Broken LegWhen I arrived at the doctor's office, they asked me about my left ankle. I explained that I was there for my right ankle. I was certain that my left ankle wasn't broken and I really didn't want an x-ray. I could manage one broken ankle, but two broken ankles - out of the question!

Since it was very swollen, they advised me that the doctor wanted an x-ray before he saw me. Fortunately, the radiology place was in the same building. I spent an eternity waiting. Eventually, I was seen, but it took almost an hour. Someone from the doctor's office came down to collect the x-rays. Apparently, the doctor had to go to surgery and could no longer wait.

They cast my right ankle in a fiberglass cast and put a small air cast brace on my left ankle. My left ankle hurt worse than my right ankle, but it wasn't broken. The swelling from the sprain was irritating my arthritis. I was given a prescription for Ibuprofen 800 mg. That was the extent of the pain medication I was offered. Later, I discovered that I should have complained more. Apparently, complaining of pain will prompt the doctor to prescribe more substantial medication. Who knew?

About three hours after we got home, I felt like my right leg was swelling to fill the cast. I called the doctor's office and they told me to come back down. When I arrived, they scored the sides of the cast to allow for swelling. The technician that I saw asked me if I am claustrophobic. I am! I really don't like to be crowded or cornered and please don't make me take an elevator with a crowd. He said that my foot was reacting to being confined. Has anyone heard of such a thing? A claustrophobic foot???