'sprained' ankle still not healed after 2 weeks with swelling only on the joint.

[Dillydaydreamer]

I fell heavily on my ankle in the snow in a similar way to a fall a skier would have (was in the snow) with my ankle bent and rolled on.
Had an x-ray on the day which showed no break but couldn't walk and was very swollen. Swelling has gone down after 2 weeks but have a pain like someone is poking the inside of the bone with a pencil when I put full weight on it. Lump and swelling over the joint.
What to do? I have been to the GP twice about it who says do the exercises, which I do and without pain but it swells more.
Would you ask for more x-rays?

I'd ask for another x-ray. The radiation really isn't as bad as people think. There may be a fracture that didn't have time to show up in the first x-rays, at least they can compare them and see if anything's changed. It sounds as though it's possibly a tendon, it may have come off the bone in your ankle which is why you are having soo much pain. They would have needed to do different x-rays then the ones you had to look for this.

Thanks scrooge, that is my thoughts as I am a nurse (CM at the mo though) They only did standard AP and lateral which quite often don't show up ankle fractures. There is not problem with flexing/planting so I don't think its tendon/ligaments iyswim.

Where abouts is the problem?

I can hoble on it but it hurts if I stride out on it. Bone tenderness on the left anterior malleolus in the groove at the front iyswim. Pain if I cross the affected leg over the knee like a man would cross legs iyswim. Pain if I put weight fully on it standing- dull ache.

I can't walk down stairs one foot infront of the other or squat with flat feet iyswim, thats sore. Can drive as I use just the toes but can't plant my foot fully compared to the other one. Or flex fully compared to the other one.

Planting and flexing without weight bearing doesn't hurt, it just physically won't do it.

Sorry that isn't clear, I can plant and flex but not fully as its as though something is physically in the way IYSWIM

I had the same with a sprained ankle when pg with dd2(not that I knew at the time). I was still limping after (iirc) 5 weeks. I went to the doctor who felt around the painful area and said even though it didn't show on x-ray it could still have been a hairline fracture. I think I had to put up with the limping for another fortnight maximum. HTH.

I know what you mean. There's a few ligament attached to it, the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament and a transverse tibiofibular ligament. They are normally stretched, when the site connecting it to the bone breaks off then the section of bone springs back so they can see the fragment on the x-ray. It can be missed if it's fractured but still attached. You'd need to go back, get another x-ray, they need to do a medial olique and a lateral oblique, if they see a fracture then ask them to immobolise your foot (plaster) to stop it from coming off.

If you don't have full movement then this is due to the tendon. You still need repeat x-rays and the above. Let me know how it goes

Thanks scrooged Are you a radiographer by chance? I will go back to A and E since my GP doesn't listen at all. Thanks
And to you Margo for your experience

I'm a radiography student so kind of.

Ah, you are doing very well

I am sure you will do well with your course. My best friend is a radiographer

Thanks .

oops, answered on your shorter thread!

I would go to a sports injury specialist - it is probably a ligament/tendon injury and they may well be able to speed up healing.

How's your ankle?