Community Chat

[ROMARY]

For a sprained/twisted (non-fractured) ankle, using crutches is very helpful. Also, avoid stairs as much as possible.

[rondell]

On 2/22/2014 ROMARY said:

First of all, everybody BE CAREFUL. And, secondly, I'm thinking that maybe we should all wear ankle supports just to prevent sprains, twists, etc. I 'twisted' my ankle last month, and it took a few days to heal. I iced it on and off, etc. I'm going to look for good quality, comfortable ankle supports tomorrow. Maybe at a medical supplies store. I would imagine that it wouldn't hurt to wear them, as long as they are comfortable.

You are on to a good idea, ROMARY! I twisted my ankle too, and it's not healing up as quickly as yours. I was going to try and do a few things around the house today, but found out really fast that it wasn't going to be a good idea to put any weight on it. I've been sitting with my foot elevated nearly all day long. This sitting is not something I do well. I would much rather be doing some kind of work, and then sit down for a break now and then....but goodness...sitting all day long on a computer is not my cup of tea! I don't know how anyone can do that!

I'm glad your ankle is all better. Have a nice evening!

[ROMARY]

Hi, Rondell.........Thank you. I hope your ankle quickly heals well. My ankle didn't hurt at all the first day, so I continued to walk on it, but did apply ice gel packs just to make sure. Then, the second day it began to hurt, so I kept off of it for the next few days or so. I gel pack iced it on and off, and avoided these stairs in my house as much as possible. Took generic Tylenol every day. 300 mg twice a day. Also used some old crutches when I had to, just to keep the weight off of my ankle. It's a good thing to have some borrowed or used crutches handy, just in case. If you ever see them at thrift shops, etc., it's worth buying them. Never know when we might need them. (And hopefully, never.) You have a wonderful Sunday and new next week!

[ROMARY]

p.s. A few people have been advising me to wear high top shoes/boots with plenty of ankle support when outdoors, walking, etc. I haven't yet done this, but it's a good idea, because I'm guessing that the support all around the ankle just might prevent twisted/sprained ankles. Sort of a padded barrier around the ankle. Makes a lot of sense.

[ROMARY]

I just Web searched.........there also are 'ankle stabilizers' for people who have had sprains/twists and who need a bit of support for those ankles. JFYI

[nagrom]

I just found this thread and thought you might benefit from my perspective

In 1991 I fell down the basement steps and did a number on my ankle. When I hit the cement floor my ankle went sideways. Yup, it was broken. I've fall enough and I can't get up. I was home alone and this was before cell phones. I grabbed my pant leg and lifted my leg up on top of the other and moved step by step back up the stairs. The break was so bad that after hearing the crunch I knew it. There was no pain and it is common in bad break as so somebody up there likes me and was watching over me. Anyway I crawled on my butt to a phone I could reach and called my neighbor. About that time my hubby came home and I asked for crutches. Silly me couldn't get up. My loving husband said if I was a horse they'd shoot me. Hmmm. Anyway an ambulance was called and transported me to the hospital. The ortho doc came to see me first. There was two others there. One was a man that fell off the barn and broke both arms and legs. The other was a screening toddler. Silly me I told the doc to take care of the others first as they seemed to be hurting more. Doc said I was to go into surgery first. Hmm I watched Mash all these years and never connected triage to my case. Anyway I broke the fibula tip off and shattered the tibula and completely dislocated my ankle from the docket. All the tendons and ligaments were torn. Yup I did a good job. Since I was asthmatic and had eaten not too long before the break my surgery was done awake. The doctors were so good to me and told the funniest jokes. They said the magic words. I would walk again. I spent six weeks in a fixed hard cast and with the toes pointed downward there was no putting weight on it. After that I moved to a walking cast for six more weeks. In order to fix my as ankle I had a metal plate and eleven screws. Some of the screws went right through my ankle parallel to the floor. Another crossing at a diagonal. Docs said they would not remove the hardware. The only exercises I was given was the round the world and alphabet types. There was no physical therapy. I made a promise that no one could keep me down. Six months later I walked in the American cancer run/walk for three miles. Both hubby and son walked it with me cause they weren't sure I could finish. I haven't stopped walking to this day. Yes I was in my forties then. Arthritis may be present but does not need to hamper anyone. The doctors did take out all the hardware within five years of breaking it. I have a railroad track scar on one side a a thin scar by the inside of my ankle. Not the worse thing but never let it stop you for long. My stubborness may be my saving grace. Good luck and let us know how things work out. Good luck to your sister. You can be her cheer leader!