OK, so I sprained my ankle really bad about 4 weeks ago. It’s still very tender. I had it x-rayed about a week after I did it, and they said it was it sprained. I have a few questions…
can you see ligament or tendon damage on an xray? Or just bone breaks and cracks?
Will RICE help at this late date? (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) uh… I think that’s what it stands for.
What about heat packs or hot water? I’ve been told to soak it in hot water.
Geez, I rest it when I can, but I’m active sort of fella. Besides being an umpire, which is killng me, because I have no mobility, I’m also going back to school full time. Sitting around the house just isn’t an option. It’s very weak still, and if I step on something un-even, I almost crumple to the floor. It doesn’t hurt a bit when standing or walking normally, but I can’t extend it toes down or destend(?) toes up without it feeling a little more than tender, and I sure as hell can’t pivot on it!
I’m not really a doctor, but here’s my understanding based on personal experience:
X-rays are good for showing dense structures, like bones, but do not show soft tissue well. Ligament or tendon damage may not be picked up on a regular x-ray. That would have to be diagnosed with a combination of dye and x-ray or, more likely, an MRI.
Rest, compression and elevation would all be good for you ankle at this point. You didn’t say whether swelling is still a problem. If it is, then alternate ice with heat. If there is no appreciable swelling go with just heat. In either case, for heat use a nice hot water/Epsom Salts soaking twice per day.
When you sprian something, be it a knee or an ankle, you damage the ligaments and cartilege. In some ways an ankle sprain is worse then breaking the ankle.
My advice to you would be to use a heating pad on it in the vening or whenever you aren’t on your feet and to walk very carfeully. I would even consider getting crutches. Moving the leg will help shorten the time it takes to heal, as movement will stimulate blood flow to the area, but you aren’t doing the damaged portion of the ankle any good by constantly putting weight on it.
I would also suggest getting one of those removable soft casts for your ankle.
You can probably find a practitioner in your own area.
I had the good fortune of having a friend, who is a practitioner, work on my ankle the day I’d sprained it, badly. Within 1/2 hour she had the swelling down to next to nothing and the pain levels down from “screamingly painfilled to put weight on it” to “tender if I put my full weight on it.”
second thing you might also get, in the mean time, is a product from your local health food store, called
“Trameel” in the cream form. It is remarkable at taking swelling down on injuries and bruises. I never travel without it.
I’m not a Dr. of medicine. Descriptions from this post may be reproduced or disseminated (ha-haaaaaaaaaa) without the permission of the office of the commissioner of Major League Baseball® or the Emir of Qatar®.
Oh, yeah. Sprained ankle. A nasty business, really. You’ve torn some ligaments that keep you from walking on the sides of your feet. You need to protect that tissue, somewhat, while it grows back. When you really need protection, when you’re umpiring, wear lace-up boots, laced tight. Combat boots, hunting boots, whatever. When you’re just walking around, wear an ankle brace. It’s uncomfortable, but it beats a re-injury.
Ice? Yes, daily, for 20 minutes at a time. Elevation? Yes, but don’t use gravity boots on the injured limb. Compression? Well…
Here’s another paragraph. Ace bandage. Start at the ball of the foot, wrapping with a little stretch. Think of the foot in two halves. On the unhurt side, wrap with a little stretch. On the hurt side, prestretch the bandage, then wrap. When you get past the ankle, wrap with a little stretch until you run out.
You may get some blood pooling, which is huge, ugly, purple places. Don’t get alarmed. Your body will absorb all that in a few weeks.
I didn’t promise you a pleasant post. I didn’t even promise you the rain would stop, though I knew it would.
I’m pretty much following the advice above. I need to spend more time applying heat. I wear an ace bandage on it, but I don’t know how much it’s helping. Damn it hurts. There’s no swelling at this point.
Consider seeing a doctor again, and even looking into physiotherapy. There are so many simple ways to make a sprain much, much worse - even just walking on it a bit too much. You’re better off making sure you know which exercises to do, and which not to do, than having a weak ankle for the rest of your life!
One year after spraining my ankle playing softball and my ankle is still swollen, it’s pain free but swollen, more than likely a result of not going through physical therapy.
