Ankle sprain or fracture?

[Bumbag45]

Night before last I managed to badly go over on my ankle due to an uneven pavement. I actually fell right over, my ankle bending inwards as I fell. DH helped my up and I immediately felt like I was going to faint. I was very dizzy and felt sick. My foot swelled up immediately and DH had to take my sandal off straight away.
I got home and put the foot in a bowl of ice and water, following the RICE protocol. I can weight bear but it’s still painful, swollen and the bruising is now coming out. I was quite convinced it was a sprain so haven’t bothered going to A&E but yesterday and today my foot has started tingling and having pins and needles.
Having a look online this is more indicative of a break or fracture but I can say I’m in excruciating pain and can place weight on it.
I know none of you can diagnose without an X-ray but if any medical person can advise whether pins and needles is to be expected with a sprain I’d be grateful. I’d rather avoid an A&E trip if at all possible. Thanks

[Bumbag45]

That should say I CANT say I’m in excruciating pain, it’s just tender and sore, swollen and pretty hot / bruised.

[SummerLove2306]

Get thee to A&E now. No one can diagnose over the internet but to me pins and needles are a pretty good indicator that something isn't right!

[MadamePompadour]

Pins and needles could indicate something pressing on a nerve. Could be displaced bone from a fracture or general swelling.

Being able to weight bear doesn't mean no fracture - I fractured my fibula and carried on running (literally) around on it for months before finally getting x-ray and mri to see why it hurt all the time.

You can certainly fracture your ankle from that sort of injury where your ankle rolls inwards.

[melonballer1234]

When I broke my foot I thought I was gonna faint and throw up. That plus the tingling makes me think you definitely need to go to A and E. I don’t know where you live but if you have a minor injury unit nearby they are much quicker than a big hospital at seeing patients.

[PurpleWithRed]

Even if its not fractured you have done some damage to soft tissues and they can take ages and ages to heal if you don’t take them seriously. Check out the Ottawa Ankle Rules for interest, but if you are still struggling to walk on it two days later then a trip to minor injuries that has X-ray might be a good idea.

[melonballer1234]

I could also weight beat and put away a full online food shop before my friend and DH convinced me to get it checked out. 6 weeks off over Xmas was nice if a bit boring towards the end!

[Bumbag45]

Just to update you, I went to A&E last night and have managed to tear the ligaments on the outside of the ankle and also on the inside of the ankle, tearing a piece of bone off the inner ankle joint in the process. I’m now in an air cast for 4-6 weeks. I was able to weight bear as it isn’t an unstable break.
Doctor said I did the right thing in going in. I’ve been warned it will be a long process of healing with physio along the way. Nightmare.

[MadamePompadour]

Ouch. Ligament damage and avulsion fractures can be worse to heal than a normal break I think. Hopefully you have a swift recovery.

[MinesaPinot]

ooh ow. I fell off a step a few years ago and did much the same thing, but luckily for me it was a minor fracture of the fifth metatarsal (on the side of my foot at the base of my little toe) so no plaster etc needed. Similarly mine swelled but I could still put weight on it, so put it down to a sprain. It was only when it hadn't gone down after a few days that DH insisted he take me to our local Minor Injuries unit. Nurse there said I should definitely have come in sooner, as it could have been much worse.

I do sympathise OP, hope you feel better soon. Sending

[MoistOwlette]

Sympathy! I dropped a piece of furniture on my ankle today from head height (don't ask) and it clipped the top of my outer ankle bone.

I presume it's not broken because I'm walking on it, but my foot and leg keeps feeling prickly and it's giving a dull ache now I'm resting it. You're making me second guess it!

[tryingtobebetterallthetime]

Poor you, my sympathy.

I had almost exactly the same injury a few years ago. The avulsion fracture was missed at first. I did quite a bit of physiotherapy when it was close to being healed, to strengthen my ankles. Things like working on a wobble board. In the early stages they used to put on some sort of boot that circulated ice water to bring down the swelling. I had quite an impressive bruise.

It did take quite a long time to completely heal but now I can't even remember which ankle it was.

Take care.

[Bumbag45]

@moistowlette I think it may be worth you getting it looked at. If I ever break a bone again at least I’ll recognise the type of bone pain, even while at rest. It really is a gnawing, deep discomfort. It’s not something you can ignore. The pins and needles are always in the background too. Yesterday and today with the heat have been pretty awful.

[lljkk]

Sorry to hear that. Ligament injuries can be a lot worse than breaks (I guess you know now). Take it easy.

[MoistOwlette]

Nah. It's just a bit fat and stupid today. Not prickly anymore!

I can also walk on it and it only hurts when poked