I dont know if my left ankle is broken or just a really bad sprain or what. it happened a few days ago and it hurt a little in the begining but now it is hurting more. I have bandaged it up where cant move it and i have been using crutches sence yesterday do you think it is broken or just a really bad sprain?
2007-06-08 05:06:29 · 4 answers · asked by tree_mower 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
The only way to be able to tell if something is broken is not whether you can walk on it or not, but a x-ray will tell. Go see your nearest podiatrist for an evaluation. You should be in a walking boot and a compressive ankle wrap to keep the swelling down and keep the ankle immobilized. If the ankle is broken, then you'll be in a cast. Sprains will help up in 3-4 weeks and broken ankle (depending on the severity is between 6-8 weeks). Once you're all healed up, physical therapy will help get you back to where you were before the injury.
2007-06-08 12:12:59 · answer #1 · answered by pengfoot 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I worked in the medical feild in the army for quite some time and I saw alot of hurt ankles. I even injured mine a few times seriously. The best thing you can do is (if its not severly bruised, if so see doc) is keep an ace bandage on it during the day for some added support (reinjury is very likely in the first week of healing) and walk on it. Put the crutches away. At night take of the ace bandage and massage it gently where it hurts (top & side I take it?). Then do the ABC's with your toes in upper case & lower case ie: big A, little a, big B, little b..etc. then apply some ice for 15 min. Keep it elevated when possible and when sleeping. Do this for a week or so. The more the better. Once you have an injury to a joint it never does reach 100% again. And every time it is reinjured it reaches even less %. If you do sports or exercise its a good idea to wear a special ankle ace wrap (wal-mart, CVS) for a few months to ensure the greatest stability :) Happy healing..and remember this R. I. C. E ...rest, ice, compression, elevate
2007-06-08 12:24:08 · answer #2 · answered by briezy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its probably either a sprain or a hairline fracture. If it was broken you wouldn't be able to walk on it at all. Go get an x-ray to be sure though!
2007-06-08 12:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter much, the treatment is the same. However, I would be concerned about maintaining blood flow in the area due to the swelling. If blood flow is compromised, gangrene can set in and you could lose the foot.
Otherwise, heat and asprin (to disolve blood clots and relieve pain) should help, assuming the injury is more than a day old.
2007-06-08 12:16:31 · answer #4 · answered by Daniel T 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