On October 21st a traction enhancer on staircase at work broke away and dumped me down 2 steps. I landed poorly and rolled my left ankle and 100% of my body weight came down directly on the rolled ankle. The result was instant pain and immediate swelling.

Long story short, I still have constant low level pain and moderate swelling. The only way it isn’t swollen is if I literally stay off my feet for several days. Walking, even around a grocery store, causing the swelling to spring back up.

Anybody go through something similar? My next follow up with the occupational health doctor is tomorrow. At this point should I be asking for further imaging? I had X-rays the day of injury but they didn’t show any fractures.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thumperfbc,

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
My next follow up with the occupational health doctor is tomorrow. At this point should I be asking for further imaging? I had X-rays the day of injury but they didn’t show any fractures.

Next imaging would be an MRI to assess for the extent tendon/ligament injury. Don't even consider a repeat xrays.

What is a traction enhancer?

quote:

Anybody go through something similar?

Just about every other athlete, especially basketball players, it's common to come down at an odd angle, or on top of someone else's foot and roll an ankle.

Not familiar with "recent" sprains like that. My left ankle is twice the normal size and has been for a few years now. I stopped playing HS football because if one such sprain. But I've hiked a bunch of miles since, with and without a pack. I don't expect this latest one to get better until I die. I just asked my wife when and how I did it, and she can't remember either. Sometime in last 12 or so years. I expect to die with one ankle twice the normal size.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

Next imaging would be an MRI to assess for the extent tendon/ligament injury. Don't even consider a repeat xrays.

OK, I thought an MRI would be next but I wasn't sure. I will ask about this at tomorrow's appointment with the OH doctor.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
What is a traction enhancer?

I didn't know the actual terminology. It seems it may be "nosing". It was like this:

https://www.zoro.com/supergrit...wt4bMfRoCMMIQAvD_BwE

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
Not familiar with "recent" sprains like that. My left ankle is twice the normal size and has been for a few years now. I stopped playing HS football because if one such sprain. But I've hiked a bunch of miles since, with and without a pack. I don't expect this latest one to get better until I die. I just asked my wife when and how I did it, and she can't remember either. Sometime in last 12 or so years. I expect to die with one ankle twice the normal size.

That's not good... and not something I want to have to deal with. I guess I need to stay on top of this.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

Next imaging would be an MRI to assess for the extent tendon/ligament injury. Don't even consider a repeat xrays.

OK, I thought an MRI would be next but I wasn't sure. I will ask about this at tomorrow's appointment with the OH doctor.

Sure, a repeat xrays sometimes can show a subtle fracture that didn't show up on the film on the day of injury. But, sprained ankles have resulted in more ligament injuries than fractures, and I've done Occ Med the last 21 years. So, go where the money is.

Me,
The physical therapist says I would have been better off breaking it.

Crutch and walker for four days.

Yes, but I was young, wasn’t supposed to be where I was, didn’t want to tell my parents about the damage, and I suffer to this day with my ankle rolling whenever the ground isn’t perfectly level- iOW, get this dealt with appropriately. I genuinely think that sprains can be worse than breaks. Best of luck.

Thanks just not familiar with term. I once walked down a flight of stairs where the stairs were a arandom distance apart. Have they made repairs/adjustments?

A few years ago my right ankle rolled over on me when I out walking the dog one night. It's been weak ever since. My foot always wants to roll over to the right when I walk. I wear either an ankle brace with sneakers, or stiff 8" boots to support it. But it's not getting any better and eventually I'll have to see an orthopedic doctor and see about getting it fixed.

