Ankle Sprain

[xelasnave]

How long do they last..I think it's bad but not broken. I have been told to rest..how long?
Alex

[GTB_an_Owl]

if your down in the city Alex, get along to a beach and stand in the water about a foot deep. anchor your feet in the sand and let the water massage your feet.

geoff

[glend]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Alex, but can't wait for the story about how you did it?
Get well soon.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Geoff. Not in the city but need to get back but I can't really walk or drive so wondering how long it may take to get better. I need to go but I don't want to risk further damage. It's been more than 24 hrs..I get asked when I am leaving here ..the way it feels it seems like I won't be mobile for days..but I can't remember having one and wonder what to expect.
Everyone says rest and cold packs which I am doing but as I said wondering when it should reasonably go away.
Alex

[CeratodusDuck]

Possibly a few weeks or more. Depends on many physiological factors

[glend]

Did you see a Doctor about it, or is this your diagnosis? I think you need an xray.

[leon]

Sorry to hear that Alex, now that will slow you down.

Leon

[JA]

Sorry to hear of your injury Alex. If it is a sprain from a rolled ankle then it should settle down in a few days, but will take 2-3 weeks for you (your body) to have "forgotten about it", if you know what I mean. If in doubt, see the doc.

A Swede-o type lace up ankle brace is excellent in the meantime to help protect it.

Best
JA

[Imme]

R.I.C.E
R - Rest (48 hours)
I - Ice to reduce swelling (48 hours - not full time ice, take it on and off)
C - Compression (Tight'ish bandage will also help reduce swelling)
E - Elevation (Keep it up to assist with circulation

After 48 hours introduce heat to the area (Hot Pack) to promote blood flow and healing.

Main thing (especially as we get older) is don't 'test' it to see how it has healed.....you can very easily re-tear anything that is healing.

Take it easy on the ankle for a while Alex.......you cant rush the recovery

[xelasnave]

I had finished imaging and earlier that day I had removed a window from the van to fit the airconditioner. It seemed that it may fit and I thought while I am waiting for the darks to complete ( yes I am doing darks for a change) I will put it in the window as it seemed it would balance there..I felt I could get it to the spot and put it son a chair rest and lift it up...then I thought maybe measure it first...so I started working my way thru the accumulated junk in the Annex to where I was sure there was a tape..well there was I know...but it was dark..I get around in the dark all the time so I am careful..plus I knew where I had to put my hand to lay it on the tape..and I could read it by the light of the lappy when I went back to the scope..all well thought out...anyways on the floor are some tent poles on top of the cut out floor for the observatory and the anchor rope that I kept from my old boat that I planned to drag down the trees anyways I stepped on the rope..and well one should not step on rope as it is not good for it so when I put my foot down again I stood on the tent pole which being on the flat floor rolled so I tried to correct but got caught up in the rope and went over pulling down the shelves where the tape was..I left the shelves in a heap and the tools on the floor and picked up the tent pole to use as a support...anyways I was not feeling great so I stopped the darks covered the gear put the lap top under my arm and got up into the van. It was an easy crawl ...I was pretty tired so I managed to fall asleep with no problem...so yesterday I took it easy but today it looks worse...and my Dad is real crook and I would like to get back earlier than I had planned...fortunately he seems better when I spoke to him a little while ago but I feel guilty that I need to leave right away ..but I don't think driving using my left foot is safe..it's my right foot so even with auto making it easier remembering not to jab the left foot down after years of a manual worries me..I mean it is asking for trouble really..plus when I get down I will need my wheelchair which I have upstairs and getting it to the car won't be easy...
Alex

A can't really bandage it cause my legs and feet burn non stop ..The only shoes I can wear are ugboots cause I can get them off quick when my feet burn...
Alex

Thanks everybody for your well wishes, and helpful suggestions ..I guess I am very worried about Dad and want to be there to tell the doctors to do everything for him..you must you know..they just think..old let them go sortta thing.
Alex

[Startrek]

Sorry to hear of your injury Alex
I’ve done a similar injury a while ago
Swelling will take 2 or 3 days to subside ( if it’s not broken )
Plenty of ice packs and then a compression ankle sock for a week or so
Try and keep weight off it as much as possible
Keep elevated
Patience and time will heal
The Universe can wait until your back on your feet again
Martin

[xelasnave]

It's the pressure to get down for Dad...well if not for him I would never set foot in the city again ..I mean he is 98 next Feb so I worry as you could expect.
Thanks.
Alex

[Startrek]

I can relate Alex, my Dads 92 and has been in Taree base hospital for 2 weeks with an infection on his heart ( heart valve was replaced when he was 82 ) Just got back to Sydney on Tuesday from staying up there for 3 or 4 days
I rang just the hospital now and he’s responded well to the antibiotics so they are transferring him back down to Forster private for a week or two of rehab in transition to possibly sending him home ( he’s lucky to pull through that at his age )
Hope your Dad is comfortable
All the best
Martin

[xelasnave]

Yes. "That looks like a nasty sprain" which I knew already.

