Hi all,
I sprained my ankle really bad early Jul'17. I chose not to cast it (did an xray, fracture was ruled out) however did not know extent of ligament damage.
I wore a walking boot and was weightbearing - even though it hurt a lot. Once I could walk, I would push myself, and after a few weeks even did 2 5k runs (with it hurting - thought if I treated it 'normally' it should be fine). I even did heavy weightlifting with it.
3 months post injury, it would still hurt. Got an MRI: Complete tear ATFL, severe tear CFL, and several tendon injuries. Also a small avulsion fracture where my ligament was pulled.
Started PT a month ago and stiffness has improved a lot, however there is still pain and swelling.
Not sure if anyone has been in similar situation - is it worth casting at this stage? Will PT help at this stage? What are my non-surgical options? I want to avoid surgery at all costs. I don't feel unstable, just chronic pain and swelling. Stability, ROM and Stiffness seems manageable, but pain pain pain!
Thanks in advance for any insights.
Hey I just thought I would respond with what helped me through my grade 2.
1) Balancing heat and ice. Heat before activity and ice before rest!
2) BIM Resistance Bands. We tried many resistance bands as therapy for her back but many snapped and were not durable for my needs. BIM resistance bands are made with professional grade fibers and have not even ripped a little bit in the past 3 months. He is a link to them: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075RSCK88/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511138055&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bim+bands
3) Overall mood. I think it is important to realize that there will be some good days and some bad days but you cant let that ruin your vision of getting better. You will get better, like my girlfriend did. Just believe and you will.
Hi RS,
It sounds like you got some proper treatment for your ankle sprain initially. It probably was not a super good idea to start running again so early after injury. Perhaps that is what stalled your recovery and put you in your current stalemated condition.
All ankle sprains are not created equal. Some people are lucky with a Grade I type sprain with no ligament tears or other complications. After a short recovery they are usually back to sports and other activities.
Since you had complete ligament tears that would likely place you in the worst Grade III category. This type usually requires much more time to recover, and postpones return to sports etc.for a longer time.
You might still benefit from resting ankle in an air boot or trying a sturdy ankle brace. But I would definitely hope you are under the care of a competent sports medicine ankle specialist who could lead you by the hand out of this nightmare.
Good luck to you.
Hi, thanks so much for your reply!
Yes, looking back I shouldve been more sensible about the running... if only I knew and understood the severity of my injury. I only found out 3months after since it was still hurting and extremely stiff.
Im OK if it takes long to recover, but just need it to recover without surgery. Like I said biggest issue is pain... cant sleep for nights as the pain from the ankle migrates up my leg.
Is this normal? Ive only just started physical therapy/rehab for 1.5months... so is there chances of me recovering even if I started PT 3months after my injury? Im happy to even do it for a year if itll help and not do surgery!
Also, since I didnt cast it, does this have severe impacts?
Meeting my doc tmr to discuss this casting and pain issue.
Thank you so much!!
Hi Bryce,
Thank you so much for your insights - good to know about this brand! Have been using these bands during PT and wanted to buy a set for home so will look into BIM.
I think the mood is the worst part, not going to lie. I'm a very very very very active person (run in the mornings, gym in the evenings, and just generally prefer walking everywhere than taking transport) so this has been a blow to my lifestyle to say the least!
Really glad to hear about your girlfriend getting better - hoping for the best! I think I'm a bit in a shock as I genuinely didn't realise how bad it could be... guess that comes with being young and thinking I was invincible. Huge reality check.
Am taking my PT and rehab quite seriously and have minimal activity (and trying to cope with that!) so lets see how it goes in the next few months as I only started PT last month (3months post injury) and hope that within those 3 months I didn't screw it up for life!
Thanks a lot.
Rs,
Well, we live and learn. You are not the first ankle patient to rush into sports too soon after an injury, and you most assuredly will not be the last.
I hope for your sake you are under care of a specialist who is intimately familiar with your type of injury. Preferably a specialist who is not also a surgeon.
While some surgical intervention is absolutely required in some injuries, it seems to me that too many patients are looking for an immediate solution and believe in idea of surgery as if it is a magical cure-all. It is not.
Your question second-guessing whether you should have been casted from start-- only your doc knows for sure. An airboot or air cast (or maybe just a top shelf sports quality ankle brace) would probably be sufficient to immobilize and protect soft tissue immediately after accident.
Again, good luck to you.
