Help! - sprained ankle and perhaps??????

[don]

I posted last week about falling down 9 steps and spraining my right ankle. Right after it happened I noticed that my whole body was achy but specially the peroneal attachement to the head of the fibula (besides the right ankle). At that time I thought I was lucky because I could have sprained or broken both ankles and didn't think much about it, but went on to massage both legs anyhow.
Well, it's been 9 days and the sprained ankle is doing well. I can walk on it without pain as long as I don't try to propel myself like in a normal step. It is not very swollen except in the end of the day.
Now, the peroneal attachement is sooooooo sore. It doesn't look swollen but it feels like there is a bit fluid around. It almost feels like I sprained it also.
Anybody with similar experience? Anything I should be doing? People say I'm walking much better, but it is actually hurting a bit more than before (I'm also doing more than before)
I just bought and ankle and a knee support.
Thank you.

 

[Hossam]

ICE, ICE AND MORE ICE! If you have the swelling going on it is probably inflamed, does it feel warm to the touch? Also the fact that it is more swollen at the end of the day says volumes that you may be doing too much too soon. Seeing a dr. about it may be a good idea, just to be on the safe side. In the mean time you may need to curb your activity a bit while it is healing. Hope this helps.

 

[eloquent]

I agree with the above post...I sprained/fractured my ankle a year ago, I fell down the stairs and oh baby it hurt!! I went to the dr.'s it swelled up immediatley..I was on crutches and had to quit massage for a little bit..(a lot of mad clients) and then i had a brace on it and went back and gave massages but you do have to be careful because being on it will make it swell, so you should cut back...and i agree, you should see a dr.. I was told to do "abc's with my ankle" lay or sit down and put your ankle through the alphabet, forming the letters with your ankle..it's a good exercise to strengthen it...(after the swelling etc.. has subsided) good luck to you!!!!

 

[Dan P]

Thanks for the reminder about the ice. Since it's been 9 days I stop doing it ....
About the swelling - it is almost not visible anymore. Very little in the end of the day on the lateral side of the ankle. so I'm actually not concerned about the ankle itself.
What puzzles me is the tenderness of the peroneal attachment to the fibula on the opposite leg.

 

[sgilbert775]

4-6 weeks healing time, IF you are lucky! Take care of yourself. Don't do as much! See your ortho if in doubt.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Thanks for the reminder about the ice. Since it's been 9 days I stop doing it ....
About the swelling - it is almost not visible anymore. Very little in the end of the day on the lateral side of the ankle. so I'm actually not concerned about the ankle itself.
What puzzles me is the tenderness of the peroneal attachment to the fibula on the opposite leg.

Sounds to me like you're throwing your weight to the opposite side in an effort to take the pressure off the injured ankle.
Get both feet up whenever you can get a chance. In a couple weeks consider getting some work done on both legs.
Maybe some contrast baths for your feet/legs? Perhaps some essential oils to reduce swelling and improve circulation?
Could be though there is no external sign of swelling that there is still some inflammation going on.
Perhaps you may want to consider an actual ankle brace. I had to actually wear a stirrup brace for awhile on my L ankle... still do on occasion, whenever it feels particularly weak. It is a hard plastic brace almost like a cast that protects the ankle against re-injury.
As for treatment, I recommend MFR... as it's helped my own ankle injury tremendously. However, in time if I don't get the bodywork when needed, or I haven't been wearing my ankle brace, the muscles of the calf will splint to protect that L ankle.
Then I know it's high time to get to my JFB MFR therapist right away!
As pueppi has said though, it takes awhile to heal the injury. If you do too much too fast you risk re-injury... give yourself the time to heal!

 

[Lance R]

Thanks for all the input.
I went back to icing both the injured ankle and the peroneal ligament on the opposite knee. I also put both legs up as much as I can in between clients and have been using a knee and an ankle ice bandadge for support. I see the difference already, because I have much better range of motion on the ankle and the knee side is not sore anymore.

Also thanks for the reminder that it will take time. I tend to forget that when it comes to my own body....I will be patient!