9 Screws and 1 plate in my left ankle and my ankle pops and hurts still??

HI I had my ankle worked on in Oct 08-that was the most painful and horrible thing I have gone threw ain my adult life..Iam 32 an I stayed pretty active, no one perpared me for what I was about to go threw.
no 10 months later its swelling slightly I do put ice on it an propt it up and poping and its very stiff..ahh
Iam a hair styist and I used to stand on my feet 8 hrs plus a day, my doctor said I could have gone back to work in April, he is crazy I have had a hard time walking much less standing..Iam better now just he popping ans stiffness
I dont have insurence anymore and any advice?