Two days ago I fell down while stepping off a curb and I must've twisted my ankle in the process. It hurt terribly at first but I quickly got up and went about my business. My ankle still hurt a little but I had things I really needed to get done.

So here it is two days later and my ankle still hurts. There was no swelling so I guess it wasn't too serious but I don't know. It sort of feels like it got over used, sort of like it just got strained. It feels better when I walk with shoes on then when I don't. It seems to be more painful at night. I don't have insurance so I'm not going to the doctor unless I'm still having problems next week.

Does anyone have any idea if this is just a simple strain? I really don't understand the difference between a strain and sprain even when I read about them. Does anyone think this will take a while to heal? Any suggestions on what to do to help the healing process? I have some work I need to do around the house before this weekend and at the rate I'm going it will never get done.

I could be a simple strain. Speaking from my own experience if it is a simple strain it should be better in a few days to a week. A lack of swelling does not always mean that nothing is wrong so if it doesn't feel like it is getting better I'd go see a doctor to be safe. If you are going to do work around the house I'd be careful if your foot is still hurting so you don't aggravate it further.

In 2003 I fell down stairs. Twisted my ankle. It swelled up and turned black and blue, for about a week or two. Evey time I walked for a long time, It would swell up, A year later ( April 15, 2005 ) went to the orthopedic Dr and had an exra,I tore my ligaments off in my ankle. I had to have soft tissue attached to replace my ligaments, That was pretty painful, Its still swollen and hurts yet, Just got my cast off,, Go see a Dr. Good luck,, And get that checked !