Health & Wellness

Has anyone here sprained their foot really bad? How long did it take to heal?

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  • Jul 19th, 2019 1:45 am
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Apr 10, 2011
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Has anyone here sprained their foot really bad? How long did it take to heal?

I was walking down some stairs and missed the last step and tumbled to the floor, twisting my foot in the process. The pain was so bad later that night I went to ER as I thought I broke my foot. X-Rays showed no broken bones and I was told to just rest, ice it and keep it elevated (doctor said compress wouldn't help?)

Fast forward 4 and a half weeks -- I'm still in a lot of pain. It throbs all the time, even when I'm lying down. I am still able to walk on it but if I "overdo" it, I pay for it later on in the day. I am at home with a 3-year-old during the day and work in the evenings. Rest is next to impossible, but I have limited my activity as much as I can get away with. What's concerning is that although I'm not limping anymore (was limping for 3 weeks), it hurts more than it did last week.

I've booked a physio appointment for this Thursday but just wondering if anyone here has ever had a moderate-severe foot sprain (not ankle) and how long it took to heal?

I'm also 30 weeks pregnant and 25 lbs heavier than my normal weight which I'm sure isn't helping either....
27 replies
Deal Expert
Feb 7, 2017
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4-1/2 weeks is a long time IMO
To be in as much pain as you say
Cuz it should be getting better not worse
(Especially as they said it was a sprain ... and not broken)

Honestly, at this point in time I would get a second opinion
Including maybe more Xrays
Totally possible they missed something
Newbie
Apr 21, 2017
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Edmonton
hierophant wrote: I think it's fate that I saw this article just today and then your post shortly thereafter. get a second opinion is my advice.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfound ... 2XD7jQKolY
I don't think that will be OP situation unless there's altered sensation in the lower legs prior to the injury.
I can give you somewhat of an input as a ER RN, but first do not take my information as medical advice. The time for ankle sprain to recover depends on which ligament is affected it may take between two to six weeks, but without knowing which specific ligament is affect it is difficult to provide an accurate answer. Your best bet is to see your family physician to see if its healing at expected rate.
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Feb 7, 2017
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hierophant wrote: I think it's fate that I saw this article just today and then your post shortly thereafter. get a second opinion is my advice.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfound ... 2XD7jQKolY
Ya I saw that news story too.

But THANKFULLY that’s a pretty rare situation ... not the norm

And agree with @yingtsay if anything was ever THAT SERIOUS

There would no doubt be other signs as well
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Sep 21, 2010
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hierophant wrote: I think it's fate that I saw this article just today and then your post shortly thereafter. get a second opinion is my advice.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfound ... 2XD7jQKolY
Holy medmal...it's almost like they let it fester for an experiment smh.
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Sr. Member
Apr 29, 2007
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4 1/2 weeks is nothing for a moderate-severe sprain especially if you're not resting the leg. I've had ankle sprains that have taken 6-12 months to be pain free.
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fkl118 wrote: 4 1/2 weeks is nothing for a moderate-severe sprain especially if you're not resting the leg. I've had ankle sprains that have taken 6-12 months to be pain free.
Thanks for letting me know. I suspect I will be dealing with this for months and months before it fully heals...
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hierophant wrote: I think it's fate that I saw this article just today and then your post shortly thereafter. get a second opinion is my advice.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfound ... 2XD7jQKolY
Yikes! That’s pretty extreme. Don’t think it’s comparable to my situation but yes, always good to get a second opinion. Hopefully the physiotherapist will be able to offer some advice when I see him on Thursday.
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Dec 14, 2011
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If it is not improving at all, I would suggest another xray. Sometimes fracture doesn’t show until up to 14 days on xray After that amount of time the xray will pick up calculus formation indicating an fracture. Even with that being said, sometimes a bone scan is required. I’d cancel the pt appointment and see your gp for another xray.
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Drakestar wrote: If it is not improving at all, I would suggest another xray. Sometimes fracture doesn’t show until up to 14 days on xray After that amount of time the xray will pick up calculus formation indicating an fracture. Even with that being said, sometimes a bone scan is required. I’d cancel the pt appointment and see your gp for another xray.
There’s nothing you can do for a fracture though. They would just tell me to do the same thing (ice, rest, elevate). And because I’m pregnant, I’d like to limit the amount of x-rays I get.
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Dec 14, 2011
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You could always put a boot on it regardless. There are definitely considerations to take into consideration when pregnant and over exposure to x-ray is certainly one of them. However, exposure is extremely small and highly unlikely to cause an issue with the pregnancy at 30+ weeks. I do appreciate your concern and would perhaps just opt for the boot.

