DIS Docs or PT's--what is making my foot turn purple? (Broken ankle recovery)

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had my cast for 6.5 weeks and have been in the boot for a week and a half. PT on Friday for the first time--working on ROM.

I notice when boot is off, primarily in the shower--my foot turns a lovely shade of purple. There is very minimal swelling remaining, so I cannot figure it out. I will ask today--but just curious what I am doing that is causing this. Sitting in a chair or on a couch Without my boot--there is a slight color difference, but no purple. (ETA: I have a medical bench in the shower that I use, so I am sitting.)

I am non-weight bearing without the boot of that helps. Thanks!

 

[Mortlives]

Please call your doctor.

 

[dakcp2001]

Blood flow is not properly getting to your foot. This is something you need to tell your doctor ASAP. DO they have you in any blood thinners?

 

[Lynne M]

Absolutely, call your doctor. Today. That may indicate a circulation problem, and that needs immediate attention.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I did go in today. As it only happens in the shower--the thought is that the heat from the water is causing it to happen. Emphasis was on still using ice--so then I reminded that I was in the shower, and they said it was going to happen because of the heat. It was not doing it at PT today.

I am not on any blood thinners.

ETA: I did call to double check since all of these posts were ominous--they said affirmed that the heat and lack of elevation were the issue. Only if it doesn't return to normal color or is painful do I need to come in again and have it checked. Thanks again!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I did go in today. As it only happens in the shower--the thought is that the heat from the water is causing it to happen. Emphasis was on still using ice--so then I reminded that I was in the shower, and they said it was going to happen because of the heat. It was not doing it at PT today.

I am not on any blood thinners.

If you start to feel any discomfort or pain, make sure to go back to the doctor to check for blood clots. That is your primary focus here for sure.

Don't freak out upon reading this however it is good to know the warning signs.

Warning Signs of Blood Clots
Pain in your calf and leg, unrelated to your incision
Tenderness or redness about or below your knee
Swelling of your thigh, calf, ankle, or foot

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=AV0009

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you start to feel any discomfort or pain, make sure to go back to the doctor to check for blood clots. That is your primary focus here for sure.

Don't freak out upon reading this however it is good to know the warning signs.


http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=AV0009

Thanks! Good to know.

(Good thing is that I have virtually no swelling at all, so it should be easy to spot if swelling does occur.)

 

[minnie mum]

I know that the initial recommendations for a stat visit to the doctor was because of the possibility of a blood clot in the leg. But honestly, given that you didn't mention having any pain, that wasn't my first thought.

Sometimes when a person has had a leg immobilized for a period, and has been accustomed to keeping it elevated, it takes a while for the body to adjust to having the leg in a dependant position again. Decreased muscle tone can result in somewhat decreased circulation in that leg for a while. When you have the leg down (and when you are in a warm shower your blood vessels tend to dilate anyway) the blood will tend to pool a bit, causing the purplish tinge. And then it goes away when you walk, or when you elevate it. It will probably stop once the muscle tone in your leg gets back to normal.