Rehabbing the sprained ankle...

[Muggie'sMum]

Any suggestions?

This past Thursday, I stepped in a hole while longeing a horse (so moving somewhat quickly with purpose and not watching where I was going), and sprained my ankle badly. I am on crutches right now - the DR suggested stay off for 10 days and ice daily - foot and ankle is still swollen, no outer bruising. Feels okay to bear weight on it as long as it doesn't rotate, but I don't want to risk being out longer than ten days.... but I feel like it should be doing SOMETHING.

Any suggestions? Would sitting in a hot bath and moving it around with the loosened up muscles hurt things, do you think?

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

you REALLY want to let that heal properly or you could have long term effects from it--which is not a good thing! Even if you feel ok--the ligaments need time to mend properly. Often, people start walking/bearing weight too soon and then re-injure the sprain, causing long term problems.
Moving the ankle around in a warm bath wouldn't hurt it--but do be careful about walking/running--even after the ten days. Wearing a support for awhile (? about a month) can also help to avoid reinjury. Sprains are tough to deal with since they "feel" better sooner than they are actually healed. The best thing to do is allow time for it to heal.

 

[milos_mommy]

LET IT HEAL.

If not, you might get scar tissue and all kind of horrid horrid thing.

BTW, i just sprained my wrist and i'm still sitting here typing...

anyway, i've sprained about every joint in my body and now my shoulder is permanantly damaged, my knee needs to be wrapped if i'm running on it a lot and hurts whenever it's cold, and both my ankles are really weak. probably if i listened to the doctors, it wouldn't be so bad.

not moving it won't hurt it. it will allow it to heal properly.

you might be able to just rotate it a little after soaking in warm water or icing it, ask a doctor though.