Got a medical question? Let me stretch my brain.

[gettysburgfreak]

I sprained my ankle pretty bad in PT almost a month ago and it is still a little bit swollen. It doesn't really hurt that much any more but the fact its still swollen has me wondering if it is just because I am constantly on it doing vigorous activities and don't have a chance to rest it, or could it be something more serious?

[Sauer Grapes]

Originally Posted by gettysburgfreak

I sprained my ankle pretty bad in PT almost a month ago and it is still a little bit swollen. It doesn't really hurt that much any more but the fact its still swollen has me wondering if it is just because I am constantly on it doing vigorous activities and don't have a chance to rest it, or could it be something more serious?

I'll let the Dr. give you an official answer, but it could definitely be a sprain and still hurt for months. Some sprains even need surgery, but it doesn't sound like yours is as bad as some I've heard about if you can still run on it or even walk without turning your ankle. Swelling can take months to completely go down as well.

Originally Posted by gettysburgfreak

I sprained my ankle pretty bad in PT almost a month ago and it is still a little bit swollen. It doesn't really hurt that much any more but the fact its still swollen has me wondering if it is just because I am constantly on it doing vigorous activities and don't have a chance to rest it, or could it be something more serious?

Its not unreasonable for this thing to continue to swell for a while. I could speculate an anatomic cause, but it would be largely a fable involving healing tissue being leaky and repetative strain making it more pronounced. The key though is that it doesn't continue to hurt without (even gradual) improvement. It may get tight and uncomfortable because of the swelling, but if that "OMG something bad just happened" flash of pain, you are probably OK. All that said, I certainly wouldn't train at 100% until things were 100%...I don't know, keep it down to 75-85% effort

And stretch it out before/after. That story about scar tissue above, that would apply here as well....so the more limber the ankle is while it is healing (within reason of course) then the more likely the scar tissue won't shrink to a performance-hindering "shortness"

[gettysburgfreak]

thanks for the info doc

Originally Posted by gettysburgfreak

thanks for the info doc

What I should add to this would be to wrap the ankle before PT if at all possible. Since you are using the term PT, I assume you have access to a base pharmacy and MIR. Pick up some Coban. Its really great stuff; self-adherent, thin tensor bandages stuff.

The wrap will prevent the swelling.

PRICE works great for most soft tissue injuries. Originally developed for ankles, but pick and choose the rational elements for the injury at hand.

Protection, Painkillers
Rest
Ice
Compress
Elevate