Advice on Ankle

[Crillz]

Early in November, I sprained my ankle on a descent in Jtree.

 

It hurt like hell right away, but after a few minutes the pain was a lot lower. I was able to hobble out to the car, and put some ice on it for a while. I didn't really stress it much the rest of the day. For the rest of the trip (4 days or so), I climbed on it, and taped it up for most of that time. Kept putting ice on it most nights of the trip.

 

Anyway, it's now mid December and the damn thing still swells up a bit most days. Not real bad swelling, but just a bit. I've skid on it 4-times since, and the compression of it being in the boot reduces the swelling.

 

I doubt it's broken, but any thoughts? The injury is on the outside of the ankle by the "bump" (is that the bottom of the talus?). It hurts when I point my toes really hard, and when I put pressure on it by turning it sideways, like you would when you twist your ankle in the first place.

 

I'd prefer not to visit the doc, and was going to hold off for a couple more weeks and see if it improved. I'm still doing typical stuff, lifting and did a bit of climbing on it as well.

 

Any couch docs think it's just a bad sprain?

 

 

[Water]

this couch doc with noodle ankles and knees of steel says yes, a bad sprain--though from my learning of sprains even a moderate one can persist for months. the more medically inclined can probably enrich this opinion I'm sure.

 

I had a high ankle sprain this past april-took perhaps 4 months to return to pre-sprain condition. After the first few weeks it was significantly better but some/noticeable swell maintained for at least ~2 more months, esp. after exertion on it--mountaineering boots felt good because yes, it supported it well. it was tender in certain spots if i prodded it with my fingers as well--2 months+ later. my swelling was also on that natural ankle-bump.

 

like a lot of PT, being ginger with it while it heals is important, esp in the early days and weeks. Me, since it was summer, I was not going to for-go getting out for much of may and june.. so i think the issues stuck around a bit longer. doing bad by it while it is trying to heal will slow healing down and contribute to more long-term likelihood of issues.

 

no need for the doctor..you will waste your time, their time, and your money. find some good online/rec advice on ankle exercises to work on... but don't over-do it. therabands, balance exercises, more than anything it seems. both a benign injury compared to so many that could befall but also a crappy one that is more likely to happen, once it has happened--though a lot are like that i guess.

Edited December 15, 2010 by Water

[genepires]

I remember reading somewhere about strengthening the ankle region which may be of help for you. It was"writing" the alphabet with your toes by moving the foot at the ankles. This moves the ankle through every possible angle. This mobility may decrease the swelling too.

[Crillz]

Thanks for the info.

 

I've been doing the alphabet writing thing for a couple weeks. I've been walking, biking, and running some (1 mile runs) and it all seems to help with the swelling. Just sitting around, like at work, without elevating must be pooling the blood down there.

[Sherri]

Thanks for the info.

Just sitting around, like at work, without elevating must be pooling the blood down there.

 

Maybe wearing compression socks when you're going to be sitting for long periods would help w/that? (Kel is wearing them while recouping from her hip surgery but I saw sprains mentioned on the packaging, too. Make sure to measure your calf, etc, to get proper sizing. Pharmacy or medical supply-type stores sell better ones than department stores.)

Activa compression socks

 

Hope it heals up soon, buddy.

[kroc]

Sounds like ligament or tendon issue not a break.

 

Why not see a doctor? I'm guessing you have insurance. What you don't seem to have is a good diagnosis. Forget primary doc. Call in and ask for a sports medicine MD. I'm sure you can get some good recomendations. If you don't have good idea what's wrong it is hard to know what to do and what to avoid. Why wait a couple weeks?

[fultonville]

Broke my right calcaneus 18 years ago while bouldering (needed to have pinned) and my 5th metatarsal in my right foot this last summer when I drop a Triumph 955i Tiger on my leg. After coming back from both what helped was giving up on any running, sticking to the mtn bike and only using ibuprofen before any strenuous activity. You need to be careful with the 'vitamin I' as using regularly is not so much a strain on the kidneys but it does not promote healing. This was told to me by a PT and not something I read on the web by the way. Finally I agree with kroc, you should suck it up and at least see a sports MD and pick his brain. Don't know if that helps any but good luck!

[Crillz]

Hey Jeff.

 

I've only got catastrophic health insurance, so a trip for an x-ray or an mri will have to be straight cash at this point. I'm assuming if anything, it's minor fiber issues like you say, so an mri would probably be prefered by a doctor. It seems to be doing better these last few days though.

 

A few weeks ago, I was searching around on the interweb and found a physical test that is used to determine if further examination for a break is a good idea. It consisted of rubbing/pushing on certain areas of the ankle. I pushed, poked, and squeezed all around and there was no sharp pain, so...

 

If it wasn't out of pocket, I would have already had it checked out. If I do go to the doc it wont be to a primary care that's for sure.

[Quarryographer]

In July of 2007 I fell 25 feet at work. My heel taco-ed in all the way up and touched the inside of my calf. My fibula also broke under the strain. Several surgeries later my doctor said I'd likely have to walk with a cane for the rest of my life, oh and to just give up on the silly idea of climbing. I was so choked up I wanted to cry. That statement however is what pushed me through the pain of recovery. Not sure if it was denial or determination. Probably ignorance. Anyway.

In my unprofessional and obtrusive opinion: You probably have a little soft tissue damage, which slightly worse than a broken bone IMO. because the healing process is so much more frustrating. In my case I was often pushing the soft tissue too far, and doing more harm than good. Here's what I was told in PT.

Push for strength and flexibility only until it's swollen, then ice. I had the luxury of the Cryo-cuff (I'ce & electric stem) to remove swelling + boost circulation. Then repeat.

In your case it hasn't even been two months yet, so don't get too crazy. I was told to expect 3 months minimum for soft tissue in the ankle (Bones are only 6 weeks). Because people can't stay off their feet.

Good luck to you sir.

[kroc]

Hi Chris,

 

Sucks this is going on. I wasn't thinking MRI believe it or not. Seems like an x-ray would be worthless, especially given your home poke/prod test. If you end up seeing an MD and they want an x-ray get out ASAP. I guess I was thinking about a freind at work. She had this nagging running pain and picked the brain of many doctors at work, none of who are sports/joint specialists. Many different thoughts. Then she goes on a date with a sports doctor and he gives her an obvious (after the fact) diagnosis over dinner. (A calf muscle hernia of sorts). Didn't give her a fix though, because there isn't an easy one.

 

My very non professional advice is to avoid all movement that causes sharp pain. If climbing in the gym causes it use a hangboard and weights to keep strong, but rest the ankle tissue as much as possible. Hope its ligiments, not tendons, recovery time will be shorter. The good news is that it sounds like skiing doesn't hurt, maybe because the ankle is almost in a cast. It's a good year for that, I go at least once a week, let me know if you want to carpool.