Hi mommys! I had the misfortune of spraining my ankle while "rescuing" my crying son from a restaurant play area slide (he just turned 4 last week - 47lbs/45inches tall). No major injuries for him - he just got on that crying thing where he couldn't catch his breath. I wanted to make sure he was ok so I got him from the slide but tripped off the bottom. It happened last night and I iced it, wrapped it, and went to bed. Still hurts today.
Not sure if I need to go to the local urgent care facility - if they're just going to wrap it and give me crutches, I can do that myself. The swelling's kinda localized to one spot on the outside of my foot and a litte bit across the top - kinda like a sandal strap would go across your foot where ankle meets leg.
Any thoughts as to how to deal with a 4 year old's mobility and care while I'm Mrs. Gimpy?
Hubby works all day and has classes at night. I did start a new job so my son will be in daycare during the day, but I'd just love any hints, tricks, and sanity saving tips as I recover.
Great opportunity to make your son your little helper. Give him little jobs that he may not already do like clearing the table after meals. Put some of his snacks on a low shelf in the pantry so he can help himself. Pre-cut fruit and put it in the fridge where he can reach it. Or fill up a cup or two of juice/milk at the start of the day that he can get to when thirsty.
How about "Mommy is hurt, can you help take care of Mommy?" I would let your 4 y.o. do what he can to help you out. Make him feel proud for being a good little helper.
I agree I wouldn't go to the doctor unless I just have too. Money is tight in our house so unless I can't put weight on it still in a few days and it is horrible looking then I may go, but otherwise I would hold off. Make sure to keep it up while at work with some ice on it.
My DH is an RN, and he recommends getting it checked out if it starts turning black and blue. He also said ibuprofin is good because it helps with inflamation.
Hope you feel better soon! :)
this happened to me while i was running once. i pulled the ligaments in my ankle and on the side of my foot on both sides. Very painful! anyway, I had a 2 & 4yo, and i'm a SAHM. i was supposed to keep it propped up and rested for 3-4 days. didn't happen. your 4yo should be able to do everything for himself, except prepare his food. my kids can get their own juice boxes, and open them. if your son drinks milk or other such things, jpour them into a sip cup or sports bottles and let him get them for himself thru out the day. if he can't occupy himself, then get games (board games) that you can play while sitting down. have him shower while you are sitting in the bathroom with him, instead of giving him a bath and being on your feet. i can't really think of anything else offhand.
Take ibuprofen, not tylenol, for the next few days (ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, as well as an anti-fever drug; tylenol is mostly for fever). Continue to ice as much as possible for 24 hours following injury, and keep it elevated. Then, after the first 24 hours, alternate cold therapy with heat therapy (you can easily do heat therapy by wetting a washcloth completely, wringing it out until damp, and nuking it for 45 seconds or so (it will be hot, so be careful, and use another layer between it and skin if needed). And continue to keep it elevated. Wrap it, if you know how, if you have to walk anywhere.
Call the nurse line for more assistance. If it doesn't improve noticeably by the 2nd or 3rd day (swelling down, less pain), go to the doctors.
