08-14-2011, 11:36 AM
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#1
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Advice RE: Ankle Sprain
Hey CP!
I severely sprained my left ankle playing street hockey 6.5 weeks ago. I went to the hospital because: A) I heard a pop when I rolled it and; B) I could not weightbear on the ankle at all.
They did an x-ray and examined the ankle clinically and declared it a severe sprain, no break.
The ankle has recovered somewhat. I regained the ability to weightbear after 24 hours and direct weight on the ankle does not bother it. However, it is still tender (often any contact with the lateral part of my ankle is quite painful) and often swells very significantly throughout the course of a day. Not only the ankle either, my whole foot swells up to the point where I have pitting edema (when you press a finger into the skin, it leaves an indentation that stays there for awhile).
I was wondering if I should go visit the doctor this week to have him look at it again. 45 days seems like an awfully long time for it to have improved only this much.
For the record I have been regularly icing and elevating it. This helps but as soon as I resume my daily activities it swells up again.
For those CPers out there who have suffered similar injuries, what is your recommendation?
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08-14-2011, 11:40 AM
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#2
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Norm!
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I remember that I was misdiagnosed with a sprained ankle twice.
The first time they said it was strained, but I tore ligaments in my ankle and it took a long time for it to heal, and I still have a problem with rolling on it.
The other time was in football, and they called it a sprain, but I had cracked one of the tiny bones in my foot that doesn't get great blood flow.
Icing and elevating, and wrapping the ankle in the direction of the sprain all help.
But I would probably get a second opinion.
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08-14-2011, 11:53 AM
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#3
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Franchise Player
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Yeah a second opinion is never a bad idea. Chances are if you get it done by your family doctor, they should be a little more thorough than an emerg doctor (I'd hope).
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08-14-2011, 11:57 AM
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#4
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jar_e
Yeah a second opinion is never a bad idea. Chances are if you get it done by your family doctor, they should be a little more thorough than an emerg doctor (I'd hope).
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Yeah. I'm hoping so. I had reason to go to the ER in the first place but I think my family doctor should probably look at it now.
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08-14-2011, 11:59 AM
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#5
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Franchise Player
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I'd do what you planned....go to your doctor and have him re-evaluate the ankle.
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08-14-2011, 12:00 PM
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#6
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UnModerator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Tape it up, buy a brace, give it time.
Bad ankle sprains can take a long time to properly heal. Especially if you are right back on the foot the next day (as you were). Even just walking on it normally will delay the healing time by huge amounts.
At this point I think I'd go to the doctor again but the reality of it is if there was any ligament damage, unless it was major (which means you probably wouldn't be walking), it'll be pretty well healed by now which means all the doctor will prescribe is RICE and maybe painkillers if you whine enough.
When I sprained mine really bad the first time, I ended up on crutches for about two-three weeks which it seems you should have done aswell. =\
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08-14-2011, 12:10 PM
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#7
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Self-Retirement
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Sprains suck. In retrospect, you should have taken a month off and stayed completely off the ankle. But, that isn't possible for most people. My father sprained his ankle at work 6 years ago (construction), and he still has lots of problems with it. But he wasn't able to take much time off, needed to make a living.
Heat it, ice it, tape it, brace it and just hope that it will go away eventually.
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08-14-2011, 12:12 PM
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#8
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Pants Tent
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Perhaps go by a physio clinic too, and see what they can do for you.
I hurt my shoulder in a minor way once, and I booked a physio session at Sothland Leisure Centre. I only had one appointment (very minor injury), but it sure helped me feel better quickly.
You would likely need more than one session, but it could really help. It does not cost all that much per appointment.
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Last edited by Kipper is King; 08-14-2011 at 12:15 PM.
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08-14-2011, 12:14 PM
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#9
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Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary
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RICE (you are missing the compression aspect and ice won't be very effective anymore), physio, 600 mg ibuprofen every ~6 hours (less now since you are 6.5 weeks out).
Have you done physio? As your lateral portion of your foot hurts and assuming there was no break on x-ray, you probably sprained your anterior talofibular ligament. It is the most common spain. When you go to your doc, they will probably look at your old x-rays and based on how you look, decide the best course of action. If your doc office is part of a Primary Care Network, they can probably hook you up with a few physio sessions for free.
Physio is probably your next best bet. GL with your recovery.
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08-14-2011, 12:17 PM
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#10
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Lifetime Suspension
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Tough to say. Most sprains take about 4 to 6 months to completely heal, sometimes longer cause as soon as we start to feel better we play on it and stress the injury.
Are you, or did you go to physio for it?
I had one sprain that was pretty bad, no break or fracture, was on crutches for about 2 to 3 weeks. Couldn't play on it pain free for about 8 to 10 weeks after, didn't get full mobility till about the 12 week period. And that was with physio 3 times a week.
A second opinion never hurts, if anything it just helps ease the mind a little. After my swelling went down I went in for a second opinion, however, I also went to a sports doctor rather then a medical doctor for my second opinion. I find that they can more accurately diagnose those types of injuries.
