View Full Version : Sprained ankle still not better
Ripht
10-23-2009, 01:16 PM
So basically i sprained my ankle 3 weeks ago while playing rugby, we were practising lineouts being on the second row i was lucky enough to be the one jumping so up i went and as the ball was thrown i could see that it was going far too wide but being me i had to try and get it. Which didn't end well because i'd reached so far i was no longer straight in the air and came down diagonally right down on to the side of my foot causing my foot to roll, there was a loud crack and multiple swear words thrown around and i was carried off to the side.
After an hour of rest i managed to limp home but i was in quite a bit of pain. I've been to the doctors who said it was sprained and then sent me to A&E "just incase". The doc at A&E said it was a sprain as well and gave me instructions on how to get my ankle better (ice and some exercises) it says it should be 3 days to a week and it should be pretty much fine.
Its now been 3 weeks and i'm still limping and in a bit of pain while walking. I've tried to follow their instructions to the letter, but i'm a busy person and i don't have a chance to do the exercises every hour. So what do i need to do to get back in the weight room and out on the field again, this ankle is doing my head in.
Thanks
If it's not better yet, then you most likely have a partial tear. If they didn't do an MRI or an ultrasound, then they wouldn't know that it wasn't a partial tear. Did they perform a drawer test on you, to see if it has a soft end point?
Ripht
10-23-2009, 01:36 PM
don't know what i drawer test is but i don't think so. They just had a feel around my ankle asked me where it hurt while poking my ankle and sent me off, wouldn't even give me pain killers, he said they would cost me too much even though they would be free because i'm on the nhs and i'm a student.
Need to get my ass signed up for some private medical care i think
don't know what i drawer test is but i don't think so. They just had a feel around my ankle asked me where it hurt while poking my ankle and sent me off, wouldn't even give me pain killers, he said they would cost me too much even though they would be free because i'm on the nhs and i'm a student.
Need to get my ass signed up for some private medical care i think
Damn. They should have done a drawer test. You can't tell if there are partial tears by feeling around.
We just went over ankle stuff in my athletic training class. if it is grade 2 (partial tear) this is what was supposed to have happened:
---------------------------------------------
RICE should be used immediately. X-Rays should be taken to rule out fracture with this severe an injury.
Athlete will need to use crutches for up to 10 days starting with no weight bearing and working up to partial then full weight bearing.
Since tearing of ligaments occur, the athlete should be in a protective device.
48 hours after injury, plantar and dorsiflexion exercises should start as long as they are pain-free.
Isometric exercises can be done while still immobilized.
After isometrics, range of motion exercises are performed followed by proprioception exercises.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises are used to improve strength, range of motion, and proprioception.
------------------------------------------------------
Was there any bruising after the injury? How was the swelling?
Ripht
10-23-2009, 01:48 PM
there was some slight bruising on the inside of my foot just where the ankle and foot meet and the swelling wasn't too bad went down after a few days but its only just getting back to normal size now. Do you think i should go back to A&E and get them to sort it out and do the tests or is there no point now cos it will probably be healed soon enough
there was some slight bruising on the inside of my foot just where the ankle and foot meet and the swelling wasn't too bad went down after a few days but its only just getting back to normal size now. Do you think i should go back to A&E and get them to sort it out and do the tests or is there no point now cos it will probably be healed soon enough
Well it wouldn't be completely pointless because Grade 2 sprains can lead to osteoarthritis and many other lifelong problems, especially if not dealt with and rehabbed properly.
Another thing...which way did you roll your ankle? Because medial bruising usually comes with an eversion ankle sprain...and eversion ankle sprains are VERY bad news. If it was an eversion sprain, you'd be lucky to not have multiple tears and fractures.
Ripht
10-23-2009, 02:13 PM
oh no it wasn't mine rolled inwards (thank god). I guess i'll book some time in with my Doc and see if they can help me out a bit
PieWheatley
10-25-2009, 03:18 AM
Damn. They should have done a drawer test. You can't tell if there are partial tears by feeling around.
We just went over ankle stuff in my athletic training class. if it is grade 2 (partial tear) this is what was supposed to have happened:
---------------------------------------------
RICE should be used immediately. X-Rays should be taken to rule out fracture with this severe an injury.
Athlete will need to use crutches for up to 10 days starting with no weight bearing and working up to partial then full weight bearing.
Since tearing of ligaments occur, the athlete should be in a protective device.
48 hours after injury, plantar and dorsiflexion exercises should start as long as they are pain-free.
Isometric exercises can be done while still immobilized.
After isometrics, range of motion exercises are performed followed by proprioception exercises.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises are used to improve strength, range of motion, and proprioception.
------------------------------------------------------
Was there any bruising after the injury? How was the swelling?
The only thing I don't agree with is the part about getting an X-Ray. There is a set of rules for acute ankle problems which have been very researched called the 'ottawa ankle rules'...if you can weightbear for 4 steps, or are not tender around certain areas (cbf listing them) you can be 100% (proven to be 100% sensitive in ruling OUT fractures) sure you don't have a fracture.
3 weeks is not long mate, I did my ankle 3 months ago and it still bothers me.
Start doing some single leg heel raises,
some walking on your toes, then walking on your heels.
Stretch your gastroc and soleus muscles.
Do some PF and DF exercises if you can get your hands on a theraband (resistance tubing)
Then do some balance exercises, Single Leg balance, balancing while standing on unstable object eg. pillow...
seriouslifter
10-25-2009, 08:44 PM
mine been a few months and i have no idea whats up with my ankle. i think i went to heavy on standing calf raises, but ive been to docs and he said since i have flat feet to get these bolts in my feet to correct the flat feet which most will correct the issue i have. the right side of the ankle/foot gets like inflammed like theres pain constantly, but bearable. i havent done calves in months because standing calf raises hurt when i extend up. i got a cortisone shot but it did nothing. i never got MRI or anything because he said i had a tear you would know, since i can walk normal
"but i'm a busy person and i don't have a chance to do the exercises every hour."
i think you've answered your own question.
range of motion work after a sprain is critical to healing tendons for relaying patterns and building up new tissue and reducing inflammation and complications.
You want the result they've promised it seems without doing the work to get the result.
Yes you're busy but you're too busy for yourself? You want to get back into the game, do the time.
Everything else here is just noise if that fundamental is left wanting.
sorry.
mc
Metal99
10-26-2009, 06:18 PM
3 weeks is not a long time. PRICE. Pressure, Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. Then get your ROM back, then strength, then proprioception in that order:)