Ankle Injury Advice

[cashflyer]

I always told myself that I would never solicit medical advice from the interwebs, but here I go....

When I was in my teens, I had a mishap which resulted in two minor cracks to my ankle bone.

When in the military (late teens, early 20s), long marches would cause me some discomfort, but nothing debilitating.

After the service, I went for many years with no problems at all.

Over the past 10 years, there have been only one other instance where this ankle has really caused me significant pain. Last time was pretty much the same scenario as this time.

On Easter Sunday, I was out playing with my GSD. I must have turned too sharply, or landed 'wrong' or something. I woke up on Monday barely able to walk. Sharp pain that runs from the ankle down the foot toward the little toe.

Last time this happened, I hobbled around for about a week and the pain went away. This time it does not seem to be subsiding. I will admit though that this time I am probably on it more than last time. Work to do, mouths to feed, etc.

Is this something that I should just soak away with hot water and epsom salt, stay off of it for a couple of days, buy a pimp cane to augment my walking, or what?

Wife already said, "maybe you should see a doctor." My reply of, "Maybe you should get back in the kitchen" did not seem to help. I'll probably revisit that in another thread asking for advice at a later date.


Thanks in advance.

[Zeke]

Someone will tell you ice. I use ice right away and then after any additional strain such as you are doing by walking on it. Some walking is good. A lot not so much. Like a cut, takes 10 days to heal and then it may be tender.

Ice and heat bring blood to the area. Blood is the healer.

[tharbert]

1st degree sprains earn you a course of ice and ibuprofen. 3rd degree earns you a cast for 6 weeks. I guess a 2nd degree requires immobilization in one of those removable boots. A doctor will rule out a break and determine the severity and prescribe a course of action. For self diagnosis, immobilization allows the tendons to recover so the key is to reduce use for quicker recovery. So, rest, a cane, maybe a cloth wrap will certainly help. If you had a 3rd degree, the ankle would be BIG and probably black and blue and it's unlikely you could put any weight on it for several weeks...much like a break.

A prescription dose of ibuprofen or naproxen sodium aids in reducing swelling with an added benefit of marginal pain relief. Both are NSAIDs. Look up the pros/cons. There are BIG warnings on prolonged NSAID use. Short periods of use , several weeks, should be fine if otherwise healthy. Read the label carefully. Prescription dose is normally twice the labeled dosages for ibuprofen.

Ice, done correctly, is very effective. Ice the area for 20 minutes to lower the temp. Then, allow to warm. Warming dilates the vessels and helps the heart draw the fluids from the surrounding tissues. Do this several times a day. There is no need to ice longer than about 20 minutes unless it helps in pain relief. What you want are the cold/heat cycles.

If it's still significantly sore at the 2 week mark, your wife was right.

[pavulon]

Elevate, NSAID as above and ice is your friend. Do you have any left over prescription pain killers? They may help the night go better if you're losing sleep. If it's not better by tomorrow, seek a medical MJ script.

[recycled sixtie]

Go see a doctor and that will relieve the apprehension of what is going on in that ankle. He might xray it. Why suffer when u don't have to?

[stomachmonkey]

Had a similar issue with my right foot.

Some minor breakage that resulted in an occasional pinched nerve for years after.

Osteopath might be the ticket.

[recycled sixtie]

Your wife is right - go see a doctor. Your comment about your wife stay in the kitchen etc. does not do anything for your mental state either. Now u have mental pain as well physical pain. However u do have my sympathy as physical pain is not conducive to a happy life. It will heal with the correct treatment and then the whole household will be a happier place.

[Rikao4]

twisted & sprained ankle..
we immobilized them all...
you have multi injuries to same..

get it looked at..
you may find an old fx that never healed properly..
and gimping about will mess up your back anyway..

Rika

[cashflyer]

Thanks guys.
There is no discoloration. Perhaps slight swelling when compared to the other foot/ankle, but I do mean slight - boots still fit on okay, but are laced a little looser on that foot.

I'll try the ice/heat/ibuprofen route with reduced usage. If not change, then I'll suck it up and see the local doc.


May still use this as an excuse to buy a pimp cane and hat. lol

[RWebb]

maybe you should see a doctor - and get a referral to a specialist

but first write down the entire history of this problem

I will bet that the initial injury did not fully heal (ankle injuries are under diagnosed and under treated - and this was esp. true long ago), and that there is some looseness of the "stuff" that binds it all together and makes a secure joint -- this has led to further injuries.

I'd also bet on some calcification in unwanted places.

[cashflyer]

Update:

After a week of reduced activity, heat soaking, cold packs, and cane assisted weight bearing, the ankle stopped giving me trouble. However I am left with a different symptom that I have to assume is related, but would seemingly have nothing to do with the ankle.

The bottom of my foot, about midway between the arch and the ball, is sensitive to pressure. The surface is fine, this is a sub-surface pain. No discoloration or bruising evident. No apparent swelling.

Additionally, there is similar pain along the outer bone [metatarsal?].

I was guessing inflamed tendons as a result of repetitive abnormal movement for the last 3 weeks while the ankle was bothering me, and I am guessing more time is needed for this to go away - but I thought I would mention it anyway to see if there are other opinions.

[madmmac]

Welcome to the unwelcomed world of plantar fasciitis....it sounds like.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by madmmac

Welcome to the unwelcomed world of plantar fasciitis....it sounds like.

I had thought about that, but the pain is not near the heel, not do I have decreased dorsiflexion of the ankle. I am not ruling out PF, as it seems pretty common, and the symptoms I just mentioned are only the most common symptoms.

[porsche4life]

Mortons Neuroma? My mom developed one after hobbling around on crutches....

[Rikao4]

wife is being treated for same symptoms..
Dr believes it to be strained ligaments..
she's wearing these padded wristband looking things...
must be working..
she's keeping up..

Rika

[cashflyer]

I read about the mortons neuroma, and it says "Negative signs include no obvious deformities, erythema, signs of inflammation, or limitation of movement.". So far I have not observed any of these symptoms.


Along the lines of what Rika suggested, I found this:
A sprain is an injury in a joint, caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain.

The same article said that complete rehabilitation can take up to 3 months.


I guess I will continue with my routine of ibuprofen and reduced usage.

[madmmac]

Freeze a round small plastic bottle of water, place it on the floor and roll it back and forth with your foot along your arch for 20 or so minutes at least a few times a day.

[Icemaster]

Go see a doctor, at least figure out what's wrong. Injuries aren't always obvious.

[cashflyer]

Ok...

So, the GP says, "It's probably just a sprain."
I say, "Yeah - I knew that much, but I'm paying you to be SURE it's not something more."
He says, "Well, I can refer you to a specialist if you like."


I would have had better results staying home with $75 worth of liquor.

[porsche4life]

I could have told you that for $75...