On October 24th,I sprained my ankle.

It was really bad (super swollen,and I could not put any weight on it).When I went to the convient care center,I got a gel splint,and crutches.I used those for about a week,then went to just wearing a brace.

After two weeks it had improved a lot,I could hobble along,but it was still very swollen and painful,so I went back to the doctor who pretty much said that if it didn't improve in 2 more weeks,I should go to PT.But it got better,so I haven't been back to the doctors since.

However,my ankle still has some clearly visible swelling in it,and it is still painful at times (although now it is painful like it was about 3 weeks after the sprain).

I suspect that I went back to using my ankle too soon since I only used my crutches for 4 days really.

Should I go back to the doctor?

What should I expect?(In terms of treatment - Like PT,another brace,a walking cast boot,crutches...)

ALSO - I am planning on going back to ballet soon.Good idea?Or no...AND - I have done track for the past two years,and I want to do it again this year,but I am afraid of hurting my ankle again,and not being able to participate in track for the whole season at the very least.

Anyone have any advice?

I would get it checked out by a doctor especially if you want to go back to ballet and sports. I had a bad sprain a few years ago that I needing surgery for. I never would have known the extent of the damage if I had not gone to see an ankle specialist who gave me an MRI.

If you go to a doctor go to someone who specializes in feet and try to get an MRI done. Once you have the MRI done and see what the damage might be the doctor can prescribe any of the treatments you listed.

I can understand your fears about track and ballet so I strongly urge you to get your ankle looked at again. I didn’t take care of my ankle the right way and ended up missing more of the season than I should have.

I will definately go back to the doctor to see what's up.

I too would get an MRI, and I wouldn't dance or do track--you may injure yourself more on a weak ankle. I too am dealing with an ankle sprain that happened right around the time yours did. First, we did x rays at 1 day and 1 month post-injury to make sure there was nothing that needed to be casted (I did have a bone chip though.) At 4 weeks we did an MRI, and found that 3 of the talar ligaments were torn, and sent me off to PT. Now, 4 weeks later, my ankle is painful and constantly feeling like it is going to collapse. I am going back to my doc next Friday to discuss ankle stabilization surgery (I am constantly in a brace and still feeling like I will fall, and I cannot be terrified of walking much longer!).

Stay off your feet and see a foot doc! They will be more helpful than anyone else.

Try seeing a doctor who specializes in athletes, not just a regular doctor (especially not just the urgent care doctor). You will probably be able to do track, if not ballet, provided that there aren't any other injuries besides just the sprain. But you'll want to do that under a doctor's care. Sprains can take up to 6 months to a year to heal, though, so you might just have to wait a while to be pain free. I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but try to hang in there. And in the meantime, get it checked by an expert.

My mom and I were talking about me going into the sports doctor that I have seen before for both my ankles and my knees.So I'll do that.

Until I go into the doctor what type of bracing or whatever should I be using?

In terms of bracing I have regular ACE wraps,an ACE ankle brace w/side stabilizers,and a gel splint.I also have crutches.

I would use the ace ankle brace. That will prevent your ankle from inversion.

That's what I've been using because it is the most comfortable,and it fits into my shoes unlike the gel splint.

Although I use the gel splint when I want to ice my ankle.

The front of my ankle is KILLING me!

The sides hurt,but there is no comparison to the front.

Ice doesn't seem to be helping either.

Now my whole ankle hurts! - Everything from the left outside side,to my achilles tendon!

I'm home for the next 5 days (no school tomorrow,Friday,or Monday,and of course,the weekend).

Should I brace it all up and use my crutches?(Unless I get a Doctors appointment before then)

If you don't have any extra pain when walking on it, you probably don't need to use the crutches. Just either wear the brace or the wrap and keep it elevated. Probably the best thing for it is rest. An antiinflammatory is probably a good thing (ibuprofen), and ice might help with the pain.

I agree with the previous poster about the crutches and ibuprofen. If you feel that the pain is getting worse than call the doctor to get advice and see if you can get an appointment as soon as possible.

Missyou009 -
I know where you are coming from. I had an unstable ankle from prior injuries, but in June '04 I was playing flag football and did "something" that really really hurt. It twisted down inside. From that point on it felt like my ankle didn't fit together right. It was very painful to walk on - but not like a sprained ankle. The ligaments that you injure when you sprain your ankle didn't hurt all that bad. It hurt BAD in the front of my ankle towards the medial (inside). It also hurt inside my ankle - deep. And, from time to time I would get intense pain in other areas of my ankle - back, side, all over.

Here's what was wrong with me: (1) I had "impingement" - which was what was making the front of my ankle hurt - I had post-traumatic bone spurs that was pinching soft tissue - this was fixed with an orthroscopic procedure, (2) I had floating stuff in the joint - this caused pain sometimes because it was like having sandpaper in the joint - this was also fixed orthroscopically, (3) my ankle was "subluxating" when I walked - meaning that it was partially dislocating all the time - this caused pain and inflammation, (4) I had a slight tear in my peroneal tendon -this healed on its own when I was in a cast when I had ankle ligament reconstruction.

After two surgeries (1 orthroscopic and 1 ligament reconstruction) and PT, it feels much better. Nice and tight and stable. I do still have pain quite often but its not too bad - definitely bearable. I can go on with my life now and I even run.

^ Your story just made me wanna run to the doctor!

I will definately bug my parents to make an appointment,because I know that (usually) the longer something isn't treated,the worse it gets.

I twisted my ankle a little bit today when I was running (I had to go over to my grandparents house,and it was COLD),so now it's even more swollen than it was.I've been icing it more though.

I gotta get my mom to make an appointment!

My ankle is worse that it was yesterday,so I am now wearing BOTH my ACE brace and gel splint.

My mom is calling for an appointment tomorrow,but we're not sure if the office is open so it might have to wait 'til Monday.

Does anyone know the name of the tendon/ligament (I'm not sure) in the frony of your ankle?

I have an appointment with a sports doctor on Wednesday.