Ankle injury at the gym - help?

[livelyzombie]

I was doing some squats at the gym and in between reps I was getting in some standing rows with dumbbells. On the last rep I sidestepped without looking and slipped over the weight, falling until my leg and ankle were about ninety degrees or each other. Adrenaline still rushing I did a few more squats and it was mostly numb, but soon after the pain started to set in. I limped home, iced it, put some pillows under it and went to bed.

Today it looks like I've got a golf ball under my skin. I can rotate my foot but it does cause a sharp pain. Walking is difficult though I can manage it and the area is pretty bruised.

As I've never really hurt my ankle before, I don't know if this is symptomatic of a bad sprain or something worse (which I doubt, since I at least CAN move it in some directions). Any advice for things to look for or tips for quick recovery?

 

[Milhouse]

I've found there is something really simple you can do for this.

Go to a doctor.

You're welcome.

 

[livelyzombie]

Originally Posted by Milhouse

I've found there is something really simple you can do for this.

Go to a doctor.

You're welcome.

Thanks for your advice but I'm afraid I don't have health insurance right now. I'd like to see if there's anything I can do for myself before spending money I don't have.

 

[Milhouse]

Do you expect your car insurance to pay for minor repairs on your car?

I'll try to put it in perspective. Do you use your body in some way to earn a living and will you in the future? If no and never, then ignore me.

If yes and/or yes, then realize that you will impact your future earnings potential, your most valuable asset possible if you do not do what it takes to get this fixed appropriately. The ankle is complex. It could be a sprain, it could be a break, it could be all kinds of other crazy damage. Pay now (doctor bill) or pay later (reduction in income).

 

[livelyzombie]

Originally Posted by Milhouse

Do you expect your car insurance to pay for minor repairs on your car?

I'll try to put it in perspective. Do you use your body in some way to earn a living and will you in the future? If no and never, then ignore me.

If yes and/or yes, then realize that you will impact your future earnings potential, your most valuable asset possible if you do not do what it takes to get this fixed appropriately. The ankle is complex. It could be a sprain, it could be a break, it could be all kinds of other crazy damage. Pay now (doctor bill) or pay later (reduction in income).

Let me try putting it in perspective for you: I can either go to the doctor for an x-ray and exam or eat for the next two weeks.

Thank you for your input but you've made your point. I asked if anyone had advice as to how I should care for it or how I could tell if it were a sprain or a break. Your commentary on my labor economics are not wanted.

 

[Spencer Young]

Sounds like a sprain. I'm not a doctor, but I've had the "golfball under the skin" thing where you can't fit your foot in a shoe and hobble around a bit. I'd have a friend go get you some ibeuprofen to help with the swelling, an ace bandage to wrap it up to keep it from getting worse, and some ice. Keep it elevated and try not to walk around too much. You'll be gimpy for a few days to a week.

If it's beyond a week and you're still having trouble doing anything, then you should consider a doctor b/c it might be more serious.

 

[Milhouse]

Pay later it is.

For now, RICE = rest, ice, compression, elevation

I've been incredibly poor and without health insurance before so don't act like I don't understand.

 

[livelyzombie]

Originally Posted by Spencer Young

Sounds like a sprain. I'm not a doctor, but I've had the "golfball under the skin" thing where you can't fit your foot in a shoe and hobble around a bit. I'd have a friend go get you some ibeuprofen to help with the swelling, an ace bandage to wrap it up to keep it from getting worse, and some ice. Keep it elevated and try not to walk around too much. You'll be gimpy for a few days to a week.

If it's beyond a week and you're still having trouble doing anything, then you should consider a doctor b/c it might be more serious.

Whew, that's a relief. Luckily I've got some ibeuprofen here. It's a relief to know you've experienced a similar injury - if it's been a week I'll take your advice and head off to the doctor's office. Thanks!

 

[MrGimpy]

Something similar happened to me this summer when I landed on the side of my foot during a soccer game. I limped off the pitch, but managed to come back and play a little longer.

The next day, the ankle had swollen up (though not to golf ball size) and turned purple, and I couldn't put any weight on it.

So I exploited our communist Canadian healthcare system and went to the doctor to see what was up. He basically said that had it been a break, there would have been no chance of continuing to play after I'd hurt it. It was a moderate sprain (probably grade 2) and I took four weeks off soccer and running to heal it.

If you really can't get to a doctor, take the RICE advice for now and things should be feeling better soon.

And biking is about the only exercise you should be doing on a sprained ankle; if you try to rush back and end up re-injuring it, you could easily do long term damage to the ligaments.

 

[MetroStyles]

+1 on ibuprofen. I had a similar injury and that really improved it.

 

[gdl203]

I've sprained both of my ankles in the past. It sounds like a sprain but it can also involve a torn ligament. RICE method + anti-inflammatory medicine (e.g. Aleve) may work for the former but if it's a bad one or a torn ligament, you'll need the ankle wrapped and to walk on crutches so as to not put any weight on it + you'll eventually need physical therapy after the ankle has healed.

Aren't there pro-bono doctors who can see you in your area?

 

[kever]

I used to sprain my ankles frequently with basketball. The RICE thing works. I also like alternating hot and cold baths starting 2 or 3 days after the injury to get blood circulating. For compression, assuming the inflamation is right around the ankle bone, take some high density foam(about a 1/4 inch think if you can find it), cut it in the shape of a big U so that the ankle bone fits in the middle of the U, put it on your ankle then wrap it in a tensor bandage. Not too tight, but firm. It moves the bruising and swelling up your leg and away from the injury.

 

[Charlie Big Potato]

I guess suing someone is out of question?

 

[livelyzombie]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm following RICE and have taken some ibuprofen. I'm very relieved to hear that several of you have had similar injuries and some simple r&r was all it took.

 

[premo]

I also like to do contrast baths.

Hot/cold/hot/cold 10 min each.