broken/fractored/sprained ankle advice

jenniewb

Just keep an eye on it. Did they tell you how long it will take to recover or what to expect as it recovers? If your worried the Hospital have a record of getting ankle injury diagnosis wrong don't forget you can get a second opinion elsewhere.

deano72_2

All they said jen was not to play footy for a couple of weeks & will take up to 6 weeks to heal. It feels alot better today & not so bruised but still abit painfull. I agree that H do get it wrong as that what happend with the 2 friends that broke theres, but even it was broken they dont cast it anymore & said walk on it the same u would if it was a sprain,so if u look at it like that it dowent really matter if its broke or just a sprain

jenniewb

deano72 wrote: »

All they said jen was not to play footy for a couple of weeks & will take up to 6 weeks to heal. It feels alot better today & not so bruised but still abit painfull. I agree that H do get it wrong as that what happend with the 2 friends that broke theres, but even it was broken they dont cast it anymore & said walk on it the same u would if it was a sprain,so if u look at it like that it dowent really matter if its broke or just a sprain

That worries me!

There are three grades of ankle sprain, grade 1 you could walk on, grade 2 you'd find it hard and be limping, grade 3 and you do not walk because its too painful. Not the same as a break where your looking at not walking on it until its healed enough to take the impact and stress.

I guess thats sort similar to a grade 3 spain but you'd be looking at a cast (where as for a sprain you wouldn't be because it would be too swollen as the ligament would be torn, the collegen from the ligament would have leaked out as well as there being inflammation so even when the immediate inflammation swelling had gone down-) as it would with a break, with a sprain there would be added swelling which would take a lot lot longer to go down, hence why its not always such a good idea to put a cast on a sprain but you would with a break.

With a break you need the bones to heal and heal in the correct way bones themselves you don't need to be flexible, with a sprain your trying to get the ligaments to heal, you do not want them to heal in one position- that is very important, because you need your ligaments to allow flexibility and so you have to keep the area moving- (so long as its not killing you with agony when doing this) thats why rehab for a sprain is very important. Otherwise the scar tissue forms and does not allow flexibility from the ankle as it should.

Maybe ask for a second opinion if your not happy but just follow any rehabilitation exercises they suggest for the sprain as its very very important if you want to play football without pains as a resulf of bad healing.

iwannanicerlife

I'd be tempted to get a second opinion but the fact you're walking sounds positive.

I fell 8 weeks ago at netball. My ankle "looked" broken. I was x rayed, told I had a sprain and given crutches. 6 days later, still in total agony and still non weight bearing I saw my gp who referred me to the fracture clinic. I went to minor injuries two days later who took one look and plastered me until my appt came through.

At the fracture clinic I was told it was badly sprained and they recasted the leg. After two weeks this was removed and the ankle was again x rayed to check there was no break due to the swelling And bruising still present. I was then given a huge walking boot to use.

I am still on crutches and have just started physio. All the advice I've had is that a break would have been better.. Don't underestimate how bad a sprain can be. I was told originally that I'd be off work a week or so ......

I'd be concerned about the uneven ground on a building site, would an ankle support be an option?

euronorris

If it doesn't improve, then go back to your GP or A&E and ask for an x-ray.

A friend of mine broke a few bones in her foot, and two different hospitals missed it (despite x-rays), and it has been a nightmare for her since. By the time they realised their mistake, it had healed badly, causing her constant pain. She now has to wear a brace to try to correct it.

Good luck, be careful and I hope it heals quickly and smoothly.

shandyclover

I badly sprained my ankle back in January. I was suprised it would take so long to be 100% - has put a stop to running programme, and no more high heels, though obviously not an issue for you! It still hurts, especially walking DOWN stairs for some odd reason. Dr. basically said don't run on it but stay active. When I have to be on my feet all day I wrap it up with one of those elastic supports. Also googled some ankle strengthening exercises, and with permission of Dr. have been doing them - they do really help.