Any advice on a sprained ankle?

[NeatFreak]

About a week ago I twisted my ankle- it hurt a little straight away but nothing serious. However, within a few hours it had swelled slightly and was very painful, so much so that I could barely walk on it.
Over the next day or two it eased off a bit but now it is still painful. It is specifically painful along the outside of my foot (with a small area where most of the pain is coming from) and hurts to weight bear properly. The pain is also around my ankle but it is more of an ache.

I am sure it is 'just' a sprain but is there anything I could/ should be doing? It isn't swollen and I have been using RICE on it alongside anti-inflammatories- it tends to worsen throughout the day.
Any advice would be appreciated- i wouldn't be able to see anyone medical until at least Wednesday due to bank holiday but am unsure if there is any point anyway!

My advice is go to to your nearest minor injuries and get an x ray! I was told by a nurse that I had 'just a sprain' and was given weight bearing exercises. Turned out it was broken in 2 places and I needed surgery to fix it... You don't want to make it worse by doing the wrong thing.

With a sprain, you would probably start to notice an improvement after 4-5 days. As you are still finding it difficult to bear weight on your foot, there is a chance that its more than just a sprain which will need an x-ray to confirm.

Does the ankle/foot feel puffy or watery when you push it? Thats one of the reasons I knew DS had broken his hand.
There are lots of small bones in the foot which are quite easy to break. I know a child who broke a small bone in her foot by stretching during a PE lesson! She ended up in a cast for about 10 weeks.

Thanks. Hadn't thought of minor injuries as was sure it was just a sprain as the pain comes and goes and it isn't swollen. also, I thought you had to be seen within 24 (or 48?) hours...
Off to google minor injuries!

Thanks for the advice. It doesn't feel too puffy or watery, although it aches loads during and after my prodding to check!
Our nearest minor injuries is fifteen miles away and their x ray department closes at 5pm so there is probably no point in going.

a&e?
Its annoying to have to wait but it's worth while if you do need treatment.
Good luck

I don't think it's an emergency though and as I've put up with it for a week already I can cope with another few days. Plus Saturday night in A and E does not appeal much!
I am icing it at the moment and even the weight of the ice is hurting my foot- we walked around a bit today so I guess it is a reaction to that. Wouldn't I know if I had broken it?

I have only ever broken toes and I only knew they were broken by the lovely colour they went within hours.

DS had no bruising to his hand but it was slightly swollen and puffy.
I agree that A&E on a Saturday night (or any night) is not appealing. We've used A&E twice this week and its not pleasant at all.

If you can cope until the Drs open again then it might be worth waiting until then. They might still send you for an x-ray but may be able to send you straight for that rather than have you queue up in A&E

You may had tendon damage anti imflamitories and tubagrip and try and keep it ellivated as much as poss til Wed

Thanks again.
I may be able to see someone on Monday so will continue as I am until then...fingers crossed (meant to be walking in a parade tomorrow )

When I sprained my ankle I went to A&E and was told it would have been better if I had broken it! I couldn't bear weight on it straight away, it was hell as I was quite far from home when it happened

There is a lot of conflicting advice over sprains: move it as much as poss vs rest it. I went back to work too quickly (lots of driving involved) and it set me back with every long journey I did. Every prolonged period of rest really did help.