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How long does it take a sprained ankle to heal?
Asked Feb 17, 2009, 06:30 AM
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37 Answers 2 1/2 weeks ago, I sprained my ankle. I waited a few days to go see a doctor but when I finally did, he ordered x-rays. He said there are no broken bones. He told me to come back in a week. I did and my foot was still swollen and VERY tender in several places (I'm talking that it's so tender the water from the shower hurts it). He ordered more x-rays and said again that nothing is broken and foot looks perfectly normal. While I was at this visit, I also let him know that my big toe is numb, my second toe is numb, and below my ankle bone (inside right ) is also numb. I also have weird "tingling itching" sensation on the top of my foot over by my ankle bone on the outside. The skin there is a darker color than the rest of my foot. I pointed this out to the dr. But he didn't say anything. Now my foot is still swollen all over. It's not huge but looks odd compared to the other one. It still hurts when water from the shower sprays on it or if anything touches the top of it. The whole foot is now a different color than my other one. It's a reddish color I guess. The skin all over it is just darker than my other foot and it's not just one or two places so I don't think it's a bruise. Here's my main question I guess. Why do I have numbness in my toes and on my foot? Why is it still so painful after 2 1/2 weeks? And is this "off color" thing something to be worried about? The doctor didn't tell me wrap it or anything anymore. He just said he'd let me know how the x-rays turned out and he did but I wasn't given another appointment or anything. I don't know what to do now. Should I bother him some more? Or should I go somewhere else? Or am I not being patient with my body? Please help... I'm lost and afraid.  |
37 Answers
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| I'm sure it's an individual thing, but I've seen it take as long as 6 weeks. I think the numbness is being caused by pressure on the nerve caused by swelling. This may require some intervention. He might have you take an anti-inflammatory drug (Ibuprofen, Naproxin, or another NSAID), or he might even give you a cortizone shot. The dark color is most likely from a bad bruise -- possibly a deep one. The itching/tingling is probably a sign of healing. If I were you, I'd call the doctor's office and tell him your concerns. It seems to me that he may want to see you again. | ||||
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| In the middle of May last year I severely twisted my left ankle. It turned black and blue, swelled up, etc. Then when it was healing I had ligaments hurt like the all get out getting back into place. My left knee and calf hurt also. Same as my Achilles heel tendon hurting as well. My ankle still bothers me today some how many months later but it's now starting to hurt less and less each day. It just takes a lot of time for some people to heal. The more you stay off the ankle the better. Just don't rush it, ok? How did you twist or injure it in the first place? If you fell ontop of the ankle it will take along time to properly heal. The more weight that was put on the ankle at the time of the injury - the more time it's going to take to heal. You don't need to keep "bothering" your doctor as basically there is no magic wand he can waive that can make you heal any quicker than what you presently are doing. He's taken X-Rays and found no broken bones or hairline fractures. At this point all that is left is tendons and ligiments to heal up. | ||||
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| I think you should call your doctor back. While there is no magic wand there are things your doctor can do to help that you do not injure the ankle further while it is trying to heal. My doctor put me in a hard cast to my knee for 4 weeks and then we will reassess. He is hoping at that time to put me into a shorter cast for 4 more weeks. And maybe even some sort of brace after that. He said it will take 10-12 weeks to heal probably. Meanwhile he is keeping tabs on me every 4 weeks. I don't think with the prices we pay for doctors that we can call our questions "bothering" them. The cast is so my heal will stay very still and not further injure tendons and ligaments but give them rest to heal. Personally I would call your doctor back or seek another opinion. | ||||
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| You are not supposed to put weight on you ankle. I sprained my ankle too 2 weeks ago, until now it is still a little bit swollen. I went to the doctor and he told me that it would probably take 2-6 weeks to heal. Does that include the swelling? I thought swelling should be gone by now? I followed the RICE very well but I got to the point that I don't know what to do anymore. | ||||
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| You should soak your foot in some warm water with epsom salts for about15 minutes twice a day as warm as you can take it. Try to wrap it snugly after soaking, try to massage it when you can tolerate it also. Keep it wrapped and elevate higher than your heart every chance you get and sleep with it elevated at night use books or whatever to help you elevate it. Do this everyday, worked for me I'm currently dealing with sprained ankle all the treatments I've mentioned have helped immensely my swelling has gone down and its just real sore right now. If your doctor has not mentioned any of these treatment you should find another one, because these are the basics, good luck. | ||||
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