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General health

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Original poster

Do I need an x-ray on my ankle? DH thinks yes, I think no

22 replies

ShinyAndNew · 28/03/2010 15:46

I twisted it quite badky last night. It's now swollen to about three times it's normal size. I can bear weight on it but is is uncomfortable to do so. I can't actually move it at all though and it is very painfull if I knock it against anything. I hardly sleot last night because I kept accidentialy kicking it with my other foot. I can barely move my toes.

The fact that I can put weight on it would suggest it is not broken no? But I am concerned that I can't move my toes.

What do you all think? Is DH over reacting?

OP posts:

OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/03/2010 15:47

I reckon it sounds like you ought to go and have it checked out. sounds nasty and better to go in th afternoon than in the middle of the night if you decide you can't stand it any more!

KurriKurri · 28/03/2010 15:50

I would get it checked- sorry I know its a pain to go to A&E, but I think your DH is right.

Original poster

ShinyAndNew · 28/03/2010 15:52

I don't mind A and E per say, Ours is usually fairly quiet anyway. It's just I don't like making a fuss about nothing and it usually is nothing when I listen to DH.

OP posts:

brimfull · 28/03/2010 15:53

well if you go and get it x-rayed you will atleast get some crutches to help you out for the next few days

Did you twist it out the way or inwards?

Inwards more likely to cause a fracture.

CoteDAzur · 28/03/2010 15:54

It is broken if it hurts all the time, regardless of position.

If there is a position where it is comfortable and doesn't hurt, it's not broken. In this case, get one of those ankle wrap thingies, and cover your ankle with anti-inflammatory cream. It wouldn't hurt to take anti-inflammatory pills if you have any in the house. If you do, take only paracetamol as pain relief.

Having said all that, you probably should show it to a doctor.

Original poster

ShinyAndNew · 28/03/2010 15:57

I twisted it inwards. It feels uncomfortable all the time, but not massively painfull unless I knock it. My foot feels sort of numb all of the time and the ankle feels like a dull, constant ache. Last night my knee ached too but that is fine today.

OP posts:

brimfull · 28/03/2010 15:59

I would go and get it seen.

Original poster

ShinyAndNew · 28/03/2010 16:00

I'll wait untill my mum finishes her dinner and she can drive me. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get it checked it out.

OP posts:

brimfull · 28/03/2010 16:02

hope you don't have too long a wait

Lulumaam · 28/03/2010 16:02

I sprained my ankle a year ago.. i thought it was broken, but it was just a bad sprain. i have never known pain like it however, and was amazed it was not broken!

with numbness, i would definitely get seeen ASAP

PixieOnaLeaf · 28/03/2010 16:06

This reply has been deleted

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CoteDAzur · 28/03/2010 18:50

"Constant ache" sounds like a fractured or possibly a broken bone. Definitely get it checked out.

Original poster

ShinyAndNew · 28/03/2010 19:26

I've been. It's just a very bad sprain. I have to try and keep off my foot for two days, keep it elevated and use a cold compress or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel every two hours for 20mins.

OP posts:

weegiemum · 28/03/2010 19:29

Do the "Hop Test" (got this from my dh who does a weekly A&E shift as doc on call).

Can you hop (on the other leg) without falling over in pain?

If so, its more than likely not broken as the jerking would hurt too much.

Nurses use it in A&E to see who needs an x-ray - if you can hop, you are fine!

Can you rotate your ankle? Push toes to the floor, raise them towards your knee?

If you can't do any one of these, go to casualty!

weegiemum · 28/03/2010 19:30

Have now seen its ok - sp
rain can be nasty though, do what you are told!!!

PixieOnaLeaf · 28/03/2010 19:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Lulumaam · 28/03/2010 19:37

poor you, you have my sypmathies

i did not get crutches, luckily a friend had had a knee op and had some that he did not need anymore, so i used those, or moving around would have been impossible

DH got me a neoprene ankle support that helped too

hope you are on the mend soon x

PixieOnaLeaf · 28/03/2010 19:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

ShinyAndNew · 28/03/2010 20:21

No crutches and no-one to borrow them from but DH can take dd1 to school in the morning and my grandad can pick her up, so no real need to walk much.

OP posts:

alypaly · 29/03/2010 00:23

the numbness could be due to the amount of fluid compressing the nerves ,but i would get it checked out incase you have torn your ligaments. In which case you will need proper exercises.

physiofixme · 29/03/2010 09:52

Hi. You've probably already sorted it but if you haven't - definately get it xrayed. Sounds nasty. Better to know for sure as soon as possible.

CoteDAzur · 29/03/2010 21:14

Shiny - Get a second opinion on that "cold compress" advice. You should have done the cold compress when you sprained your ankle, there and then. Now, you have an oedema & blood clots in there, and what will actually help dissipate it is warm compress.

As for sleep, my solution was to wedge my foot against the other leg (like this) so that I wouldn't flex it or (heavens forbid) try to stretch in my sleep. It was hard to sleep like that at first but better than waking up screaming in pain.

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