Exercising with an injury...

chrissyrenee1029
chrissyrenee1029 Posts: 358 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am an absolutely K-L-U-T-Z. A few weeks ago I was showing my kids my awesome 90s dance moves to some Vanilla Ice when I almost died. I was doing my absolute best running man when I somehow twisted my right foot under my body and I was down -- literally -- down. After a few minutes the pain had subsided, but there was a touch of swelling, so I elevated and iced. It never bruised, never discolored, and over the next couple of days started feeling better, but even now it still isn't 100%. There are times that I can walk perfectly fine with a normal gait, then I put my foot down in just the right way and it's almost excruciating. Then three steps later it's fine again.

I know I really should have it looked at, but my vanity is winning at the moment. It's hot as all hades in my area right now, plus the family and I are going on vacation in a couple of weeks and I'm scared to death I've fractured something that's going to require a cast. I can imagine few things as uncomfortable as beach sand in a cast. So I'm trying to stick it out for just a little while longer in hopes that it gets better and I don't have to go to the doctor. If it's not any better by the time we get back from vacation, I'm going to the doctor the very next morning.

With that said, I still really want to exercise. I've been walking every morning and I'm good as long as I stick to level surfaces and stay away from downward inclines. I'm really anxious to do more though. What are some things I can do to burn the calories and keep from damaging my ankle any further?

Replies

  • becky10rp
    becky10rp Posts: 573 Member
    LOL - first off, I'm imagining you doing Running Man - and having this horrific fall - which is NOT funny - I'm sorry - it's just my first instinct!

    Okay - now to more serious stuff.

    I'm afraid to suggest anything till you get your foot looked at.

    Yeah - you really have to - suck it up and call your Dr............show him your Running Man (just be careful)!
  • chrissyrenee1029
    chrissyrenee1029 Posts: 358 Member
    Be sure to include a horrible, foul string of expletives in your imagining of my mishap...it makes it much more true to life, lol. Every time Ice, Ice Baby comes up on my iPod I have to curse Vanilla Ice out loud.
  • Skrib69
    Skrib69 Posts: 687 Member
    Ouch!!!

    There is only one thing to advise - get it checked out. I think it is unlikely that they will cast it now, but not getting it checked is just storing up potential problems for later.

    Sorry!!
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    I blew out my shoulder the other day. I'm steering clear of some things but still swimming, pilates, bike, treadmill. Just improvise - in the case of a gimpy foot you could still swim & lift weights on the seated machines. Other than that I wouldn't push it on weight bearing activities for now.
  • cheripugh1
    cheripugh1 Posts: 357 Member
    LOL ok almost done laughing... actually I'm sorry you got hurt but it was a great thing to be doing with your children...go mom!

    It is most likely NOT broken but I think you should go to the Dr. and get it checked out, they will give you great advice on healing it up... and face it would you rather go to YOUR Dr. or a strange and expensive ER on vacation if it were to get worse?
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    I injured myself in a running injury (apparently 50% of runners injure themselves every year) .. 5 weeks or so ago. but finally able to say I am about over it. But that does not mean I will go crazy. I have been getting the help of an athletic therapist and she gave me exercises to do to get better. I have been avoiding most things .. as I do not want a chronic injury.

    But the thing she told me .. and what many people ignore ... "Pain .. if it is painful then your body is telling you something. Listen to your body"

    For me the biggest thing was putting on my shoes. That was the test as to how I was recovering as I had to put all my weight on the muscle. Fun fun.

    But .. nothing with that part that you injured as far as strength training / exercise. Doing things with an injured muscle is bad .. but you do have to do something ie .. proper rehab or else it could be a long time healing.

    Good luck.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    The obvious answer is go to a doctor. You can talk to your doctor and refuse a cast for now, perhaps ask for a "boot" that you can take off. Don't risk your vacation for exercise.
  • chrissyrenee1029
    chrissyrenee1029 Posts: 358 Member
    I knew I was being silly about not going to the doctor. I'm at a dentist appointment with my son as we speak and Urgent Care is across the street. Next stop is X-rays. Praying it's nothing serious.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    I knew I was being silly about not going to the doctor. I'm at a dentist appointment with my son as we speak and Urgent Care is across the street. Next stop is X-rays. Praying it's nothing serious.

    Just be careful. Tissue damage won't show on an x-ray. If the x-ray doesn't show any bone damage and you're still hurting it could be some kind of tissue damage. Just remember to think big-picture and right now for you the big-picture is the family vacation.
  • chrissyrenee1029
    chrissyrenee1029 Posts: 358 Member
    So here's the verdict. I've been referred to an ortho specialist. There were no apparent fractures, but the radiologist didn't like the way my bones were coming together at the joint. The doctor said it was very odd for me to still be having this much pain over 6 weeks after the injury as most typical sprains would have already healed. So I'm officially restricted to light walking only on flat surfaces and am waiting for the ortho office to contact me to set up an appointment.

    The next few weeks are likely going to be difficult. I really want to keep up my momentum with my activity. What can I do to get my heart rate up that will be low to no impact on my ankle?
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    So here's the verdict. I've been referred to an ortho specialist. There were no apparent fractures, but the radiologist didn't like the way my bones were coming together at the joint. The doctor said it was very odd for me to still be having this much pain over 6 weeks after the injury as most typical sprains would have already healed. So I'm officially restricted to light walking only on flat surfaces and am waiting for the ortho office to contact me to set up an appointment.

    The next few weeks are likely going to be difficult. I really want to keep up my momentum with my activity. What can I do to get my heart rate up that will be low to no impact on my ankle?

    Swimming?
  • srslybritt
    srslybritt Posts: 1,618 Member
    The sooner the cast is on, the sooner you can get it off. In most minor cases, it's only on for 4-6 weeks, which sounds like it would be in time for your vacation. Get it checked. Don't push it.

    ETA: I swam when I f*ed my knee up, and I see that your ortho said there are no fractures. Call in (it's free to chat with them or a PT for a second or three) and see if it would be safe for you to try that. Otherwise, arm exercises.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    Don't worry about your heart rate for now. Eat at your calorie restriction and everything will be fine, don't stress.
  • heel_striker
    heel_striker Posts: 32 Member
    Have you tried cycling? I currently have a knee injury and I'm okay with cycling. It is really going to be trial and error. If something hurts- STOP! Would a physio therapist help?
  • beckyboop712
    beckyboop712 Posts: 383 Member
    I bruised (possibly fractured) my foot several years ago and I made myself swim and use the recumbent bike. And after 3 weeks, I started adding in a short run on a track (nice, soft and flat surface). I didn't have health insurance at the time so I couldn't go to the doctor so I don't know for sure what happened but I was kind to my foot and it has turned out well. So I would suggest to you to do the same. Be kind to your feet, it's hell when they don't work.

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