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OT: when to seek care for busted ankle

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 2/13/2006 12:20 PM (GMT -8)
Hey y'all!

All right, I just need some input on this annoying problem I've been having.  I did some snowshoeing two weekends ago; I hiked about 16 miles over two days over easy (although somewhat icy) terrain.  I have a history of a greenstick fracture in my right fibula and two severe sprains subsequently.  I noticed the pain starting on the second day of my trip, but it was nothing to write home about, no acute trauma or anything.  Over the past 10 days my ankle has been progressively feeling worse and I'm having trouble walking now.  It's not particularly swollen or painful to the touch, just painful to bear weight on.  I'm walking around like a gimp.  I've been alternating using ice and heat, and trying to rest it (no running, skiing, etc.) and taking some ibuprofen.

So at what point would you go see somebody about pain like this?  What would you say, give it another week or so?  And given the gut situation, how would you medicate yourself, since ibuprofen is so rough on the 'stines?  (Which, by the way, have been more uncooperative lately, and I'm having D about 5-6x/day now...still, I know much worse it could be!)

Thanks peeps!

Posted 2/13/2006 12:44 PM (GMT -8)
I would think that if your ankle doesn't get any better after a week (a week total - not a week from now) then it should be checked.
Can you handle Tylenol? How about something called Un-Aspirin?
Sorry about the big D... That sucks.
Posted 2/13/2006 12:45 PM (GMT -8)
Ouch Sarita!!! Ok, I may be a big baby but I would have gotten that looked at like yesterday. Since its your ankle, you want it looked at before you cause more damage by walking on it.

I'm so sorry that your D is back... I really was hoping that you could get some relief for a longer time.
Posted 2/13/2006 1:18 PM (GMT -8)
I would get it looked at since you have a history. A lady I worked with walked around on hers for a week or more with it broken before going to the doctor. Apparently it's hard to tell on your own if your ankle is broken. But it will get worse. Might as well have it looked at, and, if necessary, get it in a walking cast. If you can be relieved of the pain caused by walking on it, you shouldn't have to hit the ibuprofen so much.

I hope Ibuprofen doesn't end up bothering me; I'm having to take 4-6 a day (800-1200mg) for the viral arthritis. But right now I seem to have it in remission; I may only take 2 pills a day to make sure it doesn't inflame again.
Posted 2/13/2006 6:41 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Sarita,
I twisted my ankle really bad about a year ago and it turned blue and swelled up pretty much immediately. I called the local doctor and he said to ice it and if it got worse to come in. It was bad for about two weeks, and then I didn't notice it much. Keep it elevated, too. I did see a podiatrist a while back (in the states) and showed him how my feet flop inward (my husband says they look dead) whenever I it with my legs straight out. He said I've probably sprained the ligaments one too many times and once a ligament is stretched it is doesn't ever snap back. I know that has nothing to do with your current problem, but if you happen to get a floppy foot, you won't have to google it - you'll already know all about it! If your ligaments are overextended, you'll be more prone to have repeat problems because you won't have the tightness in the ligaments you once had, so it is extremely important to wear shoes with support, especially when doing athletic stuff.
Posted 2/14/2006 12:30 AM (GMT -8)
Sarita, I banged my foot on a chair while working inthe ER during a cardiac arrest. I walked around in heels fro 3 weeks, cause it only hurt when I wore flats or went barefoot. When I finally got around to seeing a podiatrist, he was amazing at how completely I had smashed the bone and the fact that I could actually be quite confortable in high heels.

Don't wait any longer. You could have any numbers of things wrong with your ankle and walking on it could be doing more damage. I hope it's all OK.
Posted 2/14/2006 6:03 AM (GMT -8)
Oh - I have to add this - my Dad fell off a jeep and got his foot run over when he was nine years old. Today, his foot has clumpy looking bones on top and he has to wear a different size shoe. Other than that, it has given him hardly any trouble in all his 65 years. Either he has a high threshhold for pain, or the bones in the foot adapted to growing back broken. It ain't pretty, but sure works well!
Posted 2/14/2006 6:47 AM (GMT -8)
oh girl, sorry about the poops!

but i would get your ankle checked as soon as you can, especially if it is difficult to do 'normal' tasks like walking... just my opinion...
--bunny
Posted 2/14/2006 11:54 AM (GMT -8)
Well, I am taking all of your very sound advice and I scheduled myself to see my old orthopedist from back in the day...and they got me in for tomorrow!  This is good, because it keeps feeling worse every day, stupid thing.  I'm like a little ol' lady!
Posted 2/15/2006 4:13 PM (GMT -8)

Hey hey,

So I went to the ortho today, he said my x-rays look good (yeeeah) and that it's an overuse injury, tendonitis, and put me in a stupid big clumsy walking cast for two weeks.  Just thought I'd share...and he told me to take Arthritis-strength Tylenol since ibuprofen is a no-no!

Posted 2/15/2006 4:14 PM (GMT -8)
Glad to read it is not a break! :-)

Take care and take it easy....
Posted 2/16/2006 4:51 AM (GMT -8)
Take it easy and keep the walking cast on all the time :) It will be off before you know it. Thanks for the info on the tylenol.
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