Experience of ankle sprain recover- go back to urgent care. I have cabin fever

[Winemygoodenemy]

I badly sprained my ankle on Tuesday whilst away. I went over it and heard a crack and pop, instantly felt sick and faint. I rested it and managed to limp back to my family.

Evening it was sore and couldn’t weight bear. Went to minor injuries and got an X-ray. Said wasn’t broken and a bad sprain. Told to walk on it and will get better in a few days. I managed to slowly get the train home to my home. i couldn’t even manage the stairs in my house, going up and down on my bum. I can’t weight bear and still unable. It’s really sore, swollen and bruised.

Next day I managed to borrow a stick to help waking and a physio friend had a look. It’s sore and painful but I can get about in the house. I live alone, but got friends and a partner that can help in needed. I did online delivery etc. thought it’s only an injury that will heal quickly.

I am on day 5 and it’s still swollen, painful more bruises appearing and still can’t weight bear. Spent last night in the house alone as had to cancel my plans. My partner went out with friends as he should have fun. I definitely have cabin fever and doped up on pain killers. Bored now and lots of plans that require me to drive in the coming week.

should I go back to urgent care? I have sprained ankles before and by day 5 could walk. What are your experiences of a badly sprained ankle?

Hello
My dd sprained her ankle a few weeks ago (ugent care and xrayed too) and it took around 2 weeks for her to use it fully and the pain to ease. It does take time. She also found it got better then got worse again before fully better.
Hope it heals quickly for you

Please don’t waste anyone’s time in a&e. Its not broken. Just a sprain. Takes time.

I've had a sprained ankle several times, including a bad sprain just before I went on holiday a few years ago. The last time I went to Minor Injuries as it was so swollen and painful. X-Ray revealed a bad sprain and a very tiny crack in the metatarsal at the base of my little toe - I'd slipped off a step and my foot turned underneath.

Foot and ankle were strapped up by the nurse and I was told to rest it where possible, but that it would take time for it to heal and recover. I went on holiday - we were cruising which made it a bit easier rather than having to negotiate an airport or sit on a plane, but I had to wear flats or trainers most of the time and take it steady. It took a good two or three weeks for the swelling to go down and the pain to ease.

Probably not any comfort OP, but afraid it just takes time.

You can go to minor injuries when things calm down a bit next week if no better. Ime it can take up to six weeks for bruising to fully come out and swelling go down. Cold packs (or frozenpeas) and gentle flexing and circling of the joint should help.

It does take time - the nursing will keep coming. You can buy crutches in Argos to help you get out and about. Speaking from experience it could hurt for a very long time to come, sorry!

DS has a nasty ankle injury recently and was in excruciating pain. And I mean excruciating. He usually very stoic and doesn't flinch at anything. I took him back to the hospital in the middle of the night, and they X-rayed again, and then x-rayed yet again because they though something must have been missed. There really was nothing broken and all they could do was provide strong painkillers.

I think we take our legs for granted, until they don't work.

Bruising, not nursing! Nursing would be better!

When dp badly sprained his it took around 3 months to completely heal.

I would suggest that you do what you need to and not what others think you should. It can take a long time to heal, but equally, if you are in pain then you should get advice on that; and diagnoses can be wrong. I also sprained my ankle. Nothing wrong with it other than a sprain. Actually no... my tibial tendon (which can't be examined on an x ray) was badly damaged, and in carrying on walking on it I did, in fact "break my ankle" and ended up having to have a permanent metal frame placed in the ankle. Perversely, the physio I had when recovering sprained her ankle and there was nothing on the x-ray. In intense pain four weeks later a colleague said she believed it was broken - and this was confirmed by the second x-ray.

If you are really struggling and worried then a second opinion is better than doing nothing.

Hey guys I have recently had an ankle sprain rolled my ankle a huge crack my whole ankle is black blue and my foots yellow and leg is black too , the pain is awful but todays day 4 and I keep getting like a feeling of intense heat raising up my leg , is this something I should be bothered about ??
I don't want to bother any one if they say it's normal .