I was just cleared to but a little bit of weight- AKA still wear my boot and use my walker but sit on a bike at physical therapy. My foot is still so stiff and i expected that, but doss the stiffness go away? I couldn’t walk if I tried right now.

I used to teach dance(in heels) and also go for runs. Feeling kind of stir crazy and worried.

I'm 10 weeks post injury (torn ATFL, CFL, deltoid, bone bruising, etc) and after significant dorsiflexion issues during recovery and being referred to an orthopaedic surgeon he has recommended arthroscopic ankle synovectomy and endoscopic gastroc lengthening. I was really hoping to avoid surgery but it seems inevitable. For those who have had those surgeries - how was your recovery? I'm a dancer and I'd love to get back to it eventually but I know there's a risk of nerve damage and/or weakening of calf from the lengthening procedure

Landed on my ankle after a jump playing volleyball, able to walk limping after 11 days. Just got the MRI report. Will see the doctor next week, how bad does it look?

Summary:

You have a very severe ankle sprain, not just a mild one:

• One major ligament on the outside of your ankle is completely torn.
• A major ligament on the inside of your ankle is almost completely torn.
• There is also a small piece of bone likely pulled off where that inside ligament attaches, a small avulsion fracture.
• Your ankle joint has a lot of swelling/fluid and inflammation.
• The good news: the Achilles tendon, other ankle tendons, and the ligaments holding the two lower-leg bones together are intact.

Full report:

Clinical information: Fell onto the left ankle with an inversion injury while playing volleyball. Unable to bear weight since the fall. Pain over the outer ankle bone; rule out fracture.

LEFT ANKLE MRI

Comparison exam: None.
Technique: Examination performed using a standard protocol.

Findings

1. Ligaments

The anterior talofibular ligament has a heterogeneous, disrupted appearance, compatible with a complete tear. The posterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments remain intact.

There is a high-grade, nearly complete tear of the deltoid ligament, with only very few continuous fibers remaining along its lower inner edge. There is marked thickening of the spring ligament without a tear, related to a sprain.

The anterior and posterior syndesmosis are intact, with no widening of the space between the tibia and fibula.

2. Tendons

The peroneal tendons and Achilles tendon appear normal.

The ankle flexor and extensor tendons are normal, without tear or synovitis.

3. Bones and joints

There is subchondral bone marrow edema of the talus where the deltoid ligament attaches, with interruption of the cortex, suggesting a small avulsion fracture. There is also bone marrow edema of the sustentaculum tali. No osteochondral lesion or other acute fracture is identified.

There is a large amount of fluid within the joint, with synovitis, especially at the front of the ankle.

4. Tarsal tunnel and sinus tarsi

Normal.

5. Plantar fascia

Normal.

Conclusion

• Complete tear of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).
• High-grade, nearly complete tear of the deltoid ligament, with very few remaining continuous fibers along the lower inner side.
• Sprain of the spring ligament, without a definite tear.
• Cortical interruption and subchondral edema of the talus at the deltoid-ligament attachment, suggesting a small avulsion fracture.
• Large joint effusion with synovitis.

hope this saves you some money

About four years ago, I noticed my left ankle felt strange. It felt like I had a string tied around it too tightly. When I examined it, I saw that it was significantly swollen. Worried that it might be something serious. I went to see my primary care doctor. After some x-rays showed nothing abnormal she referred me to an orthopedic. The orthopedic took his own x-rays. It also saw nothing out of the ordinary. I went home and eventually the swelling reduced. My ankle went back to relatively normal for a few months and then the pain and swelling returned. I went through this cycle of pain and swelling for another three years before attempting to seek help from someone else. I went to see a different orthopedic and he ordered an MRI. By this time, the pain, swelling and added neuropathy in my ankle had become near constant. My ability to walk was severely compromised and I couldn’t tolerate the feeling of anything touching my ankles. I can’t wear shoes that touch my ankles. I was hopeful that the new orthopedic and MRI would find something that could be fixed. Unfortunately, once again the test showed nothing significant. There was a mild irregularity in the medial ligaments that the orthopedic said was likely due to an ankle injury. I don’t recall injuring my ankle and anyway, this situation with my ankle had been going on for three years by now. I would think that an ankle injury would have resolved after three years. Now going on my fourth year my right ankle is starting to feel some mild similar symptoms. My left ankle has deteriorated to where even with physical therapy I walk with a cane and I experience periods of moderate ankle weakness. If an MRI and two separate orthopedics can’t figure out what’s going on what else can I do? Maybe I should add, I recently discovered that I have adult scoliosis with major curvature of my lower spine. I don’t know if that could be useful information? I decided to throw this information out on Reddit to see if anyone else has experienced anything similar and if so, were they able to do anything about it?

