How can I tell if I've torn a ligament in my ankle?

Question

I sprained my ankle about 3 weeks ago, and lately it's been more painful than it was in the beginning. I injured it by tripping over some stairs- my ankle bent straight backwards, my toes pointing toward the back of my calf.

It was x-rayed for fractures, but I was just given an air cast and sent off.

Now I can't bend my ankle at all, and if I even touch the spot where my ankle meets the top of my foot, I feel nauseous and want to scream from the pain.

What to do? My ankle and foot are both still swollen and bruised.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a pretty severe ankle sprain. I would suggest that you make an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor to have your ankle thoroughly examined and get a proper diagnosis. Without a proper diagnosis you will not get proper treatment. If it was an orthopedic that you went to that just put a boot on you and sent you on your way I would suggest you find a different ortho.

Answer 2

I badly sprained my ankle about 3 weeks ago. I was in a hurry going down the stairs, lost my balance and landed on a bad side of my left foot, causing my left ankle to be stretched going on the inside. The first 48 hours were excruciating and the pain was un-believable. I've never had a serious ankle injury before.

So I immediately treated it using the RICE method. The following day, the bruising and swelling were so horrible. I found out that I got a second degree sprain and immediately panicked after that. I had a football game on that week and it been looking forward to it because I've been training for rt. I had teammates that had similar injuries and it took them months to fully recover, some of them stopped playing altogether. So I kinda had a short-term depression because I can't imagine myself not being able to run and play sports anymore.

Because I was so desperate to recover again, I contacted a lot of people that I know who do sports and asked them if they had similar injuries. One friend of mine, from the boy's football team in my university, told me about H.E.M. Ankle Rehab. I got a copy 4 days after I got injured. I immediately read and followed what was instructed and felt improvement on the first day. I was able to walk a bit, but I was in pain.

A couple of days after that, the swelling and bruising were subsid-ing significantly and on the fourth day, I was walking comfortably again. Although I've had felt a bit of stiffness, I continued doing what was instructed. My sister was surprised that I have recovered this fast. I told her about this book and was shocked on how effective the procedures were. I'm just so happy that this book was shared to me and how effective it is.

Heal your ankle fully & fast?

Answer 3

You need a new doctor. Go to a Podiatrist or an orthopedist and right off the bat they will probably send you for am MRI. That is the only way to see if ligaments are injured.

Answer 4

d@mn "doctor"

go to someone else.... see if you can get the xrays and save ur self some money. u paid for them, they r urs. if it was done in the ER room, call the hospital and ask that another doc look at the xrays. same thing happened to me. turns out my arm was broken.

see if someone can get u some crutches and a splint. u need need to immobilize ur ankle.

u may need a CT scan.

u either have broken a bone or torn ligaments. u need help immediately.

don't go to ER, call a doctor's office.

Answer 5

An X-ray won't show a torn ligament. You need an MRI to show that. Go to an Orthopedic doctor. It sounds like the first doctor was an idiot!

Answer 6

As others have said already. Go back to the doctor. Tell them how you are doing. If you don't think the Doctor is helping go to a different one. Good luck .

Answer 7

go to a different doctor and see what they say...that doesnt sound too good...good luck =]

Answer 8

You need to be reevaluated.

Answer 9

It HURTS like hell...........