What's the best way to heal a sprained ankle?

[markfch]

I sprained my ankle yesterday and didn't sleep well in the night due to the pain. Just paid a visit to TCM.


I don't understand why those TCM folks have to use '牛力' to press my injured joint when a just a tender touch is enough to send me screaming. I'm not weak, just imagine my whole ankle swelling like pig leg now. Any indentation caused by a finger pressing the swollen part actually stays. :sick:

Now I'm at home suffering throbbing pain at the joint. Any quick remedy. pls?

[vlim]

Emmm ... I think some people will go gp to have a jab ...yes ? No? :scratchhead:

[markfch]

Ok, will go GP tomorrow to get the jab and MC at the same time. Thanks vlim.


There’s no way I’m gonna walk comfortably in the office tomorrow with such a swollen leg.

[vlim]

markfch:

Ok, will go GP tomorrow to get the jab and MC at the same time. Thanks vlim.


There's no way I'm gonna walk comfortably in the office tomorrow with such a swollen leg.

no problem markfch..but the last time I heard was someone with sprained neck going for a jab...not too sure whether sprained ankle can go for jab or not ...hope u will recover fast !

[BlurBee]

How abt apply an ice pack on ur ankle?

Hope u get well soon.

[markfch]

Thanks vlim & BlurBee.


I took a hot bath, it feels better now (as long as I don’t attempt to walk).

[Jennifer]

I sprained my ankle beginning of last Jun hols while sending my P4 boy for his CL tuition. Once I reached home, I did a cold compress- ice cubes in a plastic bag. The compress was so painful. Followed by lying on my back with the leg raised on a bolster. When I slept at night, I worn a tight sock. When I bath, I sprayed hot water on the sprain area. For the next few days, I could still walk but with a limp. Running for the bus was a big no-no.


When the pain did not go away after a week, I contemplated getting an x-ray. I was visiting a TCM with my P4 boy for his weekly visit, the TCM physician examined my ankle and told me there was no fracture and the swell might take another 1-2 mths to heal. The swell/pain finally went away after a month.

The physician told me my selfmade cold compress was wrong. Shld hv wrapped the ice in a thick towel. My RICE was right though- raise, ice, compression, elevate http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sprainsstrains/a/sprain_4.htm

She also said that ice shld be done only once (after the sprain), after which do hot compress daily.

Take care.

[Funz]

Elevate it, rest that ankle as much as possible. If need to move about, wear an ankle brace.


Cold or hot compress doesn’t mean direct application. Wrap the ice or hot pack in a towel before putting it on the affected area. The compress should be comfortably warm or cool, not scalding hot or ice cold.

[markfch]

Thanks Jen & Funz for the advice.


Just went to see GP and she suspected it to be gout attack, since I just woke up with a swollen ankle w/o any exercises. Hope it’s not though, as the ankle in pain was badly injured during NS - had 4 weeks MC that time. So it could also be a case of old injury acting out, which does occur from time to time.

Blood test result for gout will only be known on Mon.

[Mrsbongz]

Oh.. if it's gout,the swollen area will feel warm n hot too... if it is... take lots of cherries!! n berries!! dh's entire family gets it.. did u drink beer or have a major seafood/ or kway chap dinner the night before? :evil: u will need medication to help u have the runs too... n cut down on protein rich stuff in the meantime, no soy stuff too..