what to do with ankle sprain

[WTGGrl]

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I was hoping anyone here would be able to confirm the suggestions made by my family medicine doctor:

I sprained my right ankle (inversion sprain) during Winter break, about 4 months ago. When I sprained it, I was barely able to walk for 3-4 days.

Over time, it healed so that I was able to use it for all my daily activities, and about 2 weeks after the injury I noticed almost no pain with normal walking and even running. However, I had and continue to have significant pain 4 months later when I place my foot into a very inverted position and press down with my body weight (ie the same position i was when I sprained the ankle in the first place). Of course, no one would ever use this position in any real activity -- I am just doing it to test the pain and compare it with my uninjured foot with doesn't hurt nearly as much.

My concern is that whatever damage I did is still not healed, leaving me prone to another ankle sprain or even tearing the tendon if I repeat the injury again. My family doc explained not to worry and to, at most, try taking NSAIDs for a few days to try to see if it was an inflammatory problem. Otherwise, she said wait til 6 months to see if it heals.

Any thoughts on if this is right or if I should do something else? Maybe exercises?

 

[PaddyofNine]

Go to a physiotherapist, and get an exercise plan for it!

 

[thackl]

No Way!!! Rehab is very important, esp. for the very bad sprains. Family docs always seem to say "RICE" (rest, ice, compress, elevate). Not doing proper rehab can lead to poor healing and lasting injury. I had a nasty sprain in a HS b-ball game and the family doc said I'd be out for 4months. The rehab doc's had me walking without crutches in 1 day, back to pactice in 5 and in games by 10 days. They also said I would have poor healing had I done nothing but rest.

Be sure to see an expirienced sports med physician though. If you just head to a rehab facillity, they could put you on the wrong program and make it worse.

 

[WTGGrl]

No Way!!! Rehab is very important, esp. for the very bad sprains. Family docs always seem to say "RICE" (rest, ice, compress, elevate). Not doing proper rehab can lead to poor healing and lasting injury. I had a nasty sprain in a HS b-ball game and the family doc said I'd be out for 4months. The rehab doc's had me walking without crutches in 1 day, back to pactice in 5 and in games by 10 days. They also said I would have poor healing had I done nothing but rest.

Be sure to see an expirienced sports med physician though. If you just head to a rehab facillity, they could put you on the wrong program and make it worse.

I forgot to say that this doc specializes in sports medicine injuries but is generally family practice.

Also, is it too late for me to do rehab or is it still worth it (4months after injury)?

 

[thackl]

Sorry, I just don't know. Good luck with it.

 

[typeB-md]

i have sprained each ankle about 9 times each, about 6 of those were "not able to walk for 4 days"

a bad sprain will tend to have 'symptoms' for very long time (> 6 months). and yes you are likely to have a weakened ankle (hence the 9 times being sprained). you may want to check into the ankle supports as they work well and don't cost much.

 

[Skialta]

Go to rehab.

 

[WTGGrl]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm going to make another appt with my doctor to see if I can get an appt at the rehab clinic.

Much appreciated!