Sprained ankle

[luvflorida]

When I picked up DD16 at dance last night, she came hobbling out to the car. She said she landed the wrong way on her foot when coming out of a leap. She could hardly stand on that foot. It was at the end of the class, so the instructor wrapped daughter's ankle and had her hold ice packs on it.

Daughter's foot looked okay last night, but she said it hurt. I had her ice it for 20 minutes before bedtime, and I told her I'd make a doctor's appointment for her in the morning. She just woke up about half an hour ago and her foot is swollen, especially around the outer side of the ankle. The doctor's office opens at nine and I'll call for an appointment.

The dance instructor thinks daughter sprained her ankle. I have NO experience with any type of sprains. Anyone have any advice on treating a sprained ankle? I've researched it online, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has experienced a sprained ankle. Thanks so much.

 

[Tazicket]

Rest Ice Compression Elevation. Sprained ankles are no fun. To make your DD feel better, (if it is sprained) at least she did it in a cool way. When I was in high school marching band, I was doing jumping jacks and tripped over my inhaler and when I fell I sprained my ankle and bruised my tailbone. Yah. Nerdiest of nerd injuries, I know.

I would suggest staying off of it as much as possible.

 

[luvflorida]

To make your DD feel better, (if it is sprained) at least she did it in a cool way.

She did say it was an awesome leap.

 

[Tazicket]

She did say it was an awesome leap.

Well, there you go then!

 

[pkasbohm]

I agree with the the R.I.C.E.
tell her to stay off of it whenever possible..it is amazing how fast they heal when you actually let it.
Another thing...now that it is sprained all of them muscles are stretched and is more prone to sprains again...look into a good supporting brace for her.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

Rest Ice Compression Elevation. Sprained ankles are no fun. To make your DD feel better, (if it is sprained) at least she did it in a cool way.

I will have to agree. When I first sprained my ankle I did in on a class trip. We were hiking in the woods and just as I was walking up to our cabin I twisted it wrong and sprained it. I wasn't even given ice. I was given a plastic baggie and told go out the door and fill it with snow. And of course that night there was a school dance and I just kinda hobbled around on the dance floor. Oh well. I at least got to sit out gym for the next week.

I suggest your DD just stay off her foot as much as possible and keep it elevated with ice. Overusing it while it's hurt could really hurt it more. I should know. Stupid me went to dance class the next day and actually tried to tap dance.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

My 15 DS sprained his ankle in his HS soccer game 3 weeks ago. For the first week or so he was on crutches and in a boot since he couldn't put any pressure on his foot. He did physical therapy at the school but was also told to do exercises (such as spelling th e ABC's with his foot) to strenghthen (sp?) the muscles.

He was cleared this week to play soccer again and played in his game yesterday. He had a great time playing. He was not a happy kid when he wasn't playing so I think that motivated him to do whatever it took to get better.

Good luck to your DD. Sprains are a pain!

 

[almacdonald]

Rest Ice Compression Elevation. Sprained ankles are no fun. To make your DD feel better, (if it is sprained) at least she did it in a cool way. When I was in high school marching band, I was doing jumping jacks and tripped over my inhaler and when I fell I sprained my ankle and bruised my tailbone. Yah. Nerdiest of nerd injuries, I know.

I would suggest staying off of it as much as possible.

Best story of the day! I'd say that's tag-worthy, unfortunately my opinion doesn't matter much in that department!

 

[Tazicket]

Yay! I want my next tag to let everyone know what a dork I am!!!

 

[luvflorida]

Well, we're back from the doctor's visit and yes, DD has a sprained ankle. She has an Aircast, ankle brace, on her foot and is on crutches. The brace stays on during the day, but can be removed at night. She will have to wear the brace and be on crutches for about a week, then she'll have a follow-up appointment. Like many of you said, rest, ice, compression, and elevation is the key to recovery. She needs to stay off that foot as much as possible in order for the ankle to heal properly.

DD is disappointed because she won't be able to dance for awhile. She dances five days a week, and she's going to be frustrated because she'll have to sit out.

Thanks everyone for your help and stories!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with the the R.I.C.E.
tell her to stay off of it whenever possible..it is amazing how fast they heal when you actually let it.
Another thing...now that it is sprained all of them muscles are stretched and is more prone to sprains again...look into a good supporting brace for her.

Once her ankle is better--ABC exercises will help with this.

They spell the entire alphabet without skipping letters. When they get stronger, they can also write them "backwords" just to work the muscles differently. This will help strengthen the ankle.

I sprained my ankle years ago (very severe sprain). I was never treated (don't ask--my mother regrets that decision to not take me to the doctor). When training for a marathon--one of my coaches is a PT and she gave me that exercise and it was amazing the difference in strength in my ankle. When the injury occurred, I was in 5th grade and could not do PE for 4-6 weeks (don't recall how long...but it was a very very very long time).

I have never since sprained my ankle. I have had a few wobbles where my ankle will give out. I am now so accustomed to when that happens, that I am able to save myself from a spill or a sprain.

 

[MouseJunkie]

I did that once coming down the stairs of my 2nd story apartment. I got my foot caught in the open area behind the steps when I fell tryed to stop my fall as I was flying through the air landing at the bottom of the stairs. The funny part this girl just walked right over me and said nothing went on her merry way. Nice huh! My ankle was the size of a softball. I stayed off of it completely for a week. Then I ended up on crutches and going to physical therapy. I did a little more than sprain it though. I had torn ligaments, tendons, and rotator cup. My physical therapist told me I shouldn't use the air cast they gave me at the er. Apparantly, it's not good for it. Why they give it to you in the er then I don't know. I'm still wondering about that. I also had to wear this boot that allowed cold water to keep my foot cool from an attached ice bucket. I had to do that I think like 20 minutes every couple of hours or so. What fun that all was. I walked funny for a good month or more after I got off the crutches. Yeah, no more racing down the stairs and out the door for Burger King breakfast buddies before work! It's a good thing they don't have those anymore. I learned my lesson well.

 

[luvflorida]

The funny part this girl just walked right over me and said nothing went on her merry way.

What are some people thinking? I guess they aren't.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

there's not a whole lot to do with sprained ankle. you just have to ice it on and off, wear either an ankle brace or an Ace bandage, and take pain meds, espically antik-inflamitories(sp?)

sometimes sprains are worse than a break, because with a break they set it and you can't walk on it for a while so it heals. with a sprain you HAVE to walk on it in order for it to heal.

she'll be fine after a few weeks. just do whatever the doctor says.

i used to do a lot of sports and gymnastics and it gave me bad ankles so twisting it the wrong way can sprain it. it sucks, but it's easier when you take care of it.

 

[Poohnatic]

I hope she's doing better today.

I had a nerdy sprain, too. Choir madrigal rehearsal in a stairwell in high school. After the rehearsal, I tripped and fell down a flight of steps. Silly me, even with going to our (ineffective) family doctor, I was on crutches for as short a time as possible and swimming competitively a few days later.

That ankle was taped through all of swim season because I didn't allow time for it to heal. Like another poster, it will occasionally have that 'wobble'. If I'd followed doctor's orders, it would have been healed in about 1/3 the time.

Suzanne

 

[robinb]

DD is disappointed because she won't be able to dance for awhile. She dances five days a week, and she's going to be frustrated because she'll have to sit out.

It's so frustrating when your kids are competitive! My DD is a competitive swimmer and she sprained her ankle last year. She also had an aircast and she was out of the pool for about two weeks. I swore her gills dried up!

I hope your DD feels better soon!