'Well, we live and learn.' --> I think that's exactly what I needed to hear. I felt like such a fool to make such a stupid mistake. But I am learning (albeit the hard way - think I reinjured it with yoga...) but am really putting in my 100% with the physio and rehab.
Also completely agree about the surgery - to be honest I considered it too thinking its a 'quick fix' solution - and after reading some literature in the area, realised it is anything but.
My doctor (in my opinion) is pretty good and thorough, and he said to do rehab for 6months and see how I feel. My physio even said I should be able to run my half marathon by next year! Being too hopeful maybe? Im not sure but ill take the optimism for now - could really use some! It's been difficult on the lifestyle to say the least but I'm realising long term impacts and will be keeping my ankle in as much rest, whilst still maintaining exercise through swimming with a noodle between my legs.
Sorry I'm kindof using this space to also vent and outline my thought process, so forgive me for the long posts! It's just nice to discuss it 
hi Bro,
I hope you are doing good.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
I am also in similar situation, i have injured on nov 4,2017.the pain and swelling was there for a day. Now i am able to walk and run, but MRI says atfl ligament complete tear. No other injuries or tears.My doctor is suggesting an surgery. Can you please suggest me on this.
Hi there,
No. I really think you should see another doctor - surgeries are a LAST RESORT when you cannot do anything and if youre ankle is extremely unstable. I have been up for many nights just reading and reading and reading.
If you are able to walk and especially run, I wouldn't even consider surgery. What I'm doing now is physio and rehab - for me it still hurts... and my doc said at least 6months of rehab. NOT SURGERY. Do NOT go down that route unless there is no other option.
Even if you can walk, I strongly suggest rehab and this would strengthen your ankle and prevent future problems that may occur due to the tear.
I beg you to look into this more as surgery for the ankle is not like other body parts... it literally takes all your weight and healing takes up to 2years. And more that that, is simply unnecessary.
Hope that helps - let me know if you need any more help!
Thank you Bro.I am seeing another doctor on monday. Can you please share your doctor contact details. I would like to get in touch with him
Hi,
So sorry for the late response! I'm actually in Bangkok so can't help you there - but I really really suggest seeing a rehab specialist/sports doctor/foot & ankle specialist and not a surgeon to get another perspective.
Let me know how it goes again with your doc.
Hi
I hope you’re doing well,
I too sprained my ankle jan 12,2018. And the MRI said that I have a grade 3 injury (completely torn atfl) and other injuries ( grade 2 sprain in the calcaneo ligament).
Sadly I have both ankles sprained but the left one is more severe. I’m really feeling down and can’t stop thinking that I’ll probably never going to be able to walk normally ever again.
Though I’m 20 years old but the first doc I went to said I needed to get a surgery (and I said NO of course). went to 2 other doctors both didn’t suggest surgery and told me that even a completely torn ligament can heal through time.
I’m wearing a walking boot now and struggling to cope with the lifestyle change (2nd semester started but can’t go to uni yet) and I hate being dependent on others (though I’m very very greatfull for my family)
Anyway, I wanted to ask how are you doing now? Is the pain gone and the ligaments are heald?
And I also want to say should I rest and set all day long or should I put weight on the ankles and move them more?( It’s been 2.5 weeks since injury)
Ah I had typed up a huge long msg and it didnt save! Anyhow wanted to say - talk about lifestyle... I was peaking in my fitness. Running half marathons, lifting like crazy. I walk everywhrre (dont know how to drive) and am excessively active (just turned 25yrs) so totally understabd. It did take a huge toll on me... fair share of tears and depression but you realise its all so superficial becauss you will recover
Its been 8months for me and although im not back to 100%, it is SO MUCH BETTER. I did PT and rehab super ultra religiously - i ate everything right, nutritious food, antiinflammatory (turmeric w milk) and applied heat. I maxed out everything as I needed to get back in to running (and into wearing heels!) asap.
Truth is for me its not 100% since I was diagnosed w trauma activated fibrous tarsal coalition... but when I do my PT exercises it feels tons better and when I stop it actually begins to hurt... so youll need to take care.
Dont do surgery yet - give it AT LEAST 6MONTHS - you will be surprised. Yes i was depressed and sometimes I still cry xuz I cant run yet and thoughf I would be.in pain for the rest of my life.
But it will get better. Completely torn ligaments dont 'heal' - rather, you strenghten the muscles aroubd it so it compensates for the lacl of ligament and is strong enough do do so.
