Ankle and Foot injury

[Ranpu]

I was at my friends house, we were playing on a big blue water barrel "there was no water in it" and we were just horsing around and I did a side jump onto the barrel, my front foot went over it but it hit the ground and twisted it, "my full body weight went into it." I heard a popping noise from it and then I got off, I hopped to a chair on my other foot and I looked at it, it looked like it was already swelling and I had a very limited range of motion, my friend's dad said it looked like I popped a blood vessel. so I rode home and I showed it to my guardian, he said it looks as if I rolled my ankle, that it dislocated for a second them popped back into place, I don't know what is wrong with it so I'm asking for advice.

[twistkick kid]

I'd go see a doctor as soon as possible.

It could be a sprain, but better have a doctor look at it in case there is something really wrong with it. It's always better to be safe than sorry, IMO.

[tallgeese]

It's probably a sprain, likely you tore up one or more of the major ligaments between the tibia and the talus. Still, I'd second getting a doc to look at it. You never know if you fractured off part of the bone on a serious one. It might change the course of treatment a bit.

Get a doc to look at it. An ortho specialist if you can and until then keep the weight bearing to a minimum and hit the ice and elevation alot.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[JusticeZero]

If it IS a serious sprain, use cold (not icy, but chilly) to keep the swelling down, then keep it warm. Keep all weight off of it, and gently wiggle it a bit - not 'grab it and move it', but 'try to move it - but not much, or fast' - whenever you can; it helps it heal faster.

[bushido_man96]

I've done that several times, to each of my ankles, and it is not a good time at all. I've had x-rays each time, because I heard the popping noises each time. You should do the same. I didn't have any broken bones any of the times, but on one occasion I did have to wear a boot to lock my foot into place, and keep weight off of it. Not a fun time, but at least it wasn't broken.

[tallgeese]

I'd be careful with the heat or warm on an acute injury. Ice is the preferred treatment for the first 48-72 hours. This causes capillaries to constrict and allow less blood to the damaged tissue. This results in less swelling around the injured joint and thus will allow faster recovery post injury.

Heat will have the opposite effect and will actually increase the swelling of the injured site beyond even what the body would normally produce. This can be detrimental to a speedy recovery and even cause longer natural healing due to the inner pressure created by the fluid.

Now, post 72 hours heat is the key. Now, it will make all that tissue more malleable and allow you to start moving more. It will also help the body milk out all of that gunk that has accumulated there post-injury. Even then, cold is recommended after a workout or rehab session.

There are some interesting studies coming out using alternating heat/ cold during the acute phase of injury (0-72 hours). It's been used post acute and chronic for years but we'll have to wait and see what the final verdict is.

Admittedly, I don't keep up like I used to when I was in the field.

[Ranpu]

I went and it's just a pretty bad sprain, I didn't need anything for it, so mostof

the time Iv just been laying on my bed with my foot on my headboard and

moving it a little and now it feels alot better, I'm still going to take it easy

though

Thanks guys

[Aodhan]

I went and it's just a pretty bad sprain, I didn't need anything for it, so mostof

the time Iv just been laying on my bed with my foot on my headboard and

moving it a little and now it feels alot better, I'm still going to take it easy

though

Thanks guys

Treatment for any acute (recent, single incident) type muscle injury/sprain for the first 48 hours is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Ice should be on for 15-20 mins, off for 10. Repeat 2-3 times per session, 2-3 sessions per day. Keep it wrapped and elevated.

After 48 hours, ice alternated with warm, moist heat.

Large bags of generic frozen corn or peas make excellent ice wraps.

John