Hello! Im a girl 18 years old 5'4. I played rugby in highschool for my school and city, but when I was in grade 10, around 3.5 years ago I got a horrible 'sprain' on my ankle in a rugby match, my whole foot was swollen and bruised green with a purplish bruise line on the side. I got x rays at the hospital and there was no break and no visible fracture, but they also said there was a chance I did have a fracture because my bone looked a little bit wide (idk if I'm remembering correctly), and it was just a sprain. I could barely play and could barely walk for about 3-4 weeks, and I'm worried because there's something still off with my ankle. I went back to the doctor and she just said I should do physiotherapy, we don't have the money for that so I tried my best and deeply looked at stretches and light exercises, and now, the bone area on my left ankle (where the injury was) looks different as in bigger/more swollen compared to my right one. For the last few years it's felt a bit weak but it wasn't too bad so I didn't do anything about it, but on Monday I did 30000 steps with my friend, I feel fine, my right ankle is not remotely sore or hurting but I can barely put any weight on my left and it looks more swollen than usual. I really thought my injury is more substantial than a sprain because it's still injured, I tried insisting that to my doctor the last time I went but he said it wasn't (without even looking at it) and I don't want to be rude and just listened because I obviously don't have a medical degree.. but I'm so sick of this I can't play the same and I've just been in pain the past few days because of it.

I sprained my ankle in January. I was in a boot for about two months, using crutches for two or three weeks of that. Since then I can walk and bear weight without issue, but I've noticed that the injured ankle is still slightly puffier than my other one, and it seems to become more prominent during 'episodes' where I am feeling pain. The pain mostly does not cause issues with walking, but it is extremely uncomfortable and can persist anywhere from minutes to hours. Ice pack, elevation, and massaging seem to help when I'm able to do so. It didn't concern me so much in the first four or five months, but it's July now and I am wondering if it's worth checking out again. Is it normal to still be dealing with pain this after so long?

I'm scheduled for a Broström repair with Internal Brace on August 19th, and I'm trying to get as prepared as possible. I'd love to hear from anyone who's had this procedure.

A little background: I injured my left ankle at a wedding last September and suffered an avulsion fracture of the fibular tip. We never got an MRI at the time, but based on my symptoms and imaging later on, my surgeon believes I most likely tore my ATFL, CFL, and PTFL. Despite months of conservative treatment, I continued having pain, instability, and swelling. My PCP ordered an MRI in April and referred me to ortho. I completed 5 weeks of physical therapy, but unfortunately it wasn't at all helpful, so surgery is now the next step.

My surgeon's plan is 2 weeks in a splint/cast and completely non-weight bearing. At my 2-week follow-up, I'll transition into a CAM boot, begin weight bearing as tolerated, and start physical therapy.

I've started making a shopping list for recovery. So far I have:

• Leg elevation pillow
• Knee scooter (I absolutely cannot survive on crutches 😂)
• Waterproof cast cover for showering
• Shower chair
• Loose shorts and baggy pants
• Robe
• Ice packs

Is there anything else you found invaluable during recovery?

A few questions I have:

• How painful was the surgery compared to what you expected?
• What was the worst part of recovery?
• How long were you truly non-weight bearing?
• How long before you felt comfortable walking in the boot?
• Is there anything you wish you had bought before surgery?
• Is there anything you thought you'd need that ended up being unnecessary?
• How long did it take before your ankle actually felt stable again?
• If you've had the Internal Brace version, would you do the surgery again?
• Any tips for making those first two weeks easier?
• Any advice for sleeping comfortably or showering safely?

I'm equal parts excited and terrified, so I'd appreciate any advice, tips, or "I wish someone had told me..." stories. Thanks!

I am 5weeks and a few days post standard orif ankle surgery. I am no weight bearing but my surgeon expects me to start weight bearing in a boot with one crutch or no crutches this week. Each stage of recovery is an improvement and also make me nervous as I don’t know what to expect.

I have PT starting this week and will have it weekly. I was also told I will need to limit to 5 -15 minutes every hour.

What did this stage look like for you? Did you feel more independence? Could you get in the shower yourself? Did you still use a knee scooter when needed? I have been doing knee scooter and not crutches. What does your day look like?