Kathyw Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 We went out this morning as I needed some bits and pieces that I couldn't rely on Ray to get for me. I needed jiffy bags and went to rymans - big mistake. The aisles were so small I had to move sideways and couldn't use the crutch. My foot started to hurt badly and I felt quite faint. Rymans didn't have what I needed so off we went on a hunt. Ray went into the pound shop and got just what I wanted. I was getting annoyed at not being mobile enough and then Ray said that Michael (cardiac nurse) told him yesterday that it could take up to six months for the foot to heal completely. I nearly burst into tears. The thought of being like this for another few months is horrible. I thought once the bruising all came out and the swelling started to go down I would be ok. My foot is rainbow coloured all over and the swelling has gone down quite a bit but I am still having trouble. I have lived in crocs but now it's started to sort of rub where there is a lump on my foot near the ankle. Can anyone who has done this give me some advice on how I can get mobile quicker please? I am using ice - keeping the foot elevated (have recliners) and resting far too much. Also moving foot so it doesn't stiffen up. What else can I do please?, I am desperate to get mobile again. Any advice will be much appreciated. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 I keep saying this and don't want to upset you further but the easiest way to recover quickly is to rest it up and not use it at all. As little as possible. You haven't just given it a knock. Torn ligaments take months to repair properly. If you don't stop using it you will end up taking longer to recover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 It is really frustrating Kathy, but you honestly need to rest it, use ice as you've been doing (only 10 minutes at a time so you don't damage the skin) and do exercises without putting any weight on it. A couple of years ago I tripped over Rosie going down the stairs and damaged either ligaments or tendons in my knee. The A&E doctor who xrayed me said the good news was that I hadn't broken any bones but the bad news was that damaged ligaments and tendons take from 3 to 6 months to heal. It took about 2 weeks before I could drive and about 6 months for the pain to go away altogether. Depending on what your local health service is like, your GP could refer you to a physio for treatment including ultrasound which can help soft tissue injuries. There's generally a pretty long waiting list though so hope you start to feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greys mum Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 (edited) I'm sorry Kathy, but the only thing that heals ligaments is time. The more stress and usage they have when poorly, the longer they take to mend. Mine took about 4/5 months when I was in my teens. Sorry I couldn't be helpful. I can remember how frustrating it is not being mobile. ETA. If you don't rest that ankle, fugees will come and superglue you to a chair!!!! Edited August 2, 2008 by greys mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Kathy, resting it for 2 days then hopping your way accross london and back is not the way to fix your ligaments. Dont put any weight on it what so ever. if you cant get access to somewhere on your crutches, then dont go there. You may be climbing the walls now, but if you carry on trying to walk on it, you will end up climbing them in 12 months time when you are posting you cant understand why your ankle is still sore. I did mine in when i was 18. I am now 38. I have problems because at 18 i knew more than the docs and the pysio and i tried to walk about. i pushed it till i couldnt bear the pain, then i rested a few days, then i pushed it again. To date i have probably gone over on that ankle at least 10 times because it is weak, i have broken in because it is weak and i have still pushed my luck. rest rest and more rest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owl Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 I am another one like Helly. I did the damage about 6 years ago, assumed at the time it was just a very bad sprain, and treated it much the same way that she did. I now have an ongoing problem and have to wear a flexible splint all day. If I leave it off for more than a short time the ankle goes up like a puffball. It's no good asking how long it will take to mend. Time is said to be a great healer but it does nothing at all for ligaments, believe me. Rest and management are they key words here. The hospital told you not to strap it, which is fair enough as you need to keep circulation going. But I would most strongly advise you to get a proper, non-constrictive support which is what athletes, footballers and the like use for this injury. This is not for constant use, it is just for when you start to get back on your feet, and it will stop you going over on the ankle and doing further damage. Don't bother with the lightweight versions from the pharmacy, check out the sports injury sites e.g. proline and return2fitness. The latter also has loads of info on all such injuries. Sorry to be the voice of doom, but like Helly I don't want you to follow my example. If you can get totally off your feet for the time being that is best. Mine got much better when I was laid up with shingles - but I don't recommend that as a remedy And ask to be referred to the physio asap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 (edited) Torn ligaments CAN take almost forever to heal, well months but it feels like forever. Try to think RICE Rest, ice, (but only for around 10 minutes at a time). Compression,(tubigrip type bandage)to fit snuggly but not tight, and finally Elevation, which means resting your foot on a chair or stool to keep it approximately knee height. Edited August 2, 2008 by Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathyw Posted August 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Thank you everyone for telling me what I neeeded to be told not what I wanted to hear. I know a few of you have told me already to rest and rest and rest but I thought you were feeling sorry for me. and that some would come on and say - do this and you will be up and about as usual in a week. I sit in a recliner and always have my feet level with my knees so that's alright. I am using ice wrapped in a towel. I have started to use a support but only for a short time - I waited till the swelling went down quite a bit. And I am resting cept for toilet trips upstairs, I will not have a commode or pee in a bucket, I couldn't bed down that far anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 You're talking to fugees here Kathy. We will always sympathise but we're dead honest with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs B Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 And I too will pitch in and say there is honestly only one way. REST! Been there, done that, and I boringly did what I was told, and it worked. RICE is excellent too. If no-one's said it before, and I know you love the truth .............. you will recover more quickly from a broken limb than torn ligaments. Now that we've all truly cheered you up .................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 once the swelling has gone down a good support bandage really helps as well. I was told to rest mine up for half an hour and then down for half an hour and keep repeating. But weight bearing before its ready will weaken it (I am another busy doggy/horsey person that couldn't wait) and it will plague you for ever !! REST REST and more REST!! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heva Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 also i mentioned on another thread dont know if anyone else used it but i got a TENS machine which has been amazing!!!! Just putting it on once a day has chilled all my muscles and ligaments right down......then i just put it on if it flares up in the day too!!!! But you just need to rest like everyone else said......I was off for weeks with my muscle and ligament injures and it does drive you round the bend no one will lie about that but its worth doing it as much as possible now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherlock Bones Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 When i had exactly the same injury as you (including the bruising underneath my foot and up to my knee - it was black...) I needed crutches. The hospital told me the pain was worse than a break. It sure was! I also needed physio to keep my foot mobile. If I were you, i'd talk to your gp about seeing a sports injury specialist (doesn't matter that you weren't doing sport!) to ensure you keep it mobile - but you must must must take the advice you're given!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathyw Posted August 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 The reason I have been reluctant to stay of my feet is becasue I am sure the doctor said stay of my feet for 48 hours, use ice, move foot every hour to keep it supple - he never mentioned keep resting it as in stay off it. Ray said he probably thought I would do that anyway as it would hurt so much. Anyway I am going to see gp just to see what she says, ie if she can arrange, if needed, physio.but in the meantime I have listened and will take the advice given here. Thank you. Ray was playing nursy quite happily but things got too much tonight. Men just cannot thing of more than two things at any one time and get in such a state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spins4me Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 No different advice but thought a might be welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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