View Full Version : High Ankle Sprain
Tennessee Viking
01-26-2009, 01:00
Just after a couple doctor visits, an xray, and MRI. It looks like I have a high ankle sprain.
From what I researched on the web, there are two forms of HAS, stable and unstable. Just wondering what I might have because a stable sprain will not require that much treatment, anywhere from a brace to a cast. While a unstable sprain will require some type of surgery.
At the moment, I have some pain in my front to outside right ankle. But I can still hike on it without any pain appearing. At times, the pain will not show up for a few days but will mainly appear when I am at work (in general retail; where I am walking, turning, & lifting). When it does flare up, it is really hard to walk on it for a few hours until I but elevate and rest it & slap a couple menthol patches on it. Then its all good after until it reappears.
Should you be taking it easier until you know for sure?
Take care.
RedneckRye
01-26-2009, 01:33
I'd think you might want to ask the doc that did the x-rays and MRI.
Wouldn't he probably have a better idea than a bunch us of internet hikers?
john gault
01-26-2009, 13:00
Back in '99 I did a Rockfish Gap to Harper's Ferry hike, for my preparation I did a weekend practice hike (about 2 weeks prior) around the Tye river area -- the Priest is a very good mountain to practice on.
During this hike I twisted my ankle on a rock. It really hurt for the rest of the trip. When I started the "big hike" the ankle felt O.K., not great, but good enough. But, I rolled it again and for the entire hike (~2 weeks) I rolled it about once a day. It was as if my ankle muscles were very weak and barley able to support my body weight. It hurt like hell for the entire hike, but it eventually healed about 6 months later.
I think this is why I can't seem to sprain my ankles anymore. I've rolled them since, but my reflexes are really fast in righting my foot back to the natural position.
My recommendation is to take it easy, but don't stop walking/hiking on it.
leeki pole
01-26-2009, 13:22
I'd get a second opinion.
Serial 07
01-26-2009, 13:32
arnica 12x...
sounds like you need another doctors visit (fun) find out exactly what it is and what you should and shouldn't do
this additional doctors visit doesn't necessarily have to be from the same doc (as suggested by leeki pole)
Just after a couple doctor visits, an xray, and MRI. It looks like I have a high ankle sprain.
From what I researched on the web, there are two forms of HAS, stable and unstable. Just wondering what I might have because a stable sprain will not require that much treatment, anywhere from a brace to a cast. While a unstable sprain will require some type of surgery.
At the moment, I have some pain in my front to outside right ankle. But I can still hike on it without any pain appearing. At times, the pain will not show up for a few days but will mainly appear when I am at work (in general retail; where I am walking, turning, & lifting). When it does flare up, it is really hard to walk on it for a few hours until I but elevate and rest it & slap a couple menthol patches on it. Then its all good after until it reappears.
Would it be possible to work in your hiking shoes/boots? Some footwear throws your feet out of alignment and creates pain.
Blissful
01-26-2009, 14:51
There are different degrees of sprains. If you can walk on it without instability, have minimal swelling and bruising,then it is probably between a one and a two. Some time off, icing etc and you should be okay. Also, do stretching and ankle strengthening exercises which you can find online. This is very important to get the ankle in condition again.
Be sure to ice and use Advil. Menthol join compounds do nothing to help heal it. Ice massage is the way to go. Use frozen veggies or ice frozen in a styrofoam cup to ice massage.
Not sure with all the tests you have that a second opinion would matter right now. It's an ankle sprain. Ice and strenghten your ankle. If you continue to have pain, etc you might need some physical therapy.
(from one who has had a multitude of ankle sprains)
Blissful
01-26-2009, 14:56
Would it be possible to work in your hiking shoes/boots? Some footwear throws your feet out of alignment and creates pain.
Agree, this will need to be looked at as well, eventually. Such as if you pronate or not.
The Solemates
01-26-2009, 15:01
i seriously doubt it is an unstable fx if you are walking on it. but i am an orthopaedic biomechanist (PhD). you need to talk to your MD.
johnnybgood
01-26-2009, 22:14
Lots of good advice here , and let me preface by saying you need to be seen by a sports med. doctor and have your MRI read so a plan of action can begin . Oh yeah , by the way ... no hiking until cleared by MD . Good Luck ! Take care .
Tennessee Viking
01-26-2009, 22:24
I switched to a new pair of HiTecs with Orthodics, and kept a simple ankle brace after my one visit. The doc said try to keep hiking, but to stay on easier & flatter trails. It seemed to work for a time. Then until recently, it came back even with the footwear but the pain comes and goes.
I can hike on it with no real problems. But strange thing, the pain only occurs after a day at work. I must be allergic to work then.
Blissful
01-26-2009, 23:28
I can hike on it with no real problems. But strange thing, the pain only occurs after a day at work. I must be allergic to work then.
Ha, ha.
:)
Glad you can hike. Hiking actually strengthens it. That's how I overcame my ankle sprain after two years of pain and 3 physical therapy sessions (I had a deltoid sprain though of the tendon - interior ankle - which is difficult to overcome) I hiked Shenandoah in these monstrously heavy boots, 2lbs. Strange but it worked, along with stretching on this board that my hubby made. And I never go barefoot (wear crocs all the time in the house). Now I use trail runners.
