Carpet cleaning tech CHEMICALS

Im a 32 year old male who has worked cleaning carpets for almost a decade. My employer really works me hard (20,000) steps a day. My cholesterol was in the 600's. I'm only 160lbs and 5'10, and eat well. I take Lipitor a toperolh. I also take metoprolol for high BP and heart rate. Now in January I suffered a hairline fracture on my fifth metatarsal while at work cleaning carpet. I went to urgent care and had to wear a special boot/shoe for a total of six weeks. I was put on light duty at work. Three weeks ago I woke with a swollen ankle/foot that is extremely painful. I returned to urgent care, X-ray came out normal and was put on an anti inflammatory medicine. Earlier this week the pressure and pain was unbearable so I went to the ER. The NP thought I might have an infection and X-rayed my foot. I told her this was already done but she wanted to check it again. It's hot and red to touch. She wrapped my foot and told me to stay off it for one week, ordered me to not walk on it and ice/ elevate, etc. I pleaded for an MRI and she said they would not do that for a foot injury! She prescribed NORCO which I cannot tolerate and antiinflamit. I'm in pain and limp and don't know what to do not. My blood was checked, no high acid so it's not gout. Its only my left foot and the majority of the pain is on the outer left part of my ankle. Could it be something I'm exposed to chemically? Any advice would be appreciated.

Post Edited (Organizer559) : 4/2/2014 5:04:32 PM (GMT-6)

My general doctor has a family practice that is part of an urgent care facility, I don't think I'm getting enough time with him. Do you have a suggestion for the type of specialist. The ER NP suggested an orthopedic surgeon. Maybe I should switch doctors all mine does is prescribe pills (maybe an internal medicine MD?)

I agree with the others you need another doctor,..I agree with Sophis A, it is worrisome that this turned red and swollen, it sounds like it might need to get drained and cleaned but you need the best foot doctor or infectious disease doctor you can find...
Hope your doing better soon...many well wishes...

Hi Organizer and Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum, I have a question for you about the chemical carpet cleaners that you use, what does the label say as far as using them, does it recommend you wear respiratory gear or only use in well ventilated areas? What about skin exposure? does it recommend wearing rubber gloves or protective clothing. You might even want to check with the OSHA laws and regulations. /www.osha.gov/law-regs.html as what your employer might want and what is OSHA required might be two different things??

As for your foot being swollen and red and warm to the touch, has anybody mentioned the possibility of cellulitis? or and infection and actually prescribed antibiotics? Just a thought? I think if the swelling persists and your doctor doesn't do anything about it, I would be looking for a different doctor to go to for a second opinion! Something must be going on, to cause that, in the mean time have you tried alternating putting heat and ice on it? that might help if there is inflammation?? If there is soft tissue damage then maybe it would not show up on an X-ray. Anyway if the condition persists I would definitely go back to the doctor and keep pressing him/her for answers, or go to a different doctor for a second opinion!

Good Luck to you, and I hope this all works out well for you!

White Beard

Thanks M&G I will let you know what I find out.

Are you keeping it elevated at all times and keeping a cold pack on it as long as you can stand it?  Do you have an old pair of crutches or a cane laying around to help you move around.  If it is indeed that bad, you need to stay off of it until you can get in to see the doctor.

Well I saw a specialist today who took his time listening to me and examining me. He says I have a torn ligament on my foot, which is the source of the inflammation and tenderness. In addition to that I have a stress fracture on my heel. He said it most likely didn't show up on my XRays with primary care doctor or the emergency room cause it tends to take 2-3 weeks to see. Since the naproxen was upsetting my stomach he prescribed another antiinflamitory medication. He took my shoe and made me inserts for my heel while I was there. He wants me to come back next week and if there is still pain and swelling he will give me a boot to immobilize my foot and ankle. I really didn't want to take pain medicine but he convinced me it's worth the relief and let me tell you he was right. I'm already feeling better now that the pain is masked. He want me to ice my foot 20 minutes at a time to encourage blood flow to that area of my foot. I appreciate the encouragement and advise on here, and found a doctor who really cared about my well being.