Sore Ankle

K.,
Sorry you are experiencing so much pain. A few years ago while walking my dog, I was looking away as he pulled me the other way and I tripped so badly on a step I thought I was gonna d! Well, within minutes my ankle swelled up like a grapefruit. I could not believe how huge it got. After the dog walk I was on my to drive to WI for the weekend. I made the drive and by the time I got there I could not walk on my foot at all. I iced it all night and headed back to Chicago the next morning and went straight to the ER. I really thougth it was broke. They did the same for me that they did for you. It took a good 6-8 weeks to really come down. The foot/leg brace I wore constantly and this really helped. Honestly, it took a good 6 months to year to completely heal. The ankle felt weak for a very long time. My best advice is to really try and baby it as much as you can and use the ankle brace because it will give you the support you need. The one I had wrapped around the bottom of my foot and came up to my calf on both sides. With 4 children, I can imagine it is almost impossible to stay off the ankle. It will heal though it is a slower process than we would like unfortunately. Take care and good luck with your recovery. Sincerely, R.

a bad sprain can take 6-8 weeks to heal and even longer. Been there - 7 times. If you are concerned - go see your doctor. Also at this poin you should not be using ice but heat. Ice for brief period 10-15 minutes can help with the pain. Heat will help with the swelling. Again - talk with you doctor. And be patient.

personally I would have it xrayed again. Sometimes you can't see much until some initial swelling goes down. It seems a bit long for your ankle to not be feeling better with just a sprain. (even bad) Didn't they give you crutches?? You should be walking around with crutches to keep any weight off. Also...I think after the first 24 hours...you should be putting warm packs on...not cold packs???

Hopefully you can get some family to help you. wITH 4 children you need serious help. You must keep the leg above your heart which means you must be in bed or on the couch. Are any of the kids old enough to help out with some easy cooking? Mac and cheese, etc. Let your family know it'll just be a week or so. I feel so bad for you; I've just gone thru a similar situation myself and my daughter did what she could but she's burned out from all she's already done for me. Good luck honey

Go to an Orthopedic Dr. as soon as possible. Not sure where you live, but try Illinois Bone and Joint. They are the best in Lake County.

You should have it look at by an Orthopedic doctor, some times once injuries like this have time to settle fractures can be seen. Also not all x-ray taken in the ER are read by ortho specialists. Last of all some sprains are worse than breaks. Your PCP can direct you in the right direction. Good Luck.

K.,

Unfortunately my ankles have seen better days! I did almost the exact same thing as you, except off a curb. I too got it checked, and was told it was a bad sprain, and given same treatment as well. After 4-5 days, the pain was unbearable, and I went into the orthpedic surgeon. They took more xrays which confirmed it was fractured. I actually tore off the piece of bone that the tendons connect to. So, an MRI followed which showed all the ligament/tendon damage. In my case, I had surgery to repair it.
Hopefully that will not be your situation, but after 10 days of resting it, you shouldn't be having that much pain. I'd see an ortho, vs. going back to the ER. They only treat the acute part of the injury. You obviously have more issues going on with it that only an orthpedic can address.
Not sure where you live, but I know several and would be happy to make a recommendation if you need one.
Take care.

J. s.

You need to go to physical therapy. They are the experts in decreasing swelling, increasing your range of motion, decreasing the pain, and returning you to full weight bearing. Also, do not listen to the person who said to use heat. The medical prescription for this injury is called PRICE - protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. A physical therapist is best trained to help in this situation.

I would go to an Orthopedic doctor and get it looked at. It is always possible something was missed in the ER.
S. T.

I had a bad sprain last summer while pregnant and it too took a long time to have the swelling go down. The other moms have said that you need to stay off of it, keep it elevated, ice, etc. I'll add that you should never be afraid to go back to your doctor if your gut is telling you to ask some questions. ALSO, did your doctor give you a referral for physical therapy? I know it sounds kind of weird for a sprain, but bad ones can really heal better long term with that kind of attention. I went through it twice - once for a sprained knee from skiing and once for the ankle I mentioned above and LOVED the feeling when they attached electrodes and send a little current through the area. That was followed by activities designed for my level of ability in the healing process and then concluded with a good icing. Keep going to the PT until the prescription runs out as well to make sure you're going to be well-prepared to keep running after those 4 kids! I just turned 40 this year and will reiterate another mom's comment that I do heal much differently now than when I was in my 20's! Hope you feel MUCH better soon.

Glad you got the right help. ER's are not always the best places to find these things! Feel better.

Hi,

Unfortunately, only time is going to take care of this. Been there and done that many times. The best thing is to elevate it whenever possible with ice. With 4 kids that's rather hard, but in the long run, you'll be glad you did. I'm down with a sprained knee right now, crutches, pain pills, no patience. It will get better, but honestly, it takes time. Good Luck!!!!!!!

Good Morning K.

