Sprained my ankle... Now what?!

jvs125

I seem to have injured me ankle the other day, while trying to catch the bus. I twisted it, and on the spot, didn't think much of it. I jogged twice, and went on 4 bike rides since, but there is a spot above my ankle that hurts me more and more as I go, and maybe even looks a bit swollen.

I will not jog or bike for a little while and try not to walk too much either. Just wondering how long I should be resting before I test again?

And also, as for my workouts, I've been thinking about pilates and other bodyweight work that is on the floor with no pressure on my feet... Upper body work with weights... Do any of you have suggestions? How can I get my cardio in, or do I forget about it?

lishie_rebooted

See a doctor not an Internet forum

jvs125

Yeah I know the doctor will tell me to rest up, there's no point in missing work and wait for hours in their office. I'm more looking for alternative workouts ideas, which won't come from the doc, but from fellow fitness enthusiasts.

999tigger

http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files\090427anklesprainadvice.pdf

I would be bothered about getting my ankle better more than stupid workouts. I would only progress with exercise when safe to do so in fear of making it worse. If the injurty doesnt start to get better and the pain persist hen you should really check with yoru Dr because it might be more than a sprain.

missiontofitness

jvs125 wrote: »

Yeah I know the doctor will tell me to rest up, there's no point in missing work and wait for hours in their office. I'm more looking for alternative workouts ideas, which won't come from the doc, but from fellow fitness enthusiasts.

I sprained my ankle this past winter. I got an air cast from my doctor, and took it easy for several weeks to allow it to heal. I would honestly recommend seeing a doctor, because what you think is a sprain can be worse. My "sprain" in high school ended up being a broken ankle.

In the interim, crutches are an awesome workout in and of itself. I would not try to do any exercise that requires you to put weight on the injured leg, and focus on a deficit instead while you heal.

Noelv1976

Wow.....see a doctor, may have a mild sprain or worse, slight break. Been there, have the physical therapy bands to prove it.

Unknown

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jenilla1

Depending on how bad it is, it can take months to heal. I had a bad one and was out of commission for almost 4 months. I sprained it, it was improving, then I tripped in a gopher hole while it was still healing and re-sprained it. It didn't hurt my weight (because I watch my calories) but it sure wrecked my fitness. It was like starting from scratch!

tomatoey

Hey, how long do you want to be doing the workout you're talking about ? If you don't take care of the ankle, it'll be longer than you want

MakePeasNotWar

As someone who had 4 serious ankle sprains in the space of 5 years (both at once at one point), I highly recommend you see a doctor and get a rehab plan. If you don't rehab it properly, you may be setting yourself up for repeated injury. I finally did a proper rehab after my last bad sprain (6 weeks in a cast, over 6 MONTHS until I could exercise) and haven't had once since.

littleworm23

You should definitely see a doctor. I totally get where your coming from on not going and I'm speaking from experience. Last summer I hurt my ankle on a run and continued to run about 2.5 miles home in pain..... then I walked on it for over a month telling my husband "It's fine, I think I just pulled something". I finally went and was totally shocked to find out I had broken it. It might have started as a hairline fracture but by the time I went it was a full break and I ended up in a boot and on crutches for a few months. I really hope yours isn't that bad but you should find out for sure. Good luck.

jvs125

Wow.. I really didn't realize it was injured until a few days later... it doesn't hurt that much all day, but gets sore as the day goes on. I only worked out on it because I felt good, but it's after the workouts that I found it hurt. Never thought it could actually be fractured I'll go to a doctor then.

Did an abs Pilates workout this morning, mat work is possible and at least I won't go crazy not moving at all.

earlnabby

I agree with others, you really should get it checked out. Better to know exactly what you are dealing with than guessing and possible turning a minor injury into something permanent.

I have had 2 issues. One was like yours, it got progressively worse during the day. I saw an ortho and he said it could be a stress fracture, a torn ligament, or several other things. All of the possibilities required different treatments. Turns out that it is degenerative osteoarthritis so I now have a plan to manage it, since there is no actual treatment or cure.

The other was a classic sprained ankle (complete with bruising, swelling, etc at the time of injury).

ETA: I started swimming because of the arthritis. I had to switch from the flutter kick to doing the breast stroke with a frog kick when I sprained my ankle.

terricherry2

As a prolific ankle sprainer, you'd know it straight away if that's what you'd done. Last time I nearly cried. But it can't hurt to get it checked out. Could you call your doctor for a phone consult if you don't want to miss work?

rightoncommander

Doesn't sound like a sprain to me, get it checked out! Sprains hurt like crazy immediately, even fairly light ones. A pain that gets worse as time goes on is almost certainly something else, you need medical attention!

leggup

jvs125 wrote: »

I seem to have injured me ankle the other day, while trying to catch the bus. I twisted it, and on the spot, didn't think much of it. I jogged twice, and went on 4 bike rides since, but there is a spot above my ankle that hurts me more and more as I go, and maybe even looks a bit swollen.

I will not jog or bike for a little while and try not to walk too much either. Just wondering how long I should be resting before I test again?

And also, as for my workouts, I've been thinking about pilates and other bodyweight work that is on the floor with no pressure on my feet... Upper body work with weights... Do any of you have suggestions? How can I get my cardio in, or do I forget about it?

See a doctor. When I sprained my ankle there was no way I would have been able to jog or ride a bike. I could barely hobble. My entire ankle became swollen to the size of a grapefruit. You have pain above your ankle? I did not have any pain above my ankle. Sounds like a doctor should take a look.

jvs125

sprained may not be the best word; English is not my first language......