Need help with a diagnosis for my ankle

[Hallm_7]

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Hey guys, just wanted to get some of your opinions on my ankle that I rolled over yesterday.

I was playing basketball when I tried to pivot going up for a layup and my ankle rolled over. I heard 2 or 3 pops or cracks when I did it 😡 . it immediately swelled up. It looked like someone had taken a tennis ball, cut it in half and placed it on my ankle. It started swelling above the ankle joint that sticks out (I don't know the name of it) on the outside of my leg. Today the one large bulge has turned into my whole foot being swollen and that whole area is starting to turn blue now. I can move my foot in all directions, just not as far as normal without severe pain.

Do you think it is a broken ankle, sprain, or torn ligaments/tendons? I've never twisted my ankle this bad so I don't have the ability to compare it to anything. I'm going to the doctor Friday, and I was just wondering what you all thought. Thanks in advance.

 

[mr.annoying]

Hey Hallm,

Let it heal naturally, I don't believe in doctors.

 

[Forensic Chick]

Ouch - doesn't sound good. Ice and elevate -- that'll heal everything!! 🙂

 

[deva]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by mr.annoying:
•Let it heal naturally, I don't believe in doctors.•••••Yeah, really. You can't trust the slimy moneygrubbing bastards.

Hallm, Don't go to a premed board for medical advice. Just see a doctor! 🙂

 

[Ai]

I have a recommendation for you. Go to the doctor to make sure it's not broken. If it's not try to find someone who does Tui Na. It is chinese medical massage and it works wonders for injuries like this. It can be a little painful but really helps your body heal.

 

[LizardKing]

You most likely have torn ligaments. The blueness you see is not a good sign at all...maybe you should go to the ER if it gets any bluer. If you lose sensation around your toes, DEFINITELY GO STRAIGHT TO THE ER. You don't want to cause any permanent nerve damage.

A fractured ankle can occur with a rolled ankle, but it's less likely. Palpate the area gently, feel for broken pieces of bone, and listen for cracks and pops.

Only ballers really know what that feels like...ouch.

 

[LizardKing]

Also ice that ankle for an hour each day...15 min. on/15 min. off. Wrap a compression bandage or some socks around your ankle to contain the swelling. Take ibuprofen or aspirin 2-3 doses/day to keep that swelling down.

 

[oldman]

do the lizard regimine. might as well go to the doc and get an xray of it too. that's why you pay for health insurance.

 

[SurgeonS4]

which way did you roll your ankle? if you rolled it so the sole of your foot was pointing away from your body . . . then it may be broken . . . but if you rolled it towards your midline (which is the most common) it should just be some torn ligaments . . . basically a mild sprain. Being an expert on sprains (sprained my leg about 6 times in one year) it should heal normally if you can move it as such . . . so just rest up . .. and dont stay bedridden for too long . . . and start playing ball when you can actually see your "ankle bones" again. take it ez next time.

 

[dfleis]

.

 

[Hallm_7]

Actually I had already scheduled an appointment with my doctor at home. I'm at college right now about 2 1/2 hours away, so I'm heading home this weekend. I was just curious to see what everyone here said. 😀

 

[Nova]

Dude, five seconds on Google gives you a multitude of web pages that include both diagnosis and treatment of ankle sprains. This is called being a "5-minute Google expert", but since you know enough to still go to a doctor, it doesn't sound like being a 5-minute Google expert will hurt you.

Besides, if you look it up yourself, then you get on Jeopardy and Alex Trebec says "The three bones that form the ankle joint are the tibia, the fibula, and this," you'll be able to give a smug little smile and say, "That would be the talus, Alex." Bask in the applause.

But if you don't wanna do that, it seems Surgeon is mostly correct, except for his labelling it a "mild sprain" while saying there are "torn ligaments". If you tore 'em, it's classified moderate or severe and the long-term treatment varies as does the healing time (general rule, minimum healing time is 6 weeks).

RICE = Rest Ice Compress Elevate. Or... RICED. Rest Ice Compress Elevate Doctor. :wink:

Oh, and FYI? That bony bump on the outside of the ankle is called the 'lateral malleolus' and is the end of the fibula. The bony bump on the inside of the ankle is the 'medial malleolus' and is the end of the shin bone/tibia.

There! Now I'm one joint over-prepared for gross anatomy. If I get in.

Nova

 

[Forensic Chick]

Hey Hallm,

Is it better yet? If not, gnaw it off -- you'll grow another one. I just learned that in human physio -- damn state schools. 😛