Congratulations on the baby btw!
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Drakestar wrote: You could always put a boot on it regardless. There are definitely considerations to take into consideration when pregnant and over exposure to x-ray is certainly one of them. However, exposure is extremely small and highly unlikely to cause an issue with the pregnancy at 30+ weeks. I do appreciate your concern and would perhaps just opt for the boot.

Congratulations on the baby btw!
Thanks!

I'll stick with the physio appointment and see what he recommends. Will follow up with my GP if needed.
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Nov 13, 2010
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I was off from work for like 4 months atlwadt due to swelling and pain around the ankle. I also went to the chiro he did some treatment like heat ultrasound or something around my ankle which helped healing by drying up the area (fluid, water) etc it helped.

Someone also recommended foot movement in water tub/bucket (warm or hot), sorta like foot swim it has helped tremendously to many people its good home therapy.
Member
Aug 25, 2006
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Sprained my ankle pretty good just about a year ago running around with the kids in a field when my foot went into a divot in the field .. went down like tonne of bricks. Next morning my entire foot was black and swollen from bruising including all my toes. Not my foot but looked very similar to this pic X rays show no fracture. Diagnosed as a sprain. Couldn't walk or fit a shoe on for about 2 weeks to due pain/swelling. Next 3 to 4 weeks I could walk but very uncomfortable. Stairs were my nemesis. Took atleast two months to get to like 80% normal. It's been over a year now and while 98% fine now it is still more noticeably stiff and sore when I first wake up early morning and start my day.
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lemmiwinks wrote: Thanks!

I'll stick with the physio appointment and see what he recommends. Will follow up with my GP if needed.
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Happy to report that my foot is FINALLY starting to feel better. I don't want to jinx it but it's probably 80% better. Almost like it happened overnight. Not throbbing constantly anymore, and I can walk short distances without any pain at all. Have been to 2 physio appointments so far. Maybe that's helping or maybe it's just starting to heal on its own. In any case, I'll continue with the physio until I give birth. I'm so happy there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel after almost 6 weeks of being in constant pain..... Thanks everyone for the helpful advice!
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Feb 28, 2005
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Glad you're gettin better.

I sprained my ankle in the exact same manner. Well, I was running down the stairs with crocs.

Ice and elevation are key!

Still today, years, after, this ankle is a bit bigger than the other!
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Little late to the party... but just FYI a serious ankle sprain can take >12-16+ weeks, so I wouldn't panic at all. Swelling is not too worrying of an indicator past several weeks, and it can last for a LONG time (> 5-6 months) in some cases despite your ankle healing and improving. You are also pregnant, which means you'll hold onto fluids a lot more relative to your normal self. Most people think they've experienced a severe ankle sprain, but anyone who expects one to heal in < 4 weeks simply hasn't experienced one themselves.

Keep up with physiotherapy until your ankle motion returns & you feel comfortable managing your symptoms/daily routines. Make sure it's all good to go before the baby comes, because there is usually no time or drive to rehab things then.

Your GP won't do much more for you at this point. If your ankle is horribly unstable (i.e. you roll your ankle when you walk), which it doesn't sound like it is, the only last thing they'd consider is prescribing a brace or an orthopedics referral, but given your pregnancy status, that would have to wait a LONG time.

Best of luck.

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