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Original poster

Does this look like a bad sprain to you?

50 replies

Pd1 · 27/09/2023 11:47

Just looking for a bit of advice really. I twisted my ankle a few days ago and landed flat on my face. At first the pain in my ankle was horrendous and I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to get up and weight bear. After some time I got myself up and was able to hobble home and walk around a bit. A bit later that evening I was in horrific pain and couldn’t put any weight at all on my foot, but the next morning was able to limp around and the pain had significantly reduced.
Am still limping but mostly able to walk and not in too much pain. The only thing that’s concerning me is the fact that my ankle now feels a bit wobbly/unstable and I’ve had quite a bit of tingling in my foot this morning.
I think it’s probably just a grade 1 sprain but just wanted some advice, am I ok to continue as I am or should I get it checked out?

Does this look like a bad sprain to you?
Does this look like a bad sprain to you?
OP posts:
DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 27/09/2023 11:49

You need to get it x-rayed to be sure. I'd go to A and E, or a local MIU if they do x-rays (ours doesn't). Good luck!

melmonroe · 27/09/2023 11:50

Get it X-rayed. You've got no way of knowing what's going on, it probably is a sprain but best to find out. Should you strap it in the meantime?

Maddy70 · 27/09/2023 11:50

Get an x Ray. Looks broken to me

CrunchyCarrot · 27/09/2023 11:53

Well I have been (and currently am!) in your exact position. Mine was horrendously painful when it happened (fell down stairs), I cried and screamed for a good 10 minutes, especially with the fright of falling. A cold compress then naproxen got the pain down and it didn't return, is now just sore, black and purple bruising came up on day 2.

You MUST put your foot up, use ice packs on and off throughout the day - RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It makes a huge difference.

However saying all that I would get it checked out, to be on the safe side.

MissBattleaxe · 27/09/2023 11:59

Go to MIU or A and E. I limped round on a broken ankle for a month, assuming it was a sprain. By that time the break had fused back together awkwardly and they couldn't reset it so I have one ankle thicker and less flexible than the other and haven't worn heels since.

bracemyselfagain · 27/09/2023 11:59

Needs seeing to my a medical professional for sure.
DC twisted his ankle at school break time; came home looking a little swollen (nowhere near as bad as that) ... took him for an XRay to be sure; turns out he fractured it and now wearing a moon boot for 4w.

Original poster
Pd1 · 27/09/2023 13:01

Oh gosh, I really hope it’s not broken. I guess I naively assumed that as I’m walking around on it (with a bit of a limp, but walking around) then it was mostly superficial.
I will get it checked out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pd1 · 27/09/2023 13:02

Thank you for the advice! Hope you recover soon!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pd1 · 27/09/2023 13:03

Thank you for your reply. Really hope he gets better soon!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pd1 · 27/09/2023 13:04

Will definitely strap it in the meantime. It feels very wobbly and unstable. Can feel things moving around in it when I’m walking. :(

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 27/09/2023 13:06

Definitely get it checked, could be an issue with your Achilles.

user1497787065 · 27/09/2023 13:08

Definitely get it xrayed. I did exactly the same, walked on it, drove to work, worked.
I thought as I could move it it wasn’t broken. I had it xrayed, plaster, surgery and then in plaster again.

AirportAssassin · 27/09/2023 22:54

When I broke my foot it was agonisingly painful the first night then by the next day I could limp around on it ok so I thought it was fine.

It wasn't.

There's not really any way to tell so you need to get it xrayed

Bananaandmarmite · 27/09/2023 23:31

Deffo x ray needed. The fact you can feel movement under the skin.

hopefully it’s just the swelling causing this sensation. I know when I broke my rib, it was the movement of the bones that made me realise it was more than bruising

bracemyselfagain · 28/09/2023 11:34

How are you today OP?

Original poster
Pd1 · 28/09/2023 13:54

Thank you so much for all the responses. I think the only thing for me to do is to get it x-rayed. I’m on holiday at the moment (it was the first day of the holiday that I fell and hurt myself) so I’ve been trying to ignore it as best as I can and almost pretend that it didn’t happen. :(
I’m still in quite a lot of pain and have quite a weird tingling sensation on the sole of my foot, but still able to put weight on it. I’m really hoping I haven’t done any damage to it as I’m only just recovering from two broken vertebrae after a fall on Christmas Day. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Pd1 · 30/09/2023 10:04

Just a quick update. The swelling is a lot better today and the bruising seems to be better too. I’m still putting off going for an x-ray as I am walking around and I’m worried that they’ll tell me I’m wasting their time as it really doesn’t look that bad. Do you think it’s a better idea to try to speak to my GP on Monday? I still feel a lot of tingling in the sole of my foot and sometimes I can feel something sharp and knobbly in my ankle. I just really don’t want to waste anyone’s time as so many people have said to me that if it was broken then there’s no way I would be walking around and it would look a lot worse, but then people on mumsnet have said differently.
Today it’s a week exactly since I had the fall.

Does this look like a bad sprain to you?
OP posts:
bracemyselfagain · 30/09/2023 10:07

It's very possible to walk around on a broken bone - depending on which one is broken.
I personally think you need it seen to - especially as you have a tingling sensation.
Forget about wasting anyone's time; I get what your saying, but it's what they're there for.

Original poster
Pd1 · 30/09/2023 10:13

Also forgot to mention that it seems more painful when I’m resting now. It felt really painful and was throbbing when I was in bed last night.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 30/09/2023 10:14

Yeah I walked round on a broken ankle for 10 weeks before I got it xrayed. I’d get it seen tbh.

CrunchyCarrot · 30/09/2023 10:18

Bruising will subside but your other sensations definitely warrant your ankle getting checked out. Nothing to lose by doing so and everything to gain!

nocoolnamesleft · 30/09/2023 10:24

The GP is not the person trained in assessing broken ankles. A&E is much more appropriate.

cocksstrideintheevening · 30/09/2023 10:30

Go will just send you for an x Ray.

Mysa74 · 30/09/2023 10:35

Definitely get it checked out. I tripped in a pothole and hurt my ankle but didn't think it was too bad so used RICE procedures for 3 days with no real improvement. My sister dragged my to a&e where they asked if I could weight bare. I said just about, they xrayed anyway and I ended up in surgery with pins and a plate, broken in 2 places.
If you don't want to go to a&e Google you local minor injuries unit. They specialise in things like this and the wait time may well be a lot less. It is in my area.
The movement and tingly feeling you mention doesn't sound good to me...
Good luck

determinedtomakethiswork · 30/09/2023 10:44

Don't be silly about wasting people's time! It's been a week since it happened and it's obviously not right. You need to get it sorted ASAP.