I went through this in October of 2006, and it is still swollen, and only painful when it rains. My doctor told me that I needed to exercise it daily. He told me to spell out the alphabet with my foot so that the ankle and foot are being moved all around. Capital letters then lower case letters. This did help, and when rain is in the air, I start doing the alphabet again! Do you have any family or friends who might be able to help out with your kids? Because you really shouldn't be on it for a few weeks. Hope you are feeling better soon!

God's Blessings
D.

Hi K.,

I went through something very similar. Back in April, when I was 37 weeks pregnant, I severely sprained my right foot in the arch. Luckily, mine really didn't hurt that much. I was on crutches and put in a temporary cast and a couple days later a podiatrist put me in a walking shoe and bandage. It swelled up quite a bit and was really black and blue, but still didn't hurt much unless I tried to walk or someone bumped it. The baby was born a week later and I have a 2 year old. Luckily, I had lots of help since I couldn't even carry anything.

Anyway, if your pain killer is not also an anti-inflammatory, you should probably talk to your doctor about taking one. Also, my doctor recommended that I take extra B6, fish oil and flax oil and proteolytic enzymes. Some of these things are anti-inflammatory and some help speed up tissue repair. I also had some ultrasound and electric stim done to help speed up healing.

Hope this helps. And if you can get any help or can afford to hire someone, I would. The more you stay off of it, the faster it will heal.

I did the same kind of thing. I went to an orthopedic foot and ankle doctor and she put me in a cam boot for 3 weeks. It supports your foot (it didn't even hurt when I walked in it)and also lets it heal while letting you get around. I have 3 little boys and a college bound daughter and didn't ahve time to slow down either. This allowed me to drive and live while I healed. After 3 weeks i took it off and was fine. (my bruises lasted about 2 weeks also. the entire ankle and side of my foot) sprains are usually worse than breaks and can take longer to heal. Definately get an orthopedic to check it out.

Have faith, but be prepared. I did the same thing about six months ago. It took about 3-4 weeks before I could forget about the pain, and the swelling went down. However, I still hav some pain. I can't walk on it for really long times like I used to and I can't leave it in one position too long(Like when I sit on the floor indian style or cross my legs, ect...). The last time I spoke to the doctor about it, he said it could take up to a year to be back to normal, and some never do. I'm so sorry, I feel you pain. Just be careful. When I did that my ankle, I concentrated on using my other foot a lot more- then I did it to that one. Go figure!

Wow! The same thing happened to me about 4 weeks ago only my foot isn't broken, just sprained. The one thing I wish I had done was get a temporary handicap placard, especially with having kids. The EI social worker said the township can expedite it and was kicking herself for not suggesting it. There's form to fill out and your doctor has to sign it. I would highly recommend it after being on crutches and now a boot for the last four weeks.

I really feel that if there has been no improvement in this amount of time, it is time to go see your doctor for a follow up. It shold not be that bruised/swollen still. It is most likely a tendon or ligament problem...

Go back to the doctor if you feel like there's been no improvement at all. Ligament damage can be serious. In the worst case, you might need an MRI to evaluate the damage. If it's not improving, though, you really should have it checked out. I had ligament and tendon damage in my knee and despite the advice to "stay off it" for several days, it was nearly impossible with kids and activities and no help for 12 hours a day. In hindsight, I wish I did find a way to really, really rest it and stay off that knee more because the damage (in my case) was permanent and I can still feel strain a couple years later after certain activities. In the meantime, have you tried Advil or Aleve just for the swelling? That should help. Sometimes the swelling just puts more pressure on your ligaments, and sprains can be more painful than fractures to begin with. When I finally gave in to doctor's orders, I'd wait until the Aleve or Advil kicked in and then limit myself to only the most necessary activities and sat to do whatever I could possibly get away with. I also slept with my knee elevated (just a pillow under it), which you probably are doing anyway with your foot. I'd really make a conscious effort to limit your activity even more and have it checked out to be safe. Hopefully you're up & at 'em and feeling great again soon!

Get a second opinion. I too had the same experience a few year ago. I went to the ER and they told me a bad sprain, should be fine in a few days. Well, the days turned into a week and I was unable to walk. I called my orthopedic in Oak Park and he told me to come in. I initially said no because I was supposed to go to the St. Patricks Day parade downtown. Needlesstosay, I ended up with a cast for 6 weeks and no parade. The doctor told my father that if I was a horse, they would have had to shoot me because of my ankle injury. It sounds funny now, not so funny then.

My advice to to get yourself to an ortho as soon as possible. ERs are not equipped for all injuries. They only treat immediate problems.

Good luck!

Ohhhhhhhh sprains are a pain- literally! I have several times sprained my ankles and a couple of times even broke them! I would much rather deal with a break/fracture than the sprain! I am not sure if it is the mindset of a sprain is suppose to be less pain than a break that kills me in the end or not but sprains really hurt and last for quite awhile

A couple of things....
STOP the ice!!!! After the second day you should be using heat for the swelling and pain!

Make sure you are taking an anti-inflamatory if you are able to mix them with what you are taking. I would assume the ER gave you some but if not go out and get them! If you were given one with Tylenol in it mix it with the NSAID in alternating doses... just like you would with your children and their fevers!