It was when I got home I thought about my visit. I have a way of telling people what I expect and I think I may be intimidating in a very small way such that they don't tell me anything other than what I want to hear.

I sortta told him that it should be right in a couple of days so there was no point in an x-ray ...so I realised I didn't listen to anything he said that's why I had to ask here...I should have asked rather than telling him what I wanted.

People close to me tell me I roll over people such that they sortta say what I expect so maybe that is what happened cause I can't remember exactly what he said when I stop and think..I think he said if it was not better that I really should get an x-ray.

I am not thinking clearly because of lack of sleep worry and building this observatory. But I am eating right..I started a really good diet after Leon's scare.
Alex

[casstony]

If you need to get around maybe use crutches. Otherwise it's feet up, ice pack and Star Trek re-runs :)

[JohnF]

had a couple of Sprains as a teenager, but not for many years. But the suggestion RICE, Rest and Ice, etc., is a good one.

I could give you crutches If we could meet at Lismore on Sunday, but that might not be possible for you -- will be there with wife and daughter as they are replacing a telegraph pole on Sunday, so turning of our Power.

Hope you dad is well. 98 is a good innings.

Yes keep it up. If you have a flowing creek nearby sit with ankle in flowing water, IF you can't get to the beach s per previous suggestion. BUT DO NOT STRESS THAT SPRAIN GETTING TO THAT WATER as in climbing down a bank, etc. Just remembered a picture of your dam. Perhaps if no flowing creek let th els in the dam nibble your toes.

Get well soon, John.

[xelasnave]

My legs are not the best and most times I use a walker except when working on and in the observatory where I use a folding seat ....on a really good day I can get away with a stick...anyways I tried crutches this morning and I just can't take it on the left leg..I can move but so unsteady it's dangerous unfortunately.
Alex



Thank John see my reply above re crutches..I would have a fair chance of falling I think.
You need to know that I find it difficult to walk on a lawn because it upsets my balance..the only feeling I get in my feet, well the predominate feeling is that of burning..I don't feel the found under foot if that makes sense.
Alex

Still on the bright side ..resting and stacking the first from the new 115 mm and so far, given problems and only eye balling focus..not too bad..that is keeping me cheerful.
Alex

[glend]

At your age Alex, I would ask for an xray. My Ex broke her hip early this week and she is just 65 and always taking calcium supplements. With your reduced mobility the last thing you need is to aggrevate a break. Can you drive to Casino hospital? Maybe get that crazy lady to give you lift haha.

[JohnF]

If you have a walk forget crutches. The walker will be more stable on firm ground. For legs in stead of two on that walk, not counting your own legs Alex.



Make sur your Ex does not use Dairy Products. Dairy robs calcium from her bones. See the protein in milk requires more calcium to diet it that the Dairy products do provide.

Google should have plenty of info on this.

Ye Alex, an X-ray would be good if possible. It would confirm it is not a break.

[xelasnave]

Data does not look flash but the image looks good.
Alex

[graham.hobart]

Hi Alex, medicos use the Ottawa Ankle rules to decide if you need an x-ray or not-see attachment. If you can't weight bear still and have tenderness at the ends of the lower leg bones (malleoli/ those ankle prominences) or at the base of the fifth toe then you should probably have an x ray.
You can get severe ligament injuries that pull off a bit of bone and they need to be treated properly to heal well.
Ligaments heal very slowly and the ankle is often unstable for months afterwards so a bit of support is a good idea.
best wishes
Graham

[xelasnave]

Sorry to hear such bad news. A brooken hip is not good.
I will see how it goes.
My logic is..I can't have a cast even if it is broken, more likely a fracture, as you would think the pain would be worse..I mean it's not good but you could think a break I would be really feeling it..although it certainly hurts with any weight.
Anyways I was in Casino for the doctor ...but I have had fractures before and they did take a long while..a couple of ribs went in a moto cross accident...I only now remember..I would roll out of bed run the hot shower and that seemed to help...but I was younger...and I am getting a bone density test done..well that was supposed to be next week but I have cancelled ... And cancelled my eye doc appointment...I get medicals done up here cause I do not like driving in the city...soooo....
Alex



I don't have time for time off.
I am thinking maybe some sort of box, that prevents movement, support via some belts, and a fan and a Peltier unit...get all the controls for the car moved to the steering wheel..I should get that done..I have looked into it..and the place is at Hornsby Heights...I will ring them Monday... I can see the box in my mind..I will design something...with a place to carry a phone..trouble is a Peltier takes a lot of power..still just a burst of cool would be so nice even without the recent issue..
Alex