I injured my ankle after stepping down onto a cushion of the couch. I went to the ER and nothing was revealed on the XRAY. I then went to an Chiropractor (my stepmom) and was told to have an MRI. The MRI revealed 1 complete tear of the ATFL (ligament)and 4 partial tears of some of the other ligaments. I also had some tendon splitting. She referred me to an Ortho who said that I had a typical everyday sprain and to go to therapy for a month. I have now completed my therapy. I am still having pain, unstable ankle, I cant wear shoes that match because my brace doesnt fit into the shoes. I cant climb stairs, i cant squat. I did try to go braceless one day and that was a HUGE mistake. It felt as if it was hitting bone on bone. When i got home the ankle was swollen and it felt as if the foot was just hanging there. I have my follow up appt with the Ortho on Tuesday. I dont know if what i am feelin is normal for a sprain. I dont think that this is just a typical sprain considering all the things that i tore. Has anyone had something similair to this? And how was it fixed? Honestly i am wanting the surgery to just get the ankle repaired so i dont have to worry about when i am going to sprain it next. I know that it will take lots of rehab after the surgery. I just know that at least it will be fixed. Anyone have any advice? Thank you!

Hi Sonaria17,
Sorry about your foot, hard to believe an injusry could happen that way. I injured my foot picking up a piece of paper. Ligaments take a long time to heal. "sprains" seems like such a simple injury, they are never simple and painful. Please let us know how your follow up appointment goes on Tuesday. Let your doctor know everything that is going on. It's best to write down questions and concerns so you don't forget anything. Good luck to you, hope to hear good news soon!

One other thing i forgot to add was... i did do PT for 2 month already , with no help.

today is the follow up appt....hopefully the OS will have a solution

Back from the OS. Took some more Xrays, he still isnt sure why there is so much pain because there werent any fractures. He put me in a cast for 3 weeks, WB. So hopefully this will work! 3 weeks isnt too long...at least i wont be having to use the stinkin' crutches.

The doc said that the cast would loosen up over night, and it has, what i am wondering is how loose should it be? i wonder if it has gotten too loose. I know i cant roll the ankle....but i can move it side to side and up and down....

Hi sonaria,

When was the original injury? Is this your first sprain?

Jeff

The original injury occurred 06-26-07....I have had a few tweaks here and there growing up. Nothing that I had to go on crutches for or really had to go to the DR for. This is my first major sprain. I have rolled it several times since the original injury.

Thank you,
Katie

Keep your fingers crossed and perhaps a little bit of conservative care will get the ankle to be stable. What seems like a benign ankle sprain can often take upwards of 12-16 weeks to get on the mend.

Jeff

I am having sharp twinges of pain at the location of the tear, is this normal when having a cast on? This is my first cast...so I am new to the not being able to move thing....also, can i put baby poweder or cornstarch in the cast to control the itching and sweating?

thank you for your words of encouragement :0)

Katie, Don't put anything down into the cast! Can you just imagine how the baby powder or cornstarch would smell after a few weeks? TRY using a hair blow dryer on the cool setting and blow cool air down inside the cast. Or put an ice pack behind your knee to cool the blood going down into your foot. Katy