Should a sprain get worse?

[treenu]

Argh can't sleep!

Saw the OOH GP this afternoon, who said I had sprained my foot which was really sore.
Told me to keep on it and keep it moving, which I did...

...except it has just gotten worse and worse and now I can barely put weight on it at all. My toes have all swollen up. There's no redness or bruising. I just can't move it and the pain is keeping me awake despite taking pain killers.

Would you wait it out or try again? I walk/train it to work and am terrified I won't be able to get there on Monday or that I'm doing more damage.

I’ve sprained both ankles each and one twice. No one ever said keep walking on it! The swelling is awful and causes more pain. Wrap it and keep it elevated.

Thank you - will do! Thought I was being precious.

NHS recommend RICE

Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate. Basically get your feet up for a couple of days! You may find ibuprofen gel helpful to put on the sprained area. Hope you make a swift recovery.

I badly sprained my ankle, didn't realise exactly how badly I'd hurt it and thought 'ahh it'll be ok in a bit' and kept walking on it for 3 days, my foot swelled up too. Eventually hobbled down to get it checked, got a telling off for not resting it to begin with, 3 x rays as they were convinced I'd broken something, then ended up on crutches for 10 weeks Definitely follow the RICE advice!

When I sprained my ankle it got worse and worse and I went to the hospital a week later expecting to be told I'd broken it! Hadn't, it was just a sprain, but they did tell me that often sprains take longer than actual fractures because you tend to "get on" with stuff (like walking on it!)

When I broke my foot it got worse rather than better, and stopped me sleeping. Has it been x rayed? If it hasn’t, it might be an idea.

I sprained my ankle in the summer.
Everything was swollen. The bruising went up my calf, it wasn't pleasant. But do rest as much as possible.

Yes, that's my first thoughts you - has it been x rayed OP?

NICE guidance below, but the TL:DR version is put your feet up and demand tea, painkillers and sympathy from your Loved Ones as a medical necessity.

(Although you also might want to google the Ottawa Ankle Rules)

To manage their injury using the PRICE measures:

Protection — protect from further injury (for example by using a support or high-top, lace-up shoes).
Rest — avoid activity for the first 48–72 hours following injury.
Ice — apply ice wrapped in a damp towel for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the day for the first 48–72 hours following the injury. This should not be left on whilst the person is asleep.
Compression — with a simple elastic bandage or elasticated tubular bandage, which should be snug but not tight, to help control swelling and support the injury. This should be removed before going to sleep.
Elevation — keep the injured area elevated and supported on a pillow until the swelling is controlled. If the leg is injured, prolonged periods with the leg not elevated should be avoided.

To avoid HARM in the first 72 hours after the injury:
Heat — for example hot baths, saunas, and heat packs.
Alcohol — increases bleeding and swelling and decreases healing.
Running — or any other form of exercise which may cause further damage.
Massage — may increase bleeding and swelling.

It does feel worse before it starts to improve and yes advice is to use painkillers and walk on it and keep flexing it to avoid stiffening up. You can use ice in between weight bearing.

Thank you all. I got it X-rayed early this morning and there was no sign of a fracture which was what I was worrying about. I had a stress fracture that had similar symptoms a few years back.

I couldn't do anything at all this morning. The hospital were really helpful and I have a fetching black boot which is making it possible to move around. It was tough as at one point it was suggested I get signed off work for a week?! I didn't want to let my classes down. Thankfully the boot means that I can go in.