Make sure you are drinking LOTS of water and also eatting potassium filled foods like Kiwi, oranges or OJ and Bananas etc.

You do not need to be Super Mom as it sounds like you must be if you have 4 kids :) Ask for some help and if someone offers- jump at the chance for it! I am not sure of your kids age but ask them to help out too... if they are younger you can make it into a game for them!

Lastly, I would definately check back with an Ortho Dr. if you have no relief at all, it could be a torn ligament and you will only be able to tell with a MRI or maybe you will be prescribed physical therapy to help speed up the healing process.

Good luck, I hope the pain goes away quickly for you! Many blessings to you and yours!!

Hi K.! Go back to the hospital or to see your doctor asap!!

Although this was 30 some years ago, when I was a child I had fallen and broken my collar bone - yet this went undiagnosed by the doctors at the hospital. After a thorough examination, my parents were told that I had only sustained bumps and bruises and to give me children's aspirin to combat any pain. Days later, when I still cried horifically anytime I was picked up under my arms, my parents returned me to the hospital to discover, low and behold, I had broken a bone! So a misdiagnosis like this can definitely happen, I'm sure, even with our medical advancements all these years later.

Trust your body and what it is telling you - and DON'T self-diagnose. These symptoms demand a second opinion.

sounds like you may have a fracture afterall might be just a hairline one,and they are sometimes difficult to see,even a bad sprain and stretched ligaments should show signs of healing by now,also maybe you torn a ligament,I would suggest a visit with an orthopedic Dr asap,its gotta be a bit rough trying to take care of the kids in that condition
good luck
H.

Call your doctor's office and update him/her on your ankle. Do what he/she recommends.
Get plenty of help from husband/friends and neighbors so that you can stay off it. Let it heal so you'll be 100% in the future. Maybe a jr high girl could be a helper to you and your kids.

Mostly, do what your doctor says.

Sometimes sprains actually hurt worse than fractures and take longer to heal. As hard as it is with kids, the only way to heal is to stay off of it. Try to find someone to help you around the house and Good Luck!

I'm sure you know what RICE is.

Rest - stay off that ankle as much as possible
Ice - place ice on the ankle (try to do 10-20 minutes each hour as long as you have swelling)
Compression - Use an elastic wrap or ace bandage to reduce swelling
Elevation - Raise the ankle above the level of the heart about 2-3 hours a day (sit in a recliner)

You should definitely be following the RICE principle until the swelling goes down. (Usually RICE is only used the first 48-72 hours, but if swelling persists you need to continue to 'freeze' the excess fluid to deter the swelling and use compression to encourage the edema/swelling to circulate out of the area) If you are having difficulty putting weight on it - don't. Continue to use the crutches and remain non-weight bearing.

The unfortunate part of an ankle sprain is that they take FOREVER to heal. As you get older, the recovery time seems to be even longer. I sprained my ankle at the age of 31 (hardly 'old' in my opinion) and I didn't bounce back nearly as quickly as I did the last time I sprained my ankle (age 21). Be patient and remember that it might just take time for the body to heal.

If you've not yet been to see your doctor (after the ER visit...I'm surprised they didn't recommend that), you should definitely make plans to see him or her.

Just keep following Dr's orders. Usually bad sprains can take a month or two to feel completely better. Hopefully your children can be really helpful at this time. You're not going to be perfect keeping off your feet. Just do your best.

return to the hospital and or go to your family doc if you have one. With 4 kids it is hard to do,but if you are icing it in between..........I would definitely go for a second opinion. Something doesn't sound right.I would NOT go much longer without being looked at again. Something clearly isn't right.And if in fact,that is ALL it is,I would give it a 100% no weight for 2-3 days and see if that helps. Good luck and hopefully someone will get an answer for you. J.

I did the EXACT same thing 2 weeks ago! My family and I went to Starved Rock and I had a really bad fall. My diagnosis was the same as yours. I had to COMPLETELY stay off my foot for 3 days which was really, really, hard!(I have kids too) Then I started very slowly putting weight on it. It has now been 2 weeks and it is getting better but it still hurts. The only difference is that mine did not remain swollen, so that is the only thing that is concerning me about yours. I would give it another week, if it is still really bad, go back to your Doctor (that is what mine told me to do) Hope this helps and I hope your ankle is feeling better soon!
----S.

Im sorry to hear your in pain. The same thing happened to me a few years ago. Same exact thing. Im not sure if they told you this at the hospital but they cant pick up a fracture on x-ray until a few days later. I was also in extreme pain so I went to a foot doc. He took an x-ray in his office and it ended up being fractured. They put me in a cast for six weeks. After about two it felt better to walk on it so they gave me a shoe to go over my cast. Go get a second x-ray. I hope you feel better soon!
W.

How old are your kids? Can they help you? Maybe you need to make a schedule of things your kids are going to have to do until you are in better shape.

Also, is there a mom's helper you can hire to come in a few hours a day and do laundry, etc. Even my 4 year old can put laundry in the machine, take it out, etc.