I injured my ankles lots when I was younger and playing sports. Most recently I stepped off a wall that had no railing along it and rolled quite hard when I hit bottom. Being older healing took much longer, and in my case the ankle was still sore and swollen for about 6 months. It gradually got better, and I made do by ensuring that I warmed it up before hard use. Usually that would involve stretching and low impact workouts. I also used the Dr Ho foot massage unit and it did a good job of loosening up the muscles.
It's been about three years now and all is good.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

Sure, a repeat xrays sometimes can show a subtle fracture that didn't show up on the film on the day of injury. But, sprained ankles have resulted in more ligament injuries than fractures, and I've done Occ Med the last 21 years. So, go where the money is.

OK thanks. I'll ask for it. I've rolled my ankles several times as a teen but it was never anywhere even close to this. Frankly I was ignorant that a sprain could be on this level and cause problems for so long. Now I know.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Me,
The physical therapist says I would have been better off breaking it.

Crutch and walker for four days.

I couldn't put weight on that side for about 3 days without the assistance of the walking boot. The doctor had me in the boot for 6 weeks. It certainly helped me get around that first week.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Thanks just not familiar with term. I once walked down a flight of stairs where the stairs were a arandom distance apart. Have they made repairs/adjustments?

I actually haven't been in that area of the workplace since the injury but I was told they made repairs by the next morning, and that they did a lot of work to "enhance visibilty and traction". In fact, I've heard they have made it so "grippy" that several other people have stumbled on the because the grip to much. To that, I shake my head. Traction (or visibility) wasn't ever the problem... the problem was it simply broke away under weight. I'm sure someone somewhere is worried about a lawsuit but these things happen... things break. I haven't missed a cent of pay since it between workers comp and workplace accommodations, and I haven't had to pay a cent for the medical care, so it is all good with me.

^^^^^^^^^
Ok thank you.

Recently had an SPR repair. Feel free to email me.

I had an ankle sprain like that once, from loose fitting ice skates. Took me about 6 weeks before I could really walk on it. There are things that will speed healing, such as quality "cold laser". If you really need help, I could lend you one. I have 6 of them.

When i was a kid i played rugby and spayed my ankles on a regular basis. Payed no attention, thought it was a normal injury. No swelling involved, just some pain.

Late teens i discovered skiing but also that i had damaged my ankles years before. Big swelling and discomfort.
Got to a point i couldn’t takr a step without feeling something was trying to get where it didn’t belong.

Had to do some sort of ankle retraining to make everything strong and firm again.

I liked skiing so much that i reinforced my ankles so they wouldn’t twist. Next you know i screwed my knees in the process, the next weak point…

I don’t have spayed ankles anymore but on very humid days the pain returns and wakes me up. Both, knees and ankles.

Better take good care now and not when it’s too late.

0-0

I had a moderate sprain months ago - nine months to be exact.
It still isn't 100%.
I was out with the wife and turned it on a sidewalk imperfection.

I was able to hobble back to the car - about a block or two.
The next day- I was off completely, sore, swelling, need help to get anywhere.
Two days later I could walk gingerly.
Two weeks later - still very sore, swollen, bruised.
Two months later I could fully function but it got sore easily with use.

Then gradually it got better.

FFwd to today - it is about 90% - still a little weaker and some pain when pushing it.
All I did was gradually exercise it, ice, heat, massage, some "Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel" and some wraps.

No clue why it takes so long to heal.
Glad it wasn't worse.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
No clue why it takes so long to heal.

Since you never had MRI done, we'll never know, but very likely you had some significant ligament tear. There are different grades of tear, and not all tears require surgical fix. Many just need conservative treatments, like physical therapy or just riding it out (which may take a while). I had a shoulder injury several years ago from a sudden forceful jerky motion, that although I never had an MRI done, I was sure some kind of rotator cuff tear. For months, my ranges of motion were severely limited and improved very slowly. But I just rode it out, since I firmly believe in watchful waiting whenever possible, and since my job doesn't require anything strenuous. Took me a year to be back to 100%.

I'm no Doctor but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

I've rolled my ankles several times, last time was Labor Day weekend up north. If you are this far along and still have those issues you don't have a sprain. You have an issue that requires a medical evaluation.