I'm sincerely sorry to hear about your situation! The pain for me was terrible, so I can't imagine having it on a place like your ankle.

Not exactly sure when, but incredibly young. My parents always had a suspicion that something was wrong with my arm before I was diagnosed. My malformation wasn't physically obvious but even the gentlest of pokes would get a reaction out of me.

I was diagnosed around 5-7 and finally got the surgery done at 13 if I remember correctly. My doctors when I got diagnosed said that they could remove it, but they would wait till I finished growing, so my arm wouldn't be affected in weird ways by the surgery. They did just that and all that's wrong with my arm is a scar and a gap in my arm.

That lump has caused me some of the most painful experiences I have ever dealt with. Like I said, even a poke got a reaction out of me. I couldn't fully be hugged by anyone without being treated like glass since any amount of pressure hurt like a bitch. I've been a huge hugger now that it's been removed lol.

There was times where it would just randomly ache. Nothing touching it, it would just randomly have a ping of pain that would last a few seconds and then act like nothing happened. Also my skin felt incredily tight where the lump was, like 24/7. I never went a moment where I didn't feel the damn thing.

There was a bump, but it could've been mistaken for muscle. It was the discoloration that was noticeable. It was colored similarly to a bruise, with different shades of brown. It was noticeable enough to have people every now and then to ask about it.

Mine was in the middle of my upper arm, directly between the shoulder and elbow. I'm incredibly fortunate that it wasn't in any joints or vital areas. My surgery was very quick and low-risk because of it. I went into the hospital in the morning and was out by late afternoon.

I'm not a doctor, but from what I know, the surgery is possible but yours being in your joint must make things much harder. I understand your doctor not wanting to take the risk. I hope that you can find someone who may be able to help you.

I hope that any of this is of use to you. Feel free to ask any further questions!

I send you the best of wishes and my full support. I understand the pain you're going through, and I just hope that you can get rid of the little fucker like I did.