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Sprained Ankle

Posted , 6 users are following.

tj43191
tj43191

Hello guys. Last Tuesday, July 31st, I sprained my ankle while playing sports. I continued to run on my wounded ankle as I thought it was not a big deal, but when I went home I realized it was a severe injury. I went to a specialist orthopedic doctor today, and he said I don't have any fractures but my sprain is severe, a grade 3 sprain. He gave me an ankle brace, and my question is whether I should wear it while sleeping or not?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • nichole_43923
    nichole_43923 tj43191

    Posted

    I would wear it gor at least a week or so. The stiffer you keep it the better chance to heal. It can’t heal well if the muscles and everything are free moving. Good luck !
  • jc05751
    jc05751 tj43191

    Posted

    Well I would think you should!! What did the Doc say????? Yeah the major sprain just keep off your foot !!! Luckily it was only a sprain not having any surgery or plates or screws you got off easy on that one!! Good luck on it!!
  • ariane64102
    ariane64102 tj43191

    Posted

    Has your dr suggested wearing the brace at night? I have never heard of that! I do know however that P.O.L.I.C.E is now recommended as the course of action for  severe sprains having had one myself. And as ever, elevation certainly for the first few nights on a pillow of your ankle is highly recommended.
  • kpower
    kpower tj43191

    Posted

    TJ,

    I would say that no, wearing an ankle brace in bed wouldn't make a difference, since it is not fractured.

    However, if you twist and contort while sleeping it might not be a bad idea, since a brace could protect it from further injury by such movements.

    Since you suffered a high grade sprain, and continued to subject it to stress after initial injury, you should look into wearing a CAM walking boot if you are still suffering from lingering sprain distress, such as noticeable pain and swelling.

    Ideally, you should have started ankle sprain first aid and treatment from the very start (PRICE protocol) to minimize cumulative damage and prolonged recovery.

    Also, I don't think many orthos are ankle soft tissue injury experts so I would not be in their office for your kind of problem-- a podiatrist or foot and ankle specialist would be a better fit.

    • tj43191
      tj43191 kpower

      Posted

      Hi,

      I did mention the walking boot to the doctor but he said it would not be beneficial as it would immobilize my ankle, therefore weakening the surrounding muscles. Do you think me running on the sprained ankle after the initial injury hurt it a lot more because now I'm really worried that I prolonged the injury. There is still some swelling and pain, and it has already been a week.

      I did follow the PRICE protocol immediately after coming home, as I iced the ankle for 20 minutes and elevated it while sleeping.

  • christina69014
    christina69014 tj43191

    Posted

    Hi there, I just sprained mine yesturday and still wearing mine. It helps. But Im having trouble now with calf pain and not sure if I should worry about that. Has anyone experience calf pain with ankle sprain?
  • kpower
    kpower tj43191

    Posted

    TJ,

    A CAM walking boot in a severe sprain situation is not intended to be worn all the time or for long time period. Depending on your internal injuries it should spare injured tissues additional stress or strain until healed enough to resume normal activities.

    Just as with an ankle brace, the boot is a crutch to be used only as long as needed. In any case, you should now be under the care of a competent physiotherapist undergoing a rigorous rehab therapy to strengthen and stabilize your ankle so you have a good chance of coming out of this situation permanently well, with no chronic ankle problems or instability.

     

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