Sprains take time to heal. But, a second opinion would be beneficial if your concerned about it.
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08-14-2011, 12:19 PM
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#11
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Thanks guys! Lots of good advice in here.
Believe it or not, the instructions from the ER doctor were to get back to weightbearing and using it as normally as possible, as soon as I could. So I did.
I do have a good brace, should I be wearing this continually or only when I have my ankle under heavy use?
I haven't gone to physio although I did get exercises from a coworker who is in the process of becoming a physiotherapist. I know this sounds lame but I haven't gone because it is ~$100 for an assessment and $60 for each visit thereafter and I just don't have the spare $$$ right now (and no health benefits at the moment).
This is my brace:
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08-14-2011, 12:27 PM
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#12
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UnModerator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nehkara
Thanks guys! Lots of good advice in here.
Believe it or not, the instructions from the ER doctor were to get back to weightbearing and using it as normally as possible, as soon as I could. So I did.
I do have a good brace, should I be wearing this continually or only when I have my ankle under heavy use?
I haven't gone to physio although I did get exercises from a coworker who is in the process of becoming a physiotherapist. I know this sounds lame but I haven't gone because it is ~$100 for an assessment and $60 for each visit thereafter and I just don't have the spare $$$ right now (and no health benefits at the moment).
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Your ER doctor either mis-communicated, you misheard, or misdiagnosed you in a very bad way.
I'd wear the brace from when you wake up till you sleep.
Physio isn't necessary if it costs that much. Your coworker has told you all they will, so all you're missing is the free massages, and I think you'll survive without.
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THANK MR DEMKOCPHL Ottawa Vancouver
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08-14-2011, 12:44 PM
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#13
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blaster86
Your ER doctor either mis-communicated, you misheard, or misdiagnosed you in a very bad way.
I'd wear the brace from when you wake up till you sleep.
Physio isn't necessary if it costs that much. Your coworker has told you all they will, so all you're missing is the free massages, and I think you'll survive without.
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Well he may have told me the wrong thing, but that is what he said. Basically said that getting back to using it normally increases blood flow to the area and promotes healing. He especially stressed getting back to the point where I could weightbear fully as being important.
It seemed at little odd at the time but I didn't feel like I should argue with him.
I will start wearing the brace daily, thank you for the advice.
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08-14-2011, 12:50 PM
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#14
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Self-Retirement
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IMO, I wouldn't use the brace all the time. You don't want to baby it to death, causing other problems later on. I strongly feel it's important to stay off your feet the initial few weeks after an ankle injury. My dad's doc told him to stay off his feet for at least 4-6 weeks. I'm surprised the ER doc told you that.
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08-14-2011, 01:59 PM
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#15
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Scoring Winger
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in addition to the above noted advice, i believe there is a mac's cashier in the downtown area that may be able to provide some treatment/further advice.
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08-14-2011, 02:11 PM
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#16
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_mullen
in addition to the above noted advice, i believe there is a mac's cashier in the downtown area that may be able to provide some treatment/further advice.
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08-14-2011, 02:13 PM
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#17
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Lifetime Suspension
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nehkara
Well he may have told me the wrong thing, but that is what he said. Basically said that getting back to using it normally increases blood flow to the area and promotes healing. He especially stressed getting back to the point where I could weightbear fully as being important.
It seemed at little odd at the time but I didn't feel like I should argue with him.
I will start wearing the brace daily, thank you for the advice.
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The doc probably meant more so pain free type of stuff. Get to using it normally, as long as there is little to no pain. And no limp.
With regards to the brace. I wouldn't wear all the time like few have mentioned. The ankle will become depended on it and it'll heal, but your ankle will become weak and more prone to injury. Best to use it more so when your playing sports to give you that added support.
When it gets to the point where you have no pain I'd start doing a lot of balance type drills. My favorite is standing on the injured foot and spell the alphabet with the other foot in the air with your eyes closed.
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08-14-2011, 02:13 PM
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#18
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Lifetime Suspension
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nehkara
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Yes, he was serious. Do you get it? lol
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08-14-2011, 02:25 PM
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#19
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy
Yes, he was serious. Do you get it? lol
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Yes. Just love the meme and felt I could get away with using it there.
I have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow @ 7:45 AM. Hopefully he can give me some clarity on how to proceed. I also managed to get a copy of my x-ray on CD and the report for said x-ray for him to look at if he needs.
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08-14-2011, 02:31 PM
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#20
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Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nehkara
Yes. Just love the meme and felt I could get away with using it there.
I have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow @ 7:45 AM. Hopefully he can give me some clarity on how to proceed. I also managed to get a copy of my x-ray on CD and the report for said x-ray for him to look at if he needs.
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It's definitely not broken. All x-rays are either dictated by a radiologist by the time your ER doc will see it or they have not been seen by a radiologist, yet. If it is the second scenario, it is the job of the ER doc to interpret them. Usually, this is very easily done. Your x-ray would have eventually been looked at by a radiologist and if they found a break, you would have been contacted ASAP. Even if the image was poorly taken, you would have been asked to take another one.
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