4 weeks is a good amount of time on steroid. I wanted to be sure it wasn't a one week Medrol dosepak. I agree with Becca about double checking infection. It can be tricky to identify and treat. If you didn't take something for infection (and even if you did) I'd still keep that on the radar until you're completely sure. That case I told you about where they weren't sure of infection or CRPS was at a large teaching institution and was apparently very difficult to identify.

Pain in the ankle could be nerve irritation tracking its way up or be from sciatica. Why you are having it is the difficult thing to know. I am most concerned for you about the area where you say you don't have true skin. Is that the cause of your symptoms? What needs to be done to make it right? If you are having nerve irritation or early CRPS is that the reason?

Don't give up on finding answers. You may need another specialist. A general surgeon with a lot of wound experience may have a totally different take on everything. If you need to make appointments to get questions answered or get referrals go ahead and do that. You may feel better having a plan of action.

When you ask about burning pain, it is different probably for everyone. I have always felt my own "burning" was more like stinging from nettles or hundreds of fire ant bites. Some have a more cold burn feeling. I think the important thing is managing it no matter what the exact description. I'm glad the cymbalta is helping. I just hope they get it figured out so you aren't having it. If it turns out to be CRPS, you and doctors will deal with it and you WILL make progress. It is a challenging diagnosis but it is not hopeless. Hang in there and keep fighting for yourself. You deserve the best care you can find. It is worth the effort to get a care team that you can get back to health.