Im happy for you get in touch if you want to talk further - I know its a debilitating feeling... but I swear itll improve. I.only found out anout my tear after 3months so youre very lucky!! Can starf rehab and PT sooner
For exercise start of with non weight bearing i.e. range of movement and ankle strengthening before moving to weight bearing - but be sure to exercise your ankle otherwise scar tissue will make it stiff which hurts a lot to break!
hi, i find your experience interesting.
my ankle is very unstable, i suffered a comminuted fracture last year, bones took months to heal. i didn't exercise the foot like i should have. then opted for ligaments reconstruction surgery (deltoid on one side and 3 smaller ligaments on the other side), i spent 2 months nwb. during summer the ankle started to hurt again and in september i was diagnosed with stress fractures (my leg bones were weak).
finally this year i started to use the leg but i overdid as i started to run too soon, i just refractured it yesterday.
i think i should have insisted more with exercises before the ligament surgery. i hope the ligaments survived this new injury, but i'm happy to read positive outcome without surgery.
can i ask why you preferred the boot over the cast? i used both and think the cast is much better.
Hi rs, I found your post very usefull and at the same time a ray of hope that I might also recover from Grade 3-complete Torn of ATFL and partially Torn of CFL. Doctors have also advised me for surgery but I refused and now will start going to Physio soon.
Just want hear from you more about hows is ankle, how you are feeling, Are you able to play sports now? Mine is pretty bad condition not able to walk too much or able to walk but very lamely.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks,
Hey, I wanted to inform you about my condition since I too sprained my ankle pretty severely back in Jan.
YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE
I wish I know that months later. I ‘ll probably be more optimistic about the whole situation.
I’m not 100% back to normal, i can jog, do light dancing, and walk for long distance. Yes it will swallow at the end of the day, but I’m still healing. I did PT for 2 months, 3 sessions every week.
But you will walk again and live your love as you did before. I truly know how you are feeling, and if you needed anything please just send a message.
Hi Oscar,
Really sorry to hear about your refracture - I do realise its been a while... how is it doing?!
To be honest the biggest thing you can give yourself is TIME TO HEAL - I know it sounds frustrating and the last thing you want to hear... but there is no other honest answer I can provide.
I only chose the boot because I didnt want to be on crutches (most stupid decision ever) as I think with the cast I wouldve a) healed faster and b) healed better.
Please let me know how you're doing... sorry for the late response!
I totally second this. Now, it has been 10months post sprain. I will admit it is not 100%. But my depression is 100% gone
I can pretty much jog-ish but to be honest I havent started because Im scared... but I plan to within the next few weeks. I can walk fast! My life is pretty much back to normal with a few exceptions:
- no half marathons (or any morning runs)
- trainers are my go-to shoes for everyday wear (i used to only wear ballerinas)
- a bit slower in trekking than usual!
- NO high heels 
I wear small heeled boots to complete my look... I know it sounds silly but I'm a very high-heels girl so this took some emotional toll too
- being extra cautious when walking on unstable streets
Other than that, mostly everything is fine and ALL YOU NEED TO GIVE IT IS REST AND TIME AND PROPER REHAB TRAINING. DO NOT stop working out - just do the right kind. I would be able to play sport, yes, I highly recommend you wait at least a year before even considering surgery - I know this sounds crazy. A year? Who the hell is gonna wait that long? But after a few months which feel like forever and maybe a lot of tears, you become used to it and feel better. I promise. With surgery, healing is LONGER and UNCERTAIN. Dont make that decision too quickly - it is definitely for the worse if not truly necessary.
Hope you take this seriously - please msg whenever and Ill be more responsive
thanks for answer!
my bones are weak so i'm still in a long leg plaster cast, in 2 days i'll start to walk on it.
at beginning i was worried about having my entire leg casted but the ankle felt great. after 6 weeks i had the cast changed, they tried to put me in a fiber one but was just too painful so changed again for a new plaster up to the groin. was given ok to rest it down and also move my toes.
this orthopaedic device is heavy and bulky but it's much more effective than the fiber cast and the plastic boot. now i know that my previous issues were caused by a lack of immobilization.
only this week i feel like my ankle is healing.
in 2 weeks this cast will come off but i expect to have a short walking cast hopefully the fiber would be ok by then.
i already gave away the plastic boot.