Need the Board's Advice on Injury

[miller31time]

Are you experiencing excessive swelling or are you just seeing alot of pain after the ankle sprains? Are you staying on your feet or trying to keep the weight off it after the sprain? There has to be something your doing after a lower sprain that is effecting how long it lingers. Because of all the injuries I've endured from my extreme exploits I just push threw the pain of ankle sprains just as long as the ankle still feels stable. I've always been the type to stay on my feet all day at work so never really allow myself to baby it (A little perspective my partially torn ACL I still was teaching all my soccer, basketball, biking and t-ball classes). Stregthen the ankle and lace up your shoes and lock them down properly and you should A) not have as severe of sprains and B) be able to play through a certain degree of sprains.

Interesting.

Yeah, the previous three sprains I've had (which were much worse than this one - which isn't that bad, to be honest), there has been excessive swelling. This time, not so much.

Actually, my brother is getting a bunch of people to play some basketball in a nice gym tomorrow and I'm thinking about playing. Not sure what I should do though. There isn't much swelling and I can put almost full pressure on my foot, so I might give it a go.

Would that be a bad decision?

when and where are you playing, i am in tows too

Pretty sure it's Pine Grove Middle School - it's where his wife teaches. I've never been there, though.

[miller31time]

suck it up. 4 sprains in 2 years is nothing. scabs is right.


i had a high ankle sprain a few years ago (and it certainly sucked). no advice zerocious, just a confirmation that it does takes a long long time to fully heal (my pain lingered for months) so dont worry. enjoy your (hopefully) temporary ability to predict the weather (based on pain due to barometric pressure changes) and try not to take it out on people around you on days like this.

yeah that's what i hear, takes a while, don't know whether i can keep from playing though. got this hut to work off.....

last time i injured my ankle, the inside knuckle was sensitive to even a hightop for over 2 years, not so bad now thank god.


millersville, where do you live in towson, are you going to towson univ? and how the hell come you didnt say your are an balto area wiz fan when i put out the plea a few weeks back. only 80sballboy responded, hes in towson too i think but he would watch these awfull wiz games with anyone...lol

Yup. I live in Towson and go to TU. I don't even remember the thread you mention, haha.

[BanndNDC]

^^^ The problem with my sprains is that I can't just "suck it up" because they're not minor sprains. They take weeks, sometimes months to heal.

It seems as if this latest one was the least-bad, though. It's feeling much better today and will probably be healed in a week or so. But my first lasted about 3 months (though if I actually saw a doctor, I would have probably found out it was more than a sprain...).

well that's a little different then. ive rolled my ankles a lot. mostly because i relied on lateral movement and quick cuts. had to quit soccer when i was younger cause it was leaving my ankles to banged up for basketball (mostly cause of lowtop cut cleats). i found midtops (lacedup tightly) and a simple neoprene ankle sleeve helped me the most. braces left me too immobile and were uncomfortable while hightops left me too constricted. the extra support and pressure always helped me. i also always left the ankle sleeve on for a bit after playing (icing through it if needed) and (post shower) at night. i'll always have random pain but i just learned to live with it, but i had to (have bone chips in one ankle from an old skateboarding accident). just loosen/stretch them up before playing, keep them warm, tighten those laces and ice afterwards and you'll be fine.

[FreeBalling]

Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staff

For immediate self-care of an ankle sprain, try the P.R.I.C.E. approach — protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation. For injuries beyond a mild sprain, ask your doctor to help you with this process:

Protection. Immobilize your ankle with an elastic wrap or splint to protect it from further injury. If your sprain is severe, your doctor may place a cast or brace around your ankle to protect it and instruct you on how to use a cane or crutches, if necessary.

Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don't avoid all physical activity. Instead, give yourself relative rest. With an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to prevent deconditioning. For example, you could use an exercise bicycle, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on a footrest. That way you still exercise three limbs and keep up your cardiovascular conditioning.

Ice. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. Use an ice pack or slush bath for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake, for the first 48 to 72 hours. Cold reduces pain, swelling and inflammation in injured muscles, joints and connective tissues. It also may slow bleeding if a tear has occurred. If the area turns white, stop treatment immediately. This could indicate cold injury. If you have vascular disease, diabetes or decreased sensation, talk with your doctor before applying ice.

Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Don't wrap it too tightly or you may hinder circulation. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, if the area becomes numb or if swelling occurs below the wrapped area.

Elevation. To reduce swelling, elevate your ankle above the level of your heart, especially at night. Gravity helps reduce swelling by draining excess fluid.

Continue with P.R.I.C.E. treatment for as long as it helps you recover. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also can be helpful.

After several days, gently begin to use your ankle again. You should see a gradual, progressive improvement in the ankle's ability to support your weight or your ability to move without pain.

Mild and moderate sprains usually heal in two to four weeks. Severe sprains may take longer to heal. If pain, swelling or instability persist, see your doctor.