightning strike.

http://mddirect.org/2014/12/22/lightning-strikes/

 

Should there be concern that Roethlisberger and Miller both returned to play for the Steelers after sustaining head injuries? It is time to reconsider what we don't know about concussion. This week's column:

http://mddirect.org/2015/01/05/concussion-rears-ugly-head/

 

Too bad we couldn't watch Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo perform at their physical bestas they limped on the field, both hampered by leg injury.
This week's column talks about limping.

http://mddirect.org/2015/01/12/limping/

 

Seahawks' Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman play through significant injury and pain. It's a time honored football tradition, but not necessarily the best medical decision. This week's column.

shoulders and elbows - MD direct

 

Most of medicine is knowing anatomy and understanding what can go wrong. Calf injuries to Aaron Rodgers and Brandon Jennings require markedly different treatments, yet its the same general structure that is damaged. This week's column:

achilles: connecting the calf and the foot - MD direct

 

Statistics help explain, not necessarily understand, Pete Carroll's Super Bowl last minute strategy. They can also help explain decision making and dogma in medicine.
Thanks for reading this week's column:
aspirin, statistics and super bowl coaching - MD direct

 

Blake Griffin has an infected olecranon bursa and surgery is recommended. This is one of those times where the science behind the treatment is a little murky. Research results are confusing when it comes to antibiotics, surgery or both. It's a reminder that medicine is often art disguised as science, and treatment decisions require doctor-patient discussion.

decision making - MD direct

 

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolus for Chris Bosh is only the first step in his care. Treatment decisions regarding hospitalization, types of drugs used and duration of therapy can be just as hard as finding the clot. This week's column:
pulmonary embolus - MD direct