As far as sports drs., the only one who ever supported me was a marathon runner himself (thank God for that dude). I had my MRI read by another so called sports dr who informed basically I'd never hike again. So if you do end up at another dr. be sure he believes in what you want to do or tell him good-bye. (i'm not convinced you need another one right at this time - though you haven't said how long ago you intially injured it. If it just happened, give yourself time to heal. At least six weeks if its near a grade 2, which this sounds like. Patience is indeed a virtue.)
leeki pole
02-04-2009, 19:13
Good point about the doc who is a marathoner, Blissful. Hikers are athletes too and your doc, if not an athlete, doesn't understand the mindset of long distance hikers. It's the same as training for a marathon, long miles, day after day, wear and tear. Pain is a given, it's just how much one can bear. Like a hiking buddy told me, "if you ain't limping in the morning, you didn't hike far enough yesterday." Hike on.
Tennessee Viking
02-04-2009, 20:28
Ha, ha.
:)
Glad you can hike. Hiking actually strengthens it. That's how I overcame my ankle sprain after two years of pain and 3 physical therapy sessions (I had a deltoid sprain though of the tendon - interior ankle - which is difficult to overcome) I hiked Shenandoah in these monstrously heavy boots, 2lbs. Strange but it worked, along with stretching on this board that my hubby made. And I never go barefoot (wear crocs all the time in the house). Now I use trail runners.
As far as sports drs., the only one who ever supported me was a marathon runner himself (thank God for that dude). I had my MRI read by another so called sports dr who informed basically I'd never hike again. So if you do end up at another dr. be sure he believes in what you want to do or tell him good-bye. (i'm not convinced you need another one right at this time - though you haven't said how long ago you intially injured it. If it just happened, give yourself time to heal. At least six weeks if its near a grade 2, which this sounds like. Patience is indeed a virtue.)Right now, I looking at getting new high ankle shoes which may help solve the problem. My HiTecs seem to be a root cause in my sprain.
At the moment, I am looking at REI's Monarch IVs (Goretex) for one. Then I have heard New Balance are good shoes for foot pains, because I can get a really good deal on them. How well do the New Balance Hiking Shoes, the 1200 series, hold up?
mateozzz
02-04-2009, 22:00
An MRI for an ankle sprain? No wonder health care cost is going through the roof! If your ankle hurts, swells, and is slightly discolored, it's sprained, stop walking on it until the swelling mostly goes down. If it is really ugly or doesn't heal, all right, get an xray or MRI (but that's $2000 to have the doctor say "don't walk on it"!)
Last year on a section hike I sprained my ankle and had to leave early. It took about 2 weeks on crutches to get mostly better. Then I found a thing at the gym that looks like a half beach ball, you stand on the flat part and make it wobble around, it's hard work and gets your ankles strong in no time.
If my parents took us to get an MRI (assuming they existed) every time someone twisted an ankle when we were kids we'd have been in the poorhouse!
OMG, I think I sound like my parents now!
An MRI for an ankle sprain? No wonder health care cost is going through the roof! If your ankle hurts, swells, and is slightly discolored, it's sprained, stop walking on it until the swelling mostly goes down. If it is really ugly or doesn't heal, all right, get an xray or MRI (but that's $2000 to have the doctor say "don't walk on it"!)
Last year on a section hike I sprained my ankle and had to leave early. It took about 2 weeks on crutches to get mostly better. Then I found a thing at the gym that looks like a half beach ball, you stand on the flat part and make it wobble around, it's hard work and gets your ankles strong in no time.
If my parents took us to get an MRI (assuming they existed) every time someone twisted an ankle when we were kids we'd have been in the poorhouse!
OMG, I think I sound like my parents now!
A high ankle sprain is quite different than an regular twisted ankle.
High Ankle Sprain (http://orthopedics.about.com/od/sprainsstrains/a/syndesmosis.htm)
Most ankle sprains are treated easily with a short period of rest, followed by rehabilitation. However, there can be more severe ankle sprain injuries. Among these are high ankle sprains (http:///). Coaches and trainers often look out for these specific injuries because treatment can be more difficult, and with severe high ankle sprains, may require surgery. For more information about high ankle sprains, read on... (http://orthopedics.about.com/od/sprainsstrains/a/syndesmosis.htm)
I could possibly have one, I certainly have ligament damage but don't have the health care to find out. If I did have HC I'd use it in a heart beat. That's what it's for.
skinewmexico
02-05-2009, 00:06
Do what all the illegal aliens around here do, go to the emergency room. Apparently they can't say no.
Do what all the illegal aliens around here do, go to the emergency room. Apparently they can't say no.
The most an emergency room will do is put your foot in a immobilizer or ace bandage and give you a set of crutches.
Jayboflavin04
02-12-2009, 15:00
I sprained my ankle a couple months ago. After a week I visited the doc. He told me a good way to help rehab the ankle was to trace the alphabet with my big toe. It still is occasionally giving me problems.