I sprained by ankle at Basketball practice yesterday. It's a bad sprain. I completely rolled it when coming down from a rebound. The pain has not gone away any since but some of the swelling is down. Now it's just as big as a que ball. I'm on cructches and it's wrapped. Im following Dr's orders and doing the RICE thing; Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. I'm also taking 600 mgs. of Motrin every 6 hrs. for the pain. If there is no change by tomorrow I have to go back and they'll check for a Fracture. I think it's just a severe sprain though. What the Dr. didn't tell me was how long it would be before I can participate in practice and get back into the games. Our schedule ends in Feb. and I want to play!! How long do you think I'll be out???
2007-01-04 03:27:20 · 6 answers · asked by BamaChick 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
I don't know why the Doc didn't order an xray to begin with. Usually after 24-48 hours they have to rebreak fractures if they are not taken care of...hopefully he doesn't have to do that.
As for your question, it all depends on the degree of sprain. Bad sprains take a long time to heal. If it is as bad as you make it sound, I would count on being out for at least 2-4 weeks.
Just keep in touch with your Doctor. If you have an Athletic Trainer or Physical Therapist you can see, work with them on exercises you can do while you are waiting to get back on the court.
Stay off the ankle as much as possible. After school, elevate your ankle all the time, except for going to the bathroom. That will prevent the swelling. As for pain, you can up your dosage to 800mg if you need to. 800mg is the same dosage as vicodin, though, so be careful if you do that.
Good luck. Hope it isn't broken.
2007-01-04 03:36:43 · answer #1 · answered by Brandon W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It probably is just a sprain, swelling and discolor are pretty distinct signs. Your sprain is probably worse than any fracture. You are doing all the right things, however there is no way to know when you will be able to play. it's different for every person and every sprain. You can probably start putting weight on in a week, but it will be while...maybe two to three weeks before you could run (or trust it to hold you up) My guess is you're out for the season...it's only 8 more weeeks...I'm doubting you'll feel strong by then! I'm sorry!
As for Brandon's comment...they aren't going to rebreak fractures...they would be able to tell without an xray if there was any displacement of bone (you would probably be able to see it, too in the ankle) You MIGHT have a hairline fractre, but honestly a sprain is worse..it usually ends up as somewhat chronic...you heal from a break quite nicely, but a sprain's pain really lingers.
2007-01-04 03:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by rattgrrrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
R.I.C.E. is indeed the first line of aid to soft tissue injuries. Ankle injuries are almost always worse the first 72 hours, then gradually start to heal provided you are controlling the swelling (inflammation) caused by serum and blood leaking and pooling in the injured area.
Ice and compression constrict the vasodilation and force the accumulated fluid away from the injury. Never ice for more than 15 minutes at a time. Compression can be used for much longer periods.
Because the ankle is a lower extremity, gravity will contribute to the blood pooling, so elevation to about waist level while the swelling is present is essential.
The length of time before you can return to participation is totallly dependent on the severity of the injury and how quickly you can accomplish the above.
Good luck.
2007-01-04 09:18:00 · answer #3 · answered by twocoolinc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Urm well did you here a snap when you rolled it? Cos that would mean the ligaments have in some form torn. If you didnt then they are probably just stretched...i tore my ligaments and was out for a few months. But rest if for 3 weeks and then do some light training.
2007-01-04 03:38:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i severely sprained my ankle back in October and its still not completely right even now. was told anything up to 8 weeks for very bad sprains to heal
2007-01-04 05:41:10 · answer #5 · answered by bodecia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Eat alot of fruits and drink alot of water. 2. Wear a brace around it. 3. Try to heat up the ankle as much as possible. 4. rest the foot.
2016-03-29 07:22:39 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