Hurt my Ankle, what do I do???

Question

Yesterday in a varsity soccer scrimmage, we were playing on an awful field, and when I jumped up, I landed on a ditch in the field and rolled my ankle. Last Year I missed almost the entire season with ankle injuries and it cost me my starting job. I got my starting job back this year, but now this. The ankle is pretty swollen, but I can still walk on it, it just hurts a little. I have severely sprained my ankle before, and I couldn't walk on it at all, so I am not as worried. The only thing that worried me is when I fell on it I heard a crack. I have twisted my ankle before, and often hear cracks (I have really bad ankles) but it still worries me a little. My plan was to use the RICE method and just wait till monday and hope for the best. What do you think?

And Before you all say, "Sorry but you need to go see a doctor" That isn't going to happen. I am done with doctors, and have medical bills still flying at me for last year. I am not s******g up my varsity gig this year, end of story. But I still need some advice on what can get me better.

Sorry if I seem like a stubborn ignorant teenager, but I am truly done with doctors. they screwed up a diagnosis last year, and I missed the entire season for nothing (this was baseball). Thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

first, you have to check if there's anything broken and you do this by pulling your ankle in a perpendicular angle to your body and see if anything hurts. next, you have to ice it. you do this by putting one of those non-reusable ice packs on it and then you have to bind it with a bandage.  

Answer 2

I completely understand what you are going through. I have terrible ankles and I twist them all the time. If you don't want to go to the doctor, which I don't recommend anyways for such a minor sprain, you should definitely go with your instincts and use the good old RICE method. I know from experience that trying to just "shake off" even the most minor sprain can result in an even worse injury down the line.

I was like you and I thought I could just shake off my minor sprain so I could get back to playing softball and I ended up tearing ligaments in my ankle and having to have ligament reconstruction surgery which kept me off the field for 3 months.

So, the best advice I can give you is to try to stay off of it the best that you can over the weekend and see how you feel after the weekend!  RICE!!!

Answer 3

Your right, you may not need to see a physician but I would seek out the team athletic trainer. If one isn't available at your school, ask the coach if the junior college, college or university nearby has a sports medicine/athletic trainer program. Often you can drop by at no or very little cost and be treated by a student trainer who supervised by a licensed professional.

     You are correct in your treatment plan, RICE is the way to go and you can use the NSAIDS of choice (with your parents OK) to aid in your recovery.  Four days may be a bit optimistic for a return to the pitch, a week or even two is more realistic depending upon the degree of sprain you have. Just remember if you do return early you are at a much higher risk for reinjury and then being out the season.

     Also utilizing ACE wraps or other devices while you play is a two edged sword. It may get you on the field but it sets you up for an even greater injury for a number of reasons. Use these with caution if you play.

    Lastly, if you are as good as you say and your coach is any kind of coach, he recognizes players get hurt, subs for them and then returns them to the line up when he/she feels it is safe to do so.

    Good luck and stay safe.